Friday 27 March 2009

Famous Birthdays on 28th of March

1468 - Charles I, Duke of Savoy
1472 - Fra Bartolomeo, monk, Florentine Renaissance painter
1472 - Fra Bartolommeo, Italian artist (d. 1517)
1483 - Raphael, Urbino Italy, painter (School of Athens)
1515 - Theresa of Avila/Teresa de Jesus, Spanish mystic writer/saint
1522 - Albert the Warlike, Prince of Bayreuth (d. 1557)
1569 - Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma (d. 1622)
1592 - Jan Amos Komensky, [Comenius] Moravian educational reB03281603 StephanOtto,composer
1599 - Witte Corneliszoon de With, Dutch naval officer (d. 1658)
1613 - Xiaozhuangwen Grand Empress Dowager, Empress of Manchu (d. 1688)
1615 - Pieter de Groot, Dutch regent/diplomat
1621 - Heinrich Schwemmer, composer
1643 - Jose Solana, composer
1652 - Samuel Sewall, American magistrate (d. 1730)
1660 - Arnold Houbraken, Dutch schilder/writer
1660 - Georg Ludwig, German monarch of Hannover/King George I of Gt Britain
1725 - Andrew Kippis, English clergyman and biographer (d. 1795)
1727 - Maximilian III Jozef, Elector of Bayern (1745-77)
1729 - Pieter Fouquet, Dutch art seller (Atlas of Fouquet)
1737 - Francesco Zannetti, composer
1741 - Johann Andre, composer
1750 - Francisco A G de Miranda, Venezuelan freedom fighter
1760 - Thomas Clarkson, English abolitionist (Negro Emancipation)
1766 - Joseph Weigl, Austria composer/conductor (Emmeline)
1770 - Sophie Mereau, writer
1773 - Henri Gratien, Comte Bertrand, French general (d. 1844)
1779 - Angelo Maria Benincori, composer
1793 - Henry Schoolcraft, American geographer and geologist (d. 1864)
1795 - Georg Heinrich Pertz, German historian (d. 1876)
1799 - Karl Adolph von Basedow, German artist (Ziekte van Basedow)
1806 - Ludolf AJW Sloet van de Beele, gov-gen of Neth Indies (1861-66)
1806 - Thomas Hare, English barrister (d. 1891)
1815 - Arsène Houssaye, French novelist (d. 1896)
1817 - Mariano Soriano Fuertes y Piqueras, composer
1818 - Wade Hampton, SC, Lt Gen (Confederate Army), died in 1902
1819 - Sir Joseph Bazalgette, English civil engineer (d. 1891)
1836 - Frederick Pabst, American brewer (d. 1904)
1840 - Mehemed Emin Pasja, German explorer/governor (Equatoria)
1842 - William Harvey Carney, American Civil War officier (d. 1908)
1849 - James Darmesteter, French author and antiquarian (d. 1894)
1851 - Bernardino Machado, Portuguese politician (d. 1944)
1853 - Rudolf Kittel, German theologist (Psalms)
1862 - Aristide Briand, France, 11x premier (1909-22) (Nobel 1926)
1866 - Jimmy Ross, Scottish footballer (d. 1902)
1868 - Cuno Amiet, Swiss painter
1868 - Maxim Gorki, [Aleksei Peshikov], Russia, writer (Mother) [3/16 OS]
1868 - Wojciech Gawronski, composer
1868 - Maxim Gorky, Russian author (d. 1936)
1871 - Willem Mengelberg, Utrecht Neth, conductor (NY Philharmonic 1922-30)
1872 - Jose Sanjurjo y Sacanell, Spanish general (Morocco)
1883 - William H Harris, composer
1885 - Marc-Jean-Baptiste Delmas, composer
1886 - Jaroslav Novotny, composer
1887 - Rudolf F W Boskaljon, Curacao, musician/composer
1890 - Paul Whiteman, Denver Co, orch leader (Paul Whiteman's TV Teen Club)
1891 - Karel MJF Cruysberghs, Flemish author
1891 - Peter Suhrkamp, German publisher (Suhrkamp Verlag)
1892 - Corneille Heymans, Belgian physiologist, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1968)
1892 - Tom Maguire, Irish republican (d. 1993)
1893 - Spyros Skouras, Greek-born American movie executive (d. 1971)
1895 - Spencer W Kimball, 12th prophet of Mormon church
1895 - Christian Herter, 59th Governor of Massachusetts (d. 1966)
1897 - Sepp Herberger, German football coach (d. 1977)
1899 - Harold B. Lee, American religious leader (d. 1973)
1899 - August Anheuser Busch, Jr., brewing magnate and American baseball executive (d. 1989)
1899 - Buck Shaw, American football coach (d. 1977)
1900 - Achille Longo, composer
1900 - Robert Harris, actor (Big Caper, Laughing Anne)
1902 - Flora Robson, South Shields England, actress (Dominique is Dead)
1902 - Paul Godwin, [Goldfein], Polish/Dutch violinist
1902 - Jaromír Vejvoda, Czech composer (d. 1988)
1903 - Rudolf Serkin, Eger Bohemia, pianist (Marlboro Sch of Music)
1903 - Charles Starrett, American actor (d. 1986)
1904 - Fosco Giachetti, Livorno Italy, actor (Wastrel, We the Living)
1905 - Marlin Perkins, Carthage Mo, TV host (Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom)
1905 - Pandro S Berman, film producer
1906 - Joseph Wright, Canada, oarsman (Olympic-gold-1928)
1906 - Robert (Bob) Allen, actor (Texas Rangers)
1907 - Herbert "Herb" Hall, clarinetist/saxophonist
1907 - "Swifty" Lazar, American talent agent (d. 1993)
1909 - Nelson Algren, US, novelist (Man with the Golden Arm)
1910 - Ingrid, Queen Mother of Denmark
1910 - Frederick Baldwin Adams, Jr., American Librarian (d. 2001)
1910 - Jimmie Dodd, American actor (d. 1964)
1911 - Myfanwy Piper, librettist
1911 - J. L. Austin, British philosopher of language (d. 1960)
1912 - A[rthur] Bertram Chandler, UK, sci-fi author (Empress of Outer Space)
1912 - Marina Raskova, Russian navigator (d. 1943)
1914 - Bohumil Hrabal, writer
1914 - Edmund Sixtus Muskie, (Sen-D-Me)/US Sec of State (1980)
1914 - Frank Lovejoy, Bronx NY, actor (Man Against Crime, Meet McGraw)
1914 - Edward Anhalt, American screenwriter (d. 2000)
1914 - Kenneth Richard Norris, Australian entomologist (d. 2003)
1915 - Jay Livingston, composer (Buttons & Bows, Mona Lisa, Tammy)
1915 - Raymond Emery, cricketer (NZ Test batsman vs West Indies 1952)
1918 - Youly Algaroff, ballet dancer
1919 - Jacob Avshalomov, Tsingtao China, composer (Sinfonietta, The Oregon)
1919 - Tom Brooks, cricketer (NSW fast bowler of the 30's, later Test umpire)
1919 - Vic Raschi, American baseball player (d. 1988)
1920 - Dirk Bogarde, London England, actor (Death in Venice, Servant)
1920 - Gene Chappie, (Rep-R-CA, 1981-86)
1920 - Lord Butterfield
1922 - Neville Bonner, Australian politician (d. 1999)
1922 - Felice Chiusano, Italian singer (d. 1990)
1922 - Joey Maxim, American boxer (d. 2001)
1924 - Freddie Bartholomew, England, actor (Anna Karenina, David Copperfield)
1924 - Gerhart Fritsch, writer
1924 - Peter Baer, artost/printmaker
1925 - Innokenti Smoktunovsky, actor (Bely Prazdnik, Zakoldovannye)
1926 - Francis Burt, composer
1926 - Polly Umrigar, cricketer (Indian batsman & captain)
1926 - Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba
1927 - Marianne Fredriksson, Swedish author (d. 2007)
1928 - Jose Luis de Delas, composer
1928 - Zbigniew Brzezinski, Warsaw, national security advisor (Carter)
1928 - Alexander Grothendieck, German mathematician
1929 - Aubrey J Watson Sr, bishop
1929 - Paul England, Australian racing driver
1930 - Amelia Rosselli, poet
1930 - George Bruce, painter
1930 - Robert Ashley, composer
1930 - Elizabeth Bainbridge, English opera singer
1932 - Sven Oskar Lindqvist, Swedish writer (Myten om Wu Tao-tzu)
1933 - Tete Montoliu, Catalonian jazz pianist (d. 1997)
1934 - Siegfried Thiele, composer
1935 - Michael Parkinson, English broadcaster
1936 - Mario Vargas Llosa, Peru, writer (Aunt Julia)/pres candidate
1940 - J Michael Plumb, Islip NY, equestrian (Oly-2 gold/4 silver-1976,84)
1940 - Kevin Loughery, NBA star/coach (Balt, Phila)
1940 - Tony Barber, Australian television personality
1941 - Alf Clausen, Minneapolis Mn, orch leader (Mary, Simpsons)
1941 - Charlie McCoy, Oak Hill WV, harmonica player (Hee Haw)
1941 - Jim Turner, American football player
1942 - Brian Jones, [Lewis B Hopkin], English pop guitarist (Rolling Stones)
1942 - Neil Kinnock, Wales, leader (Labour Party)
1942 - Neil Kinnock, leader of the British opposition (Labour)
1942 - Samuel Ramey, Colby Kansas, bass (La Scala)
1942 - Daniel Dennett, American philosopher
1942 - Conrad Schumann, East German border guard (d. 1998)
1943 - Conchata Ferrell, Charleston WV, actress (Deadly Hero, Susan-LA Law)
1943 - Mike Newell, director (Bad Blood, Awakening, Amazing Grace & Chuck)
1943 - Richard Eyre, British director (National Theatre)
1944 - Ken Howard, El Centro Calif, actor (Ken-White Shadow, Dynasty, 1776)
1944 - Rick Barry, ABA/NBA forward (NY Nets, Golden State Warriors)
1944 - Ken Howard, American actor
1945 - Chuck Portz, Santa Monica Ca, bassist (Turtles-Happy Together)
1945 - Hans Brunhart, leader of Liechtenstein (1978-93)
1945 - Count Björn Hamilton, Swedish politician
1946 - Richard Sussman, rocker
1946 - Alejandro Toledo, President of Peru
1946 - Wubbo Ockels, Dutch physicist and astronaut
1947 - Bruce Gilbert, producer (China Syndrome, 9 to 5, On Golden Pond)
1947 - John Landecker, American disk jockey
1948 - Dianne Wiest, KC MO, actress (Hannah & Her Sisters, Footloose)
1948 - John Evans, (Aka Evan) rock drummer (Jethro Tull)
1948 - Wubbo J Ockels, Almelo Netherlands, astronaut (STS 22)
1948 - Gerry House, American radio personality
1948 - Matthew Corbett, English retired actor
1949 - Milan Williams, US keyboardist (Commodores-Three Times a Lady)
1949 - Ronnie Ray Smith, 4 X 100m relay runner (Olympic-gold-1968)
1949 - Shafiq Ahmed, cricketer (Pakistani batsman during the 70's)
1951 - Karen Kain, Canadian ballerina
1951 - Matti Pellonpää, Finnish actor and musician (d. 1995)
1952 - Tony Brise, racing driver (d. 1975)
1953 - Nydia M Velazquez, (Rep-D-New York, 1993- )
1953 - Melchior Ndadaye, Burundian politician (d. 1993)
1954 - Morris Mason, American convicted rapist and murderer (d. 1985)
1955 - Reba McEntire, McAlester Ok, country singer (Can't Even Get the Blues)
1955 - John Alderdice, Northern Irish politician
1956 - Asoka De Silva, cricket leg-spinner (Sri Lanka in 10 Tests 1985-91)
1956 - Evelin Jahl, German DR, discus thrower (Olympic-2 gold-1976)
1956 - T A Sekar, Indian cricket pace-bowler (2 Tests 1982-83 little impact)
1956 - April Margera, Bam Margera's mother
1957 - Harvey Glance, Pheonix City Ala, 4x100m runner (Olympic-gold-1976)
1958 - Bart Wayne Conner, Morton Grove Ill, gymnist (Olympic-2 gold-1984)
1958 - Curt Hennig, American professional wrestler (d. 2003)
1959 - Petra Delhees, Jauch Switzertand, tennis star
1959 - Todd Curtis, actor (Capitol, Skip-Young & Restless)
1960 - Chris Barrie, British actor
1960 - José Maria Neves, Cape Verdeian politician
1960 - Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt, French author and dramatist
1961 - Byron Scott, NBA guard (Vancouver Grizzlies)
1962 - Ged Grimes, [Danny Wilson], rocker (Mary's Prayer)
1962 - Jure Franko, Slovenian skier
1962 - Terry Szopinski, American pro-wrestler
1963 - ME!!
1963 - Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr
1963 - Therese Washtock, Vancouver BC, 3 day equestrian (Olympics-96)
1965 - Jeff Beukeboom, Ajax, NHL defenseman (NY Rangers)
1965 - Steve Bull, English footballer
1966 - Jason Garrett, NFL quarterback (Dallas Cowboys)
1966 - Nathalie Herreman, France, tennis star
1966 - Serge Djelloul, hockey defenseman (Team France 1998)
1967 - David Lang, NFL running back (Dallas Cowboys)
1967 - Ed[ward] Grose, Juneau Alaska, rower (Olympics-1996)
1967 - Shawn Boskie, Hawthorne Nevada, pitcher (California Angels)
1968 - Chad Biafore, hockey defenseman (Team Italy 1998)
1968 - Dennis Postlewait, Jacksonville NC, Nike golfer (1994 Wichita Open)
1968 - Max Perlich, actor (JH Brodie-Homicide)
1968 - Nasser Hussain, cricketer (Essex & England batsman)
1968 - Teee Williams, LA Calif, volleyball outside hitter (Oly-bronze-92, 96)
1968 - Iris Chang, American author (d. 2004)
1968 - Jon Lee, British drummer (d. 2002)
1968 - Tim Lovejoy, British television presenter
1969 - Craig Paquette, Long Beach CA, infielder (KC Royals)
1969 - Earnest Stewart, soccer player (Willem II)
1969 - Elliot Perry, NBA guard (Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks)
1969 - Salt, rocker (Salt 'n' Pepa-Shake Ya Thang)
1969 - Scottie Graham, NFL running back (Minn Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals)
1969 - Brett Ratner, American film director
1969 - Rodney Atkins, American country music singer-songwriter
1970 - James Johnson, NFL/WLAF running back (Tampa Bucs, Frankfurt Galaxy)
1970 - Jason B Gailes, Taunton Mass, rower (Olympics-silver-1996)
1970 - Shawn Price, NFL defensive end (GB Packers, Car Panthers, Buf Bills)
1970 - Vince Vaughn, American actor
1970 - Michelle Gildernew, Irish republican politician
1971 - Damien Marsh, Georgia, Australian 100m/200m swimmer (Olympics-96)
1971 - Wesley Person, NBA guard (Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers)
1972 - Derek West, offensive tackle (Indianapolis Colts)
1972 - Jonathan Edwards, Boston Mass, doubles luger (Olympics-1994)
1972 - Keith Tkachuk, Melrose MA, NHL left wing (Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix, USA)
1972 - Michael Smith, NBA forward (Sacramento Kings)
1972 - Mike Morton, linebacker (Oakland Raiders)
1972 - Shannon Mitchell, NFL tight end (SD Chargers)
1972 - Nick Frost, English comedian and actor
1973 - Andrew Whittall, cricketer (cousin of Guy Zimbabwe off-spinner 1996)
1973 - Eddie Fatu, Samoan professional wrestler
1974 - K C Jones, NFL center (Denver Broncos-Superbowl 32)
1974 - Mark King, English snooker player
1974 - Scott Mills, British radio disc jockey
1975 - Atta-ur-Rehman, cricketer (Pakistani quickie, debut v Engl1992 age 17)
1975 - Shanna Moakler, former beauty queen
1975 - Iván Helguera, Spanish footballer
1975 - Richard Kelly, American film director
1975 - Derek Hill, American racing driver
1976 - David Keuning, American guitar player (The Killers)
1977 - Angelo Garcia, Brooklyn NY, singer (Menudo-Cannonball)
1977 - Lauren Weisberger, American novelist
1978 - Nafisa Joseph, Miss India Universe (1997)
1979 - Juli Keech, Miss South Dakota Teen USA (1997)
1979 - Park Chae-rim, South Korean actress
1980 - Cara Lewis, Miss Mississippi Teen USA (1997)
1980 - Stiliani Pilatou, Greek long jumper
1980 - Luke Walton, American basketball player
1981 - Julia Stiles, American actress
1981 - Gareth David-Lloyd, Welsh Actor
1981 - Edwar Ramirez, American baseball player
1981 - Lindsay Frimodt, American model
1982 - Sonia Agarwal, Indian actress
1983 - Ryan Ashington, English footballer
1984 - Christopher Samba, French-born footballer
1984 - Yordanos Abay, Ethiopian footballer
1984 - Nikki Sanderson, British actress and model
1986 - J-Kwon, American rapper
1986 - Barbora Strýcová, Czech tennis player
1988 - Lacey Turner, British soap actress
1989 - Marek Suchý, Czech footballer
1989 - Mira Leung, Canadian figure skater
1989 - Afrikan Boy, a Nigerian rapper
1989 - Lukas Jutkiewicz, English footballer
1991 - Amy Bruckner, American actress

Friday 13 March 2009

Defiled!

This week some nasty piece of work snuck into my email account, stole all the names from my contacts list and sent them all an email pretending to be me. It also linked to some shopping site and most people, knowing me, thought it was a joke and opened it!

Now what?

I wish I knew! I hope it doesn't lay dormant in these other computers then all of a sudden steal all the names from their contacts and email them fraudulently.

I wrote to the supplier of my anti virus and they emailed me back full of concern; "We're sorry to hear your PC has been infected with a Virus. Although, ** ***** is a premium service, we cannot guarantee that it will protect you from all viruses on the Internet."

The email was called New Shopping and if you get one don't open it! I know this is a bit late for the people who already did and for that I am very sorry!

On a lighter note:


The "Word" at Church

The pastor asked if anyone in the congregation would like to express praise
for answered prayers. A lady stood and walked to the podium. She said, "I
have Praise. Two months ago, my husband, Tom, had a terrible bicycle wreck
and his scrotum was completely crushed. The pain was excruciating and the
doctors didn't know if they could help him." You could hear a muffled gasp
from the men in the congregation as they imagined the pain that poor Tom
must have experienced. "Tom was unable to hold me or the children," she went on, "and every move caused him terrible pain. We prayed as the doctors
performed a delicate operation, and it turned out they were able to piece
together the Crushed remnants of Tom's scrotum, and wrap wire around it to
hold it in place." Again, the men in the congregation were unnerved and
squirmed uncomfortably as they imagined the horrible surgery performed on
Tom. "Now," she announced in a quavering voice, "thank the Lord, Tom is out
of the hospital and the doctors say that with time, his scrotum should
recover completely." All the men sighed with relief. The pastor rose and
tentatively asked if anyone else had something to say. A man stood up and
walked slowly to the podium. He said, "I'm Tom." The entire congregation
held its breath. "I just want to tell my wife that the word is sternum."

Thursday 5 March 2009

Stuff!

I've just been sorting out the food for dinner, we are having pork chops. I bought some green beans to go with them and was tipping them in the pan when I noticed on the bag it said 'wash before use'. Well I had a bath about an hour before do you think this will suffice?

On another topic completely I went to the barbers today (my barber is great, he doesn't talk to anyone but just grunts!) and noticed a bottle of liquid on the side. This bottle was oddly labeled Barbercide! Is this what he has to drink if he fucks up your haircut?

Sunday 1 March 2009

Caroline Smailes (THE interview)

Caroline Smailes is a busy lady; mother of three, novelist (Black Boxes is now available in paperback), blogger and part of the brains behind BubbleCow. Never-the-less I managed to take time out of my hectic schedule to interview her and ask some of the questions other interviewers have been afraid to ask.

We were going to sit down to tea and cakes but Caroline had eaten them all. I sipped on my tea and asked these pertinent questions:

Caroline, do you think blonde's have more fun?
C: Oh my, young man! Are you suggesting that all people with blonde hair are slappers?

I understand you are against the over use of exclamation marks in writing!! I have trouble with my colon! How do you feel about colon usage?
C: I would have to inspect your colon usage to answer that question fully.

Does it make more sense to leave the heating on all day on a moderate heat or have it on a timer?
C: Would drinking whisky make these questions easier to answer?

I understand you have a vendetta against the Mr Men, which one do you hate the most?
C: Mr Tickle. His arms scare me and his hat is ridiculously small.

Is any particular font important to you or do you just use the nearest church?
C: I use the nearest church.

Why don't you own a tortoise?
C: Because I haven't stolen yours, yet.

I understand you have issues with Simon Cowell. Your name just happens to be an anagram of: E, I sell Simon a car! Did he rip you off, is that why you stalk him?
C: Simon loves me, you're just jealous because he doesn't love you. Although, your anagram skills are strangely enticing...

One year at Christmas I wanted the board game Escape from Colditz Castle , there were two versions of the game and I got the wrong one. This has affected me all my life, has your life ever been adversely affected by a board game?
C: I was once became a little bit obsessed with the top hat in Monopoly.

I don't want to harp on about punctuation but, the full stop. Do you think it's important to drive with the hand-brake on or off?
C: I am seriously starting to dislike you. I may even ban you from reading my blog!

Do you or any of you friends happen to know Louis Walsh?
C: Alas no, but I worry about Louis in the middle of the night. It must be damaging to always play Robin to Simon's Batman.

So, there you have it everything you never wanted to know about Mrs Smailes. By the way her book is on a 3 for 2 in Waterstones!