Here is something fun: Poland claimed first place in the Eurovision Dance Contest, which was held in Scotland on Saturday. Each couple - one celebrity and one professional dancer - performed a freestyle dance with a national flavour which could have elements of Latin and Ballroom. Actor Marcin Mroczek and dancer Edyta Herbus won the votes of watchers throughout the continent with a routine set to Michael Jackson’s music.

Russia finished second and Ukraine were third, while hosts UK finished ninth out of 14 competitors. A television audience of millions watched the 135 minute programme, which came from Glasgow’s SECC.

At the end of 2007, approx. 2.27 million Poles were residing abroad temporarily, according to GUS estimates. The vast majority of migrants (about 1.86m) had taken up residence in EU member states, an increase of 310,000 compared to end-2006. The largest number were resident in Great Britain (690,000) and Germany (490,000). Ireland came third with 200,000 registered temporary
migrants. Interestingly, the Netherlands climbed to fourth place following the opening of its labour market to Polish workers last year, with the number of its temporary Polish migrants almost
doubling to nearly 100,000 at end-2007.

Since Poland’s accession to the EU, the number of Poles living abroad has more than doubled, rising from approx. one million in 2004. Most of the migrants who have left the country since 1 May 2004 have done so for employment reasons. In 2006 – the latest figures available – their share was estimated by GUS at 80-90%. However, this is likely to have fallen somewhat since, as the number of family dependents grows both in absolute and relative terms.

MTV is expected to announce on Monday that Guns N’ Roses is releasing a track from their as-of-yet unreleased album Chinese Democracy on the video game Rock Band 2. The album has been in the works for over a decade. Read the rest of this entry »

Previously unseen documents belonging to writer Franz Kafka are now available to literary scholars due to the death of Esther Hoffe, who kept them private in her Tel Aviv apartment for 40 years. Hoffe is the former secretary and love of Max Brod, Kafka’s literary executor responsible for the posthumous publishing of Kafka’s largely unfinished works. Read the rest of this entry »

Before rumor mill gets out of hand, I thought I’d make this announcement. Bill and I have broken off our relationship just a week before Valhalla. We wanted to keep it quiet through the run of the show. No point of stirring up an already rather restless event.

After eight years we’ve come to realization that our friendship, no matter how fervent, is just not enough to keep this relationship moving forward. Because we do care about each other, we both need to find our own happiness and answers to what we need / want, on our own.

The decision to break up was mutual. This relationship has always first and foremost been based on friendship. I think that’s why we’ve been able to hold to each other for such a long time, no matter the baggage, blatant interferences from other people, or things that drove us crazy about each other.

So as friends and business partners we’re moving forward. And I would not suggest that people not try to break that part up. Yes, Ren Prod is safe in Bill, Marti and Rellie trio. Anyhow… that’s about it… go, continue having fun…

To be or not to be….

Shakespeare sketch

When Eight Belles fell down after finishing second at the Derby, she had suffered condylar fractures of both front ankles.

The death of Eight Belles, the first filly to run in the Kentucky Derby in Louisville since 1999, is generating new debate about the place of horse racing in American culture.

On Saturday, after crossing the finish line 4 3/4 lengths behind winner Big Brown, Eight Belles galloped out and was around the first turn toward the top of the backstretch when she suddenly went down on her front knees.

The on-call veterinarian for the Triple Crown races said nothing could be done to save the horse, so shortly after the equine ambulance arrived, protective screens were brought out to block the view of Eight Belles being euthanized.

Eight Belles killing was heartbreaking…particularly when juxtaposed against the celebration of the Derby winner. We all want to congratulate a winner, but a “loser” however gallant her attempt, is just not close enough and so, she is “expendable” after giving the attempt her all. Heartbreaking, disgusting, dispicable, shocking all apply. But could it have been prevented?

She gave it her all. Who know what she could of been because Big Brown is pretty darn good. The major drama about the jockey is uncalled for. A jockey would not put his or her life in jeopardy or the horses if he felt something amiss. She was also to valuable. My gut feeling tells me - she was tired and stepped wrong and broke her ankle and than stepped wrong again and broke down. I do think people are right about the inbreeding and the durability of the horses because they are bred for speed and are more fragile.

The industry is trying to do something to combat this as in installing the new tracks will help and stiffer penalities for abusers which I feel the veterainains need stiffer policies too if they know a horse they are treating could break down or has a major injury. There is the good and bad side to the everyday racing not just the big events. Owners and trainers taking chances with a horse that maybe hurt which I do not like but again stiffer penalities and policies I hope will help the industry.

There is no way that in this situation that the trainer/owner that have a great reputation in the industry would of run a valuable horse like this especially for her worth in the breeding shed - if they felt she could compete or had something wrong with her and she definitely proved she could compete and as Rags to Riches(filly) did in the Belmont Stakes againist Curlin. As a owner of a horse and a animal lover I disagree with it being animal cruelty. Yes there maybe cases with some trainers and owners but the majority I know truly care what is best for the horse and the human being on the back of the horse.

I have learned there are horses that want to run and love it and ones that hate it - I guess you could say like human athletes. I know accidents and breakdown do happen not only at the tracks but at farms. Therefore, I do think the industry is aware there is a problem with breakdowns/breeding and I hope it can succeed in lowering the numbers over the years. I send my condolences to the owners, grooms and the trainer of Eight Belles.

As we get older Death creeps closer and closer to our doors. Friends passing stands as a reminder that life is slipping away faster day by day. 

Last year started and ended with a funeral. This year started the same. Ken Weipert followed his wife only a few weeks after her passing, few weeks ago Steve passed on in a motorcycle accident and most recently Michael from Santiagos suffered from a heart attack and left this world. I miss Ken terribly and will miss Michael very much. He was such a caring, loving person and his passing has really struck me hard. Though we did not know each other extensively, every faire we spent at least some time talking. He knew how to brighten one’s day and on blue days, I craved his company.

Our Renaissance family is very small. It is like a small town: people know each other… care for each other. Loosing one marks us all. Marked me. Farewell dear friend. Miss you already…

His suffering ended with the day,
Yet lived he at its close,
And breathed the long, long night away,
In statue-like repose.

But when the sun in all his state
Illumed the eastern skies,
He passed through Glory’s morning gate
And met his love at last.

She waited for him patiently,
Bright smile on her face.
He kissed her fully on the lips
And spun her in the air.

Eyes misted with the tears of longing
Now finally dried away.
They locked their fingers tightly then
And walked in Paradise.

A marriage celebrates a new beginning:
A couple starting out as man and wife.
The wide world now has narrowed to a garden
In which they will their pleasures plant and reap.
The outlines of their character will harden
According to the promises they’ll keep.
Their joy will soon become a melody
In counterpoint to those for whom they care,
Seeking a profounder harmony
Than any they alone could know or bear.
So shall they find a greater grace within.
With their union let the new begin!