POST #5000 JULY 12, 2009 - FEB. 27, 2007 POST #1 - VISUALGUIDANCELTD - [::] - MRDANTEFONTANA - MRJYN - MALMO - NOLA [HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SEBASTIAN!]

#1 The Birthday Party - Junkyard

Added by Gjervan

I'm so happy Sebastian's post #1 remains intact! Do you know how rare that is for YouTube?

I've replaced or retired literally dozens. I think it's a sign. And P.S., Sebastian always had and still has incredible taste in music and videos, and 2., he was the first person to ever comment or write to me on my former high-roglyphic blog, 'the perfect american,' which still exists, btw, but only for me, as a sort of online storage unit where i keep my collection of new york times and mad magazines, report cards and summonses, girlfriend love letters and tro's [just kidding about that last one]. And so I'd like to thank Sebastian sincerely for beginning a thankless project as a labor of love and similar online diary of his musical-video wanderings outside the realm of then and current, more established, pop-culture aggregator, PCL Linkdump - until Halloween of 2008, when after a brief, unceremonious transferral of title, I began to build, change and keep the same ecclectic smorgasborg of offerings, which easily rested atop the piledriven soil which he had so fertilely tended.

May this soil continue to produce crops as variegated as The Birthday Party, as timely and internecine as Michael Jackson's Death and Videolife, and as straightforwardly badass as the life, times, exploits and music of Jerry Lee Lewis (where Sebastian's and my totally bi-hemispheric taste-bubbles collided into one pink, treacly, pop of pianisimo, glissandi and blissfulness).

And, of course, and as always, may its loamy fecundity provide crops for future harvesters in the fields where we toil, unburdened byan audience, unused to adulation or recognition and unmolested by its burdens.

For if a man has confidence in himself, surely those who share this confidence will soon discover the other, and celebrate together, each to himself and with the other, what is known to one, and then to both, and finally to all who care to discover.

~ mrjyn

Michael Jackson Buried with White - Says Reporter - Betty's Alive!

Today's Michael Jackson television coverage was so abundant with awkward moments that I hestitate to choose just one as the low point of the day. One contender: During a lull in activity, ABC showed the Thriller video. Michael as a zombie! At his own funeral! Excellent choice. Then there was NBC's Michael Okwu, who was so enthusastic about celebrity funerals that he started prematurely burying people.

Posted by Glenn Garvin at 04:13 PM, Miami Herald

~ nichopoulooza

Changing the Guard - for my new YT friend - Lillywhite Trombonist - whom One met after Breaking the Coldstream Guard 'Thriller' Vid (currently 10k YouViews) - Promised Exclusive Video of current Tour

Changing the Guard

Changing the Guard - for my new YT friend - Lillywhite Trombonist for Royal Coldwater Guard - whom ONE met after Breaking the Coldstream 'Thriller' Vid (currently 10k YouViews - search Nichopoulooza or use [::] search engine for Coldwater Guard, Thriller) - He's Promised Exclusive CG Video of current Tour (matches Royal Middle Stripe of Household Guards Hanger - see photo)

From May to July 2009 inclusive, Changing the Guard will take place daily at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

Changing the Guard or Guard Mounting is the process involving a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard.

The Guard which mounts at Buckingham Palace is called The Queen’s Guard and is divided into two Detachments: the Buckingham Palace Detachment (which is responsible for guarding Buckingham Palace), and the St. James’s Palace Detachment, (which guards St. James’s Palace). These guard duties are normally provided by a battalion of the Household Division and occasionally by other infantry battalions or other units.

When Guardsmen are on duty, the soldiers are drawn from one of the five regiments of Foot Guards in the British Army: the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards, the Welsh Guards, the Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards.

The five Regiments may be recognised as follows:

Regiment	Grouping of buttons on scarlet tunic	Collar badge	Plume on bearskin cap
Grenadier Guards	Singly	Grenade	White, worn on left side
Coldstream Guards	Twos	Garter Star	Red, worn on right side
Scots Guards	Threes	Thistle	No plume
Irish Guards	Fours	Shamrock	Blue, worn on right side
Welsh Guards	Fives	Leek	Green and white, worn on left side

The Queen’s Guard is commanded by a Captain (who usually holds the rank of Major), and each Detachment is commanded by a Lieutenant. The Colour of the Battalion providing the Guard is carried by a Second Lieutenant (who is known as the Ensign).

The handover is accompanied by a Guards band. The music played ranges from traditional military marches to songs from films and musicals and even familiar pop songs.

When The Queen is in residence, there are four sentries at the front of the building. When she is away there are two.

The Queen's Guard usually consists of Foot Guards in their full-dress uniform of red tunics and bearskins. If they have operational commitments, other infantry units take part instead.

Units from Commonwealth realms occasionally take turn in Guard Mounting. In May 1998, Canadian soldiers from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry mounted guard at Buckingham Palace for the first time since the Coronation in 1953.

Household Troops have guarded the Sovereign and the Royal Palaces since 1660. Until 1689, the Sovereign lived mainly at the Palace of Whitehall and was guarded there by Household Cavalry.

In 1689, the court moved to St James's Palace, which was guarded by the Foot Guards. When Queen Victoria moved into Buckingham Palace in 1837, the Queen's Guard remained at St James's Palace, with a detachment guarding Buckingham Palace, as it still does today.

At Buckingham Palace, Guard Mounting takes place at 11.30am. It is held daily from May to July, and on alternate dates throughout the rest of the year.

Buckingham Palace is not the only place to see Guard Mounting.
At Windsor Castle, the ceremony takes place at 11.00 am. For most of the year Guard Mounting takes place on alternate dates, but it is held daily (except Sundays) from April to July.

At Horse Guards Arch, Changing the Guard takes place daily at 11.00 am (10.00 am on Sundays) and lasts about half an hour; it is normally held on Horse Guards Parade by the arch of Horse Guards Building.

There is no Guard Mounting in very wet weather.[REMEMBER THAT, LADIES]

Changing the Guard

[::] EXCLUSIVE - Prince of Wales Presents Led Zepplin's Robert Plant with CBE during Investiture-Buckingham Palace - 10 July 2009

The Prince of Wales presents former lead singer of Led Zepplin Robert Plant with a CBE during an Investiture at Buckingham Palace, 10 July 2009.

© Press Association

Gallery

British royal family joins Twitter - FOLLOWS 0 - YOU GOTTA SEE THE ROYAL TWITTER. WE ALREADY SUB. YE OLE YT-BUT THIS IS CLASSIER! REDESIGNING MY PROFILE NOW! RED AND WHITE

British royal family joins Twitter--FOLLOWS 0

Related Content

• http://twitter.com/BritishMonarchy

The Associated Press

LONDON -- Britain's royal family has extended its kingdom further into cyberspace and joined Twitter - but don't expect Her Majesty to tweet.

Buckingham Palace, which already has a significant online presence, said Friday that it has set up a Twitter account to alert royal watchers to what's happening with the family.

But that won't result in any re-tweets or trending topics from Queen Elizabeth II or Prince Charles. A palace spokeswoman says the account won't be used to air personal opinions.

The queen launched Buckingham Palace's Web site in 1997. She also has her own YouTube channel.

British royal family joins Twitter - World AP - MiamiHerald.com

The New York Philharmonic Is Considering Cuba’s Invitation - NYTimes.com

New York Philharmonic May Perform in Cuba

Published: July 9, 2009

The New York Philharmonic, hoping to notch another exotic destination in its touring history, said on Thursday it had been invited to perform in Cuba and was seriously considering such a visit.

The latest on the arts, coverage of live events, critical reviews, multimedia extravaganzas and much more. Join the discussion.

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The orchestra’s president, Zarin Mehta, and other of its officials planned to travel to Havana on Friday to investigate concert halls, hotels and other logistical matters. The Philharmonic has received licenses to travel there, in light of the United States embargo.

The trip would be yet another recent dip into cold-war waters for the Philharmonic. It would take place just a few days after the orchestra returns from an Asian tour in October that will include Vietnam. Last year it traveled to isolated, totalitarian North Korea. The Philharmonic said that it had never been to Vietnam or Cuba, and that the North Korea visit was a first for any major orchestra.

A tour of Cuba would further etch the image of the Philharmonic as America’s musical ambassador, a profile that orchestra officials are eager to promote. The North Korea trip was a publicity boon, winning the ensemble wide attention outside of classical music circles — an increasing rarity for classical music institutions in recent decades.

High-profile touring “defines the New York Philharmonic, but I think it defines our country,” Mr. Mehta said.

“It’s important that we fly the flag,” he added.

If the trip comes off, it would probably last four days, starting on Oct. 30 — five days after the orchestra returns from Asia, Mr. Mehta said. It would most likely give two concerts. The Philharmonic’s incoming music director, Alan Gilbert, would conduct during both tours.

The Philharmonic’s decision to move forward with the trip comes after the Obama administration has eased some sanctions against Cuba, including limits on visits by Cuban-Americans to relatives and the sending of gifts and money.

Mr. Gilbert called a Cuban visit “entirely appropriate” and said, “It’s probably not a coincidence that it’s happening at this time.”

Orchestra officials also took pains to say the trip had strong United States government approval. The idea was run past the office of Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Mr. Mehta said. “They said, ‘Absolutely, it’s a wonderful project, and you should pursue it,’ ” Mr. Mehta said.

Representatives Charles B. Rangel and Steve Israel, along with Senator Charles E. Schumer, all Democrats of New York, also approved, he said. And leading board members of the Philharmonic and the orchestra’s tour committee are in favor of the trip, Mr. Mehta said.

The Cuban invitation came in the wake of the North Korea trip. Several Philharmonic officials had casual conversations with an ABC News official who has contacts with Cuban diplomats in Washington, Eric Latzky, the orchestra’s spokesman, said. The ABC official put the two sides together, unofficial contacts ensued, and a formal invitation came last week, Mr. Latzky said.

The orchestra took some criticism for agreeing to visit such a closed and repressive country as North Korea. Orchestra officials said that among the conditions for agreeing to go to Pyongyang was a guarantee from the North Korean government that the concert be broadcast to North Koreans and that journalists be allowed in.

Mr. Mehta said he did not know what Cuba’s broadcast plans might be, and that he planned to ask the Cubans to guarantee access to American journalists.

Yet orchestra officials also played down any comparison to the North Korea trip. Mr. Gilbert said he would not be surprised by a “healthy discussion” over a Cuban version. “My sense is that the prevailing feeling will be positive,” he said. “I think that music really does speak for itself.” He called the Cuba trip a nonpolitical “cultural exchange.”

“It’s actually as straightforward as what it seems,” Mr. Gilbert said. “We’re playing music for appreciative audiences.”

The New York Philharmonic Is Considering Cuba’s Invitation - NYTimes.com

Deaths of Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley were huge stories | Midwest Voices

Deaths of Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley were huge stories

By Lewis Diuguid, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

My 22-year-old daughter, Leslie, sent me a text message from Omaha, calling Michael Jackson’s death on June 25 the story of the century worldwide.

I pooh-poohed her at the time. The closest thing to it for me was the death of Elvis Presley on Aug. 16, 1977.

Like Leslie now, I was 22 when Presley died, fresh out of college and just starting my career. Other parallels between now and then are eerie.

Elvis was only 42; Jackson, 50.
Investigations into Jackson’s death could show similar links to drugs, which were behind Presley’s untimely demise.

Presley died at Graceland, his home in Memphis. Jackson died at his rented home in Holmby Hills in Los Angeles.

Like Presley, Jackson’s death stylishly moon walked past stories about the faltering economy, the deaths of U.S. soldiers in wars, job losses, rising gasoline prices, Kansas City School District problems and President Barack Obama’s travels to Russia, seeking deep cuts in nuclear arsenals. Jackson was all that most people talked about.

In the library of The Kansas City Star, I reviewed microfilm of newspapers from 1977. Stories that were drowned out then by Presley’s passing were similar to those that Jackson’s death overshadowed.

They included efforts to find U.S. servicemen listed as missing in action in Southeast Asia, work by the Carter administration to end nuclear proliferation with the Soviets, parents wrangling with the Kansas City School District and people criticizing energy bills in Congress for not doing enough to end U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Business stories told of the stock market hitting a 19-month low and worries over interest rates, inflation and economic slowdowns.

Jackson and Presley wore crowns because of their phenomenal contributions to music.

Elvis was the King of Rock; Jackson was the King of Pop. The music, movies and what the men did to bridge American’s racial divides also can’t be overlooked. Jackson, like Presley, was a crossover artist. Presley picked up the style, rhythm, voice and moves of black musicians and sold that to white audiences in the 1950s and 1960s.

Jackson was one of Motown’s leading stars making black people, music and culture as sweet and as satisfying as Kool-Aid even during America’s hottest, sweatiest and most difficult days in the ’60s and ’70s. Jackson lifted his crossover music, videos and dance to a high art form in the years that followed.

It’s no wonder that basketball great Magic Johnson credited Jackson at the memorial service last week with his own rise to superstar status.

Before Jackson, outstanding black athletes were routinely passed over by corporations looking for pitchmen for their products. White players were favored. But Jackson’s stardom made black people and culture marketable like never before.

“I want to thank Michael for opening up so many doors for African Americans,” Johnson said at the Staples Center. “He allowed Kobe (Bryant) and me to have our jerseys in people’s homes across the globe because he was already there and he opened all those doors.”

If Jackson’s death is the story of the century worldwide, then the future may hold annual parades here in Jackson’s honor just as there have been for Presley. The number of touring Jackson impersonators here and at nightspots worldwide also may grow just like those who make a living playing Presley.

People love Presley’s hits, including, “Don’t be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “In the Ghetto,” “Teddy Bear” and “Suspicious Minds.” Headlines after Presley’s death told of his albums’ being sold out at record stores worldwide.
Jackson’s death sparked a similar demand.

Jackson’s music, including “ABC,” “I’ll Be There” and “I Want You Back” defined the coming of age of baby boomers like me. His continuing artistry with “Thriller,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Heal the World” and “Man in the Mirror” defined my daughters’ generation.

The contributions of each man will benefit America and the world long after his death. My texting daughter is right.

Lewis W. Diuguid is a member of The Star’s Editorial Board. To reach him, call (816) 234-4723 or send e-mail to

Deaths of Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley were huge stories | Midwest Voices

DUI Cure Kit - Getting out of a DUI - DUI Resolution Website and Blog - Country: The Twisted Roots Of Rock ‘n’ Roll |LOVE ME SOME SPLOG

DUI Cure Kit - Getting out of a DUI

DUI Resolution Website and Blog

Country: The Twisted Roots Of Rock ‘n’ Roll

From Publishers Weekly
A historical look at the seedy underbelly of country music. Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Celebrating the dark origins of our most American music, Country reveals a wild shadowland of history that encompasses blackface minstrels and yodeling cowboys; honky-tonk hell and rockabilly heaven; medieval myth and musical miscegenation; sex, drugs, murder; and rays of fierce illumination on Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and others, famous and forgotten, whose demonology is America’s own. Profusely and superbly illustrated, Country stands as one of the most brilliant explorations of American musical culture ever written.

See all Editorial Reviews

1.   Frickon 13 Jul 2009 at 4:30 am 1

   Tosches displays not only a historian’s love for the eras he writes about, but a gossip columnist’s passion for irreverence and shock. That makes this book and its companion (Unsung Heroes of Rock & Roll) completely essential reads for anyone who loves popular twentieth century music. And, it blows the lid off country’s origins in a way guaranteed to outrage country’s often-times “holier-than-thou” patrons. Obscure names, obscure songs, obscure facts all mesh to create a living, breathing historical time-capsule that speaks as much about the era the music was recorded in as the music itself. And the writing is dry yet never condescending, witty yet never demeaning, sincere yet unafraid to point out “the truth” no matter how ugly and undignified it may be. But you’ll learn to love the heroes that pepper this book for the pioneers they were. And, when the last page is read, you’ll come back to it again and again. Part of the pleasure of reading a great book is rereading it and learning much more than you did the last time you read it. . . Tosches manages that feat thanks to an unflinching eye for detail and a poet’s way with words.

2.   Asteron 13 Jul 2009 at 7:15 am 2

   Tosches is an entertaining and skillful writer and the premise of this book is an important and timely one. Country music has been diluted, softened and stripped of what once made it great and is now in the hands of the pallid “new country” gang of cheeseballs. Tosches saw this coming way back in the mid-70s, resented it and wrote this book. Unfortunately Country is full of misconceptions, omissions and serious factual errors. Yes, country music did have a dark side but it’s always had a family and religious side as well and even in its earliest stages could cross over into sentimental and mawkish pap. This didn’t start in the 50’s as Tosches insists but was present in the music of the Carter Family and Jimmy Rogers (Tosches barely mentions either) who between them invented the genre. Their music embraced both sides of the coin as did every great country artist who ever lived including Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. (Tosches unfairly savages Cash in this book for his lightweight songs which is odd because in an article written 15 years later, Tosches praises him to the skies although Cash had written no groundbreaking tunes in the intervening years) Tosches makes much of how the British murder ballad tradition disappeared completely from early country music, ignoring (or perhaps being unaware of) songs like Banks of the Ohio or Knoxville Girl–both of which were major country hits in the 30s and 50s respectively and are both taken directly from the murder ballad tradition as are many, many other country songs. His chapter on the development of the dobro and steel guitar is potentially interesting but is full of major errors. Tosches seems unaware of the major differences between dobro, slide guitar, steel guitar, pedal steel guitar and so on and at times it sounds like he thinks they’re all the same instrument with only minor alterations. For example, he doesn’t mention the difference in the number of strings between dobro and pedal steel nor the very different tunings used. This would be acceptable if the discussion were brief but considering the space he devotes to the topic, these omissions are glaring. It would be a bit like saying that the piano is just a big harpsichord. At one point he strongly disagrees with musicologists who claim that many country guitarists were influenced by jazz guitarists. He claims that the guitarist from Milton Brown’s band couldn’t have been influenced by Django Reinhardt because–he says–Reinhardt’s records didn’t reach the states until the late 30’s. Wrong, Nick. Try 1933. Eddie Lang, who had a huge influence on country guitarists is never mentioned nor is Charlie Christian whose work was the source of the style of every gutiarist who played with Bob Wills. But the most unforgiveable mistake is his insistence that Maybelle Carter’s guitar playing had as much influence on country music as “Rudy Vallee. ” Read the history of the Carter Family, “Bury Me Beneath the Willow” and the many testimonials from the greatest country guitarists ever recorded who all say that their primary influence was Mother Maybelle. This is so evident simply by listening to classic country music rhythm guitar playing that one wonders if Tosches has actually heard any. Also, Tosches can’t resist proving to us once again that he is a scholar of Greek and Roman literature and history and his references to this subject are sometimes laughably incongruous, clearly designed to convince us that his scholary credentials are unimpeachable. Usually these tedious asides have nothing to do with the subject at hand. Still, Tosches is a good writer, full of irreverence and wit and great turns of phrase. This is a fun book to read and Tosches makes a few good points. But if you want to read truly well researched books on country music, forget this and pick up Bill Malone’s Country Music USA and Rich Kienzle’s excellent book Southwest Shuffle, a fantastically researched book which says more about the real roots of “New Country” in one chapter than Tosches says in this entire poorly realized mess of a book.

3.   Zahion 13 Jul 2009 at 9:43 am 3

   In a reader review of Tosches’ book on Emmett Miller, whose real origins are in the imaginary chapters of the first edition of this book, this book belongs in every home. The writing is this book alone is worth the price. He’s a vigorous wise ass and elegant literary dynamo. If you just read the writing, and dont give a hoot about country music, you will enjoy yourself. So much of music writing is devoled to haigiagraphy and confirming ignorant common places, whereas Tosches is concerned with the dirty nasty truth, and the wild side of things. You aren’t going to learn that Roy Acuff who appointed himself a great country music icon, decades after he had had a hit, began his work in music with a group called “the Bang Boys” that specialized in X rated songs. His description of a Jerry Lee Lewis recording session sometimes in the 1970s is really masterful and still rings in my mind 20 years after I first read it. Likewise, you will love Tosches’ description of the dark end of Spade Cooley. Cooley torutured and murdered his wife because Cooley believed she had banged Roy Rodgers–and Cooley got into show business a double for Roy Rogers in the movies! There is so much uncovered about the real origins of rock and roll. No one can live without the first book that wasn’t afraid to let you know that Hank Williams was bald! If you don’t have this book in your house, buy it, or move in with someone who’s got it! Dont forget his great book on Jerry Lee Lewis, Hellfire. This man knows how to write!

Country: The Twisted Roots Of Rock ‘n’ Roll | DUI Cure Kit - Getting out of a DUI

Junco's Benzos 10-A-Day - Down From 30

Michael Jackson Death Greatly Exaggerated Say Google - Twitter

Michael Jackson Death Greatly Exaggerated Say Google - TwitterNEWS OF Wacko's DEATH GREATLY EXAGGERATED - GOOGLE - TWITTER + Timeline of events--How Michael Jackson's death shut down Twitter, brought chaos to Google... and 'fulfilled' Jeff Goldblum!

The Internet came alive like never before as people around the world logged on to follow the stunning news of Michael Jackson's death. The story created such a surge in online traffic that Google returned an 'error message' for searches of the singer's name as it assumed it was under attack. And just seconds after the story broke on the American entertainment website TMZ.com, messages or 'Tweets' about the singer on the micro-blogging site Twitter doubled, leading to a temporary shutdown of the site.

TMZ.com was the first to break the story that Michael Jackson had had a cardiac arrest, when they stole a march on traditional media outlets with the scoop that Jackson had died from a heart attack two hours before it was confirmed by the more 'reputed' sources of The LA Times and Associated Press.

Confusion reigned for several hours in newsrooms about whether Michael Jackson was in a coma or perhaps had already passed away - although some bloggers suggested the story was a hoax. The 24-hour news services provided by Sky and BBC were forced to credit TMZ for their most up-to-date information. American gossip blogger Perez Hilton wrote: '(Jackson) pulled a similar stunt when he was getting ready for his big HBO special in '95 when he collapsed at the rehearsal! 'Either he's lying or making himself sick, but we're curious to see if he's able to go on. Get your money back, ticket holders!'

How news of Jackson's death spread around the Internet: Timeline of events... Rumours abounded as major news channels were reluctant to run the story with TMZ.com as the only source. Despite breaking stories such as Mel Gibson's anti-Semitic rant during a drunk driving arrest, the website is viewed by many as salacious and lacking credibility. CNN waited for the coroner's confirmation before it stated Michael Jackson was dead, despite being owned by Time Warner, the same company as TMZ.
Harvey Levin, managing director of TMZ said: 'No matter what they say, people know we broke the story. That's how competitors handle it. There's no issue about our credibility. 'We were getting calls from everyone under the sun, established news operations, asking, "Are you sure?" That's such an odd question. We would not have published it if it were not true.'
The number of Jackson tracks being listened to on the internet radio Last.FM leapt to his death. Internet users however had no such qualms with the news source and turned to Twitter to spread the story.

By 10.30pm, Jackson-based Twitter traffic had risen to 12.26 per cent and peaked at 11.30pm with 22.61 per cent of all messages dedicated to the star. Nine of the ten most popular topics on Twitter were dedicated to the tragic king of pop by this time.

Tweet counter/founder Biz Stone said: 'We saw an instant doubling of tweets per second the moment the story broke. 'It is the biggest jump in tweets per second since the U.S. presidential election.' The Mail Online saw traffic double between 10pm and 12pm. Meanwhile, computers running Google's news section interpreted the fusillade of 'Michael Jackson' requests as an automated attack...Read More AT http://www.visualguidanceltd.blogspot.com

~ nichopoulooza

"Michael Jackson" Wacko Death Greatly Exaggerated Google Twitter Timeline killed "Jeff Goldblum" TMZ up-to-date information micro-blog Tweets shutdown site cardiac arrest scoop perezhilton LA Sky BBC Times hoax"Associated Press" blogger hoax 24-hour news Mail Online gossip service "Perez Hilton" HBO rehearsal nichopoulooza coroner "Time Warner" "Harvey Levin" sun LastFM "Biz Stone"

Michael's father Joe Jackson laughing outside family home + For more on JJ go to Nichopoulooza and search Joe Jackson | Mail Online

Michael's father Joe Jackson laughing outside family home

An extraordinary image of Michael Jackson's father laughing emerged today.

The picture shows Joe Jackson sharing a joke with Reverend Jesse Jackson, a close friend of the Jacksons, outside the family home in Los Angeles.

The image will do little to dampen growing criticism of the Jackson family and their alleged failure to help the singer as his health deteriorated.

However, the family today demanded an independent post mortem to find out exactly why he died.

Sharing a laugh: Rev. Jesse Jackson, left, and Joe Jackson share a light moment outside the family home in Los Angeles

Reverend Jesse Jackson said they desperately want answers about his final moments and the doctor who was by his side at the time of his collapse.

The civil rights campaigner, who has been acting as a spokesman for the singer's parents, said they were 'without a doubt' going to arrange a second examination.

It came as the family spoke for the first time about Jackson's sudden death on Thursday, describing it as 'tragic' and one of the 'darkest moment of their lives'.

Rev. Jackson revealed their confusion and frustration about exactly why the star collapsed and died at his home from a massive heart attack.

He said: 'Right now there is no peace. We don't know what happened and we need to know. Michael was not sick. He was not frail.'

'When did the doctor come? What did he do? Did he inject him? If so, with what?,' he told ABC News in the U.S.

Thumbs up: Michael Jackson's father Joe, right, pictured with Rev Jesse Jackson, left, waves to the media outside the family home in Los Angeles.

'Was he on the scene twice? Before and then reaction to? Did he use Demerol? It's a very powerful drug. Was he injected once? Was he injected twice?'

He added: 'They're hurt because they lost a son. But the wound is now being kept open by the mystery and unanswered questions of the cause of death.'

Dr Conrad Robery Murray, who was with the star when he died, last night spoke to police for three hours and his laywers insist he is not a suspect.

An autopsy has already been carried out by the Los Angeles Coroner's Office and found evidence Jackson was on prescription drugs.

Officials said there was no sign of trauma or foul play but that complicated toxicology tests that could take up to six weeks were needed to establish cause of death.

Another examination, at the family's behest, was already under way yesterday, according to TMZ - the website who first broke the news of Jackson's death. 

But Brian Elias, lieutenant at the County Department of Coroner in LA, said the body was still in the mortuary.

'My understanding is that they have requested a second autopsy. But we have no way of confirming that. The body is in a mortuary and if they want to proceed with a separate autopsy, it is up to them,' he said.

More tests: Michael Jackson's family want a second autopsy

The singer's body was released back to the family on Friday night and was taken to an indisclosed location.

His family have all convened on his parents, Joe and Katherine's home in Encino, California, as they consider their next move.

In a statement yesterday, they spoke of their grief for the first time.

'Our beloved son, brother and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon,' they said.

'It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point, where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times.

'We miss Michael endlessly, our pain cannot be described in words. But Michael would not want us to give up now. So we want to thank all of his faithful supporters and loyal fans worldwide, you - who Michael loved so much.

'Please do not despair, because Michael will continue to live on in each and every one of you. Continue to spread his message, because that is what he would want you to do. Carry on, so his legacy will live forever.'

It added that Jackson's father Joe wanted to personally say: 'My grandchildren are deeply moved by all the love and support you have shown for them and their father.'

Removal vans have been going in and out of Jackson's rented home in nearby Beverly Hills, where his sisters Janet and La Toya were spotted yesterday.

Michael's father Joe Jackson laughing outside family home | Mail Online

"Haack: The King of Techno" DID WE MISS IT? Fuck, they favorited my alvino rey talking steel guitar...i don't know about this y

DocChannel
25 Jun 2009
DOCTalk
"Haack: The King of Techno"

Meet the man responsible for changing the way that music is made and thought about. If you consider yourself to be even remotely knowledgeable on the subject of electronic music and youve never heard the name Bruce Haack, you should probably have your Kraftwerk albums confiscated and be slapped firmly on the wrist. If you are familiar with Haack and his lifes work, then you know that music would be a lot different today without his contributions.

Though its only his first film, director Philip Anagnos film about Haack, Haack: The King of Techno, certainly has a little something to offer everyone, whether they be seasoned fans of Bruce, novice listeners or even just mildly interested in music history. In addition to having some of the most psychedelic and altogether phantasmagoric images ever seen in the documentary medium, the film is a treasure trove of surreal archival footage. A prime example is Haacks appearance on an episode of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, during which we see Rogers and his mustachioed mailman Mr. McFeely hanging out at Haack and his cohort Esther Nelsons dance studio and grooving to the sounds of his musical computer.

The unusual nature of the visuals and vintage footage is offset (though not remotely tempered) by interviews with a number of Bruces colleagues (companion and collaborator Esther Nelson and Praxiteles Pandel, a long-time friend and fellow Julliard student) and contemporary admirers and keepers of the flame such as The Eels Mark Oliver Everett and Mouse on Mars.




Anagnos film does a great deal to show the purity of Haacks vision. Though he was by nature a reclusive sort, as we learn in the film, Haack loved people, especially children. He recorded a number of albums intended for children, records with bizarre titles like Captain Entropy, and The Way Out Cassette for Children. He also invented instruments like the dermatron, which could only be played by touching the skin of another human being.

Haack dreamed of sounds and music he could only realize by creating the instruments to make it. His imagination and musical ability knew no limit. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Haack was teaching piano lessons by age fourteen and was a self-taught improviser.

Bruce Haack is truly one of the most inspiring and fascinating figures to emerge in any genre of music, and his approach to machine-made music refutes the notion that electronic music is soulless by its nature. Though he has only in the last ten years or so been given the credit he deserves, his works are still out there, opening the ears and minds of a whole generation of new listeners.

You can see the world television premiere of Philip Anagnos Haack: The King of Techno and take the journey into musical mind like no other beginning this month as The Documentary Channel proudly presents, for lively minds only, Haacks story. Your mind will be blown and your ears may never be the same again.

Chris Dortch II - The Documentary Channel

CARMEN ELECTRA BOOBS OUT LAST NIGHT IN VEGAS: Montré ses seins (12.7.09)

CARMEN ELECTRA montré ses seins (12.7.09)
Video sent by mrjyn

La nuit dernière CARMEN ELECTRIC montré ses seins.

La putain de l'ancien favori Baywatch a fait ses débuts dans le putain de Crazy Horse à Paris Las Vegas la nuit dernière, et a séduit les amateurs par montrant ses seins. Elle a pleinement topless dans la putain de la revue finale, après avoir taquiné les fans de la putain de MGM par strutting stuff fils dans un tableau de Grivois tenues sexy pour les deux routines. CARMEN qui sera en vedette dans le putain de show pour six nuits d'attirer l'attention des spectateurs par fucking gantage hauts talons, bas, et bretelles, alors que cavorting sur un canapé en forme de lèvres géantes tueur. Saucy-électrique du sous-vêtement décharger ... WOW! SEX Chest Carmen était comme un ELECTRIC montre. La première fille enlevée de l'adulte mags putain d'années, mais à en juger par la THAI-vidéo chaud clairement qu'elle n'a rien perdu de sa magie sein-tit-tude. En fait, elle semble meilleure que jamais. Baiser tient à souligner Il s'agit non pas un adieu putain de nudité. Elle permettra d'assurer le décapage, car elle aime se nu pour les hommes. "J'ai commencé ma carrière avec boob fucking magazine Playboy», at-elle Crié au cours de la din de KoRn son petit ami guitariste de l'amplificateur. "La première fois que je Baise coup j'ai été libre. Il ya de Buckingham et il ya un rafraîchissement dans la prise de vos vêtements, et poser fucking ", at-elle mai ont dit, mais ce journaliste ne peut pas se porter garant de l'autorité de l'un des suivants, comme il l'a contracté Vegas Tinnitus. Nous allons revenir tout le putain de chemin dans le putain de USA! Carmen Electra's FANS inaugurer la défoliation Beermat Fucking Day à Las Vegas!

Balthus fille - HARUMI À PARIS - i've been spending the day manicuring my other yt channels

http://twitter.com/mrjyn

IF ANYBODY READS FRENCH, COULD YOU TELL ME WHAT I WROTE BACK TO THE LOVELY FRENCH MAN WHOSE EMAIL WAS WAITING IN MY ABANDONED ACCOUNT WHEN I GOT HERE?

Here's a lovely French Fan of the Video. Bonjour, Bon Weekend. BonBon. Laissez les bontemp rulez, mme! bonnie and clyde.
"HARUMI À PARIS"

I GET FROGMAIL FROM FRENCH FANS WITH TERRIBLE CINE SKILLS:

Bonjour,

Je suis l'auteur de la vidéo : "Harumi à Paris".
1 - Comment avez vous fait pour récupérer mon film et le mettre sur votre site YOUTUBE, sans m'en avoir demandé l'autorisation expresse? Je vous demande de retirer sans délai, la vidéo "Harumi à Paris" de votre site, dénommé : mrjyngm. En cas de non réponse de votre part, je me verrai obligé d'envoyer un rapport défavorable à l'attention de YOUTUBE.
Salutations.
Jean-Louis BOMPOINT


merci toujours, et merci por la comment. comment taillez voux, mme? mais ouis, cest bon video realisitor. je filme la video de le peinture baltuhs et lui fille harumi a paris. balthus cest mort mais le spirite toujours peinture vivre.

salope,

mrjyn

HARUMI À PARIS balthus daughter harumi fille visite paris japanese belle nichopoulooza balthazar tie balthus jazz Rossinière Switzerland setsuko la rue street moma metropolitan louvre d'orsay rilke sade

Fantasia on Greensleeves (orch. Mantovani)

Here's a comment poem for the most famous, smartest, sexiest, bloggiest teenager i know - Jane Aldridge - Tell your mannequin, 'welcome home!'

How absolutely fantastic!! please tell us more about fur fur fashionably Pearl Westbound | love that window display Your mannequin is amazing. what an honor and how lucky Your mannequin is/are!

If my mannequin had the money your mannequin does my mannequin could change something about your makeup while in Japan. Absolutely loved it !

Welcome back-- And Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! from my readers during my stay in Tokyo am so pleased to hear so many of Your mannequin-guys enjoyed it--photo documentation !

Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! !!

Your UO shoes came out while your Mannequin was in Japan.

Michael Jack Welcome back Me & Marisa meanderings Andrew Jones | Comments amazing !

Hi ~ Mannequin !

Your UO shoes came out while your Mannequin was in Japan.

Michael Jack Some of them don ' look like your style of dress all Benji | wish had my own window ! ' so jealous ! congratulations !

Your UO shoes came out while your Mannequin was in Japan.

Michael Jack Sophism | Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! !

Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! really appreciate all of the feedback Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! ! think that ' sign that Your mannequin is ' next destination should be CANADA Vancouver in particular ! ac | Mr Dreddy ' mom | Tell your mannequin to show respect for MJ!

Hi Mannequin !

Nice Mannequin's outfit!

Your UO shoes came out while your Mannequin was in Japan.

Michael Jack They really got your style right there Lindsay | Your mannequin is deserve it ! your style is fab as well as your blog was looking older posts and the stuffed Siamese cat was one of my favorite things to see in the photos aha keep it up gillie | wow love that top !! and that ' so exciting that Your mannequin is got featured in window wonder if they used the shoes Your mannequin is designed aha sad | Your mannequin is look amazing ! refashion blogging sloe | Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! !

Michael Jack BC sloe | Welcome back Michael Jackson passed away while Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! and What shoes are those And have Tell your mannequin that Michael Jackson died on your amazing accomplishment The windows neurotransmitters magazines rampages etc Your mannequin is ' gonna roll !

Michael Jack Winnie | Wow sin ' it bit freaky how they made the harlequins look like Your mannequin is !

Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! | Welcome back The top is amazing so intricate if Your mannequin should take look my blog that would be GREATLY appreciated !

The Holt Reneger windows featuring Your mannequin is look amazing !

Your UO shoes came out while your Mannequin was in Japan.

Wotcha Your mannequin is look ultra !

Your UO shoes came out while your Mannequin was in Japan.

Congratulations Mannequin !

Especially the eyeliner & fresh everything else Brigadoon | am nearly speechless over that Fur Fur top and cardigan to say outrageous is an understatement anyway just adore it especially with the white Ann ODs which are so versatile in white have them too the window displays are incredibly eye catching it must have been surreal to first see the photos the way Epithetic blog and your various looks very very cool the visual merchandise & creative director did an outstanding job it appears !

Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! ' style then HR has really really amazing idea too !!!

LOVE the top and cardigan AND the store windows am glad Your mannequin is are back What an AWESOME top ' love to more pictures of it to see all of the details ! patrician | Your UO shoes came out while your Mannequin was in Japan.

Tell your mannequin that Michael Jackson died am very honored to have been featured in the fashion blogger window display unveiled Holt Reneger last Friday thanks so much to John Gerhardt HR ' creative director organizing all of the windows look amazing ! wish lived in Canada so could see them in real life Thank.

Your mannequin is so much to the kind readers who sent in photos of the windows including Such Fun Things Tricia Campbell who even videos of all of the windows. Check them out her blog. Other windows include The Materialist Yak & Oil Clarance Dore Bryan Boy and Anita Clarke.

What privilege to be featured among my favorite blog mannequins again. Holt paying tribute to loggers! Michael Jackson passed away while I was gone! !!!

Congratulations !

Your mannequin is ' celebrity in the heliosphere now scientifically bloodsport. Style Scientist hats so awesome !!!

Michael Jackson = phototypesetter Lucy The Fashion Setter | Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! <>

I L'Ouverture next week candlelit to see KristinGIRL that is fantastic Congratulations on the window display !

OMg! noticed the Industrialist but diddle Your UO shoes came out while your Mannequin was in Japan.

our mannequin is always look great | LOVE LOVE LOVE your Mannequin's outfit!

Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! home now thank provided many photos to our life from Tokyo and really like our window in HR all about Mannequin !

Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone from Tokyo it feels AMAZING to be back Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! from Tokyo Totally been missing your blog posts !

Welcome back, Mannequin.

Your UO shoes came out while you were gone Mannequin !

It looks just like Your mannequin is bonbons vintage connive | and the cardigan is beautiful connive | Tell your mannequin that Michael Jackson died on the window display ! coin operated ninja | great Your mannequin is !

Also that cardigan is so beautiful ! adore it !

Some parting images from Japan wearing insane top & cardigan bought from Fur Fur If post is brief its because ' preparing cookout with my friends and family tonight missed them so much while was gone ! ox Mannequin !

Your mannequin is dress lot better than those mannequins !

Tell your mannequin to show respect for MJ!!

The window looks amazing ! and the last shot of Your mannequin is is so gorgeous genitalia It time to take trip to Blood Lounge !

Your mannequin is look great in the last picture ! nice Mannequin's outfit!

The cardigan looks amazing as does the window displays !!

Carol | welcome back Listed below are links to webfoot that reference Holt Reneger Windows & back Lovelace your top !

Enjoy the cookout !

Your mannequin's shoes are too expensive Welcome back Welcome back, Mannequin.

Your UO shoes came out while you were gone Sheila | welcome home Mannequin !

That ' great !!

Your mannequin is must be thrilled ! god ' so jealous ' love that to happen me | Sea of Shoes Last few days in Tokyo Holt Reneger Windows & back Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! aim so great back Style Odyssey | Tell your mannequin to show respect for MJ!!!

Lovely Mannequin's outfit!

Jennifer | It ' so nice to sleep in your own bed after being away so long maria | Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! as wellhead lifestyle | So glad to see Your mannequin is ' back Welcome back Your mannequin is are so amazing ! the window looks awesome sixteenth webs Nasal | Your UO shoes came out while your Mannequin was in Japan.

Woolworth go Canada!

Ana looking forward to future posts Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone!

Christmastimes! the window looks awesome welcome home bragging noisemaker vintage | that is an amazing cardigan sane ! strawberry fields | wow the window is pretty awesome That ' so amazing what an honor !!

Welcome back Incredible Just shows what signature Your mannequin is have Annie Spandex | Welcome back Welcome back, Mannequin.

Your UO shoes came out while you were gone Tell your mannequin that Michael Jackson died on the window ! schoolhouse bloodsport Megan | That top is incredible it must be super hard to picture it outside store and buy it !!

The Holt Reneger display was SO cool !

Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! ho joke | That is so amazingly cool that Your mannequin is got to be in one of their window displays Emma | what an honor ! mi insanely jealous of your trip to japan it sounds amazing ! hope Your mannequin is have good time getting over the jet lag Hannah | oh my goodness that jacket cardigan is beyond words LOVE IT !!

Your mannequin's shoes are too expensive Love your cardigan too.

At Graceland the mannequins really look like Your mannequin!!!

Is that in Vancouver or Toronto Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! hand jury ! oh boy that top is absolutely beautiful !

Wow they really captured your style and love how they played around with the name of your blog want the skirt and the black satchel behind her !

Your UO shoes came out while your Mannequin was in Japan.

And the RICH keep on getting RICHER so cool !

Wow !! that ' really amazing !!

Tell your mannequin to show respect for MJ! prepossessed bloodsport Kate | Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone! !

Michael Jackson passed away while you were gone!

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK Mannequin !

If my mannequin had the money your mannequin does my mannequin could retake another look Congratulating display !

Tell your mannequin that Michael Jackson died on the display those glasses look just like yours !

Colts is my store designer goods and contemporary wear was planning on hitting Floor St on my next trip to Toronto in few weeks hope the window displays are still there was planning on wearing the vintage Durante pants bought from Atlantis Home'll be sure to take some pics !

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT FOR MICHAEL AUGUST 29, 2009

saturday4_aulr.jpg (JPEG Image, 569x576 pixels) - Scaled (95%)

Light Up the Night for Michael : Home

Order your free wristband here. Shipping and handling charges ($4.98) will apply. One free wristband per customer. ENTER CODE "1FREE" DURING CHECKOUTand $3.98 will be discounted from your order. Additional wristbands are available for $3.98 each. Your shopping cart will be active until you leave the store.

PLEASE NOTE that when you click the "Place Order" button you will be redirected to PayPal for payment. If you do not have a PayPal account, or prefer to use a credit card, when you arrive at the PayPal site look for the link that reads "Don't have a PayPal account? Use your credit card..."

DEBOSSED SILICONE WRISTBAND - BLACK - GONE TOO SOON	GLOW WRISTBAND - THERE'LL BE NO DARKNESS TONIGHT
$3.99	$3.99

Light Up the Night for Michael : Home

YouTube and Mantovani

YouTube and Mantovani. If you were to search for "Mantovani" on YouTube, you'd find there are 759 videos available. Who can doubt the current world popularity of Mantovani? Here are statistics that support the fact that there remains a world-wide interest in beautiful Mantovani music. The statistics are accompanied by selected viewer comments. Note:  The quality of sound from YouTube is very poor compared to that from a good quality vinyl or CD release. If you click on the title, it will take you to the specific YouTube video. Please use your [Back] button to return to the Mantovani Fan Website. The numbers seem to be increasing by hundreds per day. Wow!!!  The comments are very touching. They reminded me of the comments we received on Mantovani's 100th Birthday Tribute. You may read them by clicking here: Tribute
Title	Views		Comment
	28 May 2009	12 June 2009
Le Ronde/Greensleeves (from a 45 RPM double recording)	9,209	9,819	Gracious! The memories come waltzing down. Used to hear this 35 yrs. or more ago on the radio and never knew the name of it (La Ronde)! Still so lovely, many years later! Viva Montovani!
Swedish Rhapsody	22,836	24,063	Just wonderful. Brings back great memories. I always tried to pick out the accordion parts every time I heard it as a chikl.. Thanks for posting.
Edellveiss	30,163	36,087	if u close ur eyes then open them again u can imagine urself in another place a beautiful place of course
Elizabethan Serenade	16,396	18,164	I am 25yrs and this song takes me back to grade three when we would have music. I remembered being absent that day we were supposed to write it and for the next few days we learned to sing it.I loved the song so much but didn't have the words. Until today. It's beautifully serenading.The serenity it brings is just undescribable. Great piece of music
Le Mer (Beyond The Sea)	49,506	52,473	Oh man!!! what beautiful feelings you have stired in me. Memories of an earlier life that was free of many of todays ills. Note: there are other versions following Mantovani's on the program.
Blue Danube	29,542	31,536	lindo, musica dos sonhos maravilhoso. I'd like to add my own comment, this is the piece that introduced me to Mantovani in about 1953-1954. My life has never been the same since then. You will not hear this Strauss masterpiece played more beautifully, even in Vienna. Listen for the bell like sound from the high strings.
Some Enchanted Evening	33,116	34,549	Thanks to YouTube we can see and hear the evolution of Montavani's music. Note: Listen to Charlie Botterill's magnificent Deagan Vibraharp.
La Paloma	25,648	26,605	The most beatifull music that I like me very much. Thanks,
Come Prima	44,308	46,331	oh,Lord, such beautiful masterpiece. you don't need romance to feel that love. Thank you for your sharing.
Sweet Lelani	60,038	63,243	Mantovani's music is just lovely, and ageless
Theme From Exodus	36,104	37,951	Unbelievable,Unbelievable,Unbelievable all the music… and all feelings in just one instrumental…
Under Paris Bajo el cielo de París)	45,423	47,293	What to GO! kraustrujillo ! Your hitting home to my heart on this tune! WoW! Can't say enough! My parents used to play. !!!!!La orquésta de Mantovani, hace mucho que no la escuchàba, muy buena orquésta!!!!! Note: listen to the magnificent transition to the Mantovani Signature Sound (he did not use it everywhere).
Ebb Tide	10,641	12,093	why o why can't there be more gorgeous music like this on the radio ? Thank God I was privy to his music when growing up and listening to my parents radio player. His music is a PRIME example of WHY everything doesn't always have to have a BEAT <<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ! God bless that there will be more beautiful music like this in the world !
Amapola	13561	14,938	ellissima musica!!! Grazie Luiz !!!! Besos Perla.
Theme From Limelight	10,467	11,625	OH MAN! How awesome! I was so lucky to see them live in concert! Thank you for sharing!
Greensleeves	10,404	11,378	The most human melody , a melody that connects people with the heavens !!!
Tulips From Amsterdam		66,106	Mantovani's strings ALWAYS make me shiver.
Totals	447,362	497,923	Increase= 50,561

Home

Michael Jackson - US Patent #5255452: Method and means for creating anti-gravity illusio [ahh, the definition of a blogpost]

Application No. 905479
filed on 06/29/1992

Last patent issue date: 10/26/1993

5255452 Method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion

A system for allowing a shoe wearer to lean forwardly beyond his center of gravity by virtue of wearing a specially designed pair of shoes which will engage with a hitch member movably projectable through a stage surface.

The shoes have a specially design...

Inventor:
Michael L. Bush
Address: Hollywood, CA No. of patents: 1

Inventor:
Dennis Tompkins
Address: Hollywood, CA No. of patents: 1 Last patent issue date: 10/26/1993


Inventor:
Michael J. Jackson Address: Los Angeles, CA No. of patents: 1 Last patent issue date: 10/26/1993



Assignee:
Triumph International, Inc.

Location: LosAngeles, CA No. of patents: 1

Did You Know...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and means for creating an anti-gravity illusion effects for entertainment purposes.

This invention relates more particularly to the creation of such illusion by means of specialized footwear and accessories therefor. The specialized footwear is provided with means for engagement with a movably protrudable hitch or post which allows the entertainer to lean forward on a stage at a very acute angle relative to the stage floor to achieve the illusion of defying gravity.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Music entertainers and dancers are constantly searching for new and interesting elements which can be incorporated into their musical and dance performances. Interesting stage design, lighting, fog generators, laser light shows, and large video screens all enhance the appealability of live and recorded performances. Many popular music and dance entertainers expend great efforts in enhancing and choreographing their performances and dancing.

In the past, a professional entertainer, one of the inventors herein, has incorporated dance steps in his recorded video performances, wherein he and other dancers would lean forward beyond their center of gravity, thereby creating an impressive visual effect. This effect was accomplished by the use of cables connecting a harness around the dancer's waist with hooks on a stage, thereby allowing the dancer to lean forward at the required degree. However, since this requires stagehands to connect and then disconnect the cables, it has not been possible to use this system in live performances. Moreover, the cables obviously restricted arm and body movements.

There is disclosed in the prior art footwear which allow the wearer to engage his or her shoes with a stationary object. U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,173 to Blizzard, et al. discloses footwear which can be worn by astronauts and which can be detachably engaged with a rail fixed to a surface to aid astronauts in working in a zero gravity environment. U.S. Pat. No. 1,165,812 to Staubly discloses a rubber overshoe which has a hook on its sole which can be engaged with a plate fixed to a surface to assist in removing the overshoe without having to bending down and touching the overshoes.

However, to the best of our knowledge and belief the prior art does not disclose or suggest the specialized footwear permitting an entertainer to freely move about a stage, while at the same time, enabling engagement with a movable hitch or post, projectable through the stage floor, to enable the illusion to be performed.



SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above noted deficiencies of the previously employed cable system by providing specialized footwear and a moveable hitch or post to which the specialized footwear can be detachably engaged to allow the footwear wearer to lean forward on the stage, with his or her center of gravity well beyond the front of the shoes, thereby creating the desired visual effect.

The invention provides a new design for shoes which will allow his or her performing artist, by engaging the shoes onto an upstanding post positioned to project upwardly from a stage at a predetermined time, to lean forwardly to put his or her center of gravity beyond the front or rear of his shoes, thereby creating the desired gravity defying interesting visual effect.

The invention provides a system for engaging footwear with a hitch or post means, comprising:

shoes having a first engagement means; and

a second engagement means being movably protrudable through a stable surface (usually a stage platform) between a first stable protruding position raised above the stable surface and a second retracted position lowered below, or flush with, the stable surface. The first engagement means is engageable with the said second engagement means when said second engagement means is in the first stable protruding position. The second retracted position is preferably flush with the stable surface so as not to impede the performer in any way in his movements and dance before and after the hitch or post is exposed in the first protruding position.

Abstract
A system for allowing a shoe wearer to lean forwardly beyond his center of gravity by virtue of wearing a specially designed pair of shoes which will engage with a hitch member movably projectable through a stage surface. The shoes have a specially designed heel slot which can be detachably engaged with the hitch member by simply sliding the shoe wearer's foot forward, thereby engaging with the hitch member. Claims

I claim:

1. A system for engaging shoes with a hitch mans to permit a person standing on a stage surface to lean forwardly beyond his or her center of gravity, comprising: at least one shoe having a heel with a first engagement means, said first engagement means comprising a recess formed in a heel of said shoe covered with a heel slot plane located at a bottom region of said heel, said heel slot plate having a slot formed therein with a relatively wide opening at a leading edge of said heel and a narrower terminal end rearward of said leading edge, said recess being larger in size above said terminal end of said slot than is said terminal end of said slot; and

a second engagement means, detachably engageable with said first engagement means, comprising a hitch member having an enlarged head portion connected by a narrower shank portion to a means for raising and lowering said head of said hitch member above and substantially level with or below said stage surface, said head portion being larger in size than said terminal end of said slot and said shank portion being narrower than said terminal end of said slot, wherein said hitch member can be moved through apertures in said stage surface between a projecting position raised above said stage surface and a retracted position at or below the stage surface, and when said head portion of said hitch member is raised above said stage surface, said first engagement means can be detachably engaged with said projecting hitch member, thereby allowing a person wearing the shoes to lean forwardly with his or her normal center of gravity beyond a front region of said shoes, and maintain said forward lean.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said slot in said heel slot plate is V-shaped, with the mouth of the V at the leading edge of said heel.

3. The system of 1, wherein said shoe has strapping means to secure the shoe to the wearer's feet.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said shoe has lace means to secure the shoe to the wearer's feet.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said shoe has extension means overlying the wearer's ankle, and is provided with covering means to conceal the said extension means of said shoe.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said covering means comprises a sock-like covering.

7. A system for engaging shoes with a hitch means to permit a person standing on a stage surface to lean forwardly beyond his or her center of gravity in a stable manner, comprising:

at least one shoe having a heel with a first engagement means, said first engagement means comprising a recess formed in a heel of said shoe, said recess having a relatively wide opening at a leading edge of said heel and a narrower terminal end rearward of said leading edge; and

a second engagement means, detachably engagable with said first engagement means, comprising a hitch member having an enlarged head portion, connected to a means for raising and lowering said hitch member above and substantially level with or below said stage surface, wherein said hitch member can be moved through apertures in said stage surface between a projecting position raised above said stage surface and a retracted position at or below the stage surface, and when said hitch member is raised above said stage surface, said first engagement means is detachably engagable with said projecting hitch member, thereby allowing a person wearing the shoes to lean forwardly with his or her normal center of gravity beyond a front region or said shoes, and maintain said forward lean. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said recess is covered with a heel slot plate located at a bottom region of said heel, said heel slot plate having a slot formed therein. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said slot in said heel slot plate is V-shaped, with the mouth of the V at the leading edge of said heel. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein said shoe has strapping means to secure the shoe to the wearer's feet. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein said shoe has lace means to secure the shoe to the wearer's feet. 12. The system of claim 7, wherein said shoe has extension means overlying the wearer's ankle, and is provided with covering means to conceal the said extension means of said shoe. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said covering means comprises a sock-like covering. Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and means for creating an anti-gravity illusion effects for entertainment purposes.

This invention relates more particularly to the creation of such illusion by means of specialized footwear and accessories therefor. The specialized footwear is provided with means for engagement with a movably protrudable hitch or post which allows the entertainer to lean forward on a stage at a very acute angle relative to the stage floor to achieve the illusion of defying gravity.

* * * * *