Real-estate billionaire Donald Trump has withdrawn his $5 million lawsuit against Bill Maher, the liberal comedian host of HBO’s “Real Time” — for now anyway.
“The lawsuit was temporarily withdrawn to be amended and refiled at a later date,” Michael Cohen, a lawyer for Trump, told TMZ.
The suit centered on a $5 million bet between the two celebrities. In January, Maher said he’d pay that amount in cash to charities of Trump’s choice if the Donald released a birth certificate proving he’s not the “spawn of his mother having sex with an orangutan.” Maher was playing on Trump’s challenge of President Barack Obama’s birth certificate.
Trump indeed released his own certificate. But Maher refused to pay up, saying it was all a joke. Trump promised legal action and filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles in February.
Last month, Trump insisted he was ready for justice to run its course. “He made an offer, I accepted the offer,” Trump said then on ABC. “He didn’t say it was a joke [at the time]. We’re going to find out if it was a joke. The courts will tell.”
U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, the federal judge in Montana who sent an email last year suggesting that President Barack Obama’s mother had sex with a dog, has retired following an investigation into his conduct.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit announced Tuesday that Cebull had submitted his retirement letter, effective May 3. A special committee had conducted a “thorough and extensive investigation” and submitted their report to the circuit’s Judicial Council, which issued a confidential order and memorandum on March 15, according to the court.
In the email forwarded by Cebull, a young Obama asks his mother why he’s black and she is white. “Don’t even go there Barack! From what I can remember about that party, you’re lucky you don’t bark!” his mother replies. Cebull told recipients of his email that he hoped it “touches your heart like it did mine.”
Branden Lee is a blogger, screenwriter, producer, and actor, currently residing in Boston, MA. Follow Branden on Twitter @Brandeness and check out Branden’s blog .
Some of the best shows are currently being distributed online. Many up and coming screenwriters, producers, directors, actors, etc… are getting their work out there by creating and starring in webseries. As a TV junkie, and screenwriter/producer/actor myself, I’m always looking for something new to watch, and discovering other talented artists out there. Webseries give these filmmakers the freedom to distribute their content for all to u see. Using sites such as Kickstarter, and other fundraising venues, budget raising is becoming so much easier and more accessible. There are tons of talented people out there, whose work has yet to be discovered by the mainstream. Webseries give these may talented artists the chance to be discovered and entertain the masses.
Here are just of few of my favorite webseries that are definitely worth watching.
1. The Most Popular Girls in School
The Most Popular Girls in School is my favorite webseries discovery. The show revolves around the rivalry of the cheer quad and the Van Buren sisters, with many other hilarious characters in between, fighting to be the most popular in Overland Park, Kansas. The series is outrageously funny, superficial, campy, ridiculous, and I would probably watch every single episode every single day if I had the time. The Most Popular Girls in School began airing in 2012, and gained much of it’s popularity through the extremely quotable gifs made of the characters on Tumblr. The series is told using Barbies instead of real people, which makes it even better. Personally, I love everything that uses Barbies. The Most Popular Girls in School began airing episodes for it’s second season last month, but all episodes are available on the show’s YouTube account.
2. The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl revolves around J, who’s an awkward black girl. The show follows J and her life struggles, including a job she hates and her hilariously annoying coworkers who she can’t stand. J must also deal with her dating life, and lack their of, and delves into her first experience of interracial dating. Awkward Black Girl is wildly hilarious and extremely relatable. Even if you’re not awkward, black, or a girl, it’s impossible to not laugh out loud to this program. It’s extremely entertaining. All episodes are available on YouTube.
3. Hunting Season
Hunting Season is the Logo Channel’s first official commissioned webseries. Hunting Season revolves around Alex, an aspring writer in NYC. The show follows Alex and his three best friends, and their trials and tribulations of being sexual young gay men in today’s day and age in New York City. It’s basically Sex and the City, but with young gay guys. Hunting Season may not seem that original in concept, but it’s a fantastic show. Dealing with so many issues gay men face in today’s dating world from online dating, clubbing, hookups, open relationships, etc… Hunting Season is definitely worth watching. All episodes are available for watching on the show’s website or the Logo website.
4. The Outs
The Outs also follows a group of young gay men, and a girl, and the ins and outs of their lives in NYC. Well more specifically Brooklyn. The Outs has proved to be extremely popular because of it’s more slow paced and realistic view of being young and gay, and having troubles dealing with breakups and moving on. Where many gay shows are complained about by depending on nudity and sex to get viewers, The Outs has proved that there’s more to gay storytelling than sex. The series does have it, but it’s not gratuitous or for shock value. The Outs is available for viewing on their website.
5. Where The Bears Are
Where The Bears Are also revolves around a group of gay men, but instead of being young, conventionally attractive, or in shape, this show focuses on the older, huskier, men in the gay community known as “bears”. Where The Bears Are revolves around 3 friends, who discover a dead body in their bathroom after a party at their place. The entire first season revolves around trying to solve the mystery of who murdered the man and their tub, but also delves into the characters personal lives. So if watching young in shape gays’ dating struggles doesn’t appeal to you, perhaps watching older chubbier gay men’s dating struggles will interest you. Plus it’s a murder mystery! Where The Bears Are is available for viewing on their website.
With most network shows ending their seasons before summer, now is the perfect time to discover plenty of other programs to add to your TV catalog to enjoy! Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
And while a lot of people start going to the gym for swimsuit season, looking good in a swim suit is not my motivation behind setting the alarm clock early and hitting the street for an early run.
For me, staying strong and fit isn’t just about today. Staying healthy is an integral part of the vision for my life.
I want to stay fit for the person I will be in three decades. It’s about being in the best shape possible so I can participate in life.
It’s hard to enjoy life to the max when we aren’t feeling our physical best.
That’s why taking the steady route to fitness and good health is better than working out in fits and spurts. Because health isn’t about getting fit for a season. Good health is about being fit for life.
It’s about our kids and our families and friends. It’s making sure we are here for the important events in life like watching sunsets in June and shoveling snow in February.
Staying fit is about being able to throw my nephews up in the air and chasing my youngest sister around the park.
It’s about walking all over Boson and participating in community activities- now and in thirty years.
In the near future, I want to backpack through Italy and coast of La Cinque Terre. I want to hike all over Bali and Manila.
I want to throw my own kids up in the air one day. I want to run over (medium sized) mountains and through nature trails. It’d be nice to beat my brother in arm wrestling (probably just a fantasy).
I won’t be able to do what I want to do, to live the life I want to live, if I’m lugging around a lot of extra pounds or if I don’t keep my bones and muscles strong .
I worked for more than 8 years as a RN in acute care hospitals. I saw what happened to people who spent years doing all sorts of activities but neglected to care for their own bodies.
Watching a grown man- a big, tough guy- break down crying sitting on the side of the hospital bed was heart wrenching.
He was significantly overweight and was recently diagnosed with diabetes. To top it all off, the knee operation after an accident was going to require a lot of physical therapy and his pain was intense. He had a lot going against him in his battle to regain his health. Now he couldn’t take care of his young family like he wanted to. They were going to take care of him.
I wish I could tell you he was an isolated story.
Unfortunately, I witness hundreds if not thousands of people whose current physical situations were being exacerbated by lifestyle choices: overweight, weak muscles, years of smoking and basic inattention to their own health.
Before I make it sound like I’m a marine about working out…I’m not. I love to bake. I love to eat. I love to cook. I am convinced that what goes on in the kitchen is a lot more than onions and mushrooms sautéing on the stove. I’m working on a book about the joy of baking and building relationship in the kitchen. Working in the kitchen has changed my life.
But at the same time I’m careful that what I love doesn’t interfere with my ability to live.
I don’t eat out at fast food. I watch the salt intake. I’ve eliminated certain foods from my diet. I believe in moderation in all things. I walk every day.
Some days I mess up and have a few too many just-out-of-the-oven warm, chocolate chip cookies. But I get back on track.
Allow them to reintroduce themselves as ROC Nation. Robinson Cano has stunned the baseball world by firing Scott Boras in the middle of extension talks with the Yankees. Boras is the biggest agent in baseball so for Cano to fire him during negotiations is bizarre. As if this wasn’t a strange enough development, soon after ESPNs Buster Olney reported the split, word circulated that Cano had found new representation. Cano signed a deal with hip hop mogul Jay Z.
At first I thought reports had to be wrong but apparently Jay Z has started a new endeavor. He has partnered with CAA talent agency to start his own sports management agency by the name of ROC Nation. Jay Z’s first client is Robinson Cano. When reached for a statement, Boras told members of the New York media that he hadn’t heard from Cano about a split but a tweet from Cano told a different story.
Rumors have been swirling and sources have been speaking. The word is that former Boras clients, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixiera had been in Cano’s ear about firing Boras. They allegedly told him that parting ways with Boras could only help his image with the fan base. Rodriguez and Teixiera both have fired Boras in the past, but only after major contract negotiations. Cano is the first major name to ever bounce the super agent before a big pay day.
Another rumor swirling is why Boras was not alerted of this blockbuster deal. The rumor is that the Yankees offered Boras a 6 year deal worth $27.5 million a year and Boras told the Yanks “no way” without consulting with Cano. If that is true, it makes sense why Boras would be the last to know about his termination.
As for Cano’s decision to sign with Jay Z, a lot of thought has gone into that. Sources say the Cano wants to be a name brand both on and off the field. Sweeny Murti from WFan said he was told Cano wants to be like Jeter and sees that only being possible in New York. Cano sees Jay Z as the best way of accomplishing all this. All in all, this move seems to be the first win of the season for the Yankees. The likelihood of Cano staying in pinstripes is much greater now that Boras is out and Hova is in.
I recently returned from a week long vacation where I ate and drank whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. While it made for a free-spirited break from real life, upon returning home, I find my body feels sluggish and my jeans are a bit tighter than I would prefer. Yikes!
The internet offers no shortage of ways to drop a few pounds fast, but if I don’t return to my daily healthy lifestyle, I know those pounds will creep right back (and probably bring a few friends). Further, so-called “Crash Dieting” (aka Fad Dieting, Yo-Yo Dieting) carries its own host of problems, including:
Slowed metabolism
Weakened immune system
Cardiac stress
In particular, shortages of essential vitamins and nutrients to body can cause tremendous stress, potentially carrying long-term, damaging results. When your body doesn’t get what it needs from food, it will turn inward to find it, potentially pulling nutrients from bones and tissue.
Is it worth it?
Even if you commit to a crash diet for no more than a week or two, there are very few (if any) advantages gained. Namely, the weight you may lose is predominantly water, and will very likely reappear once you return to your normal diet. More importantly, a crash diet throws your body’s metabolism into shock. When you severely restrict your calories and nutrients, your body adapts to functioning on the lesser amounts. When you do return to your normal diet, your body will still be accustomed to functioning on less, typically resulting in weight gain. While your body will eventually adapt back to functioning with more food, it could take weeks or months of weight gain before everything balances.
The Bottom Line
Changing your eating habits is still the number one way to manage your weight, but slow and steady wins this race. Committing to healthy lifestyle choices, specifically a balanced diet and exercise, will ultimately yield greater returns in the long run. Consider losing and maintaining weight is 80% nutrition and 20% exercise – you can have one without the other, but they work best together.
If you’re ready to take a closer look at your nutrition and exercise habits, there are several great online tools to help you track what you eat and how often you move. Take a week or two and start logging using one of these tools. Before too long, you’ll be able to identify which foods are undermining you, and areas for improvement.
Another Republican congressman comes out in support of gay marriage, and this time, it didn’t take his son being gay for him to accept gays loving each other. He now joins Rob Portman as the only two Republicans in Congress approving of same-sex marriage.
Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois announced his support Tuesday for gay marriage, becoming the second Republican to endorse marriage equality.
Kirk, who recently returned to Congress after suffering a stroke, joins Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio as the only sitting Republican senators to support marriage for same-sex couples.
“Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage,” Kirk said in a statement. “Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you and love and who loves you back — government has no place in the middle.”
The senator’s announcement comes a week after the U.S. Supreme Court heard historic arguments challenging same-sex marriage and as public opinion polls show more acceptance. The change in attitudes has also been occurring in the U.S. Senate, starting first with Portman and then a host of Democrats who have publicly declared their support.
Ever wondered if you could eat your way to beautiful skin?
I’ve worked in skin care and cosmetics for enough years to see many products go through the market. Today cosmetic and skin care research is fueled by plant science. Scientists and researchers pull nutrients from plants, fruits and vegetables, infusing skin products with their essential oils, vitamins and nutrients to create creams and serums to aid people in their quest for beautiful skin.
However, a person will be hard pressed to have beautiful skin simply by schlepping a bunch of cream on.
A lot of people want products to give them beautiful skin but they don’t realize there are other components. For example, our diet plays a big part in creating beautiful or not so beautiful skin.
What we eat has the potential to show up on our faces. And beauty isn’t just about the products applied on the face. Beauty is also about what is kept off. High levels exposure to harmful UV rays from the sun and buildup of bacteria and dirt in the pores are two things you definitely want away from your skin.
And what you has the potential to heavily impact the condition of your skin. According to the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology many vegetables and fruits contain specific vitamins that not only protect our skin. They can reverse age as well.
If having beautiful skin is on your priority list for healthy living, make sure to pick up the following produce next time you are at the grocery store or farmers market.
7 Essential Fruits and Vegetables for Beautiful Skin
1. Asparagus
Asparagus has a high alkaline content that balances the pH levels of the skin. Maintaining a balanced pH level in your skin is critical to clean, clear skin. If the pH level goes too low or high, conditions such as dryness and acne can occur.
2. Strawberries
The high amount of vitamin C and antioxidants in strawberries makes them a key contributor to good health. Additionally, in a 2007 study the Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports strawberries play a part in the synthesis of collagen (the substance in our skin that keeps it firm).
3. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain Vitamin C and they also have properties that protect the skin from harmful sun rays. A study states that people who ate an equivalent of 5 Tablespoons of tomato paste every day had 33% more protection from the sun than people who didn’t. Spaghetti anyone?
4. Pink Grapefruit
In 2008, a study in European Journal of Pharmaceutics found that people who ate diets high in lycopene in pink grapefruit had smoother skin than people who did not. Lycopene’s ability to prevent free radicals from ravaging the skin is the secret behind how lycopene keeps the skin smooth. Additionally, lycopene is thought to prevent blocked pores and protect the harmful rays of light. Tomatoes and papayas also have significant levels of lycopene.
5. Avocado
Fans of avocados credit the green fruit with all sorts of health benefits including keeping the skin soft and supple. Avocados have high levels of vitamin E and essential oils which help keep skin looking and feeling smooth and healthy.
6. Corn & Leafy Greens
Both corn and leafy green vegetables have high levels of lutein. Lutein acts as a barrier against the sun’s most harmful rays. The CDC reports that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. More than 67,000 people in 2009 were diagnosed with skin cancer- a good reason to keep on the SPF and increase our consumption of vegetables that protect us against the UV rays.
7. Edamame
If you needed a good reason to get sushi tonight, here you are: Edamame contains two fabulous health benefits for skin.
First, it absorbs the harmful free radicals caused by exposure to the sun. Second, edamame helps to maintain collagen levels, thus keeping our skin firmer and younger looking for longer.
Final Thought on Eating Our Way to Beauty
An interesting final note: the fruits and vegetables listed here are a variety of colors and types. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is the key to a diet that will help skin improve and stay beautiful. Eat lots of them. Cut back on processed foods that pull fluid and moisture from the skin. Drink lots of water.
In what is being described as the toughest gun control laws in the nation, Connecticut lawmakers yesterday agreed that the murder… no, slaughter of kids by crazed lunatics in their state will not be tolerated.
The proposal also called for background checks for private gun sales and a new registry for existing magazines that carry 10 or more bullets, something of a compromise for parents of Newtown victims who had wanted an outright ban on them, while legislators had proposed grandfathering them into the law.
The package also creates what lawmakers said is the nation’s first statewide dangerous weapon offender registry, immediate universal background checks for all firearms sales and expansion of Connecticut’s assault weapons ban.
A new state-issued eligibility certificate would also be needed to purchase any rifle, shotgun or ammunition under the legislation. To get the certificate, a buyer would need to be fingerprinted, take a firearms training course and undergo a national criminal background check and involuntary commitment or voluntary admission check.
The deal is “the most comprehensive package in the country because of its breadth,” said Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, a Fairfield Republican whose district includes Newtown.
The NRA and their Republican supporters in Congress will not be happy.
Branden Lee is a blogger, screenwriter, producer, and actor, currently residing in Boston, MA. Follow Branden on Twitter @Brandeness and check out Branden’s blog .
Game of Thrones, HBO’s hit epic fantasy magical medieval series, returned to TV for it’s 3rd season premiere on Sunday March 31. For those of you unfamiliar, Game of Thrones is based on the book series A Song of Fire & Ice by American author George R. R. Martin. Game of Thrones has something for everyone’s taste. Including romance, royalty, war, mystery, murder, zombies, and much much more.
The series focuses on the mythical land of Westeros and it’s several kingdoms, each with a prominent family with a stake and desire to claim the iron throne. Game of Thrones has tons of characters, so it would be impossible to not have a favorite, well multiple favorites. My top 3 favorite characters are…
1. Cersei Lannister (played by Lena Headey)
Ever since the first episode of Game of Thrones I knew Cersei would be my favorite. She’s the queen of the entire kingdom, and very deceptive and cunning. I can’t resist and evil queen. Cersei’s had an incestuous relationship with her twin brother Jaime, which resulted in her 3 children, unbeknownst to her (now deceased) husband King Robert Baratheon. Cersei also carries on an incestuous relationship with her younger cousin Lancel, whenever Jaime is away at battle. Her type is clearly men she’s related to. Cersei conspired with Lancel to slowly poison her husband King Robert, ultimately resulting in his death. Cersei’s eldest child, her teenage son Joffrey, is now the king. Cersei does love all of her children very much, though she’s lost control of Joffrey, who’s clearly a vindictive cowardly sociopath.
What I love most about Cersei, besides being an evil queen, is that she embodies power along with remarkable beauty. The position of queen may not yield as much power as the king, but Cersei always outwits, outlasts, and outplays her opponents. Cersei has her faults, such as being an overbearing mother, practicing incest, and secretly plotting to dispose of everyone new who enters her life. But Cersei’s a fantastic character, and my favorite in the entire Game of Thrones universe. Cersei’s gorgeous, evil, and the queen! Everything I love.
2. Melisandre (played by Carice van Houten)
Melisandre didn’t mak her Game of Thrones debute until season 2, but was an instant favorite of mine. Melisandre is the mistress of Stannis Baratheon, brother to the deceased King Robert, who is on a mission to reclaim the throne. Stannis hates that Joffrey, who’s not really his brother’s son and therefore not the rightful heir, is now the king. Stannis wants to reclaim the throne for the Baratheons. Melisandre is a red priestess with magical powers which allows her to be immune to poison, see the future in flames, and birth out shadow assassin creatures, which resemble Venom from the third Spider Man movie. One of these shadow creatures was used to murder Stannis’ own brother Renly, who also wanted to reclaim the throne in the Baratheon name, but since Stannis is the older brother he believed he should be king instead of Renly. Resulting in Renly’s demise. The desire for power in Game of Thrones leads families to turn on each other. Wives will murder their own husbands. Brothers will murder each other. No one is off limits when it comes to ruling over Westeros.
What I love about Melisandre is that every single person in Stannis’ life despises her and has warned him against her. Melisandre has used her seductive powers to have control over him, and even convert Stannis and his followers to her religion. I love a woman that can control a man. Also Melisandre’s a homewrecker, and I love mistresses. Stannis is very much a married man, who was known for his extremely moral behavior, until Melisandre came along. Melisandre also possesses magical powers. She can see the future, she burns people alive, and Melisdandre births shadow assassins from her vagina! She’s a seductive homewrecking sorceress, and that’s why I’m rooting for her.
3. Margaery Tyrell (played by Natalie Dormer)
Margaery also made her debut on Game of Thrones in season 2. Margaery started out as the wife of Renly Baratheon. Renly needed Margaery’s family’s money and army resources to help him stake his claim to the throne. Renly was carrying on a gay relationship with Magaery’s brother Loras, which she was very much aware of. Margaery didn’t care if she was going to be married to a gay man who was having sex with her brother, as long as she was to be queen. After Renly’s untimely death, Margaery needed a new plan to become queen. Now her family has aligned with the Lannisters, and Margaery’s engaged to Cersei Lannister’s son, King Joffrey. Margaery is definitely becoming a power player in season 3, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her and her impending wedding to King Joffrey. I also am looking forward to the arrival of Margaery’s grandmother, Olenna Redwyne (played by Dame Diana Rigg) who I know will also quickly become one of my favorites.
Game of Thrones airs Sunday nights at 9pm on HBO. If you haven’t watched the first 2 seasons, hurry and catch up! The current season is surely going to be the best yet.
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past year, you’ve most likely heard of The Walking Dead, AMC’s zombie drama success, but the question is….
Have you been watching it??
Last night was Season’s 3 Season Finale and as usual after an hour of watching a Walking Dead episode, I am emotionally spent.
The Walking Dead is about, yes it’s true, zombies.
However, it’s a lot more than that. It really digs deep into the complex social, emotional, and physical relationships that develop once a sort of apocalypse world occurs. I had no interest in watching this show when it first began for the simple fact that it’s about Walkers (another name for zombies) and I just didn’t see the appeal. Yet, someone insisted I watch the show, so I gave the Pilot episode a chance and boy, did it deliver. One episode and I was hooked for life.
The actors on the show are top-notch and they make it easy to get caught up in this zombie flesh-eating world. Andrew Lincoln leads the cast as Rick while he successfully, and sometimes not, leads his group through survival in the new world. Unfortunately, not all of them have/will survive.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the show is that nothing and no one (including their life) is guaranteed. I have shed quite a few tears over the loss of some of my beloved characters, so please brace yourself for that.
The show also does an excellent job of addressing the ever-changing morality issue. In this new world, it’s either kill or be killed because either you kill or you die, or worse, you die and you kill.
So, how far will they go to survive? The show does a beautiful job of exploring this question and more.
We see people like Rick, our fearless leader, go through the emotional and mental struggles of remaining sane in a most illogical world and his fight to keep abreast in order to lead his new family to some sort of normalcy.
We also see that human conflict continues to exist as Rick’s group goes up against The Governor (our little anti-hero who took too many dips into the crazy pool) and his lovely people at Woodbury.
And no zombie show would be complete without some kick-ass mesmerizing Walker battle encounters with Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) leading the fray.
So, if you are one of the few who is still trying to decide if you should follow the masses and get caught up in this zombie-apocalypse creation, then the good news is that Season 4 doesn’t begin until October.
That gives you plenty of time to give this show a try and see what you’ve been missing!
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