Xmas Lounge Music Playlist

1. Last Christmas (Aqua Lounge Dub) - X-Mas Allstars
2. Walking In The Snow To The Lounge / Winterlude (Intro) - The Mistletoe Lounge
3. Feliz Navidad - Lenny B
4. Ye Merry Gents - Billy Paul Williams
5. Santa Baby - Perfect Project
6. Winter Wonderland (Vocal Mix) - Madison Park
7. Angels We Have Heard - J.A.C.E.
8. The First Noel - Sunday People
9. O Come O Come Emmanuel - Groovecatcher
10. Jingle Bells - Paul T
11. Silent Night - Neurobic
12. Peace On Earth - Kaskade
13. O Come All Ye Faithful - The Grooveoholics
14. Peace On Earth - Kaskade
15. Psycho Jingle Funk - Rithma
16. Songs Of The Morning - Late Night Alumni
17. Winter Wonderland - Sutro Heights
18. Still Still Still - Kaskade
19. Charlie Brown Cut Up - Colossus
20. Under The Christmas Tree - J Boogie's Dubtronic Science
21. What Child Is This - The Pleasant Groove Minstrels
22. O Christmas Tree - King Kooba
23. Christmas Eve - Members Only
24. Psyonics Night - Casey Nefey
25. Winter Wonderland (Bent Remix) - Bing Crosby
26. All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) (MJ Cole Remix) - Nat King Cole
27. Baby, It's Cold Outside (Arp Remix) - Dean Martin
28. Sleigh Ride (The Latin Project Remix) - Ella Fitzgerald
29. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (awayTEAM Remix) - Lou Rawls
30. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Suedojazz Mix) - Lena Horne
31. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo (Malibu Mix) - Billy May
32. Man With The Bag (Thunderball Mix) - Kay Starr
33. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (Psapp’S Lady Remix) - Les Brown
34. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (Q Burns Abstract Message Remix) - Johnny Mercer
35. Christmas Waltz (awayTEAM Remix) - Nancy Wilson
36. I'd Like You For Christmas (Ursula 1000 Remix) - Julie London
37. Merriest (Thunderball Mix) - June Christy
38. Christmas Time Is Here - Vincent Guaraldi
39. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Hot Toddy
40. Home For The Holidays - Bryan Ogden
41. Winter Wonderland - Madison Park
42. Los Peces En El Rio - Mudfish
43. Ask Yourself - Sunday People
44. Lil' Drummer Boy - Fever Audio
45. Reindeers - Raymond Wave
46. Holiday Across The World - Madison Park
47. Auld Lang Syne - Nutcraker Sweet
48. Awaken - The Source (Jazz)
49. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Bryan Ogden
50. Oh Tanenbaum - Red Connection
51. Greensleeves - The Source (Jazz)
52. Winter Wait - Electro Brothers
53. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (a shrift remix) - Andy Williams
54. Happy Holiday (Beef Wellington Remix) - Bing Crosby
55. Jingle Bells (Dan The Automator Remix) - Dean Martin
56. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (STUHR Remix) - Kay Starr
57. Joy To The World (Mocean Worker Remix) - The Cathedral Brass
58. Winter Wonderland (Rise Ashen's Brazilian Beach Mix) - Johnny Mercer
59. Merry Christmas, Baby (MNO remix) - Charles Brown
60. The Nutcracker Suite (Baz Kuts Breaks Mix) - Berlin Symphony Orchestra
61. Baby, It's Cold Outside (Mulato Beat Remix) (Mulato Beat remix) - Louis Armstrong
62. Jingle Bells (Robbie Hardkiss Remix) - Duke Ellington
63. The First Noel (Attaboy House Party Mix) - Bing Crosby
64. The Christmas Song (Michael Kessler Open Fire Mix) - Mel Tormé
65. Sleigh Ride - zigo
66. White Christmas - Love Colony
67. Carol Of The Bells - Durbin Elf
68. I Believe In Father Christmas - Cortex Curer
69. Little Drummer Boy - Aaron Charles
70. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - zigo
71. Silent Night - DRM
72. The First Noel - Inverse Cinematics
73. Feliz Navidad - Tetsumi Nagaka
74. Jingle Bells - Sub Santa
75. Happy Christmas (War Is Over) - Rauder and Hobbs
76. Christmas Is A Feeling In Your Heart - Love Colony
77. Feliz Navidub - Sub Santa
78. A Child Is Born - Jon Kennedy
79. The Christmas Song - Jon Kennedy
80. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - DJ Trax
81. My Favorite Things - L.E.D.
82. Good King Wenceslas - Billy Paul Williams
83. Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairies - Charles Afton
84. We Three Kings - kurbis Blumen
85. The Holly And The Ivy - Billy Paul Williams
86. O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum) - Sub Santa
87. Do You Hear What I Hear? - Rauder and Hobbs
88. The Goose Is Getting Fat - Jon Kennedy
89. Sou Gan (Traditional Welsh Tune) - Rudolph & Blitzen
90. Hard Candy Christmas - Myntee
91. She Won't Be Home - Spooky Monkey
92. I Wonder As I Wander - Cortex Cure
93. Faithful Ye Come - Tetsumi Nagaka
94. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Billy Paul Williams
95. Ave Maria - Billy Paul Williams
96. This Christmas - Billy Paul Williams
97. Kriss Kringle - Jon Kennedy
98. All I Want for Christmas Is You - Billy Paul Williams
99. Mass of Lords - Jon Kennedy
100. Santa Baby - Billy Paul Williams
101. Looks a Lot Like Christmas - Billy Paul Williams
102. Jolly Old St. Nicholas - Steve Austeen
103. The Kwanzaa Song - Billy Paul Williams
104. Waltz of the Flowers - Greg Long
105. Sunshine Christmas - Billy Paul Williams
106. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve - Billy Paul Williams
107. Mi Ymaleil - Craig Taubman
108. Maoz Tzur - Craig Taubman

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Cure Parkinson's

Tonight I attended the Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research annual fundraiser that is named "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Cure Parkinson's".

The event was held at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC and Emceed by Denis O'Leary who regaled us with a hilarious song about "Fuck You" and it was done to a Reggae rhythm.

Other performances were by Greg Allman who performed with Blues Traveler, Elvis Costello, Roger Daltry, Michael J Fox himself joined on stage and also Steven Tyler who was such a doll!!!

I have many photos from the event that I am eager to share!

Cheers!

Veronica

Russell Brand On Happiness

Tonight I went to see Russell Brand tryout new material. The venue was the Masonic Lodge at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary (don't ask, I don't book his venues)

It was an intimate gathering of no more than 180, if even that many. I sat along the side, on the couch a mere 6 inches from the stage. Russell was funny and insightful as usual with a bit of shock to go along with it.

His bit in the beginning where he set his boot on fire was unexpectedly funnier than intended because dear Russ could not put it out! He had to have his bodyguard Danny run up on stage and douse the flames with water.

Russell regaled us with tales of his drug-fueled sex binges with prostitutes when he didn't have money to pay them (nearly pissed in my pants), his travels to Cuba and experiences with 2 Cuban prostitutes there (Dental Nurses by day) who approached him on his way to meet Castro's son and he didn't make it past the parking lot when these two vixens grabbed his attention and so blew off his scheduled meeting with the dictator's son.

He is currently filming a documentary on consumerism and happiness with Oliver Stone. Russ's impersonation of Stone is spot-on "So tell me Russ, when you travel do you bring clothes with you?". He wasn't able to go into his bit about Donald Trump because unfortunately someone without his knowledge filmed his previous night's performance where he talks about how stupid Trump was when he interviewed The Donald for the Oliver Stone documentary and Trump's attorneys threatened legal action because of his remarks. (PumpkinHead is what Russ calls him)

I look forward to seeing Russ's documentary which was filmed in part at Angola State Penitentiary in Louisiana (the grounds are the size of Manhattan) and where Russell mistook one of the prisoners sent to make sure that Russ and company had all their needs attended to for being a personal butler, rather than a prisoner, leading to some awkward moments. (Russ: Can you go out and gets us some Cashews? Prisoner: No, because I am in here for murder)

Next year look for the comedy film "Get Him To The Greek", where Russell reprises his role of Aldous Snow, (from Forgetting Sarah Marshall). It should be even funnier.

Toodles for now, Russell is waiting in the limo for me!

Veronica

LA's 10 Best Fish 'n' Chips

British cuisine is like most things foreign: if you can get past the broken English, you can usually find something to use for personal gain



Best Fish 'n' Chips with a View
6610 Palos Verdes Dr S Rancho Palos Verdes | 310-265-2800

What: Fish 'n' Chips
Where: Nelson's
Price: $18.00
Description: An homage to Lloyd Bridge's Sea Hunt character, Nelson's, one of Terranea Resort's eight restaurants, offers some of the most breathtaking views in Southern California. The casual digs radiate a beachy feel with a rustic Palos Verdes flair. Grab a drink along the recycled wine bottle glass bar, or dine outside amongst fire pits and above the roaring ocean. The cuisine is California classic, including one of our favorites, the Fish 'n' Chips. Nelson's version entails beer battered halibut, malt vinegar, and those so often sought, yet rarely found crunchy, skinny fries.




Fish 'n' Chips Fit for a King
116 Santa Monica Blvd Santa Monica | 310-451-1402

What: Fish 'n' Chips
Where: Ye Olde King's Head
Price: $16.95 (King size)/ $13.95 (Queen size)
Description: Established three decades ago as one of Los Angeles' most accurate British pubs, Ye Olde King's Head treats patrons like royalty. Choose from three dining rooms, and order the Fish 'n' Chips made with fresh Icelandic cod. If you are feeling hungry and/or macho, order the King's size. Not so hungry, opt for the Queen's portion. As long as you share, we won't judge.




Best Modern Fish 'n' Chips
465 S La Cienega Beverly Hills | 310-246-5555

What: Buñuelos codfish fritters, honey alioli
Where: The Bazaar by José Andrés
Price: $8.00
Description: The Bazaar by José Andrés does nothing simply, and their version of fish 'n' chips is no different. In all likelihood, Andrés was not attempting to reinvent the oft beer battered treat, but the Buñuelos, a.k.a. codfish fritters, seem pretty close to ultra gourmet fish 'n' chips. Served with a honey alioli, the round fritters are golden brown, fried to perfection.




Best Salmon 'n' Chips
2911 Main Street Santa Monica | 310-314-4855

What: Alehouse Fish 'n' Chips
Where: Library Alehouse
Price: $12.95
Description: Located on one of L.A.'s trendiest streets, the Library Alehouse serves one of the most unique fish 'n' chips dishes in town. Completely untraditional, the alehouse deep fries salmon in an Ankerstein batter, appropriate for a pub known for their 29 carefully chosen microbrews. They have a cod version too, but you can find that anywhere. Better still, the chips are curly fries, and the tartar sauce is homemade.




A Great Catch
13640 Burbank Blvd Van Nuys | 818-994-6045

What: Fish 'n' Chips
Where: Robin Hood British Pub
Price: $11.95
Description: Nestled in a peaceful area of Van Nuys, Robin Hood British Pub hit the mark with their fresh fish 'n' chips. Made with canola oil, the light breading contains zero trans fats and compliments the soft, flaky Icelandic cod. The homemade tartar sauce adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the dish. Celebrate this pub's 26th anniversary with a game of darts followed by a tasting of their authentic British fish 'n' chips-they're right on target.




Best "Lousy" Fish 'n' Chips
1770 E Colorado Blvd Pasadena | 626-578-1301

What: Fish 'n' Chips
Where: Brits Restaurant and Pub
Price: $7.75
Description: Husband and wife team Peter and Elizabeth Holder offer quick wit and a British sense of humor with their beer battered fish 'n' chips. Don't let their motto, "warm beer...lousy food," fool you. Their authentic British Icelandic cod fish 'n' chips, complete with a side of peas, will leave you begging for more "lousy food."




Anchors Away
318 Santa Monica Blvd Santa Monica | 310-458-5350

What: Fish 'n' Chips
Where: The Britannia
Price: $11.25
Description: After a day of shopping on 3rd Street or soaking up the sun, anchor at The Britannia for authentic Newcastle beer battered cod, which is served with the obligatory fries and peas. The upbeat, friendly atmosphere adds to the dining experience, making you feel at bay. Between the irresistible charm of the pub and the cheery people, you will never want to leave.




Best Irish Fish 'n' Chips
3267 Motor Ave Los Angeles | 310-559-9648

What: Fish 'n' Chips
Where: Irish Times
Price: $10.95
Description: Hoping to escape the hustle and bustle? Tucked away in Culver City, the Irish Times Pub is like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Hide out with their beer battered Irish fish 'n' chips, and wash it down with one of their European beers-- only $4 a pint. Enjoy the bartenders' charming irish accents or dance a jig to the live entertainment on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.




Freshest Fish 'n' Chips
209 N Harbor Dr Redondo Beach | 310-372-7703

What: Fish 'n' Chips
Where: Captain Kidd's Fish Market and Restaurant
Price: $11.90
Description: Hand pick your fish from numerous options at their fish market, and Captain Kidd's will fry it for you. Then, enjoy the marina as you wait for your delicious dinner. Order chips or a plethora of other sides, including corn on the cob, potato salad, or coleslaw. Dine inside or out, but after dinner, head out for a stroll along the Strand or onto the Redondo Beach Pier where you can find funnel cake and all sorts of goodies for dessert.




Healthy Fish and Chips Alternative
501 S Olive St Los Angeles | 213-624-1100

What: Fish Cake Salad
Where: Sai Sai Restaurant
Price: $12.00
Description: Located in the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, the Sai Sai Restaurant serves modern Asian cuisine. The Fish Cake Salad provides a lighter alternative to the traditional fish and chips for those craving fried fish while calorie counting. The refreshing Asian mix salad is topped with mango passion fruit coulis and Panko crusted fish cake.

Police Want David Elms Put Away For Life

DAVID ELMS MUG SHOT - PHOENIX POLICE DEPT

(From Dave of Phoenix)


Phoenix PD wants David Elms put away for life
Seeks blackmailed for sex escorts - anonymous contact set up

If you or for guys or all gals, if you know an escort that has been blackmailed into sex for reviews to stay on TER etc please pass this on.

Yes, this is ironic, when the usual enemy (law enforcement) is on our side to get rid of a dangerous, abusive person in the industry (David Elms TER). This has nothing to do with the TER board, only the dangerous owner.

I had a long phone discussion with Detective Christina Bill (yes like mans first name) of the Phoenix Police Dept Vice unit. She welcome me getting this message out to escorts. The following are high points of the conversation:

She is trying to put together a case against David Elms that would put him behind bars permanently. She asks for our help to do so. She is very compassionate towards what is going on and understands that escorts CAN be victimized by people like Elms.

Det. Bill agrees with the attorney in LA who I have had many discussions with - that blackmailed sex is the same as criminal felony rape. He is the attorney who filed the recent Federal Civil case against Elms on behalf of “Jane Doe“ an escort, now the murder for hire victim in Phoenix

Phoenix PD wants to get Elms on more felony charges but needs escorts to come forward from anywhere in the U.S., not just Phoenix. Det Bill needs to speak with Escorts who have been Threatened / Harassed / Extorted by David Elms. Gals can contact her anonymously with the procedure discussed below.

Detective Bill could care less about misdemeanor prostitution offenses. She tells me she has already cleared it with the County Attorney´s office, not caring about being an escort if you come forward.

She seeks help from escorts that have been harassed in any way or have exchanged sex and or money for TER reviews not be taken down etc. She would like as many as possible in order to get a Grand Jury indictment BEFORE his arrest, with a prearranged agreed on large bail by the Court so he won´t just get small bail next time. The Prosecutor, County Attorney´s office and Phoenix major crimes unit were shocked at the low $150,000 bail by a judge that had no real background info on him when arrested a few weeks ago for conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault, weapons and various drug charges.

I have arranged with her a way for gals to come forward anonymously. She just wants the opportunity to talk to you.

To protect escorts confidentially they/you can call the Police Community Hotline at 602-426-1231.
Tell them you have info on the David Elms case for Detective Christina Bill.
You can leave any name. She told me you can call yourself “juicy“ for all she cares.
Just leave a phone number that she can call to talk with you.

This is a case similar to the 2005 case of “Rapist Who Choked Providers Till Passed Out , Raped and Robbed Them“ I report on at http://www.sexwork.com/Phoenix/rapist.html I worked with Scottsdale PD and got escorts to come forward who all said they were very comfortable working with both the police and the County Attorney´s office. A fast response, and an outstanding investigation got him arrested quickly. He is now serving a sentence of over 100 years in prison. Escorts could have gotten formal immunity but after working closely with the Country Attorney I don´t believe any escorts thought that was necessary.

As we know from the NY Times article that he was found raping a women at gunpoint in a hotel. But she was too scared to press charges. Apparently she reported this to police when she called 911 but the California authorities could only get him on weapons and drug charges which is why he is now on probation.

I realize the irony that some of the same police that busted Desert Diva´s, now want to befriend escort victims of David Elms because of what he has done to so many escorts and the risk he poses. As Christina told me “I am ready to get rid of this guy.“ She sounds to me both very compassionate for the plight and sensitivity of escorts but she is VERY determined to get more charges on Elms.

He is now out on bail. He is clearly in violation of his probation in CA. But he has beat a probation violation before and it was only on drugs and weapons charges. Phoenix PD will work with the California authorities on details of any Arizona new charges and his parole violation on priors in CA.

I think Christina Bill will put you at ease and I am convinced she is absolutely sincere in having no interest in your profession. From reading many boards, it is obvious many guys and gals know of his blackmail for sex victims so please spread the word to anyone you think may have been blackmailed to provide sex to Elms

A post on the ladies only section of a LV board caused quite a stir. She says she was not directly on the LV board but an escort posted for her but it appeared to be her. The board owner confirmed she was real police (as I did also) and it was agreed she would be banned as soon as she posted the notice for LV gals to come forward. She realizes the sensitivity of the situation. The post clearly identified her as Phoenix Police. She is not trying to sting anyone, only put Elms away as he has proved himself very dangerous.

The AZ Grand Jury did not indict on the conspiracy to commit murder charge but has indicted him for felony aggravated assault and drug charges. Phoenix PD and the County Attorney want to get him for felony rape as we know he has been guilty of for many years with many gals in different states.

I have long history and details about this and prior cases at http://www.sexwork.com/terbad.html This is why he hired a hit man to come after me as well as the escort that filed the Federal civil charges. As someone pointed out, he better pray we both keep very healthy, since everyone knows who to look at if anything should happen to us. Yes, it shook me up when I was contacted by police by phone, and have now met with the “hit man“ and other major crimes officer. It is now in the hands of the police as the hit man fortunately was an undercover police officer in the major crimes unit and Phoenix PD and the County Attorney are very serious about getting more charges on him for everyone´s safety.

I was trying to work with the LA Attorney who filed the Federal Case wanting gals to come forward but we were unable to arrange a direct escort friendly LE contact in California. Now with the murder for hire etc arrest in Phoenix, Phoenix and County Attorney really want him on more felonies - felony rape for any escort who was blackmailed into sex with him.

The "Most Powerful Man In Prostitution" Arrested

By Keegan Hamilton in Follow That Story, News

Monday, Feb. 23 2009 @ 1:32PM



Maricopa County Sheriff's Department Mug Shot


This juicy little item slipped through the cracks when it happened last week but it's worth mentioning now, if only to shed a little light on the life of a kingpin from the Internet's seedy underbelly.

David Elms, creator of the popular escort Web site The Erotic Review, was arrested last week in Phoenix on charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, sale of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of a weapon.

In a story last year about Elms and his legal woes from another drug case, The New York Times called Elms the most powerful man in prostitution" and dubbed his site the Amazon.com of the online sex trade.

The Erotic Review (link definitely NSFW) allows escorts to post information (i.e. all the gooey details) about themselves and their services. Men then write reviews of their experience and rate each woman on a scale of 1 to 10.

I interviewed Elms for an RFT feature story about escort Web sites last year (OldestProfession 2.0). Here's what he had to say then:

The practice of posting online reviews of escorts dates back about ten years. David Elms, creator of The Erotic Review (www.theeroticreview.com), claims his Web site was one of the first to encourage men to provide feedback about their clandestine encounters. Reached by phone in his Southern California office, Elms explains that he got the idea after being ripped off by a call girl.


"It was a way that people could be held accountable for their actions in this industry," Elms says. "Now girls prefer that they find clients on The Erotic Review. It already tells a guy all the juicy details, so he doesn't have to ask stupid questions."


Elms says his Web site, created in 1999, now attracts more than 300,000 visitors a day, and that half of the site's users log on more than once a day. He collects information about each person who registers an account and says the average hobbyist is between 35 and 55 years old with a median income of $80,000.


Apparently Phoenix police were investigating another Internet prostitution ring called the "Desert Divas," when they found out Elms was plotting to commit murder for hire.

Elms' site is just one of dozens of mega-hubs for online hookers but it is one of the most well-known and widely used. According to the Times article, accusations that Elms demanded sex in exchange for positive reviews and access to his site have circulated for years. One escort agency even sued him, claiming that when he blackballed them from his site it violated federal anti-trust laws.

The blog for the Phoenix New Times, our sister paper in Arizona, has all the details about his latest arrest, including a press release from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department and a screen capture from Elms' site. They also point out that Elms' next online endeavor will probably have something to do with prison sex.

Lawyers & Hookers: Great Bedfellows

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Playboy Mansion Party

I will write about the party soon. In the meantime, enjoy a slide show from the event, below.


Bunny Kisses,

Veronica Franco

Carmine II Caffe

Perched on Santa Monica Blvd just West of Beverly Glen and a 3 minute drive from Century City is a jewel of a restaurant called Carmine II Caffe.

Originally known as Carmine’s, it opened in 1975 and was a celebrity haunt for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and others of notoriety during the days that Hollywood was ruled by the Rat Pack crowd.

Carmine Sr, passed away in 1989 and the restaurant closed until the son, Carmine Jr reopened what was previously a Maitre’D style restaurant with booths and red velvet and turned it into a more upscale relaxed atmosphere while preserving the feel of the Fine Dining Italian family-owned supper restaurant.

The bar is excellent. My Cosmopolitan had 2 gummy lifesavers which made a nice finish. I also ate my date’s vodka-soaked olives from his martini and all I could say was “Bring more vodka-soaked olives!”

This night I had the Rigatoni with a meat sauce while my date had the Baked Ziti; both were excellent. Prior to my main course I had "The Wedge" which was so delicious with a homemade blue cheese dressing. My date ordered a bottle of a 2005 Mt Veeder cabernet sauvignon, which for being so young, was surprisingly smooth and not tannic at all. We savored very drop of this delicious wine which so perfectly complemented our meal.

The wall is filled with photos taken by a particular photographer whose name escapes me. Photos of the Rat Pack, along with that one famous shot of a young Sophia Loren glancing sideways at the exposed cleavage of Jayne Mansfield.

Carmine II’s is a real treat for anyone who misses the glorious days of the Rat Pack. As a child, I visited this restaurant and actually saw Dean Martin there in the bar, in person. For this reason, Carmine II’s holds a very dear place in my heart. Owners Carmine Jr and his wife Kim are wonderful hosts and make the effort to make each and every guest feel welcome, as if part of one big exclusive family.

Neighborhoods: Westwood, West Los Angeles
10463 Santa Monica Blvd
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 441-4706

• Price Range: $$$
• Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
• Parking: Valet
• Attire: Dressy
• Good for Groups: Yes
• Good for Kids: No
• Takes Reservations: Yes
• Waiter Service: Yes
• Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
• Outdoor Seating: No
• Alcohol: Full Bar

Meet & Greet VIP Cabana at Playboy Mansion

 

 

I'm hosting a Meet&Greet at the Playboy Mansion in a VIP Cabana on Super Bowl Sunday, February 1st, 2PM till 10:30PM

Revel with Playmates, professional athletes, and other sports aficionados.

Hosted by model & actress Brande Roderick, featuring over 20 Playmates, live musical performances, performance art, great food & so much more.

Come and be a part of the wildest Super Bowl Party ever! It's hosted by sexy and beautiful former Playmate of the Year Brande Roderick at the Playboy Mansion, with live performances by Bret Michaels of Poison.

There will be in abundance Playmates and models, a charity auction, massages, open bar, game day style food, painted models, swimming in the grotto, tours of the grounds and so much more!

Attire: Game Day Best
Menu: A Delicious assortment of Game Day favorites
Massages: Professional Massages throughout the day
Special Treat: Cuban Cigar Roller
Entertainment: Bret Michaels of Poison and Rock of Love,
Strawberry Blonde, Girlicious, DJ Colleen Shannon, David Garibaldil (performance artist)

Meet&Greet VIP Cabana Admission:

$2,500 per person

Includes live performances by Bret Michaels, Girlicious, Strawberry Blonde,etc) tours of the mansion, zoo, game room and grotto,etc) by Playmates, open bar and game day style food, 20 painted models wearing your favorite football team jerseys, photo opps with Playboy Bunnies, silent auction and much more!

The VIP Cabana also includes all of preceding plus our own Playboy Hostess of choice, VIP drive-on pass, our own private cabana masseuse, private cabana waitress, full bottle service, and many extras.

If you are interested in attending, please call me direct to reserve your spot in advance. There is a limited number of seats, so please reserve early.

Hope to see you there!!!

Veronica Franco

Call 1.866.440.4949 to Attend

 

Fundraiser

I attended a star-studded fundraiser on Friday night. Great food, great company, Las Vegas entertainment and we raised money for a great cause.

Come to the Super Bowl Party at the Playboy Mansion

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Welcome To Inauguration Island, A Prostitution-Free Zone

By Marc Fisher

You invite a couple of million of your closest friends to the biggest bash your town has ever thrown. You extend bar hours nearly till dawn. You import thousands of cops to keep the streets safe. You commandeer every bit of paved surface you can think of to accommodate innumerable buses packed with visitors.

And then you plaster the street lamp poles in a central part of the city with big red signs "WARNING" all that "This area has been declared a PROSTITUTION FREE ZONE."

What's wrong with this picture?

Now, maybe I'm not reading this the way your average tourist or Obama supporter would, but to me, this sign--one of a whole bunch D.C. police have posted between 4th and 5th streets NW from Eye to L streets--means that everywhere the signs aren't, prostitution is just fine and dandy.

The thing about the Prostitution Free Zone--the District's decision not to use hyphens on that baby raises the question whether the red-signed area is a kind of Vegas East y'all-have-fun-now invitation--is that it is a rather arcane legal ploy, being used without even a nod to how the general public might read the signs. (There's a photo of the sign over at DCist, which first reported on this latest bit of inauguration insanity yesterday.)

Ex-Mayor Tony Williams' administration came up with the idea three years ago as part of a crime bill that criminalized prostitution. The law was written so that the police chief could designate a special zone of town where prostitution would not be tolerated. That declaration would make it legal for cops to take away johns' cars. Prior to the zones policy, only the act of solicitation--offering to buy or sell sex--was criminal. Under the zone law, the act itself was now illegal. More to the point, the new law made it possible for police to tow and impound any car found outside a brothel, and it allowed the police to disperse people who gather for the purpose of engaging in sex for pay.

The city tried a similar tactic in the early 1990s, but a court tossed the D.C. law as unconstitutional.

Well, that's a battle for another day. This week, I'm thinking at least some of our million-plus houseguests might want to get themselves a souvenir of their visit to Washington, like a nice big red sign declaring the neighborhood free for prostitution, or something like that.

The Madoff family: Fraud from the boardroom to the kitchen

Bruce Watson

Jan 16th 2009

Filed under: Extracurriculars, Food, Rip-offs and Scams, Fraud

 

Over the past few weeks, I've been able to squeeze a lot of fun out of the Madoff scandal. From his clubby sales techniques to the expensive jewelry that he's sent out to the outrageous leniency that the courts have shown him, Bernie has been an almost bottomless font of disturbing details.

Through it all, Ruth Madoff has silently stood by her man, presenting a stoic, supportive façade to the media. Although Madoff's tendency to hire family members to run his company is well documented, Ruth has managed to avoid the spotlight and has stayed above the fray. The media, in return, has soft-pedaled the fact that she was the company's original bookkeeper and one of its directors.

Recently, another side of Ruth Madoff, has emerged. In the mid 1990's, she became involved with a cookbook. Titled The Great Chefs of America Cook Kosher, the tome offered Kosher haute cuisine recipes to the masses. Listed as executive editors, neither Madoff nor her friend Idee Schoenheimer were actually involved in writing the book. According to the "editor," Karen MacNeil, a food and wine expert, the book was something of a vanity project for Madoff, who "was interested in having her name on something that would allow for some sort of fun."

The greatest irony of all of this is that, 12 years after its release, the book is currently selling for more than its cover price. If only Bernie's funds had done so well!

When one door closes, another one opens

The current state of the economy, people losing their homes, their jobs, have been an opportunity for many to wipe the slate clean and start over.

When you work at a company and lose your job during this financial crisis, you suddenly realize that you are disposable and that is truly crushing to have to accept. If you change your way of viewing such a loss, you may find a lot of blessing in the situation.

For one, you can reevaluate your life, where its heading and now have a second chance to really seek your passion. I believe everyone should love their work yet many don’t get an opportunity to seek a career in a field they possess such a passion for – I for one was forced by my family into a career in Nursing. While its a great job from the perspective of remaining employed – nurses are always in demand – there is a REASON they are always in demand – its a high-burnout career. The depression I would suffer from the feelings I had while watching a little 4 year-old girl whose father had beaten her until her brained swelled and also had infected her with gonorrhea in every orifice, die, was taking a toll. No wonder my colleague crashed her car on her way home from work that night. If you are human, you can’t just discard what you see and experience when dealing with life and death situations not to mention dysfunctional family relationships of the patient which DO impede upon the medical care environment.

So to those of you who may be facing a layoff, please watch this following news video. Its an extremely inspiring as well as empowering story of 3 people who have been laid-off and how its opened doors for them to pursue their true passions in life.

GMA Laid Off: A Blessing in Disguise

Drugs of the Past

What are now considered serious hard drugs and frowned upon by society were once an integral medical treatment - over-the-counter. Such drugs as Cocaine, Morphine and Heroin were looked at to treat a wide variety of illnesses and disorders, ranging from physical, to the emotional to the psychiatric.

Enjoy this look back actual labels from medicines enjoyed up through the late 1800's. Don't forget that Coca-Cola once contained cocaine. (and I suppose it was far less addicting than all the sugar they load in with now) Makes me wonder what people in 100 years from now will be looking back that we used - Trans Fats, for instance.

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Prostitution in a recession: Is the economy ruining morality?

Bruce Watson
Jan 15th 2009 at 5:00PM

Filed under: Sex Sells, Entrepreneurship, Extracurriculars, Career, Health, Wealth, Relationships, Recession

It seems like 2008 was the year when America started to rethink its stand on prostitution.

Traditionally, the world's oldest profession has been a definite no-no in the U.S., constrained to shady streets, dark alleys, and the occasional legal brothel in Nevada. In 2008, however, it seemed to wander into the open and, in many ways, stopped being the dividing line between "good" girls and "bad" girls.

While Ashley Dupree's interview with Diane Sawyer was hardly surprising (after all, turning tricks for a politician has always been a short route to 15 minutes of fame), it's interesting that so many people rushed to blame Spitzer while letting Dupree off relatively Scott-free. Similarly, responses to Natalie Dylan's decision to auction off her virginity were almost equally divided between horror and admiration: some presented her as a victim of societal pressures, while others hailed her as a feminist hero.

Meanwhile, HBO presented Cathouse, an exploration of a legal brothel in Carson City Nevada. The program made a media hero out of Brooke Taylor, a young college graduate who chose prostitution over graduate school. A subsequent article in women's magazine Marie Claire presented Taylor as an intelligent, self-actualized young woman who made an informed decision to enter a highly lucrative profession. In its exploration of Taylor's choices, the article not only humanized her, but also lent an air of legitimacy to her career choice. It is particularly telling that Marie Claire's target audience is, basically, women who are very similar to the pre-prostitution Brooke Taylor.

Admittedly, there have been a few attacks on prostitution. For example, Craig'sList began cracking down on posts offering illicit sex. However, even that token attack has come into question, and women at all levels of society have seemed to erase boundaries when it comes to selling their bodies. From A-listers seeking sugar daddies to rednecks looking for a tank of gas to young women looking for cheap rents, the line between civilians and professionals is getting razor thin. In an interesting expose, Radar magazine showed just how easily it could be erased.

A few months ago, I suggested the possibility that, just as recession-plagued Weimar Berlin became a haven for the sex trade, our own recessed economy might spark a serious reconsideration of our sexual morality. For example, a recent New York Times article about Sephora referred to cosmetics as "war paint," and quoted one salesperson as stating that she carried trial sizes of certain products in her purse, "because you never know where you might wake up." While this hardly translates into an endorsement of the commodification of sex, it seems to suggest a grim acceptance of sexuality as a tool to be employed. Similarly, MSNBC's recent documentary on prostitution offered a humanizing, semi-legitimizing perspective on the profession.

Given America's eternal battle over "family values," it is interesting to see the extent to which many of those values can be mitigated by painful economic realities. While the recession won't completely overturn the prostitution stigma, the level of public curiosity about this mysterious profession seems to be reaching a major upswell. With the economy dangling between recovery and continued misery, it will be interesting to see if 2009 will be the year when prostitution becomes the crime that nobody talks about, but everyone commits.

Bruce Watson is a freelance writer, blogger, and all-around cheapskate. Despite repeated attempts, he's never been able to get people to pay him for sex.

Tina Fey Trashes the Snarks

During Tina Fey's Golden Globes acceptance speech she referenced a few posters who have trashed her on The Envelope forum. I loved it!

"I want to say thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press. I'll always love the Hollywood Foreign Press and have all the Hollywood Foreign Press action figures. Thank you, Will Arnett, for that joke. But I want you to really know how lucky I am to have the year I've had this year and, if you ever start to feel too good about yourself, they have this thing called the Internet! You can find a lot of people there who don't like you! I'd like to address some of them now! BabsonLacrosse, you can suck it. DianeFan, you can suck it. Cougar Letter, you can really suck it 'cause you've been after me all year. And to my husband, Jeff, I love you. Thank you very much! "

From The Gawker:

Those anonymous internet critics Tina Fey told to "suck it" in her Golden Globe acceptance speech tonight are actual posters on the LA Times' Envelope awards site. And mean!

Some points of clarification, though. Two of the three commenters Fey called out in her speech are the same person — "dianefan" used to be "cougar-letter." And the third, "BabsonLacrosse," totally got caught in the crossfire.

Dianefan has been kind of a d-bag, as Fey would put it. Since at least September, when she was slamming the choice of Fey to play Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live:

"I think there are lots of choices other than Tina... Megan Mullally, Sarah Silverman, Teri Hatcher, Shannon Doherty... Not everyone has to think that Tina Fey is the be all and end all... I simply think all of those actresses have some spunk in them that could work. "

Dianefan was more vicious Oct. 23 2008, as cougar-letter (see quotes in later posts), on the idea of Fey hosting the Oscars:

"Tina Fey would be a dreadful host. That Sarah Palin bit is getting very old. "

Gotta love the animated puking graphic! Dianefan has been big on those.

Nov. 20 2008, in the official 30 Rock Season 3 thread:

"Tina Fey was simply like the pimple on my face - just there .... I think that the key issue here is the fact that when Tina is at her best, she's just not that great. "

Dec. 14 2008, after the Golden Globe nominations were announced:

"I just hope they give the win to anyone but Tina Fey. Boy I can't wait until Edie Falco comes back on the scene just to wipe that smug look off Tina's face. "

Dec. 16, after Fey failed to garner a nod from the vaunted "Golden Satellite Awards:"

"These wins are sooooo inspiring. I'm so stoked that Tina Fey didn't win."

Jan. 10, day before the awards:

"This Tina Fey love fest is a bloody joke at this point. I am rooting for anyone else in that category."

Well, that didn't work. But at least she got a shout-out! Maybe that will make Dianefan a bit less of b? Hahahaha no.

From tonight:

"I'm famous. She mentioned BabsonLacrosse too. Sorry Tina Fey but I still don't think you deserved to win. "

BabsonLacrosse (now "KateWinsGG") has not posted much on Fey. She seems to kind of adore her, though:

Dec. 14 , in reaction to the Golden Globe nominations:

"Tina Fey and Christina Applegate are the 2 best comedic actresses on TV right now. To suggest they got in due to the Palin impersonation or breast cancer is absurd. "

What got Fey was probably this slightly bitchy comment, in agreement with the dreaded dianefan, Jan. 10:

"Fey if she wins might as well start thanking Sarah Palin because while I like Fey on 30 Rock, she's certainly won enough for it as of now. "

And now, BabsonLacrosse, YA BURNT.

In the most flattering way, of course. It's a long way up from anonymous Web board haunt to televised-awards-speech diss fodder. And that may have been the idea. In addition to being clever and funny, Fey's faux-rant had the effect of bringing Fey and her show down to Earth, closer to its intended audience. Jack Donaghy would never endorse such a move, but then Jack Donaghy and his real-life ilk have never seen first-hand the free publicity that comes from being a YouTube darling. Fey has.

Funny Church Signs

Funny Church Signs Part 2

Funny Church Signs Part 3

WiFi Names You Wish Didn't Exist

You turn on your laptop, try to connect to WIFI and find...





http://nevver.tumblr.com/post/34983410/welcome-to-los-angeles




Found at a Coffee Shop

http://directdaily.blogspot.com/2008/12/coffeecompany-wifi-2.html





http://blog.matthewgast.com/2008/05/19/funny-wireless-network-names/





http://flickr.com/photos/dbarefoot/2927707888/






http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19710771

More WiFi Names You Wish Didn't Exist

Shouldn't this one be "Secured"?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7901094@N06/2090134327/





http://www.flickr.com/photos/jefframone/3050029737/





http://willj.net/blog/2008/04/29/funny-wireless-network-names/





http://www.flickr.com/photos/roboticbrain/635010287/





http://www.flickr.com/photos/roboticbrain/635010287/

The "No Asshole" Rule

Finally a book that talks about a subject near and dear to my heart, living life with a "No Asshole Rule", a rule I consider to be the 11th Commandment.

Written by Dr Robert I. Sutton, this book gives the consequences of having to work with a nasty person aka "asshole". The only way, according to Dr. Sutton to maintain civility in the workplace is to enforce the "No Asshole Rule" and he offers tips for avoiding such people and even for exacting a little healthy revenge, sometimes with hilarious consequences.


Personally I feel revenge can be very healthy and you are teaching someone to act right and putting order back into the Universe.


First you need to be able to identify the workplace "asshole" and then realize the damage that these people wreak on everyone with whom they come in contact. Dr. Sutton warns of the inherent dangers of these types and what he refers to as "asshole poisoning."


What is an asshole? Dr. Sutton states that an asshole oppresses, humiliates, de-energerizes and belittles their target causing the target to feel worse about themselves due to the interaction. Tactics used include personal insults, sarcastic remarks, shaming and treating others as if they were persona non-grata. (sounds like several escort boards and their owners) Dr. Sutton does differentiate from temporary assholes, as each of us has the potential to be under the right circumstances and certified assholes, who routinely show themselves to be nasty people. The latter, he argues, must go.


His recommendations on how to enforce the "no asshole rule" are included along with ways in which said asshole can reform their ways.


Wonder if you are a Certified Asshole? Take this self test at

http://electricpulp.com/guykawasaki/arse/

and if you are one, lose my number!



Veronica
"Livin' La Vida Sin Assholes"