Fireworks shot from the Second Street Bridge at Thunder 2009

     As March rolls around each year plans for prom, graduation, Derby and Thunder Over Louisville can be heard in the hallways and during lunch.  If you’ve lived in Louisville for more than one Derby season you know what Thunder Over Louisville is. It’s a huge event that takes place on April 17 this year  to kick off the annual Kentucky Derby Festival. It’s a full day of fire works and plane acrobatics on the waterfront. Over 700,000 people attended last year and thousands more see the action from home on their televisions.

     Everyone should attend Thunder at least once in their life.  Being there in person is so much different from watching it on tv. Standing at the foot of the Second Street bridge,  you can literally feel the explosions as they come off the bridge.   It looks as if the fireworks are coming right at you.  

     It’s the teenagers and younger folks that keep Thunder running because they’re really the only ones that can fight their way downtown and last the whole day without getting worn out. Most come in groups and hangout here and there. One of the most popular places that teens end up at is the skatepark. On Thunder day you’ll find not only skaters who go to skate, but lots of other young people that want to hangout and be with crowds of people their age. Obviously, that’s not the only place to be. There are tons of booths set up all over downtown to purchase Derby goods and the great lawn is open for hanging out. It’s also a good idea to grab a seat early so you can watch the fireworks later on; it gets crowded fast. There’s really no way you can wind up at Thunder and not know at least a few people there.  If you’ve never been, make this year your year to try it and see what the talk is all about!

     With the message of, “A dead letter is a letter that has never been delivered because the person to whom it was written cannot be found and it also cannot be returned to the person who wrote it,” on the back of The Rasmus’ CD case I could already tell that this album was going to be one that I wouldn’t be able to walk away from without buying.

Dead Letters is said by Lauri Ylölnen himself to be an album filled with letters, letters to appologise, confess or even cry out for help. Each track a different letter of sorts.

Captivated by Ylönen’s rather feminine voice I literally listened to the ‘letters’ for hours on end. It didn’t take me long to realize why so many people loyally follow the band.

It is quite obvious that The Rasmus would be classified as rock/alternative but you can clearly pick out pop influences in the music, although their lyrics are ghoulish and meloncholic.

Having released two new albums since Dead Letters, soon to be three, I’m quite positive that they’re doing something right. With over a decade of experience making music, there’s no doubt in my mind that this group is  going to be around for quite a long time.

Official Site

Art and writing are not the only talents that senior Lara Kinne has firmly grasped in her hands and under her belt. To add onto the rather long list of skills that she’s been blessed with is her knack for creating music.

     Having stumbled across Lara’s page on myspace, I took a gander and saw a link titled ‘Octopus Owl’ and like any normal human being, I had to see what it was. I wasn’t expecting to find out that this girl that went to my school had so much talent and she was only a year older than me!

     While a variety of the songs on VIVA MEXICO do not excede two minutes long it does not make them any less great. It only further proves the point that she excells at what she does, not needing to put together some eleven minute song to try and dazzle people. All she needs is her guitar and her voice that makes you feel as if you’re being pushed into a sea of satin sheets and cotton balls, (i.e. very soft and comforting). 

     If I go on anymore I’m sure I’ll start to gush like a creepy teenager that just saw her favorite local band yet another time. Unless you’re deaf there is no excuse for you not to visit the sites below and be in awe over the sheer genius that is going to attack your ears when you click play.

Myspace
Last.fm

We all know about or have heard about vampires. We learn about them from TV shows like the popular True Blood and Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, and the many, many movies such as the popular Twilight series. But if there were to be an encounter with these people of the night would you know what to do and when to do it to survive? You probably wouldn’t, so below you can find a list from bloodlexicon.com that will help your chances of surviving.

·         Look for a hole above a grave. Sometimes vampires have to dig their way out.

·         Scatter salt on the floor in the vampire’s latest victim’s room. Help the vampire lead you right to his or her tomb.

·         Use garlic, hawthorn branches, or a cross to trap your vampire in a corner. Protect yourself from revenge by making a cross of tar on your front door.

·         Dig the vampire up on a Friday. According to the early Greeks, that’s when a vampire is weakest. Take advantage of the day when vampires can’t come out to play.

·         Pound iron stakes through his coffin and straight into the ground if you catch him at rest.

·         Bury his body under running water - vampires can’t stand it.

·         Fire a silver bullet blessed by a priest into his heart.

·         Drive an aspen, ash or white thorn stake through his heart with a single blow if you want to make a lasting impression.

·         Pour boiling water, boiling oil or holy water into his grave.

·         Cremate his body or make a paste from his flesh for closure. Then sit down and feast on the beast.

·         If you avoid vampire-populated areas, you’ll be more likely to avoid vampire attacks. So location, location, location! Areas to avoid:

 Transylvania. An excellent place to wake up dead and in a coffin.

Sunnydale, California. Don’t be fooled by the unusually reasonable SoCal real estate. There is a Hellmouth there and the bitey ones are always attracted to those.

 Cleveland, Ohio. Also the site of a Hellmouth (according to Buffy lore).

Los Angeles, Califonia. As long as the law firm of Wolfram and Hart is there to protect vampires, your neck is not safe.

New Orleans, Louisiana. Home of Lestat and company. Also home to Anne Rice who may or may not be a vampire.

Fells Church, Virginia (not be confused with Falls Church, Virginia, which to the best of my knowledge is low on vampires). According to this teen series The Vampire Diaries, Fells Church attracts the undead because of a Civil War battle fought there. The blood from the long ago lures the supernatural.

Forks, Washington. Setting of the Twilight series.

• According to “real” vampires all of the things about garlic and religious stuff is a lie and will not work in the slightest.

• Yes, sun is not good for them so it would be best for you to find them during to day when they are weaker so they’ll be easier to kill.

These tips come from different believers. And though you may have never heard these tips before, they may be what will  save you one day. The tips only work on real vampires. Which means that if the vampire you want to kill glitters, none of the things I just told you will work.

Ghost Rider - A Mystery Beyond Motors

     The Ghost Rider is an unknown. He has no identity. No social security number. No records. No trace.  For years in Sweden, the Ghost Rider  on a daily basis just speeds through town and  is best known for darting in and out of traffic at speeds nearing 300 km per hour!  He is thought to be a member of the Swedish wheelie team.
     He is dressed in black leather with a dark visor which covers his face. He has made appearances in films, but manages to stay unidentifiable during the filming.  The first Ghost Rider film appeared in 2002, and  his videos are available for purchase through the internet.

     In one of his most infamous rides, the Ghost Rider covered 68 kilometres between Stockholm and Uppsala in 15 minutes, posting an average speed of more than 270 kilometres per hour.  Amazingly, he has never hurt anyone during his dangerous rides.  Everytime he is chased, this daredevil succeeds in getting away.  He has raced around Paris, Uppsala, and Stockholm on his bike as well as in cars and on a snow mobile.  He is seen as a pest, especially to the cops. A nuesance with his loud vehicles and dangerous actions. T here has been news that the first Ghost Rider died in a high speed accident in Sweden and further movies had been shot with another rider. You can see his videos by doing a youtube search. Some people also beleive that there is more than one Ghost Rider and they belong to the Swedish wheelie team.

 In one movie, there is a police chase and the motorcycle driver speeds off, leaving the motorway at the next exit. The film continues until the driver reaches a garage and the motorcycle is turned off. But the camera continues to roll and a few minutes later a leather-clad man wearing a helmet strolls into the shot.  In a later shot, someone who is believed to be the same person can be seen pulling on a pair of sweatpants, his face clearly visible on the film.  The forty-year-old man thought to be the Ghost Rider denied to Aftonbladet that he was the one driving the motorcycle.  “The company I work for distributes the films,” he said.   If caught,  his charges and fines would be never ending. The following conversation can be found on a message board where the Ghost Rider’s existence is discussed:

 Joe said, “Finally,
I do believe the rumor that
Ghost Rider is a team:
2 brothers.”

     Decked out in crisp white golf outfits, gloves and all, Peter and Paul were undertaking a personal assignment, an assignment of torture. Looking like nothing other than young polite men, the pair knocked on the door of their neighbor’s lake house, just to ask for some eggs.

     But what occurred was not in the slightest bit polite or sweet. A broken leg insued for the husband once the two were asked to leave and would not obey the command.

     Throughout the movie you cannot help but be fascinated by the ways in which Paul and Peter interact with one another as well as the family. As if they have all the intentions in the world to be on their best behavior, not wanting to be rude in any way. 

     While Funny Games is the remake of a 1997 film, it is shot frame-by-frame the exact same way in which the original was shot. The house that was used also has the same proportions. Yet overall Funny Games is one of those movies that you’re not completely sure whether to love or hate. But you still cannot look away from the screen for the pair of psychos have sucked you in, making you want to know what morbid scene is going to occur next.

Celtic Astrology goes by the moon’s cycle and originated with the Druids who were very in tune with nature. They believed trees represented  a “rebirth”.  The zodiac signs below are identified with different trees and include the names of the members of  the Boston Celtics and their birthdays.  Celtics represent good luck with the four leaf clover.

Birch (December 24 - January 20) - I see you getting lucky in economic areas. Money is looking good for you; so is finding a new job and I see bonuses in the future.

·         Tony Allen- January 7    #7

·         Glen Davis-January 1    #11

Rowan (January 21 - February 17) - Spend time with friends but try something that doesn’t require much money. Hit up some parties or throw your own house party. Have some fun!!!

Ash (February 18 - March 17) - A showering with gifts and money is something to look forward to. You find somebody being really jealous of you but it’s best to just exile yourself from negative energy. Spend some alone time, spoil yourself; you deserve to treat yourself for all your hard work.

·         Raion Rondo-February 22   #9

Alder (March 18 - April 14) – I see love!!! If you’re in a relationship, take your relationship to the next level and go out on a romantic date. Spend some one-on-one time together to rekindle the flame. For the single ladies/men, you will get a secret admirer who will come forward and ask you on a date. You will love him/her. 

·         Brian Scalabrine- March 18   #34

Willow (April 15 - May 12) – Sexy!!!  Try wearing something flattering and highlight your assets. You could meet your mystery guy at the next party or in the library. Don’t be shy; let it come out and flatter people with your personality and beauty.

Hawthorn (May 13 - June 9) – Break All Rules!!!  Find time to break away from the significant other and chill with friends. Also, you will find yourself being the envy of all your friends, but they will  get over it. Explore, be wild….not too wild.

·         Nate Robinson- May 31   #4

·         Kevin Garnett-May 19   #5

Oak (June 10 - July 7) - Your positive attitude will get you far. Do something you’ve been wanting to do. Go out of town, go to a concert, travel the states….SOMETHING. Be all about yourself, but you’re smart enough to know not to be selfish.

Holly (July 8 - August 4) – Be humble, respect people and find a job. I see a lot of good luck coming your way.

·         Ray Allen- July 20   #20

Hazel (August 5 - September 1) – I see an athlete in your future. Don’t let petty arguments ruin what could be a perfect relationship. Work with your partner and be happy. Singles…..You will meet someone intelligent.  I also see a well toned-body and very athletic vibe in your future.

Vine (September 2 - September 29) – Party!!!! Go mingle in a party and find yourself someone fun. Someone will be surely interested. If you are seeing someone spend time with them and have fun together.

·         Rasheed Wallace- September 17   #4           

Ivy (September 30 - October 27) – Art is in your future…you will find a soul mate. Also if you have been “just friends” with someone; maybe this is the time to change that and be more. Don’t let money be your whole problem either, things are looking up for you.

·         Paul Pierce-October 13   #34

·         Shelden Williams-October 21   #9

Reed (October 28 - November 24) – Express your feelings to whomever you need to,  but don’t be disrespectful about it. Take a trip with friends, get away and  that way you can free your head and be rejuvenated.

·         Marcus Landry-November 1   #12

·         Kendrick Perkins-November 10   #43

Elder (November 25 - December 23) – Turn to your family for help if you get stressed out about anything. I think this will be able to help you. I also see you closing a big deal and getting some big money.  

Boston Celtics Logo

*Alec Baldwin*

          It has been said that the police got a call from the actor’s daughter saying that her father threatened to take pills in a suicide attempt.

          Word from his rep: “This was a misunderstanding on one person’s part. Alec was quickly released from the hospital he’s completely fine and will be at work today.”

          Word from Perez Hilton: “We understand Alec has issues and that his divorce was a big hot mess, but he really needs to work on leaving his 14-year-old daughter out of it!  We have a feeling a lot of his anger is directed toward his ex-wife Kim Basinger and as for Ireland, she shouldn’t have to deal with this kinda BS at her age and from her father no less! Get it together, Alec!”

*Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie*

          For the love birds Brad and Angie,  Valentine’s day was worth everything. Angie wanted to show just how much it meant to her by purchasing Brad a 200 year old olive tree for their home in France- costing her close to $24, 000!

            Word from their source: “Angelina bought it from a nursery called The English Garden Centre in Val Bonne near their house. It’s a very special tree and cost her a fortune.”

            Word from Perez Hilton: “Olive trees generally symbolize peace, longevity, and stability. We assume she’s attempting to make it very clear to the universe that Brangelina isn’t ending anytime soon! Happy Valentine’s Day, MANiston!!”

*Alicia Keys*

          It has been said that Alicia Keys is secretly engaged to her producer boyfriend Swizz Beats. But um; isn’t he still going through a divorce with his wife Mashonda? Well, guess no one really cares about that anymore. Her rep is denying the whole thing, but someone else seems to think differently.

            Word from a Pal: “She is thrilled. She is with the man who has inspired so much of her music and her new album [The Element of Freedom].”

            Word from Perez Hilton: Congratulations!

*Beyonce*

          Well, Beyonce just can’t dodge the lawsuits can she? First the House of Dereon gets sued; now Sony gets sued for supposedly wearing an unauthorized copy of Bulgarian designer Iskren Lozanvo’s lingerie in her Video Phone music video.

            Word from Sony: “the design was inspired by Picasso and any other similarities are just coincidence.”

            Word from Perez Hilton: “We do see a lot of similarities especially in the glasses and the bangles. And considering that Iskren’s design was showcased on September 23 in Milan, which was BEFORE the premiere of the video, Sony has a lot of explaining to do. What do U think? Coincidence or deliberate copy???”

          It’s so sad to hear that some people just don’t know how to act. The American Idol winner received a hate-filled letter with many racial slurs, demanding that she go back to where she came from and die. The person sending the letter claims to be a security guard from the Idol show.

                    Word from Fantasia: “I have smartly beefed up with security and I will not be defeated by what this person is trying to say or do to me.”

          Word from Perez Hilton: Stay safe, girlie!

*Jay Z*

            The rapper told the Brits that he would like to collaborate with Lilly Allen for the Wireless Festival.

                      Word from Jay Z: “I spoke to Lily Allen. I’m trying to get her for Wireless. Hopefully that goes through. I had to bum-rush them in the corner where they can’t say no. I know her for a minute (sic). I think she’s a great artist. I respect her. We just haven’t (collaborated) yet.”

            Word from Perez: Bah! Not interested! Are U?

*Johnny Depp*

            He recently revealed that his two kids Lily-Rose and Jack love their dad’s iconic title role in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands.

            Word from Johnny Depp: “It’s funny because they’ve seen it but they have a difficult time watching it because it’s their dad and they make that connection, but it’s Edward Scissorhands. That’s by far my kids’ favorite. They just connect with the character and also they see something, their dad feeling that isolation, feeling that loneliness. He’s a tragic character and so I think it’s hard for them. They bawl when they see that movie.”

            Word from Perez: Awww! So emotional! He seems like a very sweet father, don’t U think?

*Nightmare on Elm Street*

            The latest revamping of the Wes Craven horror classic, A Nightmare on Elm Street, is hitting theaters April 30, and we’re cautiously optimistic that it’s not going to suck!! BloodyDisgusting.com was invited to the set to watch Freddy Krueger, played now by Oscar-nominee Jackie Earle Haley, seriously mess up Ella, played by Katie Cassidy from Melrose Place, while she sleeps.

            Word from Katie: “I did have a stunt double, but for the most part I wanted to do as much as I possibly could. The physicality of it, it was hard being on a harness and being thrown around the room, jerked up and down, and being slashed in the chest. The blood was everywhere; it was pretty emotionally and physically draining. Though, I look back and I’m sure it is going to look amazing, I mean we saw this reel and it just all made sense to me in my head. I thought, ‘Oh yeah, this is why I am doing this!’ It looked brilliant, just the way he [Sam Bayer] cut it together. I thought this is definitely worth it; I got to go through with it and finish it up without having to give it all to my stunt double. You know, a lot of actors just give it all to the stunt doubles, but I didn’t want to do that. So after the whole thing I was all bruised, and it was physically hard on my body, but it was cool to say these are my battle wounds from my job!”

            Word from Producer Brad Fuller: “By the nature of the film, it’s not as bloody as Friday the 13 or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This is more of a film that makes you have nightmares and gets under your skin in a real way, and that is what we are going for. Having said that, there is plenty of blood; when people are getting slashed there is blood to be had and we are not skimping on it.”

            Word from Perez: Good for her!! We saw some of that in the trailer and it was NUTS. Sounds JUICY!!! We definitely think they took some BOLD creative choices with the story, but we’re DEFINITELY going to check it out - it’s about time someone did a remake, right! What do U think?? Are U excited for the revamped Nightmare??

*Shakira*

          Shakira met with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden to discuss early childhood development and universal healthcare. They will also be meeting again next week to discuss specific ideas for the Hispanic community in terms of early childhood development programs.

            Word from Shakira: “It was such a privilege to sit down with the President in the Oval Office to discuss our shared commitment to education and early childhood development. We agreed that investing in our children is the smartest strategy governments can use to boost economic growth, fight poverty, and promote global security and peace. We will be working closely with the President and his staff to implement his vision—for Latinos, children in the United States, and around the world.”

            Word from Perez: Just another reason to love Shaki!

*Snoop Dogg*

          Rapper Snoop Dog has not been allowed in the UK since a 2006 scuffle in Heathrow Airport when the rapper was told that his 30+ member entourage would not be allowed to all chill out in the first-class lounge. Snoop used what he admitted to being ‘colorful’ language, police detained the rapper and members of his posse overnight and they were let off with a warning.

            Word from Brent Smith of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment LLC: “Snoop has missed out on several arena tour opportunities, many TV and festival opportunities, as well as a few proposed charity events…And now the U.K. taxpayer is financing the court appeals.”

            Word from Perez: Good luck!!! What do U think? Should Snoop be allowed in the UK?

*Tiger Woods*

            After the paparazzi flooded the scene where his toddler Sam attends day care classes, the Woods felt it was right to apologize to the parents of the children who attend the school.

            Letter from the Woods: Dear Premier Academy parents,

We would like to share our appreciation for your support over the past several months and offer our personal apology for any inconvenience you are experiencing due to the increased media scrutiny surrounding our children. We truly understand how frustrating it can be.

We hope that the paparazzi will find something better to do with their time in the near future. In the meantime, it is our goal to keep life as normal as possible for our children. We are sure that as parents you can appreciate that. For Sam, that normalcy means attending the school that she enjoys so much.

Again, we truly appreciate the support from the entire Premier Academy family.

Kind regards,

Elin and Tiger Woods

Words from Perez: Do U think it’s enough?!?

*Fantasia Barrino*

     Teetering on the edge of being disturbing, Michael Hussar from Long Beach, California, produces some of the most mind numbing art I’ve ever had the pleasure of gazing upon.

     While not much is known about Hussar, it is known that he was taught by artists such as; Richard Bunkall, Dwight Harmon and Judy Crook. He also taught at a private college in Los Angeles for ten years teaching others how to paint portraits in much of the same way he does and now travels all over the U. S.  and Europe  giving  people the chance to learn some of his unusual technique.

     Hussar cranks out oil painting after oil painting of wicked characters and scenarios that no ordinary man could conjure up.  A vast amount of Hussar’s paintings portray women that are borderline demonic, taking the liberty of morphing common subjects  into something so evil and captivating that you just cannot help but stare  a second longer. 

Official Website-Proceed with Caution-Content may vary in appropriateness.

   The new year brought a saucerful of awards for J-town’s art department after participating  in this year’s Scholastic Awards. Although falling short of last year’s accomplishments, J-town still managed to bring home twenty-one awards consisting of nine Gold Keys, five Silver Keys, and seven Honorable Mentions  in a diverse spectrum of categories. In addition to an awards ceremony held at Gheens Auditorium on February 11, the Gold-winning work also took part in a gallery opening  from February 5-26 at the Kentucky Center of Art and Craft. Following the gallery display, the work of Gold Key students will be sent to New York for national judging in March . Seniors Sierra Jeffries and Lara Kinne also recieved a Gold Key award for their art portfolios. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

Gold Key winners:
Amber Cox, Sierra Jeffries, Lara Kinne, Stephanie Stone, and Alix Mattingly.

Silver Key winners:
Madison Shepard, Lee Cosby, Michael Cox, and Jennifer Lewis.

Honorable Mentions:
Abby Borders, Kel Crick, Nick Waldron.

Slide shows of the winners’s work can be viewed, here.