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Cougar Town... Miss California Cougar, Beverly Hills

Pixel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:01:16 GMT

In the Jungle, The Mighty Jungle, The Lion Sleeps Tonight.... A Cougar Convention was was held in Beverly Hill's California. Cougars came out of the jungle to find a "Cub" and have an opportunity to be Miss California Cougar. The Lion sleeps as the cubs come out to claim their place in the Cougar's heart. Definition of a Cougar: a woman over 40. Definition of a Cub: any guy over 18. The "Cougar Craze" has taken hold . Many woman in their 40's and above look and act so much younger. Times, needs and societal mores have changed drastically from our mother's time. We have examples such as Susan Sarandon and Timothy Robbins. Demi More and Ashton Kutcher, that say, "Hey, a younger guy is where it is at." The hot new TV show Cougar Town, with Courtney Cox, adds to the acceptance that a younger guy with an older woman makes sense.. The acceptance of men dating younger woman is as old as the timex on their wrist. Woman are taking over with a roar!

The evening began with How to Be a Cougar 101. Lessons on how to be the best cougar, how to act with a cub,and questions and answers. Next a meet and greet ,"Rapid Dating Mixer" You would have 1-2 min to connect with the person across from you, then move to the next person. Never being in this type of dating circle, this was an eye opening experience to witness. I wondered if the courting days of yesterday; romance, flowers, and love letters are gone. Connecting in a rapid fire mixer... somehow takes the mystery and romance right out of it! Dancing, drinking and getting as many coins from the cubs was the next activity for the cougars. The cougar with the most coins at the end of the evening would be crowned Miss California Cougar She would also receive many prizes including a Cougar Cruise in December.. I began to realize that some of these woman were quite seasoned in the cougar kingdom. All in all, it provided for an evening of great entertainment... a cat fight at the end almost occurred when Melanie from Sacramento was about ready to be crowned and Tianna from Los Angeles came forth with more coins.... a little questionable conduct as many witnessed Tianna receiving coins from girlfriends. All is fair in the cat kingdom as they claw their way to the top, Tianna Alverado was crowned Miss California Cougar!

Cougars and Cubs, the verdict is still out.....personally, I still hear the Roar of the lion.

World's Largest Cruise Ship Arrives in Ft. Lauderdale - Oasis of the Seas

iCruiseUf — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:05:56 GMT

Uf Tukel of iCruise.com was on the top deck of the midport parking garage at Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale as the 225,000-ton Oasis of the Seas arrived for the first time. She was met by a half a dozen helicopters and flotilla of fire boats spaying large jets of water to welcome the ship to her new home.

The Oasis of the Seas is 40% larger than the next largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean Freedom of Seas and her sisters. She carries 6,600 passengers and over 2000 crew. She is 16 decks tall, 154 feet wide, and almost 1200 feet long. By comparison, Titanic was 46,000 tons; 900 feet long; 90 feet wide; 10 decks high; and carried 1300 passengers and 900 crew.

1 WTC Rising in Lower Manhattan

sjunat55 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:56:04 GMT

Here are some photos I took this morning, November 18, 2009 of the progress in the construction of One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) in Lower Manhattan in New York City. The first tower is off the ground and rising.

Runaway Barge - Sandbridge Virginia Beach

tovacohn — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:02:07 GMT

A runaway barge beaches itself along the coastline in Sandbridge, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Locals are coming by in droves to see the barge, which sits just next to the fishing pier along the south end of the beach at Little Island Park. It appears to be unstable, and the fear is that it will collide with the pier at the next high tide.

BRUTAL GAY HATE CRIME MURDER IN PR NOT BEING COVERED

Caguas20 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:29:06 GMT

I am writing to you about a tragic murder that has happened here in Puerto Rico. It has really only made local news simply because we are on this island, but you are the voice of those that are unheard throughout the world. On November 14 the body of a gay 19 year old was found a few miles away from the town in which he was residing in called Caguas. He was a very well known person in the gay community of Puerto Rico, and very loved. He was found on the site of an isolated road in the city of Cayey, he was partially burned, decapitated, and dismembered, both arms, both legs, and the torso.

This has caused a huge reaction from the gay community here, but its a difficult situation. Never in the history of Puerto Rico has a murder been classified as a hate crime. Even though we have to follow federal mandates and laws, many of the laws in which are passed in the USA such as Obama’s new bill, do not always directly get practiced in Puerto Rico. The police agent that is handling this case said on a public televised statement that "people who lead this type of lifestyle need to be aware that this will happen”. As If the boy murdered Jorge Steven Lopez was asking to get killed

We have a gay rights activist in Puerto Rico Pedro Julio Serrano. Who does his best to defend these hateful acts, but the international attention is needed for this local government to wake up and give us the needed rights and proper justice to such hateful crimes. I You are the biggest beacon of hope in such horrific events to be made known.

Thank You

Christopher Pagan

CHRISPAGANSJPR@GMAIL.COM

http://www.facebook.com/chrispagan

The Man Who Gave Life Even In Death

My name is Christopher Pagan. I am 24 years old, raised in New York and have been living in Puerto Rico since the age of 18. On November 13, the body parts of Jorge Steven Lopez were found on the side of an isolated road in Cayey Puerto Rico. Immediately the notion that this victim was gay started to circle the local Puerto Rico community. As soon as I saw a name I searched for it on Facebook and saw what was a cyber shrine of messages indicating Rest in Peace, you will be missed, etc.

As soon as news broke out the gay community began to demand information on the case. On Saturday more information was given as to who it was and that he had been beaten, burned, decapitated and dismembered. Once the news aired on television the police officer at the time, before knowing what we now know about the murder said that “When one chooses this sort of lifestyle, these type of things could happen”. The gay community was offended that on Puerto Rican television we were called out and marginalized. As if a 19 year old was asking to be murdered in a gruesome manner.

I was compelled by all the messages left on his profile, but at the same time they angered me and fueled me. I never met Jorge but I doubted at that moment that messages on Facebook is what he wanted. What he wanted was justice and action. I took it upon myself to immediately write a letter of SOS nationwide and worldwide. I had stayed up until 6 AM Monday morning sending out to gay and straight media sites networks, celebrity activists, as well as human rights organizations.

During the entire process of doing so, I became tired and stressed. A voice in my head was telling me that I was wasting my time on a cause that no one outside Puerto Rico would care about. What I did not understand is why I was persistent in doing so, I felt as if someone was pulling me by my ears and telling me to go on until my fingers went numb. Six o’clock approached I even caught myself falling asleep, it was time for bed.

Around 9 AM, I am awaked by constant ringtones, my iphone. Mind you for me to wake up once I’m sleeping, it has to be a orchestra of ringtones. I was receiving emails from New York, Miami, California, Texas, Atlanta, Chicago, Canada, even Belgium. Thanking me for getting the news out to the world, and that they would post the article I had placed on IReports CNN, where one can place news that is not being made public. I was confused this was only a few hours ago, suddenly my letter of help was being posted and placed on front page features of 365gay.com, advocate.com, and other mainstream websites, saying that a cry for help from Christopher Pagan must go out. Suddenly 10 websites became 20, then 50, then hundreds. The world then knew who Jorge Steven Lopez was. Even radio stations were emailing me for info and thoughts and wanting interviews.

Suddenly Puerto Rico and its LGBT were put on the map and the world was watching and waiting. The Sunday I had posted my letters, the local PR MEDIA SPOKE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THIS CRIME. On Monday it all changed, IT WAS FRONT PAGE NEWS. The LGBT around the world were uniting together to fight and denounce hate and show Puerto Rico that they cared.

Jorge’s killer was found hours later, which is very unheard of in Puerto Rico and its murders. The constant pressure and press worldwide forced the local government to act, and obligated the local authorities to bring justice to this crime.

The LGBT community of Puerto Rico is completely touched and amazed by the support and love that it has received worldwide. Jorge managed to unite a community, an island, a nation, A PLANET. He had high hopes to become a important figure in beauty and fashion. Not one negative comment has been made by his friends and loved ones. All have said that all they can remember is laughing constantly with him and his charismatic persona. He always dreamed of being an important figure. Well now JORGE IS A ICON, A MESSENGER OF CHANGE. He will change the way people see bigotry and brutal acts of hate.

I never met Jorge, but I can tell you that I feel like he’s sitting next to me every second of the day, even as I write this letter with tears in my eyes, I can feel his presence and his contempt feeling that justice was served for him, and many others that have suffered this fate. Jorge is the story, I am the messenger that made sure it was heard and read.

Always remember that your most powerful asset in this world, is your VOICE. God bless the WORLD and god bless the legacy and spirit of Jorge.

Christopher Pagan
chrispagansjpr@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/chrispagan
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-357813 -ORIGINAL LETTER PLACED ONLINE ON SUNDAY.

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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW THE EVENTS, VIDEOS OR NEWS YOU CAN ADD ME TO YOUR FACEBOOK AT http://www.facebook.com/chrispagan

Blue Star Moms

ChrisMorrow — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:02:37 GMT

The Blue Star Mothers of America know how hard it is to send their children off to war. They send the comforts of home care packages to the service men and women. I visited the Roseville Veterans Hall where volunteers put together 700 care packages. Check out their story.

Order of appearance:

Pam Woodward - Co-founder

SGT Michael Scofield - US ARMY

video by: Chris Morrow

Follow Chris on Twitter: www.twitter.com/morrowchris

November Nor'easter - Kayaking in Portsmouth

Erich1215 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:11:29 GMT

This is Melissa and I kayaking around Old Towne Portsmouth in Virginia State. The water was up our steps so we were able to float straight out of our house in kayaks. There were countless cars almost completely underwater. We were able to paddle around multiple blocks and got to chat with a lot of people looking from their windows. We provided them with updates on their car status and where the water stopped.

New Moon, Bella Luna ... Waiting for the Premiere

Pixel — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:05:06 GMT

The premiere of New Moon, sequel to Twilight, is Monday November16. It's an exciting premiere for many people. I went down to Westwood, California, where people had been "camped" out for days waiting for a ticket to get a wrist band.Only 600 fans will be able to watch the stars walk down the red carpet. The movie premiere for the public is Thursday night, at midnight. I spoke with many people who had been out there since Thursday Nov. 12th. Some have tents; others sleep on the sidewalk in chairs, taking turns getting food, using bathrooms etc. All in all they were having a good time. Dawn,an avid fan, referred to it as "one big slumber party".

The vampire phenomenon is age old. The allure of the unknown, the seduction of danger, makes some run in fear and others curious. Drawn to the passion, intense energy, and animal magnetism, they move a little closer, until it is too late... they've been bitten, and then there is no turning back.

Sarah Palin: Reality Gone Rogue

brixton — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:17:04 GMT

Sarah Palin’s memoir officially dropped today, and she’s been making the media circuit pushing her revisionist tome, and she’s not about to let reality get in the way of her facts.

Katie Couric apparently badgered her, deliberately making the VP candidate look bad by leaving most of their infamous interview on the cutting room floor. So the lengthy footage of Ms. Palin unable to name a single newspaper or a Supreme Court decision other than Roe v. Wade, was taken out of context. Rather than being embarrassed by her lack of wherewithall, Palin now feels sorry for Couric. The controversy surrounding her teenage daughter’s pregnancy was the result of hypocritical liberalism and not it’s surprise revelation after the Governor’s nomination- a governor mind you, that thought the best public policy was abstinence-only. And McCain campaign staffers were actually a bunch of jealous back-stabbers, not weary handlers trying to spin the best out of Palin’s copius and admitted screw-ups.

Palin would like us to believe her false narrative. Elicit sympathy while admiring her roguish nature as her book’s title suggests. While literature has added a luster of charming rebelliousness to the term rogue, it’s first and foremost meaning defines one who is aberrant and uncontrolled, someone dishonest. ‘Going Rogue’ is then an apt title for this autobiography.

Algerian violence against Egyptians

n0uza — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:10:04 GMT

They made humiliating videos of the Egyptian team; faked injuries, blaming the Egyptian citizens; attacked Egyptian spectators and held them back from returning to their homeland, Egypt. Many other violent acts include smashing Egyptian offices in France and Algeria (Egypt Air and Orascom).

Vietnam to block Facebook

Vietnam360 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:12:36 GMT

UPDATE | (AP) Vietnam Internet users fear Facebook Blackout:

Link: http://news.aol.com/article/vietnam-internet-users-fear-facebook/770051

On 27, August, 2009, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security sent out an official dispatch to prominent internet providers in Vietnam, ordering them to halt their users’ access to 8 websites, including facebook.com. And starting yesterday, two out of ten providers who received the note, namely FPT and Viettel, have started enacting the correspondence. The reason behind this order is explicitly stated in the dispatch: “For security reasons and to fight against propagative activities that oppose the Party and the government, Department of Professional Technology – Office of Security Administration – Ministry of Public Security suggests that the addressed companies to apply technical methods to block thoroughly these following websites.”

This act of political censorship clearly manifest the government’s recognition of the threat posed by Facebook, specifically its power to communicate and publicize. Although Vietnamese internet users have already found back doors to access Facebook by changing DNS information from browser or using another proxy, nevertheless, the Vietnamese government still achieves its ultimate goal: to arrest the spread of "malicious" information.

I was wondering if the government has considered Facebook’s benefits, such as uniting people, communicating, sharing knowledge or allowing a playground for creativity, etc. And doesn't this act also mean intentionally pulling Vietnam out of the world's moving forward motion? The best line to sum up my point is a quote of George Shaw: "Consequently the first condition of progress is the removal of censorship"

What are your thoughts on this? (particularly at the moral aspect of the issue)

Deer breaks into Lion Exhibit at DC Zoo

KManning — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:20:06 GMT

This is a video of the zoo's response to the wild deer jumping into the lion exhibit. Officials told me that the deer probably wandered in from Rock Creek Park. Although they often see smaller animals, like squirells, raccoons and pigeons, this is the first time that the zoo has seen a deer get into the lion's cage. They are doing construction to the wild cats exhibit, but this isn't related to the incident on Sunday.