For Elizabeth Taylor, 1982 and 1983 were very cruel years. Her marriage to Warner was over, her successful run in "The Little Foxes" was over and her substance abuse problem was hitting a crisis level. There was the much publicized reunion with Richard Burton at her 50th birthday party in London. Both of them had marriages that had recently ended. Hers: Warner His: Hunt. Rumors flew that they were reconciling then, but that did not happen. So disappointed was Taylor (then), she started a two year romance with the most unlikely character, Victor Luna…a balding Mexican lawyer who was virtually unheard of. What a mismatch! Again, though, there was hope for a Burton/Taylor reconciliation in early 1983 with the two of them appearing in, "Private Lives". She was convinced that working together would bring them together. Not only did the play fail miserably, but in the midst of it…Richard fell in love with Sally Hay. To save face, Elizabeth announced her own engagement to Luna (a man that she clearly did not love). "Private Lives" ended its ill fated run, Burton married Hay and Elizabeth lost all control, sinking into addiction. But in early 1984, she recovered and regained her life back once more….and that was to be a life that included Burton. She ended her relationship with Victor Luna…and was free to persue Burton. There was even talk of a possible film together, but…in the middle of all her hopes, he died. Had Elizabeth not been in recovery at the time, she would have shattered as well. Sometimes, life can be cruel.

 She is almost 70 and in a Foster Grant Sunglasses commercial and she looks 30. I know that so much of it is the camera lens and all of those tricks but it is still hard to believe her age. A year or so back, she promoted a modeling project for women over 65. Don’t know what happened to that. She is still stunning.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor has had several ultra beautiful times in her life. All throughout the 1950’s/1960’s/ most of the 1970’s. Ruffly from 1985-1989 and again 1991-1994. The rest of the time she was just plain beautiful. Even at her most difficult of times, her beauty reigned supreme. So without going into endless paragraphs regarding the magnitude of her stunning good looks, I shall just show you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk3I69cUrgg&feature=channel_page

 (Let’s try this one more time!!!)

         Dame Elizabeth Taylor has had several ultra beautiful times in her life. All throughout the 1950’s/1960’s/ most of the 1970’s. Ruffly from 1985-1989 and again 1991-1994. The rest of the time she was just plain beautiful. Even at her most difficult of times, her beauty reigned supreme. So without going into endless paragraphs regarding the magnitude of her stunning good looks, I shall just show you

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk3I69cUrgg&feature=channel_page

    Dame Elizabeth Taylor has had several ultra beautiful times in her life. All throughout the 1950’s/1960’s/ most of the 1970’s. Ruffly from 1985-1989 and again 1991-1994. The rest of the time she was just plain beautiful. Even at her most difficult of times, her beauty reigned supreme. So without going into endless paragraphs regarding the magnitude of her stunning good looks, I shall just show you.

 http://tinyurl.com/lomcu4

 

 I think that gossip got a bad rap from the golden age of Hollywood when those such as Hedda Hopper and Louella Parson wielded the power to make or break careers. Entertainers were terrified of these women and they were put high on a pedestal, and I think that they took advantage of that power. Even the studi CEO’s catered to them. When gossip no longer changed the course of peoples lives, it became much more ‘everyday conversation’ when people did share their opinions, and reinforced their moral values.

:-)

Correction: Was married once to Larry Fortensky at Michael Jackson’s home (Neverland Ranch). Michael and Elizabeth were never married but as Elizabeth once stated, in a joyful moment, "He’s never asked!!"

Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s full statement on the death of her friend, Michael Jackson:

    "My heart…my mind…are broken. I loved Michael with all my soul and I can’t imagine life without him. We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together. I was packing up my clothes to go to London for his opening when I heard the news. I still can’t believe it. I don’t want to believe it. It can’t be so. He will live in my heart forever but it’s not enough. My life feels so empty. I don’t think anyone knew how much we loved each other. The purest most giving love I’ve ever known. Oh God! I’m going to miss him.I can’t imagine life without him. But I guess with God’s help I’ll learn. I keep looking at the photo he gave me of himself which says, "To my true love Elizabeth, I love you forever." And I will love HIM forever."

                                   *******************

  I have no doubt that will will recover but I feel that this particular death has left a dent. She stood by Michael Jackson’s side during drug addiction and treatment, defended him twice with child molestation charges, was married once at her home, was maid of honor and Michael was best man at Liza Minnelli’s wedding and paid homage to him at so many music award shows. She and Michael appeared on Oprah, discussing their friendship…and so much more. At this late stage in her life, I am deeply sorry that she had to experience, yet another death.

Deena/ Washington Cube

                     I tend to take stock in Liza’s words, as well. She knew him well. He was the Best Man in her last wedding so they were more than just passing celebrity acquaintances.

       From an avid Twitterer, I agree that Twitter is not the end all of our new technological discoveries regarding social media, but it is not suppose to be. Twitter will not change the world as we know it, nor replace all reliable methods of journalism but there is some value in this type of communication, however dubious. It was once described as attending the worlds largest cocktail party, seeing old and news friends, exchanging stories, gossiping, talking business and finance, as well as finding the quieter, kind compassionate souls who want to make their world a better place to live in. Initially, everyone despises Twitter. It appears to be like once massive chat room with ramblings that, at times, seem incoherent. Most people walk away from it. But if you stay long enough, and start meeting like minded people (whatever the topic), you start to form connections. As this process continues, if you hang in there…you will start to connect with folks from all walks of life and develop followers (those akin to your interests) and you follow those who you are interested in. Most times the lists are identical.  Interests can range from exchanging ideas of marketing strategies, coming together to promote  service oriented non-profit organizations, philanthropic efforts for various charities, posting political view, religious/spiritual differences, emphasizing human rights, displaying art work, music, poetry, the release of a book, or simple things like posting an everyday blog that you would like people to read. A little story about yourself, average Joe. Whatever the cause, you find support and at times you can feel inspired by the positive feedback that you attain from others. This is the humanitarian side of Twitter. On the other side, products are being pitched, adolescent chit chat takes place, get rich quick schemes are posted, celebrities are conversing with other celebrities about themselves (and only themselves) and there is a multitude of other spam like junk mail just like we get in our everyday lives. Regarding news, people do not necessarily drone on and on about their particular views. They are more likely to post links for web based news stories that are of interest to them to share with other users. To be truthful, the Iran situation had so many different links, articles, gossip, pleas, statements, that they all soon merged into one singular mass of confusion. At this point, Twitter stopped being an effective means of providing news coverage. Out of sheer exhaustion, people soon moved on. I am of the belief that Twitter has its place in society. At some point, most people get hooked and look forward to posting ‘Tweets’ (tiny messages) to their friends and followers, catching up with each other about their lives. There is a family like feeling that emerges and this, in itself, makes for a pleasant experience. Like most things, it is not for everyone but the unity I have had the pleasure of participating in makes Twitter an important part of my (now) everyday life. 

     Ultra fame affects celebrities is many different way and I think that it all boils down to self-esteem. The world ‘self’ emphasized. It seems some on the top of the ladder… Oprah, Elizabeth Taylor, Meryl Streep, Elton John, Madonna… have found some balance regarding what ‘they’ think of themselves, opposed to how the ‘world’ reacts towards them. The lost insecure souls of Elvis, Marilyn, Anna Nicole, and Michael always had an entorage of worshipers feeding their already dented self-esteems. In other words, they believe and they live their own publicity. They were all truly candles in the wind…giving their power over to those who simply wanted a part of the riches. The ‘yes’ men. Someone said earlier (on here)…the enablers. As the superstars that they were, I believe that there was still self-doubt and their dependence on those who surrounded them soon became as addicting as the narcotics that they all abused. And at the end of the day, when all of the supporters have gone home or gone to sleep…they are alone, faced with their own company… allowing fear and doubt to reinforce their already dubious sense of self. No wonder they turned to drugs. People turn to drug because they do not want to face the ‘bad’ feelings, the feelings of not being good enough. And when these situations becomes unbearable, they end the pain. It’s much more than the high cost of fame, or the personal scandals, or the above-the-law life style….it is how they think about themselves that eventually matter and dictate their fate.

Now she truly is an ‘angel’. God bless her.

 I do not think that it is necessarily less offensive to call a white man or a black man, regardless if they are gay, a ‘faggot’. I think it is offensive to call a woman, ‘a bitch’ and ‘a dumb cunt’. I have never understood that the word ‘nigga’ is so derogatory when a white person uses it, and accepted when used by a black person. I realize the rationale, which is… in ‘taking back’ control of the word, it inevitable loses its power but the term sounds insulting to me, just as they previous words I have listed above. If GLAAD were to preface its statement with my statement above, before castrating Hilton for the use of his words…then they would have garnished more respect.  Death wish?? Street rules are what gets people killed and should never be condoned, or the practice of them encouraged…especially by those in the public eye who may have impressionable fans emulating their behaviors. Lets raise the bar and denounce these hateful words and barbaric behaviors.