Music N' More

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Actors/Actresses

When it comes to movies, everyone always seems to have just that one actor or actress that they practically pledge allegiance to. Well, I have a lot of favorite actors and actresses. Here's a few:

Jet Li

DOB: April 26, 1963, Beijing, China
Birth name: Li Lian Jie
Height: 5'6 1/4''
Mini Bio:

Started at the Beijing wushu academy at age 8, won 5 gold medals in the Chinese championships

Spouse:

Nina Li-Chi: Sept. 19, 1999-present, 2 children
Qiuyan Huang: 1987-1990, 2 daughters

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001472/bio
Won Chinese national championship in wushu martial arts when he was 11. His prize was going to Washington D.C. to meet President Nixon
Did the motion-capture fight scenes and voice overs for the character Kit Yun in Rise to Honor
On December 26, 2004, Li and his 4 year old daughter were on vacation in the Maldives when a tsunami came ashore. They were in the lobby of their hotel when it came ashore so he picked up his daughter and ran for higher ground but a piece of furniture struck his foot, breaking it
Bruised his ribs while fighting with Anthony Anderson in Romeo Must Die(2000)

Chow Yun-fat

DOB: May 18, 1955, Lamma Island, Hong Kong
Birth name: Chow Yun-fat
Nickname: Fat Tsai, Fat Korr(big brother)
Height: 6'1''
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000334/bio
Trademark: often seen with a toothpick in his mouth, usually his movies with John Woo, can be seen in movies with twin guns(2 Beretta .92s) and dark shades on during a gunfight
Trivia

Before going to a movie set each day, he goes to the nearest market and buys fresh fruit
Unusually tall by Chinese standards, is often a head taller than most of his Chinese co-stars, male or female
Tri-lingual, speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, English
Enjoys photography, his elder sister is a photographer
Attempted suicide over the break up after 5 year relationship with TV star Idy Chan

B.D. Wong

DOB: October 24, 1960, San Francisco, California
Birth name: Bradley Darryl Wong
Height: 5'5''
Trivia

Left handed
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000703/bio
On May 28, 2000, him and partner Richie Jackson welcomed son Jackson Foo Wong
Is openly gay. I never knew this, but I still like him, I still think he's the sexiest one on SVU!!!

Eddie Murphy

DOB: April 3, 1961, Brooklyn, New York
Birth name: Edward Regan Murphy
Nickname: Ed, Murph
Height: 5'9''
Trademark: his laugh, in movies plays multiple characters at once
Trivia

Cast by Saturday Night Live in 1980 when he was only 19 years old
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000552/bio
Attended Nassau Community College before beginning acting
Was inspired by Richard Pryor to do comedy. Went on to direct Pryor in Harlem Nights(1989)
Paid in full the funeral for comedian Redd Foxx
Dated Halle Berry

Denzel Washington

DOB: December 28, 1954, Mount Vernon, New York
Birth name: Denzel Hayes Washington Jr.
Nickname: D
Height: 6'
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000243/bio
Trademark: often plays military men and law enforcement officers
Trivia

Spokesperson for the Boys and Girls Club of America
Thought about becoming a doctor by studying Biology, then Political Science then Journalism/Drama in college
1st African-American to win 2 Academy Awards
In 1996, chosen as People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive
For his role in Philadelphia, he hung around with 2 lawyers about to become celebrities themselves- Johnny Cochran and Carl Douglas
For his role in Courage Under Fire, he trained at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin California. He listened to tapes from Desert Storm, participated in battle games, excelled on operating the M1A1 tank and 120 mm gun
For his role in The Pelican Brief, he went on the beat with Washington Post reporters
Was the original choice for the 1998 movie Blade. But instead the role went to Wesley Snipes

Sylvester Stallone

DOB: July 6, 1946, Hells Kitchen, New York City, New York
Birth name: Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone
Height: 5'9 1/2
Nickname: Sly, The Italian Stallion, Michael(as a teen)
Trademark: deep voice, mumbling
Trivia

Oil paints in his spare time, considers Leonardo Da Vinci his hero
Birth complications, caused by forceps, caused the paralysis of his lower left side of his face, resulting in slurred speech
At 15, voted Most Likely to End Up in the Electric Chair
Dislikes his first name, prefers Sly
Attended University of Miami on an athletic scholarship
Italian American ( no duh, Captain Obvious, lol)
Was 23 years old when he got his 1st starring role in the movie Party At Kitty and Stud's, a 1970s porn movie, in almost every scene he appears nude
His 2 trademark movies are the Rambo and Rocky movies
At birth, the doctor's forceps accidentally severed a nerve in his cheek, leaving him with a droopy mouth
Lives in Beverly Hills, California
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000230/bio

Jackie Chan

DOB: April 7, 1954, Victoria Peak, Hong Kong, China
Birth name: Kong-sang Chan
Nickname: Y'uen Lo, Sing Lung, Pao Pao(Chinese for cannonball)
Height: 5'8 1/2''
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000329/bio
Mini Bio

Attended the China Drama Academy at age 6
Trained vigorously in dance, traditional martial arts and music

Spouse: Feng-Jiao Lin: December 1, 1982-present, 1 child
Trademark: uses every day items as props in movies(i.e. chairs, table legs, ladders, lamps, etc), like to give the 'thumbs up', mostly does his own stunts, at the end of his films has outtakes of failed stunts, always plays the good guy except in Rumble in Hong Kong, always stars in movies where he is tortured or forced to undergo extreme physical training(i.e. teacher or master as punishment)
Trivia

Kong-sang means born in Hong Kong
Has a son, Jaycee Chan, with wife Feng-Jiao Lin
Has a permanent hole in his head from an accident
In 1976, underwent a surgery to re-shape his eyelids to give them a more Western appearance. The last movie with the 'old' Chan with his very handsome almond shaped eyes is Shao Lin mu ren xiang(1976)
In the 1998 movie Mulan, he sings the song I'll Make a Man Out of You all in Chinese
Says the most painful injury he received was when Bruce Lee accidentally hit him with a nunchuku during the making of the 1973 movie Enter the Dragon
Can speak Mandarin, English, Cantonese, and Korean
Says that if he didn't become an actor, he'd be a police officer
His name Jackie came from construction workers in Canberra Australia who couldn't pronounce his real name
Was supposed to play Sato in the 1989 movie Black Rain, but declined as it didn't fit his good guy image. Instead the role went to Russell Wong

Lucy Liu

DOB: December 2, 1968, Queens, New York
Birth name: Lucy Alexis Liu
Height: 5'3''
Mini Bio

Born to Chinese immigrants in New York
She was once only given 'ethnic roles' and wants to move beyond doing Asian-American roles and experience
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005154/bio
Graduated from University of Michigan with a degree in Chinese language and culture

Trivia

At home, her family spoke Mandarin Chinese. So she did not learn English until age 5
Was the 1st Asian-American to host Saturday Night Live
One of her previous jobs was an aerobics instructor
Practices rock climbing, skiing and horseback riding
Auditioned for Shanghai Knights, but lost out to Fann Wong
Fluent in Italian, English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and a little Japanese
Lives in New York with her brother Alex Liu and his wife
Speaks 6 languages

Mariska Hargitay

DOB: January 23, 1964, Santa Monica California
Birth name: Mariska Magdolna Hargitay
Height: 5'7''
Spouse: Peter Hermann: August 28, 2004-present, 2 kids
Trivia

Speaks Hungarian, English, French and Italian
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002127/bio
Daughter of Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay
Has a zig zag scar down the side of her head from the 1967 crash that killed her mother
Has a charity called the Joyful Heart Foundation that helps victims of rape

Kate Winslet

DOB: October 5, 1975, Reading, Berkshire, England
Birth name: Kate Elizabeth Winslet
Nickname: Corset, English Rose
Height: 5'6''
Trivia

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000701/bio
Prefers to wear boots rather than ordinary shoes
Born in the same year and on the same day as actress Parminder Nagra
Lives in New York City, but owns a house in Glouchestershire, England

Marisa Tomei

DOB: December 4, 1964, Brooklyn, New York
Height: 5'4''
Trademark

Usually plays a character in a damaged relationship or emotionally damaged life
Her smile
Sidekick roles
Plays independent women with a carefree appearance but complex and difficult life

Trivia

Attended Boston University
On her right foot, has the Egyptian Eye of Ra tattoo for protection
Of Italian descent
Has dual citizenship to the US and to Italy
Godmother of Zoe Kravitz, the daughter of actress Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000673/bio

Queen Latifah

DOB: March 18, 1970, Newark, New Jersey
Birth name: Dana Elaine Owens
Nickname: Hip-Hop's First Lady
Height: 5'10''
Trivia

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001451/bio
First female rapper to be nominated for an Academy Award
Got her nickname Latifah in her teens. It means delicate and sensitive, and she got it from a cousin
Is of both African-American and Native American descent

Favorite foods

When it comes to food, I love almost anything, among my favorites are Chinese, Italian, and Mexican. But I'm also the kind of person who will probably also try anything new. I really want to try sushi, I mean, I know it's raw fish, but come on, it sounds kind of good. I guess it's the curious side of me coming out. And if I ever get the chance to visit Japan, that'll be one thing I have to try, sushi made by someone actually Japanese-born.

CHINESE FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, but I love these lil carrying boxes. They're so cool

Either sweet and sour chicken or orange chicken. Either one is good, especially from this Chinese restaurant near my mom's house.

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH! Fried rice! Yum yum!! I love this one the most, I almost always get it when I get Chinese food, whether it be steak fried rice, beef fried rice, shrimp fried rice or chicken. I swear, I'll probably be fat one day, lol. but I don't eat this stuff all the time mainly because of lack of money!!!

Italian food

Spaghetti

My stepdad's mom makes the greatest Italian food ever! She's old school Italian and she is the greatest cook ever, and I just love her to death. She's friendly and nice and funny too. And if it wasn't painfully obvious, my stepdad and his family are Italian, which I think is really awesome!

Linguine, not so good with that nasty alfredo stuff on it, too artery-clogging for me!

Pizza anyone? pizza ain't so Italian anymore, more American if u ask me!

Spaghetti and meatballs! OMG!!!!! I'm so craving Italian right now.....

Mexican food!!!!!

Chicken tacos! Every time I get Mexican food when I'm with my mom and stepdad, I always get this! This place by my mom's house, Plaza Vallarte, they make the greatest Mexican food EVER!!!

OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH! More tacos!!

Oh yeah! Enchiladas!!! YUM YUM!

Monday, June 13, 2011

My Opinions

LGBT
Okay, for those who don't know, this means Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual. Transgender. Now living in a household where church is important, I have to disagree with what the church says on the issue of sexuality. So what if it's man and man, or woman and woman? Isn't everyone entitled to the right of happiness? Isn't everyone given the chance to live life their own way? Well, I believe in the phrase "Love is love. It shouldn't matter who it's with". And I frankly have no problem with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. In fact, there's a friend of my dad's who's gay and him and my dad are the greatest of friends. His name is Chuck Norman and he's a nurse. He worked at the nursing home where my grandmother lived before she died. Nowadays, he's working as a private nurse for someone in Indian Hill in Ohio. I say way to go him! He says he don't care he's gay, he's happy and I totally respect him for that. Because a long time ago, the word gay referred to happy, how it ever got associated with homosexuality is beyond me. And as for the teens who think it's cool to say things like "he's gay" or "she's gay" or my personal favorite "that's gay", y'all need to stop it. Sorry to seem so cross on this subject, but I'm just so sick and tired of the discrimination the church hurls towards people of other sexualities. And the church makes it seem like all those who are gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual are going to hell for not being man and woman. As I said before, Love is love. It shouldn't matter who it's with. And quite frankly, if I had a friend who was gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, I'd be happy. People who are gay or whatever seem to be more trustworthy, more kind and understanding and considerate than some people. And if I had a friend who was gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, well, I think that would be pretty cool. And plus, there are people who are famous, like musicians, actors/actresses, etc who are gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual. But they are not famous for that, they are famous for being a musician, actor/actress, etc, like Jane Lynch from Glee, she's a lesbian but so what, love is love. David Bowie is an English musician from the 1970s and he is bisexual but so what? People still love his music, straight, gay or not, B.D. Wong is a Chinese actor on Law and Order:SVU, he's gay and people still respect him as an actor. I like him as an actor, I don't care if he's gay or not. So basically people who are LGBT may have someone to look up to. And quite frankly, I don't think people who are LGBT need to come out about it, it's their own private business, it is not required for everyone to know their sexuality.

Abortion
OK, this one really burns me up. The church is so anti-abortion it's pathetic. They say things like "oh you're going to hell for aborting a baby!" The reason I think they're against it is because that way they can have more little Catholics filling the collection plate on Sundays. Personally my belief on the topic is it's between the woman and God, the church should not have their say on everything. There are some things that need to stay private that the church does not need to put their 2 cents in on. Yeah, I'm a Catholic church going person, but I personally believe that the church does not need to put their say in on everything, so what if a woman gets an abortion? Having sex with someone special is okay, but teen sex is just gross. What happened to teens just waiting? Usually it's the teen girls who pressure the teen guys into it. That's what I've heard. And the church can't possibly imagine what is going through a woman's mind when she is undergoing that procedure to remove the unwanted baby. Unless there's someone in the church, whether it be a member of the staff or what, unless they have either given birth or undergone something like this, they have no say in that matter as far as I'm concerned.

Body Issues

I've noticed that over the years, eating disorders are starting to be a big issue. I think the reason for that is the media. They spread this idea that if you don't have perfect boobs, a perfect butt, a perfect body, aren't tall, tan and gorgeous, aren't big and muscular and good looking, that you're nothing. That's not the kind of image that magazines like People, OK, Entertainment, Cosmo, Vogue need to be saying. I mean, yeah, people like reading those magazines to see what's going on in the exciting world of entertainment [sarcasm there, by the way], but they need to realize there are eating disorders out there!

I admit that when I was younger, I was always worried about how people would see me, I'm still worried about how people would see me. When I was younger, I was bullied alot, because of my glasses and my body type. I was always told it was called 'big boned', but my classmates had other terms for it, usually called things like fat a--, bubble butt, thunder thighs, fatso, blimpie, etc. I was also called names because I wear glasses, things like 4 eyes, coke bottles, which is stupid because that's not offensive, it's just a nickname for glasses with really thick lenses, but you certainly don't want to call anyone who wear glasses that, it's mean! But the thing about me now is I lost weight, 26 pounds, woo-hoo! yay me!!!!!!! But I'm also 'big boned', not fat, I'm no skinny mini, but I'm no fatso either. I'm kind of monkey in the middle I guess.

Because when girls and guys get to be teens, they start worrying about how they look so they can attract members of the opposite sex. And if all they worry about is how they look, asking questions like "Am I fat?", they'll never have time for anyone or anything else. It absolutely burns me up to see how some of these magazines glorify skinniness as if it's the new "in thing". It's not glamorous to be rail thin, come on, eww! To be rail thin is disgusting because you can see your bones sticking out through your skin.

And sometimes bullying can lead to eating disorders, mean classmates bullying someone because of their weight can be enough to drive someone into an eating disorder. Quite frankly, I think there needs to be something done about the issue of bullying, and I mean something like, maybe I don't know, something like actually putting a stop to it?

I proudly admit that I've been a bully victim, ever since grade school, people have made it their mission to make my life a living, miserable hell! And it got worse in middle and high school. People would break into my locker and steal things from me, and they would write offensive things on my locker, they would steal from me while I was out of the room and when I came back, they'd deny it, like I was some kind of ignorant dumb-ass or something, and they would insult everything about me. Like in my Art class in 11th grade, my final assignment for that class was to draw a picture of someone that we liked so the teacher could hang them up and remember us all when we moved onto 12th grade and graduated. And so I drew a pic of The Beatles, because in 11th grade I started sort of liking these guys, and when I got up to show my picture, people said "Gay!" Yeah, that's how you say stupid now, can u believe that? People use the term 'gay' to describe stupidity. As far as I'm concerned, it makes them sound all the stupider when they do that!

Brian Jones

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0427627/bio

He looked like a real sweet guy, why did he have 2 get into drugs? I'll bet he was a real sweetie

Lewis Brian Hopkins-Jones was born on February 28, 1942 in Cheltenham, Glouchestershire, England. He died on July 3, 1969, in Hartfield, Sussex, England and the suspected cause of death was drowning. He was 5'6'' and he was the one to come up with the name for the band, by taking it from an old Muddy Waters song called Rollin' Stone Blues.

The first woman he ever truly loved was an Italian-born model named Anita Pallenberg. He composed the music for a movie she was in called Degree of Murder in 1967. He also began experimenting with alcohol and drugs. He fell even deeper into drugs and alcohol when he found out that Anita had left him for fellow Stones member Keith Richards and that they had sex in the back of a car. In November 1968, he bought Cotchford Farm, the house formerly owned by Winnie the Pooh author A.A. Milne. The Stones Rock and Roll Circus was the last time anyone saw Brian alive. In June 1969, he lost touch with the band

His trademark is his long blonde hair.

Trivia
Is interred at Priory Road Cemetery in Glouchestershire, England
Was kicked out of the Rolling Stones for heavy drug use.
Considered the original founding member and namer of the Stones
At 27 years old, he is a member of the Forever 27 club. This is a club for all musicians who died at that age, including Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Janis Joplin

Bill Wyman

William George Perks was born on October 24, 1936 in Lewisham, London, England. He is 5'6'', by far the shortest one in the group. Before he joined up with the Rolling Stones, he was in the RAF(Royal Air Force) for those who may not know.

The 1989-1990 Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle tour proved to be the last tour for Bill because in 1993 he would quit the band and fellow Stones member Ronnie Wood would become a full blown member of the Stones. After he quit the Stones, he went on to form his own band, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.

Bill Wyman young

Bill Wyman and Mandy Smith

He has had many relationships, almost as many as fellow Stones member Mick Jagger. His first wife was Diane Cory(1959-1969)(divorced), his 2nd wife was Mandy Smith(June 2, 1989-1991)(divorced), his 3rd wife was Suzanne Accosta(April 21 1993-present) 3 children

Trivia
Owns 3 restauarants, one in Cambridge, one in Kensington, and one in Manchester, all named Sticky Fingers, which are all major successes

Former bassist for the Rolling Stones

Was the oldest member of the Rolling Stones, with Charlie being the 2nd oldest, Mick the 3rd oldest, Keith the 2nd youngest, and Ronnie the youngest.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0943827/bio

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Ronnie Wood

Ronald David Wood was born on June 1, 1947 in Hillingdon, Middlesex, England. His nicknames include New Kid, Woody, Ronnie. He is 5'9'' http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0939976/bio

The Faces

Ronnie Wood 1970s

On stage during the Stones 1981 tour

He has been married twice. His 1st wife was Krissy Findlay(1971-1978) (divorced) 1 child. His 2nd wife was Jo Wood(Jan. 2, 1985- Jan. 25, 2011) (divorced) 3 children

Ronnie and Jo

Ronnie and Krissy

He is a guitarist with The Faces and the Rolling Stones
In March 2004, doctors found traces of emphysema in his lungs and ordered him to quit his 30 a day smoking habit. Ronnie also already gave up alcohol because during the band's 2003 Forty Licks tour, he was downing a bottle and a half of vodka each day

Grandfather of Arthur, Leo, and Lola (children from his son Jesse) Maggie Dylan (Leah and Jack MacDonald's child)

Father of Jesse(from marriage to Krissy Findlay), Leah and Tyrone and Jamie

Added guitar, saxophone, back up vocals, keyboards, bass on Ringo Starr's Stop and Smell the Roses

As a guest on BBC's Top Gear in 2007, he completed the Celebrity Speed Lap in 1:49.4
Accomplished and respected painter whose art has been displayed in many galleries. He's a VERY good artist, if I had the money, I'd buy a picture from him.

Hand drawn self portrait

Picture of the band in the recording studio

Mick on the harmonica

Ronnie hard at work, concentrating on art

Ronnie Wood and former Faces member Rod Stewart

Ronnie in his studio

The band bidding farewell

Standing beside a finished artwork

Charlie Watts

Charles Robert Watts was born on June 2, 1941, in Bloomsbury, London, England. His nickname is The Wembley Whammer, he is 5'8''

He has been married to the same woman for over 40 years, her name is Shirley Shepard-Watts, and he married her on Oct. 14, 1964, and they currently have 1 child, a daughter named Seraphina

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0915115/bio

He is the drummer for The Rolling Stones
He is considered to be the most quiet, most reticent, and least wild member of the Rolling Stones
Has many jazz projects outside of the Rolling Stones
Diagnosed with throat cancer in June 2004, even though 15 years earlier he had quit smoking. After undergoing aggressive chemo treatments, in Oct. 2004 it was announced his cancer had gone into remission
Lives in Dolton, Devon, United Kingdom
Has a granddaughter named Charlotte, daughter of Seraphina

Keith Richards

Keith Richards was born on Dec. 18, 1943 in Dartford, Kent, England. His nicknames are Keef, the Human Riff, he is 5'8 1/2'' tall and was voted 10th Greatest Guitarist of All Time by Rolling Stone Magazine

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0724189/bio

Keith in 1965

Keith in the 1970s

Has been married only once and is still married to the same woman. He is currently married to Patti Hansen, he married her on Dec. 18, 1983-present, with 2 children, 2 daughters named Alexandra and Theodora

Alexandra

Theodora

His trademarks are his guitar riffs, his Fender Telecaster guitar and Gibson Les Paul guitar, is frequently seen playing a Gibson ES-335 on stage, jet black hair(not anymore), colorful clothing, bandana

He has about 3 children with former partner Anita Pallenberg- son Marlon, daughter Angela, son Tara(deceased)

Friend Johnny Depp says that the character of Capt. Jack Sparrow is heavily influenced by Keith. From aspects of his appearance to his voice, his mannerisms and personality. Keith would later go on to appear in the 3rd Pirates movie, At World's End, playing Jack's father, Capt. Teague

Was awake for 9 days straight in the 1970s. Fell asleep standing up and when he woke up, he fell face first into an amplifier and broke his nose

Wears a skull ring on the 3rd finger of his right hand since the 1970s to remind us all that we're all the same on the inside

Good friends with Johnny Depp

Former neighbor, classmate and current friend of fellow Stones member Mick Jagger

Avid reader, with interest in history
Lives in Sussex, but owns a house in Weston, Conneticut
Has a granddaughter named Ella Rose Richards (daughter of son Marlon)