Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Quote Of The Day

"We would drink together and smoke together . . . and it's just a bad deal. It's not something that is conducive to being a role model—no iconic actors that I know of have problems like that. And I don't know how to do it like a gentleman. I don't know how to have one drink." - Shia LaBeouf in the September 2008 issue of Details mag, coming out just after his recent arrest for drunk driving.

- Erin Dustin

Two Is The New One

Rebecca Romijn has joined the list of baby mama's to-be as she and hubby Jerry O'Connell are expecting twins! The baby(ies) craze continues!

Congrats!

Photo Credit: WireImage

- Erin Dustin

Blast From The Past


Have any idea what happened eight years ago today?

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston got married!

Today, Brad is no longer with Jen, instead with Angie, and the father to six kids, who would have thunk it?

Photo Credit: WireImage

- Erin Dustin

Friday, July 25, 2008

Amazon and Small Presses

The Guardian is reporting that amazon.co.uk charges small presses 55% of cover price PLUS shipping to Amazon for books it sells. Thus, the report contends, publishers have incomparable access to worldwide distribution at a price which renders it difficult for them to keep operating in the future. Assume that the book retails for $15; the publisher would get $7.50 before paying for shipping, and once you take into account the cost of production, let alone whether the author gets any royalty or the staff of the press gets any salary, and it's a very difficult world. (I'm not sure if the U.S. situation is quite the same, given that the U.S. has a better tradition of small press publishing, but I imagine it's comparable.)

Small publishers get an amazing boost from selling on Amazon, in that it gives them instant worldwide distribution. Amazon should be applauded for the ease with which they grant access to this network. Through what they call their Advantage programme, any publisher, no matter how tiny, can quickly get their books on Amazon. In other words, a publishing house cannot even exist one day and a few days later find their books for sale everywhere from the UK to the US, to China and beyond, through a company whose websites draw millions of hits each day.

However, there's a price for entering such a spectacular marketplace; one so steep that it could be argued that all the economic advantage goes to Amazon alone. The standard fee for small presses working through the Advantage programme is a staggering 55% of a book's cover price. In addition, publishers are also responsible for the cost of shipping their books to Amazon warehouses. This puts these publishers in the horrible position of having access to arguably the best book distribution system ever devised, while being charged so much for the privilege that it becomes difficult to impossible for them to make any money.


My interest in this is partly in how this has repercussions for (written) art. In one sense, the ways internet technology has opened up publishing should allow a diversity of aesthetics. Then again, the 1970s was a time of great diversity in publishing, helped in part by the advent of Xerox machines, but also largely through the use of familiar technologies such as letterpresses (hard now to get a hold off). Those of us who have poet-friends probably know at least one person with a well-received first book unable to get a second book published, and with small presses short on capital to increase their list size in order to take second or third books by poets they've committed to while also adding new poets to their roster.

This is part of a larger issue which requires much thought, but in the immediate future, I'd suggest that buying books directly from small presses is the solution. Many small presses offer discounts or free shipping: Four Way offers a 32% discount, comparable to Amazon's (the difference being that they, rather than Amazon, get 55%, and they're a non-profit); Omnidawn is offering Lyn Hejinian's Saga/Circus for $9.95 and free shipping if you order before 7/31.

So no more buying from Amazon. I should have done this an age ago. It's tough to reconcile the student stipend with the desire to support contemporary poets with regular poetry purchases (I could use my university's library, but that's not supporting contemporary poetry), but it seems to me now that it's better to buy one less book a year but to buy them all directly.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Jennifer Garner Is SO Preggers!

Exhibit A: The use of daughter Violet and other everyday objects


Exhibit B: Baggy clothes


Exhibit C: No description necessary


Congrats!

- Erin Dustin

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Meet Levi


Photo Credit: OK!, August 4, 2008

- Erin Dustin

Catch A Peek

The Hills season 4 trailer! Aug. 18 is just around the corner, bring on the dramz!

- Erin Dustin

It's All Sunny For The Dark Knight (With The Exception Of Christian Bale)

I know I'm not the only one out there who waited in HUGE lines this past weekend to catch the premiere of the amazingly clever and the darker than ever batman movie, The Dark Knight. Obviously not, because the latest in the series broke records in the U.S. with an opening weekend of $155.3 million. And I have a feeling that the number will keep on rising in the weeks to come.

As for batman, now that's a different story. Christian Bale appears to be going through a slightly darker time. The actor is denying allegations, after being arrested, that he assaulted both his mother and sister. Calling the matter "deeply personal," the actor is denying all allegations, cooperating and asking the media to respect his privacy. Bale made his first appearance since the claims were outed with wife Sibi at the movie's premiere in Barcelona.

Photo Credit: Google, WireImage

- Erin Dustin

9021-Oh Yes!

It's official, Brenda Walsh is def. joining the cast of the 90210 spin-off! Shannen Doherty will be playing the role of a drama teacher at W. Beverly High, in town to direct a musical. The show will premiere Sept. 2. Kelly, Donna and Brenda back together in TV's most favorite zip code, oh how exciting this fall will be!

- Erin Dustin

Monday, July 21, 2008

Summer Heat At Its Best

Chace Crawford celebrated his 23rd birthday at the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge in the Hamptons this past weekend with a bbq and his friends from Texas and California.

Nate Archibald, wearing a polo, playing polo, I knew there was a reason why I should be spending my summer weekends in the Hamptons!

- Erin Dustin

Quote Of The Day

"Tonight there's this guy here, he throws a football and he's really good at it. He's my better tomorrow and I wrote this song for him." - J. Simpson on her song "You're My Sunday," dedicated to bf Tony Romo at Country Thunder USA, where fans booed and cheered her on.

Photo Credit: WireImage

- Erin Dustin

The Battle Of The Disney Divas

First it was Miley and Mandy.

Next came Demi and Selena.

But Miley and Mandy must feel they have a little competition. Now it's the two M's vs. the new Disney princesses. I feel a little mocking coming on.

Check it out.





- Erin Dustin

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Another Day, Another Baby Photo

OK! mag is making out like a bandit during this baby season. They scored yet another cover, this time with Jessica Alba and baby Honor. Look at that head of hair, what a cutie!

Photo Credit: OK!, July 28, 2008

- Erin Dustin

Hong Kong The Most Beautiful Actress - Michele Monique Reis

Michele Monique Reismichelle reis

Thanks for support, for more detail and photos about Michele Monique Reis 李嘉欣. Please visit our new website. Please click here: http://asianhotbeauty.com

Sunday, July 13, 2008

They're Here!

Question: What were you doing last night?

Answer: Awaiting the news of Angie and Brad's twins, duh.

Well, no need to await any longer! They have arrived! Just last night Angie gave birth to a boy and a girl. The names. Yes the names. These babies' names have been speculated about in every newspaper and on every entertainment show recently. I'm not sure if they were what people were expecting, but I would really love to know where they came from and why they were chosen. Little Knox Leon was born first weighing 5.03 lbs followed by sister Vivienne Marcheline weighing 5 lbs (Marcheline I do know is her mother's first name). Born by Cesarean section in the Nice hospital, Dr. Sussmann stated that the "babies are doing well. The operation went just perfectly. Angelina is in very good spirits. Brad Pitt was at her side. He was there and all was well."

And how did the doting dad of six do during the birth? (Speaking of doting hottie dads, what a week it's been, first a mini Matthew and now a Brad junior!) Always by Angie's side, talking and laughing, the doc called him his "assistant." And he even cut the babies' umbilical cords! The doc went even further describing him as being "perfectly calm, totally determined, very pleased to be at the birth of his children, very moved and very emotional."

Awww, I'm so excited for them!! Congrats!

- Erin Dustin

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

And The Name

What I assume will be one hunk of a little boy, Matthew and Camila have named their new bundle of joy Levi Alves McConaughey. The name seems very fitting, I like!

What Matthew had to say after the birth: "'Levi' was another name for the apostle 'Matthew' in the bible...they were, in fact, two names for the same person...our son was born at 6:22 pm, and this particular 'time' represents my favorite verse in the book of Matthew in the bible...Camila's last name is 'Alves'...We wanted to incorporate her family name, so we decided to make our child's middle name 'Alves'..."

"We welcome 'Levi Alves McConaughey' into this wonderful life and look forward to livin it with him, in the mean time all times, just keep livin..."

Photo Credit: Google

- Erin Dustin

Maddie Makes Her Debut

As the baby boom of '08 continues, (just a few left, Angelina, Gwen, Ashlee) OK! mag is revealing the first photos of Maddie Briann with Jamie Lynn. Cuteness!

Deets about the delivery: "Once I got in there, my doctor was just so calm and so good it was not bad at all. I was just talking to Casey. And you know what's so weird? I was asking him if he was okay. He was like, 'Yeah.' We were both so excited."

And of course, how is little Maddie: "She is very good. She'll feed every two or three hours. When she wakes up in the middle of the night, I'll feed her and she goes right back to sleep. There's no screaming and crying. We get up in the morning, and she gets her little bath. Then I get my bath. We have a routine, and I love routines. I've worked one out with her, and we're happy going about our little life."

Photo Credit: OK!, July 21, 2008

- Erin Dustin

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Korea Cute Actress: Jang Nara

Jang NaraJang Nara

Thanks for support, for more detail and photos about Jang Nara 张娜拉. Please visit our new website. Please click here: http://asianhotbeauty.com

Monday, July 7, 2008

Little Matthew

Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves have welcomed their first child, a little boy! More deets to come!

- Erin Dustin

Another One Bites The Dust

Justin and Drew are dunzo! Aw man, I was rooting for them! I even nicknamed them Drustin. Whatev, I guess they're still friends.

- Erin Dustin

Nicole and Keith Welcome a Baby Girl!

Nicole and Keith welcomed their baby girl to the world this morning. Sunday Rose Kidman Urban weighs in at 6 lbs, 7.5 oz.

"Husband Keith was by Nicole's side, and mother and baby are very well," said a spokesman for the famous twosome.

Congrats to the couple.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

???? killed the Radio Star...

Short post: what's the state of poetry on the radio today?

I've spent the past few hours trying to get the lie of the land, and found some wonderful archives big and small, and lots of exciting things marked "series finished". There's a few podcasts out there, and a half-dozen radio shows, but what I've found is either fairly mainstream (meaning poets you'd find in national chains) or fairly genre-specific (poetry that labels itself spoken word, or devotional, or by region).

Anyone have any good recommendations? It seems that several pioneers out there, like Susan Brennan and Daren Wang, have gone quieter or moved on to other ventures in recent years...

Saturday, July 5, 2008

The Flag Waved And The Stars Were A Hoppin'

From Suri's patriotic headband and Nicole's Malibu beach outing to Jenny and Jim's swimsuit switcharoo and Christie's reunion with her (ex) piano man, the stars were out and about this holiday weekend.


- Erin Dustin

Friday, July 4, 2008

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Congrats!

Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber are expecting their second child. Their cutie son Alexander will be turning 1 this month. The Aussie actress is entering into her second trimester.

- Erin Dustin

Weeks Away

Angelina may have a ways to go before delivering her babies (who by the way have just been granted honorary citizenship of Nice with the mayor referring to them as "two little Nicois"). During a press conference, her obstetrician Dr. Michel Sussmann assured the world that she is doing fine, something Brangelina wanted to share with everyone. (How nice of them!) "Everything is normal," he said in both English and French. "She is very well, and she's okay...Brad and Angelina want everyone to know that everything is going well." According to the doc, the twins' arrival will be "in the weeks to come." Throughout the past week, Brad has brought Shiloh and Zahara to visit their mom, as well as Maddox who made a trip to the hospital with a bodyguard.


- Erin Dustin

Thanks Spencer, I Guess





















Surprise, surprise, Spencer has stirred up yet another feud, but this time he's actually apologizing. The lucky girl is yes, MKO.

“I apologize for getting caught up in trash talking, but she brought up an emotional subject when she mentioned the soccer stuff...I know Dave was just doing his job in asking her...He’s the best in the game at that...I respect Mary Kate as a business-woman...I’m secretly jealous of her. I want my face on a lunchbox, too!”

Good choice Mr. Pratt!

- Erin Dustin

Her Guy Is Back

Madonna's life has been drama-filled the past few weeks, but not to worry, the Queen of Pop and her hubby Guy Ritchie put the divorce rumors to rest, at least for now, when they stepped out together for dinner in NYC.

As for her her so-called affair partner in crime, the Yankees' third basemen A-Rod (who has reportedly been visiting her apartment during late hours of the night, as well as giving her his seats for his home games and studying Kabbalah) has split with his wife, who is said to be in Paris with rocker Lenny Kravitz, but of course just as friends. And the solution to all of this, all three, Kravitz, Madonna and A-Rod, share the same manager.

Phew, that was a mouthful.

- Erin Dustin

Bollywood Actress: Mallika Sherawat

Mallika SherawatMallika Sherawat

Thanks for support, for more detail and photos about Mallika Sherawat. Please visit our new website. Please click here: http://asianhotbeauty.com

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Quote Of The Day

Pete Wentz is revealing a little more about himself in the upcoming issue of Out magazine. He's made out with boys.

“When I said that I make out with dudes, there was a slight sense of sexual rebellion in that. And I probably even made it a bigger deal than it was.”

And the last time he has locked lips with another man, "“Probably when I was 22?”

- Erin Dustin

No Babies Just Yet

A Brangelina Twins Update: Angie has been admitted to a French hospital as she and Brad await the arrival of their twins. Apparently everything is well with the mother-to-be of six and this trip to the hospital was planned.

- Erin Dustin