Gioachino Rossini gets a Google Doodle for his 220th birthday. Or is it his 53rd?

Gioachino Rossini — the famed Italian composer behind The Barber of Seville — turns 220 today. Sort of. Depending how you’re counting, he might be a comparably sprightly 53.
It is, of course, February 29: Leap Day.

 

 

It takes the Earth about 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes and 16 seconds to orbit the sun, so (almost) every four years, a day is added to keep the calendar in sync with the seasons. Occasionally, the calendar will leap the leap day to adjust for the fact that the extra time isn’t exactly six hours per year. (And lets not even get into leap seconds.)

 

The uneven numbers create an interesting situation for people born on Feb. 29 — leapers. For legal purposes, their birthdays will be on either Feb. 28 or March 1 in non-leap years — which depends on the country they’re in.

Did J-Lo suffer wardrobe malfunction on stage?

Many are speculating whether Jennifer Lopez suffered a bit of a wardrobe malfunction on stage.

The American Idol judge was wearing a very low-cut white Zuhair Murad gown and may have showed a little more than she would have liked while presenting the award, ironically, for Best Costume Design.

J-Lo re-tweeted her stylist overnight, claiming the dress gave quite the "illusion."

Oscars 2012: Celebrate Awards Season with the 84th Annual Academy Awards Poster

For those of us to whom film is a religion, the Oscars is our Christmas. So when the first sign of the 2012 holiday season arises in the form of a poster advertising the 84th Annual Academy Awards, we can't help but be overcome by merriment. If you're like us, you’re sure to cast your predictions for this year's big winners (which is always a bit different from the list of those that you think should win).

 

But inevitable injustices aside, Awards Season is a magical time of the year. It's the most brazen, outspoken appreciation of the spectacular international art form that is cinema. It's a time when we are invited to dissect the use of camera angles and scores. It's a time when we are meant to take an extended look at the men and women who have delivered us the memorable characters of the past several months, honing in on those who have made us believe in the world built around them. It is an exemplary time to be a movie-lover, because it's a time when almost everyone is interested in hearing and talking about movies, actors and screenplays. It's a magical time.

 

So don't hold back your enthusiasm. Mark your calendars for Feb. 26, 7 p.m et/4 p.m. PT. It's beginning to look at lot like the Academy Awards Season, and it's time to start spreading the cheer.

Vee Jones Biography

 

Vee Jones

Female
27 years old
San Diego, California, US 

Hello everyone, My name is Vee Jones , I'm a new model in San Diego and just joined this site. I'm a motivated, dedicated worker and I'm working to build my modeling career. I'd like to shoot with all different photographers with a unique creativeness. I'm Filipino and Black , Fun and Love working with the lens. I'm in the process of updating my portfolio for next year. Please take the time to view my photos. Please let me know if you're interested in working with me. Thanks -V

I don't shoot nudes, so please don't ask.

Currently in the works on shooting a new calendar for 2011. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Davy Jones of the Monkees Dead at Age 66

Davy Jones, the lead singer of the Beatles-inspired made-for-TV pop group the Monkees, died Wednesday. He was 66.

The performer suffered a heart attack in Indiantown, Fla., where he resided, his publicist Helen Kensick tells the Associated Press.

"All of his family, friends and fans mourn Davy's loss," says Joseph Pacheco, Jones's manager and brother-in-law. "We were fortunate to have such an incredible human being in our lives. Sadly, his time on Earth was cut far too short and he will be missed tremendously by all who knew him."

The British-born Jones joined Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith in the TV show The Monkees about a pop band by the same name which ran from 1966 to 1968.

After the show was canceled, the group continued in various incarnations for years. The Monkees had several hits including "I'm a Believer" and "Last Train to Clarksville."

Early Wednesday morning, Jones "began to complain of not feeling well and having trouble breathing," the Martin County Sheriff's Office says in a statement.

Paramedics transported him to Martin Health System, where he was pronounced dead.

"At this time there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death," says the sheriff.

Jones's family says in a statement: "He passed next to his passions, his horses, and was one hour away from his wife, Jessica Pacheco-Jones."

Jones is survived by Jessica, three sisters, four daughters and three grandchildren.

Oscars 2012: Jean Dujardin wins, curses in French, gets his dance on

Given the number of teary, emotional acceptance speeches we've witnessed over the course of the 2012 awards season, we were pleased to see "The Artist" star Jean Dujardin take the stage full of vim and vigor after winning Best Actor at the Academy Awards.

Dujardin had a prepared speech, which some may perceive as overly confident, but given the popularity of "The Artist" throughout the season, we appreciated the foresight. "I love your country!" he exclaimed on stage. "Thank you to the academy. It's funny because in 1929 it wasn't Billy Crystal, but Douglas Fairbanks who hosted the first Oscar ceremony. Tickets cost five dollars and it lasted 15 minutes. Times have changed. So, thank you Douglas Fairbanks."

As the first French actor to win an Oscar, Dujardin would be doing us a disservice if he didn't speak some of his native language during his speech -- and he did. Word is that he even dropped the F-bomb in French on stage, and totally got away with it! Though he wasn't played off stage, Dujardin wasn't quite ready to leave when he finished his speech, so he hung out on stage, dancing and rejoicing as poor Natalie Portman stood by uncomfortably.

The producers even cut awkwardly to the musicians in the balconies. After all, spontaneity is a no-no at the Academy Awards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meryl Streep Biography & Career

 

AKA Mary Louise Streep
Born: 22-Jun-1949
Birthplace: Summit, NJ

Gender: Female
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Actor
Party Affiliation: Democratic

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: The Deer Hunter

An awkward, uncomfortable, and not particularly attractive girl from Jersey, Streep says she had little confidence in herself until attending Vassar, an all-women's college. "How we looked was not important, instead how we thought was more important. How we argued, learned, discovered, laughed and joked mattered. I felt like a human being, not a woman or child, and felt the quality of my own character."

For Sophie's Choice, she learned Polish. For Music of the Heart, she learned the violin, and played five hours daily. She has been nominated for 13 Oscars, more than any other performer (Katharine Hepburn is in second place, with 12 nominations). In the 25 years from 1978 to 2002, she was Oscar-nominated more years than she wasn't. She has taken home two of the statuettes, for Kramer vs Kramer and Sophie's Choice. After winning her first Oscar, she accidentally left it on top of a toilet after the awards ceremony.

 

Streep has become more outspoken politically in recent years, taking public stands against domestic violence, water pollution, nuclear power, and George W. Bush. "What pushed me over the edge?" she asked. "Name a topic. Everything pushed me over the edge! The quiet dismantling of environmental regulations. The phoniness of No Child Left Behind. Everybody should be getting up and making a big fat noise... Yes, of course, I always question why anyone would listen to an actor. But it's not your profession that defines you so much as your personhood. I listen to all kinds of people whose qualifications to opine on anything are that they have a radio show or a degree in art history. Our most famous president of late was an actor. You don't jettison your citizenship because you're famous."

 

Father: Harry Streep, Jr. (pharmaceutical executive)
Mother: Mary Streep (commercial artist)
Brother: Harry Streep III (dancer-choreographer)
Brother: Dana Streep (stockbroker, b. 1957)
Boyfriend: John Cazale (actor, dated 1976-78, briefly engaged)
Husband: Donald J. Gummer (sculptor, m. Sep-1978, four children)
Son: Henry Gummer (b. 1979)
Daughter: Louisa Jacobson Gummer (b. 12-Jun-1991)
Daughter: Mamie Gummer (actress, b. 3-Aug-1983)
Daughter: Grace Jane Gummer (b. 1986)

    High School: Bernards High School, Bernardsville, NJ
    University: BA Drama, Vassar College (1971)
    University: MFA Drama, Yale School of Drama (1975)

    Equality Now Advisory Council
    Healthy Child Healthy World Advisory Board
    Emmy 1978, Best Actress for Holocaust
    Oscar for Best Supporting Actress 1980, for Kramer vs. Kramer
    Golden Globe 1980, Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs. Kramer
    Golden Globe 1982, Best Actress for The French Lieutenant's Woman
    Golden Globe 1983, Best Actress for Sophie's Choice
    Oscar for Best Actress 1983, for Sophie's Choice
    Golden Globe 2003, Best Supporting Actress for Adaptation
    Emmy 2004, Best Actress for Angels in America
    Golden Globe 2004, Best Actress for Angels in America
    Golden Globe 2007, Best Actress for The Devil Wears Prada
    Golden Globe 2010, Best Actress for Julie & Julia
    Golden Globe 2012, Best Actress for The Iron Lady
    Oscar for Best Actress 2012 for The Iron Lady
    American Film Institute Life Achievement Award 2004
    Hollywood Walk of Fame 7020 Hollywood Blvd. (1998)
    Parodied As A Muppet Meryl Sheep

   FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR
    The Iron Lady (26-Dec-2011)
    It's Complicated (10-Dec-2009) · Jane
    Fantastic Mr. Fox (14-Oct-2009) · Mrs. Fox [VOICE]
    Julie & Julia (7-Aug-2009)
    I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale (16-Jan-2009) · Herself
    Doubt (30-Oct-2008)
    Mamma Mia! (30-Jun-2008)
    Theater of War (Apr-2008) · Herself
    Lions for Lambs (22-Oct-2007)
    Rendition (7-Sep-2007)
    Evening (9-Jun-2007)
    Dark Matter (23-Jan-2007) · Joanna Silver
    Hurricane on the Bayou (29-Jul-2006) · Narrator
    The Ant Bully (28-Jul-2006) · Queen [VOICE]
    The Devil Wears Prada (29-Jun-2006)
    A Prairie Home Companion (12-Feb-2006)
    Wrestling with Angels: Playwright Tony Kushner (Jan-2006) · Herself
    Prime (21-Sep-2005)
    Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (17-Dec-2004)
    The Manchurian Candidate (22-Jul-2004)
    Angels in America (7-Dec-2003)
    The Hours (18-Dec-2002) · Clarissa Vaughan
    Adaptation (6-Dec-2002) · Susan Orlean
    Artificial Intelligence: AI (26-Jun-2001) [VOICE]
    Music of the Heart (6-Sep-1999)
    One True Thing (18-Sep-1998)
    Dancing at Lughnasa (12-Sep-1998)
    ...first Do No Harm (16-Feb-1997)
    Marvin's Room (18-Dec-1996) · Lee
    Before and After (23-Feb-1996) · Carolyn Ryan
    The Bridges of Madison County (2-Jun-1995)
    The River Wild (30-Sep-1994) · Gail
    The House of the Spirits (21-Oct-1993) · Clara
    Death Becomes Her (31-Jul-1992) · Madeline Ashton
    Defending Your Life (22-Mar-1991)
    Postcards from the Edge (12-Sep-1990) · Suzanne Vale
    She-Devil (8-Dec-1989) · Mary Fisher
    A Cry in the Dark (4-Nov-1988)
    Ironweed (Feb-1988)
    Heartburn (25-Jul-1986) · Rachel
    Out of Africa (10-Dec-1985) · Karen
    Plenty (10-Sep-1985)
    Falling in Love (21-Nov-1984)
    Silkwood (14-Dec-1983)
    Still of the Night (26-Jan-1983) · Brooke Reynolds
    Sophie's Choice (8-Dec-1982) · Sophie
    The French Lieutenant's Woman (18-Sep-1981)
    Kramer vs. Kramer (19-Dec-1979) · Joanna Kramer
    The Seduction of Joe Tynan (17-Aug-1979) · Karen Traynor
    Manhattan (14-Mar-1979) · Jill
    The Deer Hunter (8-Dec-1978) · Linda
    Holocaust (16-Apr-1978)
    Julia (2-Oct-1977) · Anne Marie