The complete entertainment world felt sad and shocked over Michael’s death but many people who were close to him had observed that over a period of time due to illness Michael had become extremely thin and fragile. 

As his sudden death raised questions, doctors decided to have autopsy to determine whether Michael death was due to any drugs, alcohol or prescribed medicines.

There are different versions of the reasons of Michael’s death of which nobody knows the true one, but one thing over last few days and though he was pretending to be alright one could sense his deteriorating health.

 May be Michael wanted his forthcoming live concerts in London to be successful to wash out allegations against him. But before Michael could rise to fame again his life ended with a mystery that matched his life. 

1. The dead-weight cozy cuddle of my youngest daughter sleeping on my shoulder
2. Tottenham Hotspur winning
3. The roar, sway, and throb of 60,000 people at a concert
4. Chocolate digestives (of which I had five for breakfast)
5. WB Yeats
6. The satisfaction of not just a job well done, but also the sight of your work on display – be it written or graphic
7. Being greeted as some kind of a hero when I walk in tired at the end of long work day
8. Rememberring why it is I go to work
9. Cuddling up under the duvet with my wife on a cold, wintery night
10. A good strong, hot coffee
11. The feel of an ice cold beer slipping down my throst at the height of summer
12. The same beer as before but drunk in a beer garden at the beginning of summer
13. The sudden, numbing absence of pain when for months there’s been nothing but heartache
14. Counting Crows
15. The semll of honeysuckle
16. The smell of winter overtaking autumn
17. The muffling silence of a snow-covered world the other side of the curtains (often combined with Number 9)
18. Fireworks
19. People who deserve a break actually getting that break
20. Quiet Sunday mornings when I can just sit and do this
21. A damn good book.
22. Sex (I know, it’s a long way down the list, but I was debating whether to include it!)
23. A good single malt (it’s got to be peaty and not too citrus)
24. Gossiping with old friends
25. Chicken Jalfrezi
26. Well-brewed tea
27. Bookshops
28. My Ipod
29. The buzz of driving fast
30. The buzz of knowing I just got away with driving too fast

It occurs to me that this could be a long list. it’s served its purpose though; the wheels in my head are turning again. In case you’re wondering, the book with all the ‘unblocking’ ideas in it is called A Writer’s Book of Days and it’s by a lady called Judy Reeves. I don’t usually go in for self-help gibberish, but I have to hand to Judy, that this particular book is fantastic.

1)      Christmas Caroling- Buy some songbooks, or better yet, print some up, then gather up a bunch of friends, and just go up and down through your neighborhood, knock on people’s doors, and just start belting out a few of those good old holiday classics that everyone loves. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll no doubt help to warm up the hearts of those you visit. Who knows, you may even make some new friends into the bargain.

2)      Bake Some Christmas Cookies- The good thing about this one is, that you either do it by yourself, or get a family member or a close friend to help you.  Just decide beforehand which cookies bring back the best memories for you. Then call up a friend or a relative, tell them what you got planned, and see if they’re game. Put on some Christmas music, get the stuff together and most important of all, make sure you have some cookie cutter patterns that will add to the mood. Christmas trees will work good, or Santa shapes, snowman shapes, or anything like that should work fine.  I guarantee, once you pop them little treats in the oven, and the smell starts working its magic, with the music playing, you’ll feel just like a kid again. It always works for me.

3)      Go See a Christmas Play or Concert- I can tell you from firsthand experience, there’s nothing like seeing and hearing a group of children performing a traditional nativity scene, complete with angels, shepherds, the three wise men, Mary, Joseph, the little baby Jesus of course, and a few dogs dressed up like sheep to give it that extra touch of realism. Now, who wouldn’t be moved by such a scene? But, I have to warn you, you may start out all smiles, but once those little ones start singing, well, let’s just say that it’s best to have a few Kleenex on hand.

4)      Have a Toy Drive For Sick or Needy Children- This one works really well if you have kids of your own, and can get all of your friends involved too. Just go around the house, and collect up all those toys your kids are too old to play with. Wrap them up and take them to a local hospital, church, charity or shelter. You can either drop them off, or place them directly into the little tyke’s hands to see their eyes light right up.  Not only will you be helping others, but this will provide you with an enduring memory of joy that will last you a lifetime.  It doesn’t have to end there of course, make it a yearly thing. After all, that’s what the season is all about right? The spirit of giving? So give to others who cannot give back, and be blessed for touching lives in a special way.

5)      Have a Christmas Get-Together- You’d be quite surprised at how much fun these little social gatherings can be. Call up some friends, and invite them to bring their photo albums. Set out a few snacks, some cookies, chocolates, some peanut brittle, stuff like that for people to nibble on, and put on some holiday music. Then, simply allow your guests to open their photo albums, and share their personal stories and memories of how they celebrated the holidays when they were younger. Some stories will be humorous, others may be sad, and some may even seem miraculous and help to really bring home the meaning of family, like relatives who after being away for years, suddenly show up on Christmas Day. After listening to these holiday tales, you’re bound to get caught up in all the sentiment and actually find yourself enjoying these spur-of-the-moment festivities more than anything else you could imagine.

           You can find many ways to chase away those holiday doldrums. Get your friends involved and allow them to help pick up your spirits, look around in the newspaper and see what kind of holiday happenings are going on around town. Help someone who is less fortunate than you, or just use your imagination and come up with your own little way of keeping the blues at bay. This time more than any is when most people are filled with goodwill towards their fellow man. So get out there, see what you can find, and who knows, you may even have a chance encounter with some stranger, and together you can create your own special brand of Mistletoe magic. Just remember, you don’t have to be alone or feel depressed around the holidays. Life is a very special gift, and it was meant to be shared with others, so get out there and start sharing, and you may just help to make someone else happy too.

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Last week I was blessed with Paul McCartney tickets at Fenway Park in Boston. An early birthday gift from my thoughtful brother.

I had never been to Fenway so was excited about that but seeing one of the Beatles was to me a dream come true. I was just a babe when they came to the United States back in 1964 and never got the privilege to see them in concert.

Now in my 40’s I got the chance to see Paul McCartney. At 64 years old the whispers were wondering if a man of this age could possibly bring to the stage anything worth watching.

I must say for 64 years young Paul still has all the right stuff! Amazing sound and the beauty of his voice made me want to weep. All the songs he played brought the audience back to 1964 when the Beatles were high on the charts of success.

He arrived on Stage dressed in a black or dark blue suit. Handsome as always with a smile on his face. Welcoming Boston to his show. After a few songs on on that warm summer night he decided it was time to shed his jacket and underneath he sported a red pair of suspenders. You know what they say about a man who wears suspenders they are romantics! With fans on their feet and girls screaming as loud as they could he played for over two hours nonstop.

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His venue ranged from old Beatles song, Hey Jude to Wings, Band on the Run. It sounded as if the entire group was once more in the stadium. When I  closed my eyes I  could see the Beatles singing to me. With pictures of John, Ringo and George flashing in the back ground tributes was made by Paul for all the fallen Beatles. To the right of the stage were red neon lighting up four walkways in remembrance of what used to be. Beautifully done and much appreciated by all.

Although you can tell he has aged he still knows how to make the woman scream and is the soft spoken gent he  has always been.

He spoke to the audience great words of what happened back then and of the members themselves. Even though it is 2009 Beatlemania still lives on.

Summer fun on the cheap is important in these days of tight budgets and an unsure economy.

1. As Hyacinth Bucket- would say a riparian (riverside) picnic. Get a big basket of your favorite   summertime food, music, a Frisbee, a soccer ball, and some sunscreen and your ready to go.
2. Speaking of Rivers- Providence RI has the River fires on Friday evenings, with music, food, and plenty of local history and of course the ocean- don’t forget Providence is on the Ocean.
3. Seaside shopping on Cape Cod- you can go in and out of antiques shops, gift shops, local craft jewelry shops and even a nice collection of thrift shops and find some nice things and enjoy the shopping in the salt air.
4. Band concerts are everywhere in the summer months.
5. The beach- everyone has their favorite.
6. Bicycling in the country- Cape Cod has lots of bike paths; the one along the Cape Cod Canal is especially nice.
7. For the adventurous- camping out at your favorite National or State park, swim in the lake, climb a scenic mountain pass.
8. A trip to Maine – get lobsters on the cheap, walk along the rocky shore.
9. Golf and the numerous public courses- try a couple of new ones.
10.  Trail ride with a group of friends and meet a nice horse too.

This list just gets you started – try some of these and add a few more like a game of tennis and miniature golf with the kids. And don’t forget a cone of ice cream or two at your favorite dairy bar.

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1. We’ve all been in a meeting, class, church service, etc. when someone’s cell phone has gone off and disrupted the proceedings. Take care that that person isn’t you. Get into the habit of checking to make sure your cell phone is on silent (not “vibrate” because noise results when the phone vibrates against whatever is near it) or off before entering into any place where such disruptions are not welcome. If you develop the habit, it is less likely that you’ll forget and be “that guy/gal” – the one who must scramble, red-faced, to find his/her phone and stop the noise while everyone in the room turns to watch. Don’t wait for a formal reminder from the host – the cell phone owner is the one who is responsible for preventing interruptions.
2. Everyone make’s mistakes – we’re all human. If you forget to turn off your cell phone and it rings in the middle of an occasion in which interruptions are unwelcome, first concentrate on stopping the noise, prevent further breaches of etiquette, and apologize when appropriate. To put it simply, as soon as you get to the phone hang up the phone/stop the ringing, turn the phone off or put it on silent, turn your concentration back to what was at hand, and apologize to the host and/or those around you when the occasion is over. If the proceedings were halted because of your cell phone, apologize as soon as you’ve turned it off. By no means should you answer your phone – if cell phone ringing is unwelcome during the occasion, so is your half of the conversation. It may seem obvious to most, but I’ve attended several concerts during which an audience member’s cell phone has gone off, the person answered it, and a conversation ensued – it’s quite annoying and frustrating for everyone else.
3. The phone was invented to enhance communication. In other words, people no longer have to shout across the block to carry on conversations with people they are not meeting face-to-face. Cell phone technology has developed so well that one can carry on a conversation at a normal volume and both parties can hear quite clearly. Out of habit, however, most people tend to raise their speaking voices when speaking into a phone. If this describes you, you should work on lowering your volume when talking on the phone, or avoid talking on the phone when others are within hearing distance. There are few things more annoying than to be bombarded with an unnecessarily loud half of a conversation being carried on by someone on a phone in the vicinity.
4. The phone was invented to enrich society through improved communication, but on some occasions, it defeats the point. It is downright rude to be conversing on the phone (no matter who called whom) when: at a social gathering, “hanging out” with friends, in an enclosed space (such as a bus, car, plane, train, elevator, etc.), concerts, church, meetings, class, etc. When in an enclosed space, texting is ok, but when one is with one’s friends or at social gatherings, not only talking, but texting on the phone is rude. It is a distraction from the people you are with and draws you away from the socializing, making those you were with feel rejected, neglected, ignored, and slighted. Enjoy spending time with the people near you – there’s time enough to call/text those who aren’t when you’re alone.

The Worst

1.  The local Bar or Pub

Because it’s “local” you may run into people either of you know. This interruption will interfere with your time together, and may even have negative effects if either of you are asked about a former partner. At any local hang out it is easy for these other acquaintances to start up small talk, thus pulling you away from each other.

2.  A Trendy Bar or Night Club

This is not a good idea because your date may be approached by other people. Often these people are intoxicated and will not respect personal boundaries. This is especially dangerous for men on the first date, because you do not want to hear yourself say “she’s mine, back off”. On a first date, she is definitely NOT “yours”. The noise level makes conversation difficult, save this for a future date, but do not go here on your first.

3.  Movies or Plays

This should be a given for a bad first date. The very nature of movies and plays disallows interaction with your date. The only time this should be considered on a first date is if you have dinner prior, and a bite to eat afterwards. Pick the movie/play carefully.

4.  Concerts

So, you’ve managed to acquire tickets to a “sold out” concert. Now your thinking this is the perfect opportunity to get together with your dream girl or guy, well, if they did not go out with you before hand, and now they will, it is probably because of the tickets and not you. You are setting yourself up for a long line of being used for his/her personal enjoyment. With concerts you open yourself up for a range of disasters, from people hitting on your date, to your date being an overly obsessive fan. The concert is generally going to be more memorable than yourself. There are some types of concerts which may be okay, as you will see below.

5.  Sporting Events

If your favorite team loses, the date will have a sour note. You are not really getting to know each other while watching two teams battle it out on the playing field. At any rate this is about the players, not the two of you. I should not have to explain to you why a Monster Truck Rally is not a good first date.

6.  A Family Event

There is no way a first date should be brought to your family reunion, your sister’s wedding or your nephew’s first birthday party. These events are awkward and boring at best, plus your date will be asked over and over, how long they have known you. As well, work, church, and other social events should be avoided as first date invitations.

7.  The Beach

Both of you may be very self conscious, again worthy of a date location further on, but this is not a good first date location.

8.  The Mall

This is not even a location, but rather a hangout for people who do not know what else do to. Any time you are put in front of a store you are put in the uncomfortable position of possibly feeling compelled to buy something for the other person, especially if you are the one who suggested going to “the Mall” as a location.

9.  Private Places

Your house, or anywhere a date may not feel comfortable is not a good idea for a first date.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxtongue/176677776/

The Best

1.  Carnivals and Amusement Parks

As long as you understand the difference between a “date ride” and a “with your friends ride”, these are perhaps one of the best places for a first date. They offer pure joy and entertainment. Stay away from the white-knuckle rides and those with long lines. By sticking to the simpler rides you can have a good time with loads of smiles.

2.  A Zoo or Botanical Garden

The appeal of either is that you can walk around or sit and talk, allowing for a bit of both throughout your date. You are given plenty of opportunities to discuss your personal interests and things you like. Both of you can feel relaxed and more “childlike” at a Zoo. There is no need for formality.

3.  Museums

Make sure you know enough about your date to be certain this is appropriate. There are many kinds of Museums, including Art Galleries, Museums of Natural History and Science Museums. The latter may be a good choice because the interactive displays allow for some interaction and silly times.

4.  A Nature Hike

This is a great opportunity to talk and get to know each other without distractions. Do not climb a mountain or anything too extreme, keep it simple and make sure its in a well used public park so your date does not feel uneasy about being in a remote area. Make sure you go slowly on the walk, throw stones, and enjoy yourselves. Combine this with #5.

5.  Picnic in the Park

You have to plan ahead, make the lunch (find out if your date has any allergies or food preferences), and bring the blanket, this could be coupled with a walk or a boat rental ride. For the guys, this is a great opportunity to show off your culinary skills, if you don’t have any, I suggest you get some. You can often find old style picnic baskets at thrift stores, which adds a bit of a romantic touch.

6.  Free Outdoor or “in the Park” Concerts

In contrast to other concerts mentioned above, these concerts can be a good date. You are not committed to staying in your seat because of ticket price, allowing you to go to a quieter spot if you wish to talk with the music as background ambiance. Yet, still feeling like you are in a public space where you and your date will feel safe.

7.  Ice Skating

Presuming you have a place to do this, and both of you can actually skate. This can be a fun winter date, make sure you can take your date for hot chocolate or dinner afterwards. Time this so there are not a lot of teens or children are on the rink.

8.  Bowling, Golf, or other Light Sports

Not team sports, or anything overly competitive. Something fun and easy, that both of you can do. If you are really good, or obsessive about winning, and your date is not, then this is NOT a good first date. It is only acceptable if both of your skills are at par with each other.

9.  Festivals

This could be an Art Festival, Renaissance Festival, Food Festival, or anything. These are great because they are fun, unusual, and will provide a memorable time.

Things to Consider

Plan on something you both can enjoy, do not try to upstage your date with your knowledge, this is not a time for you to be showing off. This is a time to have fun and get to know each other.

Offer your date a choice, this allows you to see what they like or don’t like, and allows them to pick what they would be more comfortable with doing. I have given you some good ideas, you can come up with more on your own. Good dates are usually ones where you can focus on fun and each other. Bad dates are ones where the attention is off yourselves or the fun is dependent on an outside force (eg. Your team winning the Football game). Places that do not allow conversation between you and your date are not going to be good for first dates.

Please allow room for escape. If a date is not going as planned you need to have a back up plan or way out. A good date plan eliminates risks like drunk people spoiling your time, or screaming children in the background.

You will notice that all the good date destinations allow you to move away from problem areas and you are not confined to one spot.

Of course there are exceptions to any of these, but that is why they are called exceptions. Have fun, and I sincerely hope that this information will allow you have a good memorable time.

If that First Date Goes Well….

10 Songs to Put on a Mixed Tape for your Lover

12 Songs Never to put on a Mixed Tape for your Lover

Songs for Sensual Love Making (not for the first date)