From teen queen to fashionista: Emma Watson goes all grown-up in glossy magazine shoot

By EMILY SHERIDAN


Ethereal: Emma Watson strikes a pose in an earthy shoot for the new August issue of the UK edition of Harper's Bazaar


In the run-up to the world premiere of the final Harry Potter film, Emma Watson had been reaching her target audience with a string of interviews with teenage magazines.

But as she prepares to make the move from child actor to adult film star after closing the book on her Potter character Hermione, it looks like the actress is determined to show her grown-up side.

The 21-year-old is dripping in the latest designer creations from the likes of Yves Saint Laurent to Emilio Pucci in the new issue of Harper's Bazaar UK.

In contrasting images, a fair-haired Watson poses in a field of wild flowers wearing white couture, while in other shoots her hair appears



Well heeled: Watson strikes a vampy pose as she models a sheer black panelled dress


As well as modelling some key looks from the upcoming autumn/winter collection from some of the world's top fashion houses, Watson also opens up on why really she left America's Brown University.

She tells the August issue of the magazine: 'Leaving Brown had nothing to do with bullying, as the media have been suggesting recently.

'I have never been bullied in my life. Like a lot of other students at Brown, I might spend my third year abroad.'

Although Watson is still musing over where to complete her studies, it appears her native England is unlikely to be an option.



The full interview is in the August issue of Harper¿s Bazaar UK, on sale Thursday, 7th July



When asked why she didn't originally chose an English university, Watson explained: 'I felt suddenly very claustrophobic...I thought, "I can’t stay here, I won’t be able to concentrate, I won’t be left alone."'

Since enrolling at university, Watson has been taking acting classes and admitted she was struggling to unleash her inner bad girl.


She said: 'My acting tutor said the hardest thing for me was to get angry. I almost broke down in tears when they tried to get me to be angry. I said, "I can’t do it, I just can’t do it."

'I keep all of that really bottled up somewhere and I feel unleashing it would be the scariest thing – and to let myself be powerful, sexy, all those things, it’s scary for me. [Even playing the bad girl in this shoot] felt a bit uncomfortable and awkward, it didn’t come naturally at all.'



Country girl: Watson models a stunning asymmetrical dress as she walks through a field

While Watson is hoping to continue her acting career, she admits she finds Hollywood petrifying.

She admitted: 'LA scares the c**p out of me.

'I feel if I have to work out four hours a day, and count the calories of everything I put in my mouth, and have Botox at 22, and obsess about how I look the whole time, I will go mad, I will absolutely lose it.'

Watson is scheduled to attend the world premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part II in London's Trafalgar Square next Thursday.

The full interview is in the August issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK, on sale Thursday, 7th July. For more information visit www.harpersbazaar.co.uk.


source: dailymail

Vermont Residents Will Soon Buy Their Cigarettes in Neighboring New Hampshire

Vermont and New Hampshire are small states. For many residents the border with each state isn't that far away. So it will be interesting to watch how cigarette taxes soon affect the behavior of residents of these two states. I bet you didn't know that in some states, you are supposed to declare if you bring cigarettes across the state line. Of course, this rarely happens, but the law requires you too so the state gets its share of sin tax if you you stockpile cigarettes from other states that charge less in taxes.

With that said, Vermont is raising their cigarette tax and the "Live Free or Die" state is lowering their cigarette taxes. Wanna bet cigarette sales in New Hampshire climb while they fall in Vermont. Want to take this bet further and see which state actually increases its tax revenue from cigarettes and which one loses revenue? My bet is New Hampshire will make more by lowering it as people from neighboring Vermont will purchase more cigarettes across the state line.

Vermont is raising the tax by 38 cents. New Hampshire is lowering it by 10 cents. Having lived in Chicago, I watched residents of Chicago drive out to the burbs to avoid Chicago's higher sales tax on larger goods like appliances. That appears to be what happens in New Hampshire from states that border that have higher tax  rates.

The NH Journal writes:

The dual moves could prove a boon for New Hampshire businesses, which already do a steady trade in selling goods taxed heavily by other states to residents of neighboring states who drive across the border to stock up. Now, Vermonters may have an added reason to do so, and New Hampshire grocery and convenience stores hope to clean up.

Ever Noticed How Unfree You Are on the Fourth of July: Fireworks Bans Infringe Upon the Founding Father's Vision

I have been watching a documentary series called The Revolution. It's a 13 part series that gives the specifics about the American Revolution, and it's currently available for streaming on Netflix.

In the revolution, they discuss the Founder's vision for the Fourth of July. In that vision were fireworks. Yes the Fourth of July is to be set aside as day to celebrate with fireworks according the Founding Fathers. It's part of the tradition they established, and yet in so many areas of the country fireworks are illegal.

I lived in Chicago for nearly 15 years. Fireworks there are a symbol of the police state. It's not that fireworks aren't shot off, because they are. In fact, my buddy Tom was nearly hit by a crazy Middle Eastern man with a turban shooting off a rocket. Someone should have called DHS. True story, and we still laugh about it today considering.

For the most part, throughout all of Illinois, fireworks are contraband. The police state works to ensure the least amount of fireworks are smuggled into the state.

Now you can buy some small poppers and sparklers in Illinois, but anything bigger, you have to go to Indiana or other bordering states. This is where it gets interesting. Illinois State Police have been known to work undercover tracking Illinois license plates whose owners purchase fireworks and head back west into Illinois. When they cross the state line they are pulled over and the fireworks are confiscated as if they were cocaine.

I doubt this is what the Founding Father's envisioned.

I have spending some time in Ohio working on my car adding performance parts to it to make it fun to drive again. It's amazing how cheaply you can do this when you have a friend that knows what he is doing. As I drive in Ohio, I noticed you don't see fireworks stands like you see in Missouri. So I asked someone if you can buy fireworks in Ohio. The answer is yes, but you have to purchase them with the promise you will not shoot them off within the state of Ohio. Interesting. Obviously the state collects its taxes on the sale and then forces most people out of the state to shoot them off.

Of course, this is just another fireworks law that conflicts with the vision of the Founders for this great day to celebrate independence from King George and England. Isn't it ironic that on this great day that we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, fireworks regulations prevent us from celebrating the way the signers wanted us to celebrate. It really is another symbol of just how little freedom we truly have these days.

That's old, borrowed and something blue sorted: Bride-to-be Kate Moss goes 70s style as she heads to rehearsal dinner with fiancé Jamie Hince

By EMILY SHERIDAN


We're getting married the morning: A beaming Kate Moss snuggles up to her future husband Jamie Hince outside The Swan pub in Southrop in the Cotswolds


Tradition dictates a bride should wear something old, borrowed, new and blue when they walk down the aisle.

And it looks like Kate Moss may have managed to get at least three things right as she headed to her wedding rehearsal dinner in the Cotswolds this evening.

The beaming bride-to-be opted for a hippy-style turquoise dress, which looked like it could have been borrowed from her mother Linda's old clothing collection from the 70s.



'Relax darling': Moss guides her publicity-reluctant fiancé for a photograph outside the pub


The supermodel, 37, had co-ordinated her eye-catching dress with a pair of turquoise high-heeled boots.

Clearly excited ahead of their wedding on Friday afternoon, the couple gave paparazzi a rare treat by actually posing up for photographs outside The Swan pub in the Cotswolds village of Southrop.

Although used to photographers in her job as a model, it looked like Moss had to encourage her fiancé, known for being a more reluctant celebrity, to pose for the cameras.



Something blue: Moss was going for a hippy, vintage style as she arrived at the pub


The pair cuddled up and smiled outside the pub, one of the rare times they have actually posed for photographs as a couple.

Moss and her 42-year-old rocker groom headed to the 17th century, award-winning pub for dinner after attending a rehearsal at the St Margaret's parish church two and a half miles away in the village of Little Faringdon.

The pub was voted Best Restaurant in Britain last year by readers of Which? Good Food Guide and is famous for its signature dish, chargrilled 28-day hung Cotswold rib-eye steak with thrice cooked chips.



Bridal party: Moss's friend Sadie Frost with her daughter Iris - who is one of the bridesmaids - and The Kills singer Allison Mosshart, who is serving as Hince's 'best woman'


Earlier today, Hince and Moss were joined by their bridal party at the Grade II-listed, Norman church for a rehearsal of their ceremony with their vicar Rev Harry MacInnes.

When asked about whether or not he would be officiating recently, Rev MacInnes told the Mail: 'I couldn’t possibly comment. But I do know Kate and she is very much part of our community.'

Spotted outside the church were Moss's actress friend Sadie Frost with her 10-year-old daughter Iris, who is one of the bridesmaids, while her youngest son Rudy, seven, will be a page boy.


That's the clothing and hair sorted: Two women carry some of the bridal party's outfits, while Moss's hairdresser friend James Brown is spotted outside the church

Also seen walking through the churchyard was Hince's 'best woman' and The Kills bandmate Allison Mosshart and Moss's hairdresser pal James Brown.

Moss and Hince are expected to wed in a Church of England ceremony on Friday afternoon, before retreating to the model's £2million mansion for the first of a three day £500,000 celebration.

Dubbed 'Moss-stock' by some of the locals, the newlyweds are expected to celebrate their nuptials with a festival-style reception lasting the whole weekend.



Idyllic: The couple are expected to tie the knot in a Church of England ceremony at the Norman, Grade II-listed St Margaret's parish church, in the village of Little Faringdon


Also in the wedding party will be Moss's eight-year-old daughter Lila Grace - from her previous relationship with publisher Jefferson Hack, who will serve as chief bridesmaid.

Party planner Fran Cutler's daughter Mercy, Kate's half-sister from her father Peter's second marriage and artist Jake Chapman and model Rosemary Ferguson’s three children will complete Moss's young attendants.

During the religious ceremony, Hince's sister Sarah and Frost will do readings.
Meanwhile, the huge marquees are already in place for the big event in Moss's extensive back garden.


Ready for the party: The three-day celebration on Moss's Cotswolds estate is rumoured to be costing £500,000


Providing the catering over the weekend will be the team from Moss's favourite London restaurant China Tang at the Dorchester and the Ritz in Paris, while lorries of Grey Goose Vodka, Red Bull and Dom Perignon champagne have been ordered in to stock the bar.

The entertainment is rumoured to be provided by Iggy Pop, Beth Ditto, Snoop Dogg and Carl Barat - former Libertines bandmate of Moss's ex-boyfriend Pete Doherty.


Keeping watch: Moss has enlisted tough security to keep out wedding crashes from the festivities


Among the 300-strong guestlist will be Naomi Campbell, Vivienne Westwood, Stella and Mary McCartney retail tycoon Sir Philip Green, artist Tracey Emin, Rhys Ifans, Jude Law, Jo Wood and Jade Jagger.

Supporting the newlyweds will be Kate's father Peter, her mother Linda and her partner Geoff Collman and Jamie's parents William and Carole.


source : dailymail

Nice day for a WAG wedding as Peter Crouch ties the knot with Abbey Clancy

By EMILY SHERIDAN


Presenting Mr and Mrs Crouch: Stunning bride Abbey Clancy and her new husband Peter Crouch pose after their marriage ceremony in Stapleford Park in Leicester


As one of the highest profile footballer-WAG couples in the UK, they could have commanded a seven-figure sum for an exclusive magazine deal.

But Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy made a refreshing statement today by happily posing for assorted photographers as they married in Leicestershire.

Looking stunning in a white strapless Giles Deacon gown, the Liverpudlian model, 25, beamed as she gazed at her new husband, 30, in the grounds of the four-star Stapleford Park hotel.



Kiss me quick: The Scouse model grabs her new husband for a passionate kiss after their nuptials


And despite the height difference between the two, it looked liked they had found a sloping pavement to pose on, giving 5ft 9in Clancy a slight boost to reach her 6ft 7in groom for a passionate kiss.

The bride, who gave birth to her first child just three months ago, showed off her size 6 figure in a white lace corset gown with a tiered silk skirt which she teamed with droplet earrings and loose tousled wavy hair.

She steered away traditional romantic bridal make-up, instead opting for dramatic smoky eyes and vampy red nail varnish.



Wedding bling: Clancy showed off her new simple gold wedding band with her £200,000 diamond engagement ring


The Tottenham Hotspurs striker looked dapper in a black suit and waistcoat with a white tie and white rose on his lapel to match his bride's bouquet.

The couple married this afternoon at the Church Of St Mary Magdalene, in the 500-acre grounds of the luxury country house hotel and sporting estate, which includes a golf course and a spa.



Svelte: Clancy's fitted bridal gown showed off her slim figure and tan from her recent Sardinia holiday


Following the church service, the newlyweds headed to the Orangery at the hotel for a lavish wedding reception.

After a slap-up meal, the couple are rumoured to have laid on an evening jam-packed with entertainment, including a live band, magician and karaoke.

Having been a singer with short-lived band Genie Queen when she was a teenager, Clancy will hopefully belt out a song or two for 120 wedding guests.



Laidback bride: Clancy for a more relaxed bridal look in the simple gown and loose tousled waves


And no doubt the guests will be calling for the groom to perform his signature dance move, 'the robot'.

Among the wedding guests were the couple's three-month-old daughter Sophia Ruby, Abbey's parents Karen and Geoffrey and her two siblings, including brother Sean Clancy, who plays for Fleetword Town F.C, and little sister Elle.

Joining the groom were his father Bruce, mother Jayne and his younger sister Sarah.



Ready to party: The couple can't stop smiling following their ceremony at the Church of St Mary Magdalene


Although notably absent from the wedding, fellow WAG Coleen Rooney sent her congratulations to the couple via Twitter.

She wrote: 'Congratulations Abbey and Peter on your wedding day!!! Look gorgeous x x.'

Their nuptials comes after the pair are rumoured to have signed a pre-nuptial agreement to protect Crouch's £7million fortune.

The couple recently returned from a pre-wedding holiday in Sardinia, where Crouch popped the question in 2009.



We did it! The couple were in high spirits as they walked hand-in-hand in the sunshine



Where's a bridesmaid when you need one? Some of the wedding party help arrange Clancy's Giles Deacon dress


The couple's six year romance hasn't been the most straightforward.

After a few months of dating in 2006, Crouch announced during the European cup in Germany he had ended their short romance following drug allegations concerning Clancy.

At the time, Crouch released a statement through his lawyer saying: 'Whilst I do not ordinarily comment upon matters relating to my private life, I have read with dismay various recently articles and reports about my "relationship" with Abbey Clancy.



Nice day for a WAG wedding: The couple arrived for their photoshoot via a Bentley



Looking fine: The groom looks admiringly at his new wife's bottom


'In light of this, I wish to make the situation absolutely clear: Abbey and I were in the very early stages of a relationship which, for a number of reasons, I decided a few weeks ago to end, and I accordingly informed Abbey of my decision.'

But it wasn't long before they were back together, before announcing their engagement in summer 2009.



Country setting: The couple's reception is taking place at the Grand Hall in the historic Stapleford Manor House


However, their relationship was rocked by allegations last year Crouch paid prostitute Monica Mint for sex during a friend's stag weekend in Madrid.

But it appeared they quickly got things back on track and Crouch announced Clancy's pregnancy last September.



Congratulations: Fellow WAG Coleen Rooney - who is currently on holiday in France - sent her best wishes on Twitter


source: dailymail

Ryan Newman Running Bass Pro Shops For Daytona

Here's a hometown for connection. My favorite NASCAR driver will be sporting Bass Pro Shops as his sponsor at Daytona this Saturday night. Jamie McMurray is the main BPS driver, but Johnny Morris has maintained his relationship with Tony Stewart and it appears Ryan Newman, who is one heck of an angler, will be pushing Bass Pro Shops. Hopefully Ryan will be making the trek to Springfield sometime soon.

What happens during a Midnight screening of Mr. Popper's Penguins?

What happens during a Midnight screening of Mr. Popper's Penguins?

I've heard of couples messing around in the theater, but this story goes beyond that. And, to have it happen in Mr. Popper's Penguins? Jim Carrey doesn't seem like the type of guy to get the blood flowing. Then, again it is cheaper than buying a room in a motel. Still, would you want to be the guys cleaning up after the movie?

A windy welcome for William and Kate: Elegant Duchess steps from plane in figure-hugging dress to kick start Canada tour

By REBECCA ENGLISH, FIONA ROBERTS and RICHARD HARTLEY-PARKINSON

Thousands of cheering fans turn out to welcome the Royal couple to Ottawa

Kate looks poised and natural as she laughs and smiles with the crowds

Prince William flits between English and French in touching speech at welcome event


Elegant: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk down the steps of the Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft after they landed in blustery Ottawa this afternoon


Beaming broadly, a picture-perfect Duke and Duchess of Cambridge touched down in Ottawa this afternoon to be greeted by thousands of Royal fans as they began their first official Royal tour together.

Kate looked elegant and graceful despite the blustery conditions, and concealed any nerves on this, her first major test as a fully-fledged member of the Royal family, with a wide smile.

The newlywed couple were greeted by a host of dignitaries and a wall of photographers as they stepped on to the gusty runway, before being driven to the city centre where crowds had been gathering to meet the couple since early this morning.



A natural: The Duchess of Cambridge stayed poised and elegant despite the windy conditions, with her hair in a demi-chignon, and again displayed her affection for children as she spent several minutes talking to Kellen Schlever, who presented her with a beautiful posy of pink roses


They were formally greeted at the airport by the Canadian Foreign Minister. The Duchess accepted a posy from a young boy on the tarmac and chatted to him for some time before moving along the line of dignitaries as William waited for a few moments in their car.

It was adorned with a special flag created in their honour by Canada's prime minister, Stephen Harper - the first to be designed by the Commonwealth country for a member of the royal family since 1962.

The flag was given Prince William’s seal of approval and that of the Queen, who was the last royal to adopt one for her own use.

The Duchess had transformed herself during the seven hour flight from London, and was wearing a dress by the hugely fashionable designer Erdem Moralioglu, favoured by Samantha Cameron and Michelle Obama. Erdem is another Canadian designer born in Montreal.



At ease: Kate smiles as she receives flowers from the Royal fans who lined up to meet the newlyweds at Ottawa's Macdonald-Cartier International Airport today.


Tomorrow they will take part in National Canada Day
The dress was a navy, lace Cecile shift scoop-backed dress of contrast stone crepe with a navy lace overlay. The dress has a sheer lace sleeve with a scallop detail.

She sported the same nude LK Bennett £175 heels she has sported on several occasions recently. Her hairdresser, James Pryce, had also swept her hair back in a 'half up, half down' do to account for the slight breeze.

After their official welcome, they headed straight for the National War Memorial in the centre of the city.

As the couple's official car drew up along the red carpet, they were greeted by the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen.



Quick change: The Duchess of Cambridge boarded the plane at Heathrow in a navy-blue Roland Mouret dress, but by the time she landed she'd changed into an outfit by Erdem Moralıoglu, a Montreal-born designer, in a carefully-chosen nod to her Canadian hosts. She teamed it with nude heels and a matching clutch bag


The 10,000 strong crowd, waving Canadian flags and flowers, cheered wildly as they stepped out. Tanned Kate looked particularly delighted at the warm reception and waved shyly.

The foursome approached the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and stood in quiet contemplation as the Last Post was played by a lone trumpeter.

William then placed a large wreath on the monument while his wife leant forwards to put down a small posey. The duchess warmly greeted the woman who had handed it to her, Mabel Girouard.



Official welcome: The Royal couple shake hands with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird


Mrs Girouard's son Bobby, 46, was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in 2006. She was chosen by the Canadian Legion as their Memorial Silver Cross Mother.

As they left the memorial the couple undertook what will be the first of many walkabouts, sending the crowd into a frenzy. There were as many screams for William as there were for Kate.

The Duchess looked delighted as she was handed armfuls of flowers and gifts.'Thank you so much. We are so delighted to be here,' she said.



Great honour: A special flag created for the young Royal couple flew from the bonnet of their car. It's the first new flag to be designed by a Commonwealth country for a member of the Royal family since 1962. Right, the Prince's standard was waved from the Canadian Air Force plane as the couple landed



Pleased to meet you: A line of dignitaries waits to meet the Duchess of Cambridge as she steps on to the tarmac at a blustery Ottawa airport


Occasionally she looked over to her husband on the other side of the crowd to make sure she was moving quickly enough.

William looked equally thrilled as one woman told him;'Canada is so happy you are here.' 'Thank you, that is so kind,' he replied.

As she waited for the prince to finish Kate chatted with the Prime Minister and his wife and told them: 'That was so amazing, there were so many people there.... How many do you think?

'We have been on the go since 7.30 this morning so it's been a long day.'

Then, as the couple got into their official car, her first test over, Kate leant into her husband's shoulder and grinned broadly with undisguised relief.

But the new Duchess only had a brief respite before the couple were driven to Ottawa's Rideau Hall, the governor general's residence, for an official welcome event.



Solemn: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a sombre start to their official tour with a visit to the Canadian War Memorial. Flanked by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen, they pause for a moment of silence


Prince William charmed the crowd by flitting between English and French, as Kate looked on admiringly.

He joked: 'It will improve as we go on,' and continued: 'Catherine and I are so delighted to be here in Canada.

'Instilled in us by our parents and grandparents, who love this country, we have been looking forward to this moment for a very long time – and before we were married, we had a longing to come here together.

'The geography of Canada is unsurpassed and is famous for being matched only by the hospitality of its people. We are so very excited about having this opportunity to experience both – and learn much more about this amazing country.'



Respectful: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge each laid a wreath at the Canadian War Memorial in Ottawa this afternoon


Among those who turned out the greet the Royal couple was Jennifer Baldwin, 19, who drove for 21 hours from her home in Bloomington, Illinois, and stood in the street from 5.30am to see the couple at close quarters.

She said: 'I talked to William and congratulated him on the wedding and he said "thank you very much", he's so polite! My mum told him we had come from the U.S. and he said: "We're going there next".

'It was completely worth the journey just for that five seconds. I mean, I shook his hand!'



During the visit, Prince William will demonstrate his skills as a helicopter rescue pilot by performing a water landing. Later, they will head to Quebec City where they will don their aprons for a cooking workshop.


Francine Dorion, 50, gave the Duchess a tapestry she had made, featuring a picture of the couple kissing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day.

She said: 'Kate said it was beautiful and thanked me for doing it for them. She is so pretty and reminds me of Diana. She just steals you.'

Tomorrow they will take part in Canada Day - a special day for William as it would have been his mother's 50th birthday. They will be opening the Calgary Stampede and canoeing in the Northwest Territories before flying to Los Angeles.



Admiring glances: Kate looks relaxed and elegant as she walks by war veterans in Ottawa, and right, she signs the guest book as William waits his turn


Tomorrow they will mark Canada Day and after their week-long tour of Canada they will jet to LA to host a gala dinner.

There, they will promote up-and-coming British film talent by introducing them to Hollywood executives.

The south Californian trip will include a $4,000-a-head three-course meal and charity polo match, giving revellers an opportunity to get close to the Duke and Duchess.



Tribute: Prince William inspects a Canadian Forces guard of honour, left, and right, the note - in French and English - he left on the tomb of the unknown soldier


The Mail can also reveal that the Queen has given the new Duchess the pick of her fabulous collection of jewels for the 11-day trip.

The monarch, who is said to be extremely fond of her grandson’s new bride, wants Kate to shine on her first major test as a member of the Royal Family.



Picture perfect: The Duchess has already mastered the Royal wave, and both she and Prince William beamed as they greeted the crowds


A few weeks ago she invited the 29-year-old Duchess into Buckingham Palace to choose from her priceless collection of tiaras, necklaces and bracelets, and she picked out one or two pieces to borrow.

While Kate is said to be ‘excited beyond belief’ at the prospect of the hugely anticipated tour, she is also keen not to overshadow her new husband, the Mail understands.



Fans of all ages: The prince holds a little boy's hand as he is lifted up to say hello, left, and greets a war veteran, right


It is one of the reasons she has chosen not to make any public speeches during the trip, while the Duke will make several.

In this she appears to have learnt a lesson from the experience of Princess Diana, who repeatedly stole the limelight from her then husband, Prince Charles, and in doing so unwittingly drove a wedge between them.

The prince would become particularly frustrated when, during official walkabouts, the crowds would groan and call for Diana when he approached them.

Walkabouts will be a particular feature of the Canadian leg of William and Kate’ s trip as they attempt to meet as many of their future subjects as possible.

Their arrival in the Commonwealth country, where the Queen is still sovereign, is eagerly anticipated, with frenzied minute-by-minute television coverage.



Overwhelming affection: The Duchess looks ecstatic as she shakes hand with the crowd and clutches bunches of flowers presented by Royal fans lining the streets



Happy to be here: The Duchess of Cambridge laughs as her husband gives a speech, left, and pauses for a moment to smell one of her many bouquets, right



Popular princess: Kate bobs down to accept flowers from two little girls, left, and beams ecstatically as she shakes hands with fans



Mobbed: Prince William almost disappears beneath a sea of Royal fans wielding cameras. One woman even seemed to be wearing a replica of his wife's engagement ring


Each public appearance is expected to draw thousands of well-wishers on to the streets and large crowds gathered from early yesterday keen to meet the glamorous young newly-weds.

Some anti-royal protests are, however, expected later in the week in the French-speaking provinces, with small republican groups planning protests in Quebec City and Montreal.



Official welcome: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Rideau Hall, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife look on as Kate accepts more flowers


‘This visit is really a battle for the hearts and minds of Canadian as to what to do down the road about the head of state in Canada,’ said University of Ottawa History Professor Michael Behiels.

They had no fears about winning over Joyce Udell, 57, a diplomat with the Canadian Government, had delayed travelling home to St John's in Newfoundland in order to see the couple.



Poise: The Duchess of Cambridge beams as she and her husband arrive at Rideau Hall, and right, she is at ease chatting to Prime Minister Stephen Harper


She said: 'I don't like to use the word admire but I like her style, I like both their styles, they're not as ostentatious as some in the royal family.

'Kate, she reinvents herself with her clothes and wears the same dress twice - which the royals don't do.

'They are going to be a fabulous king and queen in the future. They are obviously in love and I think that's where their strength lies.'



Cherie Gray, 50, a by-law enforcement officer from the town of Manitouwadge, Ontario had made a six-hour detour while on holiday in the national province with husband David, 51, to see the royal couple.

She said: 'We're so excited to be here and hopefully to meet Kate - she brings a new revival to the royal family and represents the younger generation.'


William and Kate in Ottawa, canada -The Royal Couple


Prince William and Kate Middleton Take Off For Canada


source: dailymail

Blonde Bimbo Sarah Steelman the Economist Makes a Major Math Gaffe

Steelman talks about her real job as an economist.


Sarah Steelman is an economics professor. She appears to have a problem with some basic mathematics when it comes to doing math with dollar signs. In a plea to supporters to raise money to defeat Claire McCaskill, Steelman begs, "I need your help TODAY to defeat McCaskill! I need 1000 friends to contribute $100 each to raise $10,000 by midnight tonight. That will send a strong message to McCaskill to STOP THE MADNESS."

Now I am no math genius. I actually had to sneak a graphic calculator to my MTH135 college algebra course at Southwest Missouri State. I didn't get a degree in anything that had to deal with lots of numbers like economics. But I am pretty sure that totals $100,000 and not $10,000.

Oh Sarah... I'd bet even redneck Congressman Billy would get that math problem right.

And how do you keep a free market free?



Something tells me Claire is laughing and Todd Akin is preparing for November. It's no wonder KMOX exclaimed Sarah Steelman isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Timothy Geithner Going to Resign After Debt Ceiling Debate

Another one bites the dust. This time the most qualified in the history of all qualified men to serve as treasury secretary (not really)--tax cheat Timothy Geithner. Bloomberg reports Geithner, who has been pretty much a failure, is tired of government.

Hans Nichols: "Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner has signaled to White House officials that he's considering leaving the administration after President Barack Obama reaches an agreement with Congress to raise the national debt limit, according to three people familiar with the matter. Geithner hasn't made a final decision and won't do so until the debt ceiling issue has been resolved, according to one of the people. All spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private discussions...Geithner, 49, has told associates that he needs a break from government service after dealing with the turmoil that followed the collapse of Wall Street firms including Bear Stearns Cos. and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., first as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and then as Obama's treasury secretary. Family considerations also are playing a role in Geithner's deliberations, according to the people. His son has decided to finish his final year of high school in New York."

Albie Casiño or Jake Ejercito? Who is the father of Andi Eigenmann's baby?

Albie Casiño and Andi Eigenmann

Who is the father of Andi Eigenmann's baby? This is the big question right now after Andi's pregnancy was confirmed by her mom, veteran actress Jaclyn Jose, on TV Patrol, last night.
Jaclyn did not name who impregnated her 21-year old daughter but she said it's Andi's first boyfriend.

Since they were the only two who were reported to have been in a relationship with the young actress, Kapamilya actor Albie Casiño and Erap's son Jake Ejercito are on the hotseat right now - one of them could be the father of Andi's baby.

In her Twitter account, Andi Eigenmann finally talked about the issue, clearing up Jake Ejercito's name and giving a hint on the identity of the father of the child she is bearing.

"For your better understanding, I've only had one boyfriend before Jake whom I've only been seeing for the past 2 months. Therefore, Jake cannot be the said ex-boyfriend whom everyone has been talking about. #commonsense," Andi tweeted Thursday night.

Jake Ejercito and Andi Eigenmann

This can only mean one thing. There was no other guy who was reported to be Andi's ex-boyfriend other than Albie Casiño. So it would have to be Albie, right? But until he is directly named, this conclusion is not yet 100% accurate I guess.

Meanwhile, Albie Casiño, 18, is still mum but his mom had said her piece on the issue. In an interview with Ogie Diaz, Mrs. Anna Kathrina Casiño reportedly said, ""Walang problema kung anak ko nakabuntis ke Andi. Blessing yan. And we welcome DNA Test."

Hmmmmm.... Feel free to comment below.

While the TSA Interrogate a Diaper Off 95 Year Old Woman, Nigerian With Fake ID Gets Past TSA Thugs

The crackpot team of airport security known as the TSA once again show how low the intelligence quotient is to wear the TSA uniform. After taking heat for interrogating the diaper off a 95 year old wheelchair held woman with cancer, the TSA let a Nigerian man with a fake ID board a plane.

Investigators say Olajide Oluwaseun Noibi, a Nigerian, boarded Virgin America Flight 415 to Los Angeles without a valid passport or identification, using an expired boarding pass for a flight the day before that belonged to someone else.

Oh, the illusion of safety, and stupid Americans are willing to give up their rights and their dignity to allow the idiots at the TSA to make them feel safer! How pathetic!

Officials say Noibi got through security and was able to board the plane. No one noticed until the flight was airborne when a flight attendant realized Noibi was sitting in a seat that was supposed to be vacant.

He showed the attendant the expired boarding pass that was in someone else’s name and then showed a University of Michigan identification card with his picture on it.

Once again, the TSA isn't about keeping you safe. It's about conditioning you to accept your loss of rights.

Dick Durbin Ignores Constitutional Requirement for President in Dream Act Debate

One has to wonder if we have an illegal alien as president now, considering the controversy and conflicting tales of Obama and his Kenya family. It should be no surprise the senior Senator from Illinois is further muddying the water.

Ignoring the obviously requirements for President the Constitution states, Senator Dick Durbin says something alarming in a debate about illegal aliens and the Dream Act.



After using illegal immigrants as props to push the DREAM Act, Sen. Durbin (D-IL) made the following statement at a Senate committee hearing:

"When I look around this room, I see America's future. Our doctors, our teachers, our nurses, our engineers, our scientists, our soldiers, our Congressman, our Senators and maybe our President."

Of course, the Constitution this dolt took an oath to protect and defend states otherwise.

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

Bubba Clinton Prepares to Upstage Obama on Debt Issue

You knew this was coming. Bill Clinton wasn't going to let Obama keep the reigns for long without stepping in to work on his legacy. The former, disgraced president says he has a plan to deal with the debt ceiling. Considering Clinton was much better on the economy than Obama, Obama should listen, but he probably won't. (This is not saying Clinton was great on the economy either.)

"If they [the Republicans] said, look, that now is not the time for big tax increases to harm the recovery, they would be right," Clinton told ABC News in an exclusive interview at the Clinton Global Initiative America conference in Chicago. "But it's also right to say that now's not the time for big spending cuts.

"What I'd like to see them do is agree on the outlines of a 10-year plan and agree not to start either the revenue hikes or the spending cuts until we've got this recovery underway," Clinton added. "The confidence that the Republicans say would be given to investors with a budget plan, they'd get whether we started this year or next year or the year after that, for that matter."

"We've got to get the jobs back in this economy again," Clinton said. "The more people we get going back to work, the more businesses we start, that'll bring up the revenue flow, and it will cut down on the expenses. Then, we'll see what the real dimensions of our problem are."

While I disagree with Clinton on the spending cuts, because there is so much pork that needs to go in Washington, he is taking a page from Reagan that in that now is not the time to raise taxes and creating an environment that creates jobs means more people are paying into the tax base, thus it increases. This is better than what Obama is proposing as he has mentioned the ability of new taxes on the rich and on big oil, which of course would be passed on to the poor.

Of course, the taxes too would create a climate that would not benefit job growth. Bubba isn't totally wrong with this one. If you could only convince him to cut spending, he wouldn't have a bad plan.

Of course, you know Obama wants him to go away. Considering Obama's low approval numbers, Democrats may look back to the man they pushed away just three years ago, and Obama doesn't want to share his presidency. This could get interesting.

A house fit for kings, queens... and aces: Meet the world's best card-stacker, who has spent 30 years perfecting his art

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Standing tall: Mr Berg stands proudly beside his world record 26ft tall tower of the Dallas skyline, which he built in 2006


These buildings are fit for royalty - well, the two-intentional kind.

The incredibly intricate and delicate creations are the handiwork of Brian Berg, who claims to be the world's best card-stacker and has built a number of breath-taking card constructions.

Iowa-based Berg cut his first deck of cards aged only eight, and now he holds the world record having built a 26ft tall stack in Dallas, Texas, for which he used an amazing 1,060 decks.


Fit for a princess: The 37-year-old created this Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World during 2004 in Orlando, Florida


The 37-year-old has duplicated the New York skyline, Cinderella's Castle and many other of the world's most recognisable landmarks.

'Cards are my form of architecture,' he said. 'Most of the time my structures do not collapse.

'Because of the structural geometry and all the weight of the cards, they are very strong and stable.'


Builder at work: The Iowa-based artist first picked up a pack of cards aged eight and has been fascinated ever since


Mr Berg has perfected his art for almost 30 years, and having trained as a professional architect at Harvard, he has broken his own Guinness card-stacking records a dozen times over his career.

His largest work - a card recreation of the Venetian Macau Resort-Hotel - broke his own world record by using 4,000 decks or an amazing 219,000 individual cards, placed on top of each other over a period of 44 days.

'I have many techniques that I use to build my structures from standard commercially available decks of cards,' he explained.

'I'm never just randomly placing cards, I'm always following a set technique for a certain visual or structural goal.


What goes up ... Mr Berg can allows his Dallas skyline to tumble down - and important part of the process, he insists


'All the cards are placed at right angles in such a way as to brace each other from falling over or bending under a load.

'It's important to note that all my structures are free-standing.
'There is no means of support or sticking the cards together.'

But what goes up must eventually come down - and Mr Berg accepts the temporary nature of his spectacular houses of cards.

'I also enjoy knocking the structures down because I consider the demolition of each project part of the creative process,' he said.

'My favourite method of destruction is a leaf blower because you can really control the wind, where it hits, and the damage it does.

'It's great fun, and really interesting to watch tall towers sway in the wind - to see walls or columns collapse from a huge burst of air or from impact from some other portion collapsing.

'A great deal about physics can be learned by watching the demolition process.
'I've learned just as much by knocking cards down as I have by building them up.'




source: dailymail