Mereja

Author: Sean Patterson

  • RGIII to Marry Rebecca Liddicoat This Summer

    Robert Griffin III is well-known for his skill as the Washington Redskins’ quarterback and for winning the 2011 Heisman Trophy. Now, though, RGII (as he’s sometimes known) is about to experience a great milestone in his personal life.

    RGIII’s mother, Jackie Griffin, sat down with DC TV news station Fox 5 this week and revealed that Griffin will be getting married this summer. He will be marrying his long-time girlfriend Rebecca Liddicoat, though no specific date was revealed.

    The couple are reported to have met while they were still students at Baylor. Griffin proposed in October 2011 after a game against Kansas State.

    Griffin was born in Okinawa, Japan and grew up in a military family, moving throughout the U.S. during his childhood. He attended Baylor University, where he racked up 110 touchdowns and over 10,000 passing yards as the Bears’ quarterback. In addition to winning the Heisman, he was the second draft pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and the cover athlete for EA’s NCAA Football 13 video game.

    DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

  • Hooters: Free Food on Mother’s Day

    With their scantily-clad waitresses and focus on sports TV, Hooters restaurants aren’t normally thought of as the place to bring your mother. This Mother’s Day, however, the restaurant chain is encouraging moms to ditch the fancy restaurants for some free chicken wings.

    Hooters this week announced that on Mother’s Day 2013 mothers who bring their children to a Hooters can receive a free (up to $10) entree with the purchase of a drink. No coupon is needed, but each mom must be “accompanied by one or more of her offspring,” according to the Hooters website.

    “Kids of all ages are encouraged to invite their mothers to Hooters for special treatment on Mother’s Day,” said Dave Henninger, CMO of Hooters. “The free entrée deal is just one way for Hooters to show its appreciation for hard-working moms and to provide a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a delicious meal with the family.”

    This isn’t the first time Hooters has offered a Mother’s Day deal. For Mother’s Day 2012 the restaurant offered moms 10 free boneless wings.

  • North Dakota Death Rate Highest For Workers, Shows Report

    The AFL-CIO, the largest union federation in the U.S., this week released its annual report on worker deaths. The report found that 4,693 U.S. workers died while on the job in 2011, and that an estimated 50,000 die each year from “occupational diseases.”

    The report breaks down the demographics of the latest worker death data available. Latino workers were found to have the highest workplace fatality rates, with a rate 14% higher than other workers. North Dakota was also found to be the most dangerous state, with a fatality rate of 12.4 per 100,000 workers.

    “In 2013, it is unacceptable that so many hardworking men and women continue to die on the job,” said Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO President. “No one should have to sacrifice his or her life or health and safety in order to earn a decent living. Yet, elected leaders, business groups and employers have failed to provide adequate health and safety protections for working families. At the same time, too many politicians and business leaders are actively working to dismantle working people’s right to collectively bargain on the job and speak out against unsafe, unjust working conditions. This is a disgrace to all those who have died. America’s workers deserve better.”

    The AFL-CIO’s statement on the report mentioned the recent West Texas fertilizer plant explosion as an example of how, it says, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is underfunded and understaffed. The organization also stated that it believes OSHA penalties are “too low to be taken seriously.”

  • Wade Robson: Nervous Breakdown Preceded Molestation Claims

    In the 2005, when Michael Jackson was on trial for molestation charges, Wade Robson defended the King of Pop in court, stating that Jackson never molested him or anyone he knew. Since that time, Robson has gone on to become an award-winning choreographer, working with stars such as Justin Timberlake and creating routines for the network TV show So You Think You Can Dance. He reportedly stayed friends with Jackson until the singer’s death.

    This week, Robson recanted his past claims, now stating that he was, in fact, molested by Jackson. According to a TMZ report, Robson is now calling Jackson a “monster” who molested him for seven years, from age 7 to 14.

    Robson’s Lawyer stated that Robson had a nervous breakdown last year due to his past. TMZ is now citing unnamed “sources close to the Robson family” as saying Robson began breaking contracts and attending therapy in March 2012.

    The claims came as a shock to Robson’s family and Jackson’s fans, as Robson had always staunchly defended the pop star against the allegations. His about-face has prompted much speculation on Twitter over whether Robson was lying in the past or is lying now:

    (Image courtesy Wade Robson/Wikimedia Commons)

  • Arias: Bomb Threat Delays Sentencing

    On Wednesday afternoon, Jodi Arias was found guilty by a jury of murdering her former boyfriend. She was found to have murdered Travis Alexander, stabbing him nearly 30 times, slitting his throat, and shooting him in the head with a gun before leaving his body in his shower. Her story of self-defense from domestic abuse did not convince the jury.

    Now that she’s been convicted, the question on everyone’s mind is whether or not she will receive the death penalty for her crime. Unfortunately, followers of the trial have had to wait a while longer for the sentencing.

    According to an Associated Press report, a bomb threat tweeted shortly after the verdict was announced delayed the sentencing while authorities swept the courthouse. Police were able to track the tweeter to a hotel in Phoenix, and a man named Laquint Cherry has been arrested for felony threats.

    The tweets began on a Twitter account with the handle @GrimlinSkeleton shortly after Arias was found guilty. The tweeter stated that IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) had been planted in the Phoenix court room where the Arias trial took place. Subsequent tweets insulted Arias’ victim, challenged authorities, and were generally trolling:

    The account’s last tweet went out shortly before Cherry was arrested:

  • Geno Smith: Jay-Z Could Become His Agent

    Last month, rapper/producer Jay-Z began selling off his share of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. The move was part of the artist’s launch of his Roc Nation Sports venture, a new sports representation company. Jay-Z is reportedly looking to becoming a certified sports agent, and an ownership stake in an NBA team would be a conflict of intrest.

    Other sports agents have worried that Jay-Z’s name and media experience could lure away big clients, and it appears they were right to worry. A report on NBC Sports this week stated that New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith has taken a meeting with Roc Nation, in addition to other agencies.

    Citing “a source with knowledge of the situation,” the NBC report states that Smith, who is looking for new representation, met with Joel Segal, Priority Sports, Eugene Parker, Fletcher Smith, and Roc Nation. Jay-Z is not yet a certified sports agent, and was not the Roc Nation representative who gave the company’s presentation to Smith.

    Smith has not publicly commented on his agent shopping. Unless, that is, his latest (bizarre) tweet is some sort of code and not simply a mistake:

    (Image courtesy Talltodd66/Wikimedia Commons)

  • Teacher Fired Over Bikini Photo to Attend Graduation

    Teachers across the U.S. have been fired for a variety of reasons, but modeling is not usually one of them.

    This week, 26-year-old Olivia Sprauer told the Huffington Post that she was fired for her modeling bikini pics. She stated that she was called into the principal’s office on April 29, was shown one of her modeling photos, and was asked for her resignation.

    Sprauer isn’t broken up about the firing, however, as she had planned to stop teaching at the end of the year and attend graduate school. She also stated that she will attend the high school’s graduation ceremony to see her students off.

    Sprauer hasn’t performed in porn, though a few of her modeling photos are a bit more risque than just bikini pics. Her modeling page on the Model Mayhem website states that she loves being in front of the camera and loves being photographed. It also states that she is ok with a bit of nudity:

    I am more than comfortable shooting TASTEFUL nudes for the right projects and look forward to hearing from photographers interested in capturing the perfect photograph!

    Sprauer also has a Facebook page for her modeling persona filled with photos no one would expect from a high school teacher. She seems to be taking the job loss in stride, though, using her Twitter feed to have a laugh at all the attention she is now getting:

    (Image courtesy Victoria Valentine James Facebook page)

  • Comedian: 106 Pounds Lost Since Surgery

    Lisa Lampanelli is known as one of the most insulting of insult comics, but that doesn’t mean she was immune to the insults being thrown her way during her numerous roast appearances.

    One year ago, Lampanelli underwent weight loss surgery, getting a gastric sleeve implanted. Since that time the comedian has been shedding weight, but this week she got a little more specific about just how much.

    In Touch magazine this week published an interview with Lampanelli in which she tells the publication she has lost 106 pounds over the past year, saying, “I’m officially a skinny bitch!” Though the surgery certainly helped, Lampanelli credits her weight loss to exercise and eating less. She stated the surgery isn’t a miracle and that she had to figure out her “addiction issue” with overeating.

    Meanwhile, Lampanelli is continuing to use her Twitter feed to practice her insult comedy. One recent target of her ire was reality star Honey Boo Boo’s mother, who was recently married while wearing an untraditional dress:

  • Kate Moss Nude in New Self-Tan Ad

    Supermodel Kate Moss is no stranger to nudity, though she may not always have been comfortable baring her famous body. Now, the 39-year-old model is showing more skin than ever in a new ad for self-tanning products.

    St. Tropez, a self-tanning product line, this week announced that Kate Moss is the “new face and body” of St. Tropez. The company has released new ads featuring Moss nearly and completely naked, covered only in self-tan. St. Tropez will be marketing Moss’ look as the “Kate Tan.”

    Kate Moss tanning

    “I’m so excited to be working with St.Tropez,” said Moss. “I’ve been using the products since they started and it’s a really trustworthy, cool brand. I always feel more confident with a St.Tropez tan!”

    Kate Moss naked self-tan ad

    “We’re absolutely thrilled that Kate Moss has chosen to work with us on our new campaign: it gives us the ultimate stamp of approval on the quality of our products,” said Michelle Feeney, CEO of PZ Cussons Beauty, parent company of St. Tropez. “Kate epitomises St.Tropez’s naturally glamorous approach to self-tanning and is a long-time advocate of the brand…Kate’s fashion icon status is important to us but now her growing number of beauty campaigns proves that her appeal as a beauty icon resonates with confident women across all age groups globally. Not only is she beautiful but she has this amazing attitude. St.Tropez is about confidence.”

    As part of its new social media campaign, St. Tropez has posted a behind-the-scenes look at Moss’ photo shoot to its YouTube channel:

  • Duncanville Student Rant Caught on VIDEO

    Nearly everyone who attended High School has at least one story of an upset teacher or student storming from a classroom. Bottle up hundreds of teenagers for hours each weekday and it’s bound to happen. Now that cameras are ubiquitous, however, these intense situations are beginning to pop up on the web for everyone to experience.

    A student in the Dallas suburb of Duncanville, Texas this week gained internet fame for lecturing his teacher about her lecturing abilities – or, rather, her lack therof. The student, named Jeff Bliss, was recorded by a classmate as he made his way out of the class room. During his exit he complained that the teacher only handed out “packets” instead of actually teaching.

    “I’m telling you what you need to do,” said Bliss. “You want kids to come into your class, you want ‘em to get excited for this? You gotta come in here and you gotta make ‘em excited. You want a kid to change and start doing better? You gotta touch his freakin’ heart.”

    Dallas TV news station WFAA has interviewed Bliss, who stated that he doesn’t regret his rant and stands by his statements.

    WFAA was not able to reach the teacher seen in the video, though a Duncanville school district spokesperson told them that the district is “currently addressing the situation.” The spokesperson also implied that the teacher’s classroom conduct could be investigated as well, though the student’s issues “could have been handled in a more appropriate way.”

  • David Bowie: Controversy Over Religious Imagery in New Video

    Using religious imagery is nothing new for music artists. Stars as different as Madonna and Kanye West have come under fire from religious Americans for the use of crosses and other religious symbols in music videos.

    Now, David Bowie has found a way to thrust his name back into pop music using the tried-and-true tactic of annoying Christians.

    The 66-year-old actor and pop star this week released his first album in almost 10 years and debuted a music video for the title track, “The Next Day.” The video stars Gary Oldman as a mobster/priest and Marion Cotillard as a floozy who experiences stigmata.

    The big-name actors and their characters aren’t the only thing Christians, and especially Catholics, might take offense to in the video. At points in the video barely-clothed women, self-flagellation, a cardinal who hands out money, and Joan of Arc are all depicted. Bowie himself is, of course, dressed as a depiction of the Christian messiah, Jesus Christ.

    The video has received an age filter on YouTube, after being briefly pulled due to violating YouTube’s contend guidelines.

  • Neil Patrick Harris to Host Tony Awards Again

    The Tony Awards announced today that actor Neil Patrick Harris will once again be hosting the annual theater awards show. Harris has hosted the awards show three times in the past, hosting the 63rd, 65th, and last year’s 66th Annual Tony Awards.

    “I’m very excited to be back hosting the Tony Awards at the legendary Radio City Music Hall,” said Harris. “It’ll be more impressive than ever – if my math is correct, it will be 267 times bigger than last year. Oh, wait. No, that can’t… hold on… carry the one… I’m awful at math. But rest assured, the show will rock!”

    This year’s 67th Annual Tony Awards will take place on Sunday, June 9. The ceremony has been held each year since 1947 by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. In addition to hosting, Harris will also be co-producing the awards show.

    “Neil is a multi-talented performer whose showmanship, wit and energy command the stage of live events,” said Nina Tassler, president of CBS Entertainment. “He is a master of ceremony, who truly loves celebrating the performing arts with the highest level of entertainment, and it’s quite obvious to the audience he’s having a lot of fun along the way.”

    Harris gained fame in the early 90s for playing the title role on the TV series Doogie Howser, M.D. He has gone on to star in movies, plays, and other TV shows, including the hit network TV comedy How I Met Your Mother.

    Recently, Harris starred in a bizarre and silly series of shorts on the Nerdist YouTube channel called Neil’s Puppet Dreams:

  • Elisha Cuthbert Eye Roll Explained on Twitter

    This week’s Eastern Conference quarterfinals match between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs went into overtime, inflaming passions and making the Maple Leafs’ loss that much more brutal. However, a couple of glances have now overshadowed the Stanley Cup playoffs.

    Actress Elisha Cuthbert, who is currently dating Maple Leafs Captain Dion Phaneuf, was spotted rolling her eyes at April Reimer, the wife of Maple Leafs goalkeeper James Reimer. The incident occurred just after the final goal was scored by the Bruins. The pair’s upset-looking glances inspired speculation in the tabloids that the pair might be having a fued:

    It turns out, however, that the two are just fine, and Reimer tweeted a pic out to prove it. She states that she and Cuthbert were, in fact, rolling their eyes at “the jerk beside us,” who she claims made a rude comment:

    Cuthbert backed up Reimer with her own tweet, stating that she is “insulted and disappointed” by the comments she has gotten:

    Upon close inspection of the video, Reimer’s explanation of the event seems true. The man sitting beside her can be seen saying something just before the eye roll, and Reimer even looks over at the man before casting her gaze up at Cuthbert. Though it’s impossible to know for sure what the man said, it’s a decent guess that it had something to do with James Reimer’s goaltending skills.

  • Nun Convicted For Nuclear Weapons Protest

    Catholics are no strangers to protests, and even nuns and priests have been arrested on occasion during protests. This week, an 83-year-old nun was convicted for her participation in a break-in protest at a nuclear facility last July.

    According to a BBC News report, Sister Megan Rice and two other protesters, Michael Walli and Greg Boertje-Obed, were convicted this week of sabotage and depredation of government property. The trio cut a fence and broke into the Y-12 facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which processes and stores uranium for use in nuclear weapons. They threw baby bottles filled with human blood onto the walls of the facility.

    The protesters are part of a group called Transform Now Plowshares. The group issued a statement in conjunction with the protest, stating that the facility is “an ongoing criminal endeavor in violation of international al treaty law…” From a separate statement:

    We come to the Y-12 facility because our very humanity rejects the designs of nuclearism, empire and war. Our faith in love and nonviolence encourages us to believe that our activity here is necessary; that we come to invite transformation, undo the past and present work of Y-12; disarm and end any further efforts to increase the Y-12 capacity for an economy and social structure based upon war-making and empire-building.

    Sister Rice is well-known for her anti-war activism. According to a New York Times feature on Rice published in August 2012, she has been arrested “40 or 50 times” for civil disobedience.

    Rice and her fellow protesters now face up to 20 years in prison for what authorities believe is one of the most serious U.S. nuclear facility security breaches in history.

  • Tsarnaev Buried in Secret Location Outside Massachusetts

    Though this week’s events have pushed Boston Marathon bombing headlines from the front pages of newspapers, the city of Boston is still reeling from the attacks and investigators are still digging into the bombers’ pasts.

    Today, the Boston Globe is reporting that the body of suspected bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev has finally been buried. The location of the burial has been kept secret, though the Globe cites an unnamed “funeral home official briefed on the situation” as stating it did not take place in Massachusetts.

    Tsarnaev’s body was reportedly taken just before midnight from the funeral home where it has been since being released to the Tsarnaev family. Tsarnaev’s uncle, Ruslan Tsarni, is reported by the Globe to have approved the burial site after having difficulties finding a cemetery that would accept the body.

    The burial and transportation of the body was coordinated by Worcester police, who have also confirmed the burial. From the police statement:

    As a result of our public appeal for help, a courageous and compassionate individual came forward to provide the assistance needed to properly bury the deceased. His body is no longer in the City of Worcester and is now entombed.

    Tsarnaev was killed during a shootout with police that occurred shortly after the FBI determined he and his brother were the bombing suspects. Tamerlan’s brother, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, is currently behind bars and cooperating with police. He faces up to the death penalty for charges of using a weapon of mass destruction.

    (Image courtesy the comment/Johannes Hirn)

  • Glenn Beck Nazis Image Overshadows NRA Speech

    Glenn Beck is well-known for using hyperbole, conspiracy theories, and provocative imagery to keep himself relevant to conservatives. However, during his keynote speech this weekend at the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) Annual Meeting, Beck went full-on Godwin’s law, characterizing New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg as a Nazi.

    According to a report from New York news station WABC, during the presentation Beck showed a satirical advertisement for New York City that showed Bloomberg, who is Jewish, giving a Nazi salute. Predictably, the Anti-Defamation League has criticized Beck’s presentation, calling it “insensitive and deeply offensive.”

    The NRA has been battling gun restriction legislation since the Newtown shooting. In order to increase the legitimacy of their positions, the organization has been cleaning house and distancing itself from some of the more radical elements of the U.S. gun culture. Though Beck’s hour-and-a-half speech was largely filled with mainstream pro-gun arguments, his Nazi imagery could end up overshadowing the NRA’s meeting.

    Last week’s NRA convention also gained attention this week after the organization requested a company called Zombie Industries remove a mannequin shooting target that resembles President Obama from its booth.

    Beck’s Nazi Bloomberg reference occurs at around the 58-minute mark in the video of the speech below:

  • Cleveland: Suicide Note Found in Castro’s House

    Earlier this week, three women held against their will for years were rescued when a local man heard one of them screaming and came to the rescue. The women were later revealed to be Michelle Knight, Gina DeJesus, and Amanda Berry, who had been missing for ten years.

    Their captor has since been identified as Ariel Castro, who kept the women for his own dark desires. Castro has now been arrested and charged with kidnapping and rape. The Cleveland community is beginning to come to terms with how the seemingly boring man could have been a torturer.

    According to a report from local Cleveland news station 19 Action News, a letter written in 2004 has been found at the suspect’s house. In the letter, Castro reportedly blames his victims for being caught, and colors himself as a “sexual predator.” Castro goes as far as to admit that he needs help, and even contemplates suicide for the sake of his victims.

    19 Action News reporter Scott Taylor has been tweeting details from the letter:

    Taylor has promised that he and the news station will be revealing further details on the letter on Thursday.

  • Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler Cleared to Enter the Ring

    In September 2012, Jerry “The King” Lawler, the long-time ring announcer for WWE, collapsed during a taping of Monday Night Raw. Lawler had suffered a gruesome heart attack live on national television. Following surgery, Lawler was able to return to co-hosting WWE events in late October 2012.

    Now, Lawler will be returning to the ring himself, in the role that made him famous during the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

    According to a Miami Herald report, Lawler has been cleared by doctors to wrestle once again, despite his heart trouble. Lawler will return to the ring for the first time since his heart attack in an Ocala, Florida show titled Support Your Troops 91, Royal Combat.

    During the show, Lawler will participate in a tag team match with another former WWE wrestler, Dory Funk, Jr. The 72-year-old Funk told the Herald that he felt “privileged” to fight with Lawler once again.

    (Image courtesy Smart Mark Greene at en.wikipedia)

  • Rob Kardashian Charged With Battery, Theft

    Rob Kardashian, brother of the famous reality TV Kardashian sisters, is now facing legal repercussions from a run-in with a paparazzo earlier this year.

    According to an E! News report, Kardashian appeared in court today and plead not guilty to one count of misdemeanor battery and one count of misdemeanor petty theft. The reality TV star was released on his own recognizance.

    Back in March, Kardashian was accused of stealing a camera memory card from a photographer’s camera. The incident happened near an L.A. gym, when the paparazzo was reportedly photographing Kardashian with his shirt off. Kardashian had allegedly claimed that he would pay for the memory card at a later date before taking off with it, but it seems the photographer didn’t consider that a fair deal.

    The photographer, named Andra Vaik, sued Kardashian earlier this month over the incident.

    Kardashian is reportedly being represented in the case by Robert Shapiro, a lawyer famous for being part of O.J. Simpson’s murder trial defense team alongside Kardashian’s father, Robert Kardashian.

    Rob Kardashian has not commented directly on his legal troubles through his social media accounts. His last two tweets have been an ad for a friend’s debut album and a short nighty-night message:

  • Jeanne Cooper Dies; ‘The Young and the Restless’ Star Was 84

    Actress Jeanne Cooper, born Wilma Jeanne Cooper, has died at the age of 84. Cooper was best known for her 40-year run as Katherine Chancellor on the U.S. soap opera The Young and the Restless.

    According to a statement from Cooper’s son, actor Corbin Bernsen, Cooper died early Wednesday. According to Bernsen, she died peacefully in her sleep, with her daughter, Caren, by her side.

    Bernsen’s Facebook post:

    Corbin Bernsen1 hour ago

    Wasn’t sure how I would have to say these words so I opt for simplicity at least to begin…

    My mother passed away this morning just a short time ago, peaceful with my sister by her side, in her sleep. I was going to visit this afternoon, thought I had time. Reminder to self – time is a precious thing. I too am at peace however. I said my goodbyes several times over during the last few weeks. I’ll go one last time now for a gentle kiss a final farewell for this lifetime. She has been a blaze her entire life, that beacon, that boxer I spoke of earlier. She went the full twelve rounds and by unanimous decision… won! And while her light finally gave into the wind that gives flight to all our journeys, there will always be a glimmer left behind by what she stood for. I will speak about that more in coming days, months I suppose. I will certainly dedicate what remains of my life to continue her purpose of honesty, equality, humility, empathy and love. So many of you have said your prayers for her and right now, today, I can say the best way to honor her is to inhabit your lives with those things she stood for. I would ask that closer friends respectfully give us some time to find our family’s path in this transition, and please limit calls, emails and the rest for a couple of days. As always, your outpouring of love here on this page, is not only welcomed to continue but truly appreciated and comforting. I asked my sister what time she passed exactly, and she told me (not to important for public record) but I was working out and just happened to pick out a song for my final moments on the treadmill – “Everlasting Light” by the Black Keys. Oh what a wonder it all is… what a magnificence! Powered by socialditto  1,000+ likes ·  1,000+ comments

    Cooper began her acting career in the early 50s in movies such as The Redhead From Wyoming and The Man From the Alamo. She went on to have roles in many network TV shows, including Perry Mason, Hawaii Five-O, and Mannix.

    In 1973 Cooper was cast in the role of Katherine Chancellor in the long-running U.S. soap opera The Young and the Restless. The character has been described as the “matriarch” of soap opera television and her rivalry with Jill Foster Abbott has produced story twists for The Young and the Restless for many years.