Vanessa Curry , the Laker Girl of Kobe's Dreams

Vanessa Curry is supposedly the Laker basketball cheerleader that Kobe Bryant is having an affair with. She is 18. Before her page was removed from the NBA.com, I gleaned these interesting factoids about her:

First year on the Los Angeles Laker Girls squad.
Professional dancer for the film and television industry.
EDUCATION Graduated from Moreau Catholic High School

HOBBIES/INTERESTS
Working Out
Shopping
Horse Back Riding
Spending time with Family & Friends

Oh, and another chick he might be banging:

Theres a girl named Amber that works at Hooters in DFW (Grapevine TX) thats gettin some lovin. He flew her out to the Nuggets/Lakers game in Denver for the playoffs.

Scary Mardi Gras In New Orleans

Revelers at this year's New Orleans Mardi Gras are returning with less than happy tales. It seems that the New Orleans police force is bitter, angry, overworked, and taking out their resentment on the city's tourists.

"We've seen a guy get taken to jail for petting a horse. We've seen a guy get pulled out of his car, and 5 cops jump on him."

"In both of these situations, there was no reason for the cops to do what they did. Both guys had their girlfriends with them, who seem to be in shock. Everybody who was watching both situations, constantly asking why are you gusy doing that??? He didnt do anything."

"It is pretty common to see people pet the horses. I see alot of girls that do it, and the cops dont seem to mind."

"I had a cop come up behind me and push me. I didnt know it was a cop, he just come up behind me and started shoving me. Well, its not uncommon to get pushed around and bumped by people, walking down bourbon. However, this guy didnt identify himself. All I know is i got someone behind me shoving me. I pushed back with my back turned... and then he gave me a good shove out of the way, nearly knocking me down."

"Some of the cops down here seem very bitter towards the revelers this year. It may be becuase they have hired extra cops from around the country to come down and police mardi gras this year, and those guys are probably itching to take people to jail. I dont know, but we've seen ALOT of questionable behavior from the police this year."

"My friend said she's been pushed by cops 4 times since she's been here. One of them knocked her down in a pile of bourbon street trash gumbo, and did not bother helping her up."

"I had a cop call me an asshole out of the blue. I asked him why he just called me an asshole. He said, "becuase you look like one."

"We've got cops staying all around us in our hotel, and it doesnt smell like cigerettes they are smoking.," said one tourist.

It sounds like the federal government needs to step in and take control of that mess called 'New Orleans'.

Porn Charity Event

Prettyandfine.com captured some photos from a Memorial Day weekend porn charity event that will scald your eyeballs. Link: Bowling For Scholars @ prettyandfine.com (not safe for work).

Links
Jenna Jameson: How To Make Love Like A Porn Star

Celebrate New York in the 70s

Tribute, the museum and art space located in lower Manhattan is currently creating a total 1970s immersion exhibit slated to open March 10th 2005. The entire museum will flash visitors back to the era of pop art, hedonism, political cynicism, etc. as it brings Award-winning photographer Allan Tannenbaum's book "New York in the 70s" to life. Tribute will showcase hundreds of Tannenbaum's photos which examine the fashion, music, politics, theater, pop culture and more via various video screens, displays, prints, exhibits and art. One of the designers featured will be Stephen Burrows, who was the first African American fashion designer to achieve international acclaim. Burrows' World opened at Henri Bendel in 1970, and thrust him into the limelight. An immediate success, his client roster included Cher, Diana Ross, Lauren Bacall, Liza Minelli, Jerry Hall, Lauren Hutton, and Barbra Streisand. The industry took notice, and Burrows was nominated for a Coty Award, fashion's highest honor in both 1971 and 1972. The exhibit will also hold special events featuring celebrity guests, book/CD signings and the chance to watch segments being filmed for a 6 part documentary on the 70s during the 3 month exhibit.

Located at TRIBUTE GALLERY
24 Broadway at Bowling Green (opposite the big bronze bull)

For More Info: 212-952-1000

Video: Broadband: http://real.ny1.com:8080/ramgen/real3/001017B8_050317_172602hi.rm

Dial Up: http://real.ny1.com:8080/ramgen/real3/001017B8_050317_172602lo.rm

Bench Warrant Issued For Michael Jackson

Photos from the Michael Jackson trial today courtesy of Yahoo News.

11:13 AM
CourtTV says that the jury and the boy testifying are aware that something is off with Michael Jackson. The boy has been sneaking looks at Michael.

Links
My Three Years Working For Michael Jackson by Robert Wegner

Redemption: The Truth Behind The Michael Jackson Child Molestations by Geraldine Hughes

10:14am

The judge told the jury he had issued at an arrest warrant for Michael because he was late to court. He also added that he would have done the same for them if they had not shown up. The testimony will continue.

10:05 AM PST
Michael was at the Carter Hospital in Santa Ynez. Michael's lawyer told the judge (Melville)that Michael was at the hospital (being treated for a back problem) and Michael was on the phone, but the judge was mad and said that he was going to execute the bench warrant and did not care that Michael was at the hospital. The hospital is 30 to 40 minutes away from the court. Michael was wearing pajama bottom when he arrived and his father was walking next to him. Michael's fans outside are chanting the name of his accuser.

Link:
Michael Jackson @ Google News
CourtTV coverage

9:52 Michael's former rabbi is on CourtTV saying that Michael Jackson has fake illnesses and is addicted to drugs. He says that he terminated his friendship with Michael because of it and that Michael cannot tolerate even mild stress. He also says that Michael cannot here the boy's testimony because he's been told that he's a God and that if Michael does not get help he will die. The rabbi (Scmhuley Boteach) says that Michael needs to settle the trial and get into rehab. Boteach says that Michael understands that he cannot get in touch with reality without outside assistance. The rabbi says that he would tell Michael that he can't be alone with children and that his children were growing up without friends; Michael would squirm when he said this. Also, he says that Michael's parents asked him to come back to Neverland because,'Michael listens to you'; Boteach corrected them and said,'No, he doesnt.'. Finally, the rabbi pleaded for Michael's parents and family to help him.

An alert viewer thinks that Michael gestured to his bodyguard to take his arm. Is Michael faking? Keep watch people!

Link: Trial dispatches from the Michael Jackson (SmokingGun.com)

9:44 PST
Michael Jackson has not combed his hair and is wearing slippers (brown sandals and white socks). He has been taken to the bathroom by his handlers. CourtTV says that, 'He looks like he is in distress'. The judge seems pissed OFF big time. There are only two reporters in the court room and COURTTV has one of them (Diane Diamond). Does anyone else think that Michael has taken a pill overdose and may drop dead in a minute? Michael was at the hospital being treated for back pain when his lawyer called him and demanded that he come to court.

9:37 AM PST Michael is walking up the steps to court with his entourage. (The commentator on CourtTV notes that the SUV did not even stop before the doors were flung open.) He looks paler than usual and is wearing some sort of hospital looking shirt under a black blazer. He looks unwell and is being guided. He is 2 minutes past his deadline!!! Michael is shuffling in slowly but the rest of his entourage is moving at a somewhat faster clip. CourtTV says that Michael's judge means business and does not put up with this sort of behavior.

9:35 AM PST - Michael Jackson finally shows up via motorcade at court. TURN ON COURT TV NOW!!! Link: Courttv.com

Bench warrant issued for Michael Jackson! Turn on Court TV now!!! He will forfeit 3 million in bail if he does not show up. The judge says that guards will go get Jackson if he is not in court by 9:35 AM PST (Pacific USA Time)
Officers have already left the court to get Jackson. He has a 10 minute warning.

ABC News
MSNC News Report
ReutersCTV.CA(includes video legal analysis)
Michael Jackson @ Amazon.com

Oscar Nominations

On January 25, 2005, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominees for the 77th Annual Academy Awards. And the nominees are...

Best Picture

The Aviator
Finding Neverland
Million Dollar Baby
Ray
Sideways

Achievement in Directing

The Aviator
Million Dollar Baby
Ray
Sideways

Vera Drake

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Don Cheadle - Hotel Rwanda
Johnny Depp - Finding Neverland
Leonardo DiCaprio -The Aviator
Clint Eastwood - Million Dollar Baby
Jamie Foxx - Ray

Best Supporting Actor

Alan Alda - THE AVIATOR
Thomas Haden Church - Sideways
Jamie Foxx -COLLATERAL
Morgan Freeman - MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Clive Owen - CLOSER

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Annette Bening - Being Julia
Catalina Sandino Moreno - Maria Full of Grace
Imelda Staunton - VERA DRAKE
Hilary Swank - MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Kate Winslet - ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

Best Supporting Actress

Cate Blanchett - THE AVIATOR
Laura Linney - KINSEY
Virginia Madsen - Sideways

Sophie Okonedo - Hotel Rwanda
Natalie Portman - CLOSER

Best Original Screenplay

THE AVIATOR
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
HOTEL RWANDA
The Incredibles
VERA DRAKE

Best Adapted Screenplay

Before Sunset
FINDING NEVERLAND
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
The Motorcycle Diaries
Sideways

Internext 2005

Wow, I just stumbled on some photos from Internext 2005. Today was also the first day of the AVN Expo and there's a photo gallery posted.