Top news for the day
Source: GMA News.tv
‘Ivler’s arrest an answered prayer’
An answered prayer. This was how the father of murder victim Renato Ebarle Jr. described the arrest of his son’s alleged killer, Jason Ivler.
Gibo liable for arming Ampatuans - lawyer
A lawyer of the embattled Ampatuan family wants administration presidential aspirant Gilberto Teodoro Jr. charged for allegedly having a hand in the arming of the political clan.
UP exam results bring joy, anguish to applicants
The University of the Philippines has released this year's entrance exam results, instilling hope for student-applicants who look forward to enjoying what is arguably the best kind of tertiary...
Senate panel to Villar on C-5: Return P6.22B fund to govt
The Senate will ask presidential aspirant Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party) to return to the government the P6.22 billion his company allegedly “gained" through illegal means from the...
‘Big 3’ to slash diesel, kerosene prices on Tuesday
The three biggest oil firms in the country, Pilipinas Shell, Chevron Philippines and Petron Corp., will roll back their diesel and kerosene prices on Tuesday.
Foreigner arrivals up in '09 despite global recession – govt
The number of foreigners who visited the Philippines in 2009 still went up despite the global economic recession, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
OFW mistaken for Ivler glad over slay suspect's arrest
The overseas Filipino worker who was arrested in Qatar after authorities there mistook him for Philippine slay suspect Jason Aguilar Ivler heaved a sigh Monday following the arrest of the fugitive.
Showbiz Chika for the day
Source: Manila Bulletin Online
Noel Cabangon pens climate change anthem
Acoustic act and celebrity activist Noel Cabangon contributes his songwriting prowess to the call for action on the issue of climate change.
‘Showtime’ returns on Jan. 19
ABS-CBN’s late morning talent show, “Showtime,” will return on air on Jan. 19.
Sarah Geronimo: Rebel for love?
Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo hit the headlines recently for allegedly being a good girl gone bad.
Did Daiana Menezes and Ne-Yo get ‘closer?’
Rumors have it that host Daiana Menezes and singer-songwriter Ne-Yo had a short-lived romance during the latter’s Manila concert last Jan. 9.
Kris Aquino’s marri
age to James Yap ‘not over’
“I just need time and space to think...in my heart I still want it to work.”
Zsa Zsa Padilla clarifies walkout issue
Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla clarified hearsays that she walked out during an interview when asked about her daughter Karylle’s ex-beau Dingdong Dantes.
Martin Nievera recalls happiest day with Pops
Concert King Martin Nievera still remembers a time when he thought his marriage with Concert Queen Pops Fernandez could last forever.
Isports laang
Source: ABS-CBN News Online
7-week training all Manny needs against Clottey
MANILA, Philippines - A chief adviser of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao said seven weeks or anything within 50 days, should be enough to put the Filipino pound-for-pound champion a hundred percent ready for Josh Clottey. ...
Anthony, Billups lift Nuggets over Jazz
DENVER, Colorado – Carmelo Anthony finished with 37 points and Chauncey Billups scored 29 as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Utah Jazz 119-112, snapping the Jazz's four-game National Basketball Association win streak.
Sharapova crashes out of Australian Open
MANILA, Philippines (1st Update) – 2008 Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova of Russia failed to get past the opening round of the first grand slam of the year after losing to compatriot Maria Kirilenko on Monday.
Wesley So scores 2nd draw in Corus B Chess
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino teen Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So struggled in his first two games in the 72nd Corus International Chess Championship in the Netherlands as both games ended in draws.
Khan signs promotion deal with de la Hoya
LOS ANGELES – British superstar Amir Khan, the World Boxing Association super-lightweight champion, has signed a promotional deal with Oscar de la Hoya, hoping the "Golden Boy" can boost his US recognition.
Players enjoy light relief before Australian Open
MELBOURNE – A charity match to raise money for the victims of the Haiti earthquake provided Roger Federer, Serena Williams and handful of the world's top players some light relief on the eve of the Australian Open.
Da who for today
Source: Wikipedia
Simon Phillip Cowell (born 7 October 1959) is an English music executive, television producer and celebrity, and entrepreneur. He is known in the United Kingdom and in the United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, American Idol, The X Factor, and Britain's Got Talent. He is also the owner of the television production and music publishing house Syco which will be rebr
anded to Greenwell Entertainment as part of a coalition with Sir Philip Green.
Cowell is notorious as a judge for his blunt and often controversial criticisms, insults and wisecracks about contestants and their abilities. He is often parodied in pop culture, and was described by the The Times as representing the "heartless, thoughtless and superficial – the flotsam and jetsam of the polluted seas of celebrity that is likely to sink without trace into toxic foam". Cowell is known for combining activities in the television and music industries, having promoted singles and records for various artists, including television personalities. He was most recently featured on the sixth series of The X Factor, the eighth season of American Idol and the third series of Britain's Got Talent.
Personal life
In late 2002, Cowell started dating longtime friend Terri Seymour. In November 2008, TV Guide reported that Cowell and Seymour had broken up. Cowell is the godfather of pop singer Sinitta's adopted children. Upon his appearance on Top Gear, it was revealed that Cowell pays more than £21.7m per year in income tax, suggesting that his taxable income is over £54.25m per year with income tax at the time approximately 40%. (NB: UK Income Tax 40% for earnings over £34,600).
Cowell has admitted to using Botox (a brand name for botulinum toxin).
In May 2009 Cowell bought his $22 million, 11,550 sq ft Beverly Hills home.
Also in May 2009, in the Daily Mail tabloid newspaper, Cowell revealed that he is often plagued by "dark moods and miserable thoughts". He claims that he has considered seeking therapy for the issues, stating that it would be a 'long session'.
Cowell became a judge on the first series of Pop Idol in 2001, and on the first season of American Idol in 2002. Many viewers of American Idol know Cowell best for his bitingly critical comments and attitude. He is so prominently identified with being blunt and harsh in commentary that audiences on American Idol can make it difficult for him to speak, sometimes booing him even before he makes his opinions known. Ryan Seacrest, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson tended to cut him off very quickly as well. With his notoriously critical reputation, Cowell is likened to TV personalities, such as Judge Judy (aka, Justice with an Attitude), and Weakest Link's Anne Robinson (aka, Queen of Mean). Though comparable to Anne Robinson, Cowell has expressed his dislike for her and has commented in an interview, "I hate her and I hate her show because it's just an act". Cowell's prominence grew, fed by his signature phrase, "I don't mean to be rude, but …", inevitably followed by an unsparingly blunt appraisal of the contestant's talents, personality, or even physical appearance. A lot of these one-liners were the product of coaching that Cowell received from noted publicist Max Clifford. Cowell also appeared on the one-off World Idol programme in 2003, where it became clear that each country's version of the Idol had attempted to come up with its own "Simon Cowell" type personality. In 2003, Cowell placed No 33 on Channel 4's list of the all-time 100 Worst Britons. Cowell's S Records signed the top two finishers of the first season of Pop Idol, Will Young and Gareth Gates, both of whom went on to have No 1 UK hits. Efforts begun in 2001 materialised in 2004, when Cowell returned to his group manufacturing roots with his latest brainchild, the internationally successful operatic pop group Il Divo, consisting of three opera singers and one pop singer of four different nationalities. Inspired by the success of Il Divo, Simon created a child version, Angelis, beating competition from many similar groups emerging at Christmas 2006.
On 11 January 2010, Cowell's exit from American Idol was made official. The 2010 season will be Cowell's last on the top-rated show. It was also announced that Fox has acquired the rights to an American version of Cowell's popular British show, X-Factor, which is slated to begin production in the fall of 2011.
Other activities
Cowell has been involved in charity work for many years. He supports children from The Association Of Children’s Hospices and invites them backstage to the screenings of The X Factor. When he can, he stops by some of the hospices to visit the children. He also supports animal rights and has appeared in a video for PETA in which he reminds drivers of the cruelty to animals that can occur when their pets are locked in cars in the summer.
In December 2003, Cowell published his autobiography titled I Don't Mean to be Rude, but... In it, he told the whole story of his childhood, his years working in music and experiences on Pop Idol, Pop Stars Rivals, and American Idol, and finally, his tips for being successful as a pop star.
Cowell has appeared as a guest voice in an episode of The Simpsons ("Smart and Smarter"), in which he gets beaten up by Homer Simpson (while criticising Homer's punches). His voice was also heard on an episode of Family Guy ("Lois Kills Stewie"), in which he told Stewie that his singing was so awful that he should be dead. He made an MTV Movie Award-winning cameo appearance as himself in Scary Movie 3, where he sits in judgment during a battle rap (and subsequently gets killed by gunfire for criticising the rappers). He also appears in Shrek 2 as a judge in Far Far Away Idol, and also provided the voice.
He appeared on an episode of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? (the original British version) and Saturday Night Live in 2004. Cowell has also guest-starred (filling in for Regis Philbin) in the popular talk show Live with Regis and Kelly during American Idol's finalist week in early 2006. Cowell was once the fastest "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" on BBC's motoring show Top Gear, driving a Suzuki Liana around the show's test track in a time of 1:47.1. When Top Gear retired the Liana along with its rankings after the eighth series, Cowell was the eighth fastest overall and the third fastest non-professional driver. On 11 November 2007 Cowell yet again appeared on Top Gear, achieving a time of 1:45.9 thus putting him ahead of Gordon Ramsay and back at the top of the table. Cowell introduced entertainer Dick Clark at the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards. He was seen on Comic Relief Does The Apprentice where he donated £25,000 for a fun fair ticket. Cowell has also appeared on the MTV shows Cribs and Punk'd. On Punk'd, Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson set him up to believe his $400,000 Rolls Royce was stolen and had caused an accident by using a nearly-identical car.
Cowell was chosen as the first 'victim' of the re-launched This Is Your Life in an episode broadcast on 2 June 2007. He was presented with the Red Book by Sir Trevor McDonald while presenting American Idol.
Besides judging unknowns of the music industry, occasionally Cowell comments on already-established pop icons. For example, he opined in Esquire magazine that Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" was one of the best pop records ever made. Talking about Christina herself Cowell stated "She is an unbelievable talent."
On 1 July 2007 Cowell appeared alongside Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest as a speaker at the Concert For Diana, held at Wembley Stadium.
On 13 August 2006, Cowell featured on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in which he had to pick eight records he would take with him if he were to be stranded on a desert island. His choices can be seen here. He was also allowed to take a book and a luxury item. For his book, he elected Hollywood Wives, by Jackie Collins, and for his luxury, a mirror.
Simon Cowell was a partner in the Royal Ascot Racing Club, a thoroughbred horse racing syndicate which owned the 2005 Epsom Derby winner, Motivator.
Gospel for the day
Source: The Daily Gospel Online
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 2:23-28.
As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, At this the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?" He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?" Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath."
Word for the day
Source: Merriam Webster Online
noetic • \noh-ET-ik\ • adjective
: of, relating to, or based on the intellect
Example Sentence:
Among the events sponsored by the neighborhood bar were monthly quiz nights, which Jeanne enjoyed attending because they satisfied her thirst for noetic stimulation.
Did you know?
"Noetic" derives from the Greek adjective "noētikos," meaning "intellectual," from the verb "noein" ("to think") and ultimately from the noun "nous," meaning "mind." ("Nous" also gave English the word "paranoia" by joining with a prefix meaning "faulty" or "abnormal.") "Noetic" is related to "noesis," a rare noun that turns up in the field of philosophy and refers to the action of perceiving or thinking. The most notable use of "noetic" might be in the name of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, a research organization based in California that is devoted to studies of consciousness and the mind.
Lesson for the day
Source: Art’s Library of life
Marriage worth reading
When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes. Suddenly I didn’t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn’t seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?, I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away thechopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man!, That night, we didn’t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what, had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to a lovely girl called Dew. I didn’t love her anymore. I just pitied her!
With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces., The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger., I felt sorry for her, wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly., Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I did’nt have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing., I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn’t want anything from me, but needed a month’s notice before the divorce., She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month’s time and she did’nt want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.
This was agreeable to me., But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She, requested that every day for the month’s duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Dew about my wife s divorce conditions. She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.
My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mummy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don’t tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest… I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her., For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.
On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me.
On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.
She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger., I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily., Suddenly it hit me; she, had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.
Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it’s time to carry mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential, part of his life. My wife gesture to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day. But her much lighter weight made me sad., On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy.
I drove to office… jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind… I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore.
She looked at me, astonished. Then she touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I said, I won’t divorce., My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love eachother anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.
At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote: I’ll carry you out every morning until deaths do us apart.
The small details of our lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank, blah…blah…blah., These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves., So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy.
Do have a real happy marriage!
If you don’t share this, nothing will happen to you, but if you do, you just might save a marriage.
Joke for the day
Source: Art’s Funbox
Birthday Present
A wife decides to take her husband to a strip club for his birthday.
They arrive at the club and the doorman says, "Hey, Dave! How ya doin'?"
His wife is puzzled and asks if he's been to this club before."Oh, no," says Dave. "He's on my bowling team."
When they are seated, a waitress asks Dave if he'd like his usual and brings over a Budweiser. His wife is becoming increasingly uncomfortable and says,"How did she know that you drink Budweiser?""She's in the Ladies' Bowling League, honey. We share lanes with them."
A stripper then comes over to their table, throws her arms around Dave, and says "Hi Davey. Want your usual table dance, big boy?"Dave's wife, now furious, grabs her purse and storms out of the club.Dave follows and spots her getting into a cab. Before she can slam the door, he jumps in beside her. He tries desperately to explain how the stripper must have mistaken him for someone else, but his wife is having none of it. She is screaming at him at the top of her lungs, calling him every name in the book.
The cabby turns his head and says, "Looks like you picked up a real bitch tonight, Dave."
Source: GMA News.tv
‘Ivler’s arrest an answered prayer’
An answered prayer. This was how the father of murder victim Renato Ebarle Jr. described the arrest of his son’s alleged killer, Jason Ivler.
Gibo liable for arming Ampatuans - lawyer
A lawyer of the embattled Ampatuan family wants administration presidential aspirant Gilberto Teodoro Jr. charged for allegedly having a hand in the arming of the political clan.
UP exam results bring joy, anguish to applicants
The University of the Philippines has released this year's entrance exam results, instilling hope for student-applicants who look forward to enjoying what is arguably the best kind of tertiary...
Senate panel to Villar on C-5: Return P6.22B fund to govt
The Senate will ask presidential aspirant Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party) to return to the government the P6.22 billion his company allegedly “gained" through illegal means from the...
‘Big 3’ to slash diesel, kerosene prices on Tuesday
The three biggest oil firms in the country, Pilipinas Shell, Chevron Philippines and Petron Corp., will roll back their diesel and kerosene prices on Tuesday.
Foreigner arrivals up in '09 despite global recession – govt
The number of foreigners who visited the Philippines in 2009 still went up despite the global economic recession, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
OFW mistaken for Ivler glad over slay suspect's arrest
The overseas Filipino worker who was arrested in Qatar after authorities there mistook him for Philippine slay suspect Jason Aguilar Ivler heaved a sigh Monday following the arrest of the fugitive.
Showbiz Chika for the day
Source: Manila Bulletin Online
Noel Cabangon pens climate change anthem
Acoustic act and celebrity activist Noel Cabangon contributes his songwriting prowess to the call for action on the issue of climate change.
‘Showtime’ returns on Jan. 19
ABS-CBN’s late morning talent show, “Showtime,” will return on air on Jan. 19.
Sarah Geronimo: Rebel for love?
Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo hit the headlines recently for allegedly being a good girl gone bad.
Did Daiana Menezes and Ne-Yo get ‘closer?’
Rumors have it that host Daiana Menezes and singer-songwriter Ne-Yo had a short-lived romance during the latter’s Manila concert last Jan. 9.
Kris Aquino’s marri
age to James Yap ‘not over’“I just need time and space to think...in my heart I still want it to work.”
Zsa Zsa Padilla clarifies walkout issue
Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla clarified hearsays that she walked out during an interview when asked about her daughter Karylle’s ex-beau Dingdong Dantes.
Martin Nievera recalls happiest day with Pops
Concert King Martin Nievera still remembers a time when he thought his marriage with Concert Queen Pops Fernandez could last forever.
Isports laang
Source: ABS-CBN News Online
7-week training all Manny needs against Clottey
MANILA, Philippines - A chief adviser of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao said seven weeks or anything within 50 days, should be enough to put the Filipino pound-for-pound champion a hundred percent ready for Josh Clottey. ...
Anthony, Billups lift Nuggets over Jazz
DENVER, Colorado – Carmelo Anthony finished with 37 points and Chauncey Billups scored 29 as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Utah Jazz 119-112, snapping the Jazz's four-game National Basketball Association win streak.
Sharapova crashes out of Australian Open
MANILA, Philippines (1st Update) – 2008 Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova of Russia failed to get past the opening round of the first grand slam of the year after losing to compatriot Maria Kirilenko on Monday.
Wesley So scores 2nd draw in Corus B Chess
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino teen Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So struggled in his first two games in the 72nd Corus International Chess Championship in the Netherlands as both games ended in draws.
Khan signs promotion deal with de la Hoya
LOS ANGELES – British superstar Amir Khan, the World Boxing Association super-lightweight champion, has signed a promotional deal with Oscar de la Hoya, hoping the "Golden Boy" can boost his US recognition.
Players enjoy light relief before Australian Open
MELBOURNE – A charity match to raise money for the victims of the Haiti earthquake provided Roger Federer, Serena Williams and handful of the world's top players some light relief on the eve of the Australian Open.
Da who for today
Source: Wikipedia
Simon Phillip Cowell (born 7 October 1959) is an English music executive, television producer and celebrity, and entrepreneur. He is known in the United Kingdom and in the United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, American Idol, The X Factor, and Britain's Got Talent. He is also the owner of the television production and music publishing house Syco which will be rebr
anded to Greenwell Entertainment as part of a coalition with Sir Philip Green.Cowell is notorious as a judge for his blunt and often controversial criticisms, insults and wisecracks about contestants and their abilities. He is often parodied in pop culture, and was described by the The Times as representing the "heartless, thoughtless and superficial – the flotsam and jetsam of the polluted seas of celebrity that is likely to sink without trace into toxic foam". Cowell is known for combining activities in the television and music industries, having promoted singles and records for various artists, including television personalities. He was most recently featured on the sixth series of The X Factor, the eighth season of American Idol and the third series of Britain's Got Talent.
Personal life
In late 2002, Cowell started dating longtime friend Terri Seymour. In November 2008, TV Guide reported that Cowell and Seymour had broken up. Cowell is the godfather of pop singer Sinitta's adopted children. Upon his appearance on Top Gear, it was revealed that Cowell pays more than £21.7m per year in income tax, suggesting that his taxable income is over £54.25m per year with income tax at the time approximately 40%. (NB: UK Income Tax 40% for earnings over £34,600).
Cowell has admitted to using Botox (a brand name for botulinum toxin).
In May 2009 Cowell bought his $22 million, 11,550 sq ft Beverly Hills home.
Also in May 2009, in the Daily Mail tabloid newspaper, Cowell revealed that he is often plagued by "dark moods and miserable thoughts". He claims that he has considered seeking therapy for the issues, stating that it would be a 'long session'.
Cowell became a judge on the first series of Pop Idol in 2001, and on the first season of American Idol in 2002. Many viewers of American Idol know Cowell best for his bitingly critical comments and attitude. He is so prominently identified with being blunt and harsh in commentary that audiences on American Idol can make it difficult for him to speak, sometimes booing him even before he makes his opinions known. Ryan Seacrest, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson tended to cut him off very quickly as well. With his notoriously critical reputation, Cowell is likened to TV personalities, such as Judge Judy (aka, Justice with an Attitude), and Weakest Link's Anne Robinson (aka, Queen of Mean). Though comparable to Anne Robinson, Cowell has expressed his dislike for her and has commented in an interview, "I hate her and I hate her show because it's just an act". Cowell's prominence grew, fed by his signature phrase, "I don't mean to be rude, but …", inevitably followed by an unsparingly blunt appraisal of the contestant's talents, personality, or even physical appearance. A lot of these one-liners were the product of coaching that Cowell received from noted publicist Max Clifford. Cowell also appeared on the one-off World Idol programme in 2003, where it became clear that each country's version of the Idol had attempted to come up with its own "Simon Cowell" type personality. In 2003, Cowell placed No 33 on Channel 4's list of the all-time 100 Worst Britons. Cowell's S Records signed the top two finishers of the first season of Pop Idol, Will Young and Gareth Gates, both of whom went on to have No 1 UK hits. Efforts begun in 2001 materialised in 2004, when Cowell returned to his group manufacturing roots with his latest brainchild, the internationally successful operatic pop group Il Divo, consisting of three opera singers and one pop singer of four different nationalities. Inspired by the success of Il Divo, Simon created a child version, Angelis, beating competition from many similar groups emerging at Christmas 2006.
On 11 January 2010, Cowell's exit from American Idol was made official. The 2010 season will be Cowell's last on the top-rated show. It was also announced that Fox has acquired the rights to an American version of Cowell's popular British show, X-Factor, which is slated to begin production in the fall of 2011.
Other activities
Cowell has been involved in charity work for many years. He supports children from The Association Of Children’s Hospices and invites them backstage to the screenings of The X Factor. When he can, he stops by some of the hospices to visit the children. He also supports animal rights and has appeared in a video for PETA in which he reminds drivers of the cruelty to animals that can occur when their pets are locked in cars in the summer.
In December 2003, Cowell published his autobiography titled I Don't Mean to be Rude, but... In it, he told the whole story of his childhood, his years working in music and experiences on Pop Idol, Pop Stars Rivals, and American Idol, and finally, his tips for being successful as a pop star.
Cowell has appeared as a guest voice in an episode of The Simpsons ("Smart and Smarter"), in which he gets beaten up by Homer Simpson (while criticising Homer's punches). His voice was also heard on an episode of Family Guy ("Lois Kills Stewie"), in which he told Stewie that his singing was so awful that he should be dead. He made an MTV Movie Award-winning cameo appearance as himself in Scary Movie 3, where he sits in judgment during a battle rap (and subsequently gets killed by gunfire for criticising the rappers). He also appears in Shrek 2 as a judge in Far Far Away Idol, and also provided the voice.
He appeared on an episode of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? (the original British version) and Saturday Night Live in 2004. Cowell has also guest-starred (filling in for Regis Philbin) in the popular talk show Live with Regis and Kelly during American Idol's finalist week in early 2006. Cowell was once the fastest "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" on BBC's motoring show Top Gear, driving a Suzuki Liana around the show's test track in a time of 1:47.1. When Top Gear retired the Liana along with its rankings after the eighth series, Cowell was the eighth fastest overall and the third fastest non-professional driver. On 11 November 2007 Cowell yet again appeared on Top Gear, achieving a time of 1:45.9 thus putting him ahead of Gordon Ramsay and back at the top of the table. Cowell introduced entertainer Dick Clark at the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards. He was seen on Comic Relief Does The Apprentice where he donated £25,000 for a fun fair ticket. Cowell has also appeared on the MTV shows Cribs and Punk'd. On Punk'd, Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson set him up to believe his $400,000 Rolls Royce was stolen and had caused an accident by using a nearly-identical car.
Cowell was chosen as the first 'victim' of the re-launched This Is Your Life in an episode broadcast on 2 June 2007. He was presented with the Red Book by Sir Trevor McDonald while presenting American Idol.
Besides judging unknowns of the music industry, occasionally Cowell comments on already-established pop icons. For example, he opined in Esquire magazine that Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" was one of the best pop records ever made. Talking about Christina herself Cowell stated "She is an unbelievable talent."
On 1 July 2007 Cowell appeared alongside Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest as a speaker at the Concert For Diana, held at Wembley Stadium.
On 13 August 2006, Cowell featured on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in which he had to pick eight records he would take with him if he were to be stranded on a desert island. His choices can be seen here. He was also allowed to take a book and a luxury item. For his book, he elected Hollywood Wives, by Jackie Collins, and for his luxury, a mirror.
Simon Cowell was a partner in the Royal Ascot Racing Club, a thoroughbred horse racing syndicate which owned the 2005 Epsom Derby winner, Motivator.
Gospel for the day
Source: The Daily Gospel Online
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 2:23-28.
As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, At this the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?" He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?" Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath."
Word for the day
Source: Merriam Webster Online
noetic • \noh-ET-ik\ • adjective
: of, relating to, or based on the intellect
Example Sentence:
Among the events sponsored by the neighborhood bar were monthly quiz nights, which Jeanne enjoyed attending because they satisfied her thirst for noetic stimulation.
Did you know?
"Noetic" derives from the Greek adjective "noētikos," meaning "intellectual," from the verb "noein" ("to think") and ultimately from the noun "nous," meaning "mind." ("Nous" also gave English the word "paranoia" by joining with a prefix meaning "faulty" or "abnormal.") "Noetic" is related to "noesis," a rare noun that turns up in the field of philosophy and refers to the action of perceiving or thinking. The most notable use of "noetic" might be in the name of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, a research organization based in California that is devoted to studies of consciousness and the mind.
Lesson for the day
Source: Art’s Library of life
Marriage worth reading
When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes. Suddenly I didn’t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn’t seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?, I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away thechopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man!, That night, we didn’t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what, had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to a lovely girl called Dew. I didn’t love her anymore. I just pitied her!
With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces., The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger., I felt sorry for her, wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly., Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I did’nt have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing., I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn’t want anything from me, but needed a month’s notice before the divorce., She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month’s time and she did’nt want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.
This was agreeable to me., But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She, requested that every day for the month’s duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Dew about my wife s divorce conditions. She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.
My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mummy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don’t tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest… I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her., For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.
On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me.
On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.
She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger., I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily., Suddenly it hit me; she, had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.
Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it’s time to carry mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential, part of his life. My wife gesture to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day. But her much lighter weight made me sad., On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy.
I drove to office… jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind… I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore.
She looked at me, astonished. Then she touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I said, I won’t divorce., My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love eachother anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.
At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote: I’ll carry you out every morning until deaths do us apart.
The small details of our lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank, blah…blah…blah., These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves., So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy.
Do have a real happy marriage!
If you don’t share this, nothing will happen to you, but if you do, you just might save a marriage.
Joke for the day
Source: Art’s Funbox
Birthday Present
A wife decides to take her husband to a strip club for his birthday.
They arrive at the club and the doorman says, "Hey, Dave! How ya doin'?"
His wife is puzzled and asks if he's been to this club before."Oh, no," says Dave. "He's on my bowling team."
When they are seated, a waitress asks Dave if he'd like his usual and brings over a Budweiser. His wife is becoming increasingly uncomfortable and says,"How did she know that you drink Budweiser?""She's in the Ladies' Bowling League, honey. We share lanes with them."
A stripper then comes over to their table, throws her arms around Dave, and says "Hi Davey. Want your usual table dance, big boy?"Dave's wife, now furious, grabs her purse and storms out of the club.Dave follows and spots her getting into a cab. Before she can slam the door, he jumps in beside her. He tries desperately to explain how the stripper must have mistaken him for someone else, but his wife is having none of it. She is screaming at him at the top of her lungs, calling him every name in the book.
The cabby turns his head and says, "Looks like you picked up a real bitch tonight, Dave."
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