"First learn how to heal people to be great, to hurt people is easy." - Steven Seagal, "Hard to Kill"
Seagal is a man who understands the virtues around striving for greatness, and so do I. I doubt I will find a direct path to that fabled land at work today, however, it might happen later at a concert that I plan to attend in downtown Austin. But for now, let's focus on the tough stories of the week such as:
Jessica Alba gave birth to a baby girl - Honor Marie Warren - this week in Los Angeles and her husband, Cash Warren, was also at her side. 
It was reported that Mr. Warren chose the baby's name in recognition that it's "an Honor that Jessica hasn't divorced me." Yet.
The New York City Opera has commissioned American composer Charles Wuorinen to write an opera based on "Brokeback Mountain," a love story about two U.S. ranch-hands that won three Oscars when it was turned into a movie.
The opera house's spokesman Gerard Mortier said in a statement on Sunday that Wuorinen had accepted an invitation to compose an opera based on Annie Proulx's short story. It is slated to premiere during City Opera's 2013 spring season.
In a related story, Clay Aiken has purchased a season pass for the Opera's 2013 spring season.
Katherine Heigl, who was honored as best supporting actress in a drama last year for "Grey's Anatomy," declined to put her name in consideration for an Emmy bid, a spokeswoman for the actress said Wednesday.
"I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination and in an effort to maintain the integrity of the academy organization" decided against competing, Heigl said in a written statement.
Let me get this straight: Heigl chose to remove her name from the Emmy's, yet also chose to make "27 Dresses"?
Two years after sweeping the city streets as part of community service, Boy George has decided to perform a free concert for his former sanitation co-workers in New York City on Aug. 17th.
"The people I worked alongside showed great kindness to me at a very difficult time, and I wanted to thank them all in a way that would show my appreciation," he said.
A sanitation spokesman said that while the group appreciates the gesture, "we really don't need to deal with any additional garbage on our day off."
Pancreatic cancer is not slowing Patrick Swayze as the "Dirty Dancing" veteran will star in the cop drama "The Beast," which has just been picked up by cable's A&E Network.
Swayze plays an unorthodox but effective FBI veteran who trains a new partner (Travis Fimmel) in his hard-edged and psychologically clever style of agenting.
"I have searched for quite a long time to find a character that is this multilayered, unpredictable and downright entertaining as well as a project this current and cutting-edged," Swayze said.
It's unclear if Swayze will also teach his new partner the finer points of the Mambo or Foxtrot, however, his contract calls for any dancing to be "dirty."
Paul Newman reacted to a rash of internet and television stories that he has lung cancer by telling the world he is "doing nicely".
Media reports began circulating on Monday that the actor was undergoing out-patient treatment at New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Much like the frenzy around "Snakes on a Plane," I hope the Internet got this story wrong and that Newman is doing just fine.
As always, let's end on a high note with:
I sometimes find myself tied up in knots, which is not always a bad thing. So, don't worry if find yourself in a tight spot, let the punishment fit the crime and . . . Happy Friday!
-BDS
Are you saying that Clay Aiken won't be auditioning for one of the lead roles in Brokeback opera?
My money says "Gay Achin" will have an active role.
Other than that, I've got nothin' this week.
Have a good on, 2Dollar.
WhatIgot - I'm not sure how long his contract for Spamalot runs, and I doubt he wants to be typecast anyway. Ha.
Heff - That's enough for me. Have a hell of a good weekend yourself Heff.
I once read a quote from Paul Newman. It was something about how he was sick of people always wanting to see his trademark blue eyes. He said it was like asking a woman to show you her tits. I love Paul Newman.
I love Paul Newman too. AND, I'm soooo tired of actors pretending they're actually putting out something more than crap... the fact that Emmy Nominations are made by just submitting your own name makes the whole process even more stupid. Have you watched 27 Dresses? Oh Dear God. I saw it in a Hotel room with my sister on our last road trip... we thought it wuold be the perfect Chick Flick....
It wasn't.
Happy, Happy Friday 2$! I hope your weekend in fabulous.
I'm trying to figure out how early Canadians start drinking beer.......
Wendy - That's great. And if you don't like Paul Newman, then you're no friend of mine. I just made that up, but it's probably true. Great quote.
Anonymous Boxer - You go your own way in Canada and start drinking whenever you damn well feel like it. Others will follow. Ha. I know what you mean about actors, and fortunately, I did not watch 27 Dresses as I was merely speculating. Thanks for the confirmation and have a great trip.
WIGSF took my thought about Clay starring in the show and as far as Heigl, hasn't she ever heard the expression "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth"? ha
Nice ending image. Don't get rope burn and have a good weekend :)
So, there's 5 years between the contract and the product, huh? Maybe I write the wrong stuff...
Happy Friday!!
Jlee - Aiken will be a Dad five times over by then, and won't have time to star in it. Ha. And I'm like Houdini around ropes, so no worries. Have a good weekend.
Bostonpobble - I know. Ha. I only caught the length of time this morning after I re-read what I posted and thought "that seems like an awfully long time considering they have a book and a movie to work from." Crazy.
Nobich - Happy Friday to you. Enjoy it.
Wow, it was a rough week! All of these items seem more bizare than usual ..... maybe it's just me. Here's to a happy Friday!! BTW love the new art. You and your lovely wife have good taste. Sounds like it was fun picking it out. Cocktails and art, woo hoo!
There was a time when I really thought Steven Seagal was cool. But I guess there was also a time when I thought The Easter Bunny was real.
What? You mean Jessica Alba's baby wasn't mine?
Do celebritards ever give their illegitimate future-rehab-patient progeny normal names?
John? Susan? That kind of thing.
My daughters got me to take them to see 27 Dresses and should I admit here that I liked it? But then let's consider some of the other movies I've been dragged along to....hmmmmm Flicker, High School Musical...the rest were so bad my therapist told me it was best if they stayed blocked out of my memory. I guess in comparison I could be forgiven couldn't I?
I like Boy Georges voice but Dear God, what has he done to himself? Loved this quip
"we really don't need to deal with any additional garbage on our day off."
Hilarious!
Happy Friday B and have a great weekend.
Linda - Thanks about the art as it was a fine time picking it out. And the week did seem a little tilted for some reason and a lot of centered disease and births. Strange.
Mr. DNA - I know, and Hard to Kill is a solid flick for this genre. I actually just bought a book called Seagalogy, which reminded me of the quote. But let's keep that amongst ourselves, eh?
Native Minnow - You should ask for a paternity test. Get in the news. Cause some headlines. Maybe grab some quick cash. Why not? And congratulations if it proves to be true.
TheTroll - Never. A reasonable name like John is too pedestrian for celebs, and yet naming them these bizarre names has to contribute to the problems that you mention. It must.
Gypsy - For that genre, I'm sure 27 Dresses is probably OK. I'm not much of a judge either way on that front. And yes, George does look simply bizarre (which I guess is the point?). Hope your weekend is going well too.
Is it possible that Clay's hair is looking worse than it used to? That's just wrong...
I also hope Paul Newman is doing well. He's such a legend and a great actor, and a great-looking one at that. He still looks great for his age.
Grace - I'm with you on Newman as I hope he's doing just fine. And yes, Aiken's hair is looking pretty damn terrifying these days.
Clay's hair is terrifying? Does George not realise that the boot polish is running on his? He looks like the woman who cries black tears in Heroes has suddenly got invisibility too and is standing over him! Lots of positive vibes to Patrick Swayze and Paul Newman. Both very graceful and perfect gentlemen.