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| Gil Scott Heron Dies |
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Gil Scott Heron Dies
Friday, July 29, 2011
Monaco
Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel secured his fifth pole of the season after posting the fastest time in Saturday's crash-marred qualifying session at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Vettel's lap of 1 minute, 13.556 seconds gave Red Bull its sixth straight pole, ahead of McLaren's Jenson Button and Vettel's teammate Mark Webber.
"If you'd asked me before qualifying if I would have taken third, I probably would have," Webber said.
Webber took the pole at last week's Spanish Grand Prix and Vettel took the previous four poles. The German is bidding to win in Monaco for the first time and increase his 41-point lead in the standings over McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.
It was a disappointing session for Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who was quickest in the final practice on Saturday morning, but dropped to fourth in qualifying.
Mexico's Sergio Perez was taken to the hospital after crashing near the end of qualifying. He became the third driver to crash Saturday, racing out of the tunnel and skidding across the track.
"It's difficult to keep the focus and it's difficult to keep the concentration when you don't know what's going on," Vettel said. "We all wish him the best."
Perez's crash severely hampered Hamilton, as he had yet to set a lapped time and the heat went out of his tires as he waited nearly 40 minutes for qualifying to resume. The 2008 F1 champion will start Sunday's race in the seventh spot, a disappointment for the English driver, who was fastest in both the first two qualifying sessions.
With Perez racing in the third session for the first time this season, the Mexican lost control of his car as he was about to come out of the tunnel. The front slid over to the right and slammed into the tunnel barrier, spinning the car round and sending it into a tire wall on the circuit.
A medical crew rushed to the car, and a giant blanket was immediately draped over it. After a few minutes the battered car was lifted off the track after Perez had been taken away for treatment. His injuries were not immediately known.
Sauber team official Hanspeter Brack told reporters: "Sergio was conscious and he has been talking. He is now being brought to the hospital and we will have to wait for further information."
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg and Hispania's Vitantonio Liuzzi were both unharmed after crashing in practice earlier Saturday.
Vettel's lap of 1 minute, 13.556 seconds gave Red Bull its sixth straight pole, ahead of McLaren's Jenson Button and Vettel's teammate Mark Webber.
"If you'd asked me before qualifying if I would have taken third, I probably would have," Webber said.
Webber took the pole at last week's Spanish Grand Prix and Vettel took the previous four poles. The German is bidding to win in Monaco for the first time and increase his 41-point lead in the standings over McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.
It was a disappointing session for Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who was quickest in the final practice on Saturday morning, but dropped to fourth in qualifying.
Mexico's Sergio Perez was taken to the hospital after crashing near the end of qualifying. He became the third driver to crash Saturday, racing out of the tunnel and skidding across the track.
"It's difficult to keep the focus and it's difficult to keep the concentration when you don't know what's going on," Vettel said. "We all wish him the best."
With Perez racing in the third session for the first time this season, the Mexican lost control of his car as he was about to come out of the tunnel. The front slid over to the right and slammed into the tunnel barrier, spinning the car round and sending it into a tire wall on the circuit.
A medical crew rushed to the car, and a giant blanket was immediately draped over it. After a few minutes the battered car was lifted off the track after Perez had been taken away for treatment. His injuries were not immediately known.
Sauber team official Hanspeter Brack told reporters: "Sergio was conscious and he has been talking. He is now being brought to the hospital and we will have to wait for further information."
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg and Hispania's Vitantonio Liuzzi were both unharmed after crashing in practice earlier Saturday.
Blackbeard
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| Blackbeard |
Archaeologists on Friday recovered one of three giant anchors believed to be used by the 18th-century high seas bandit on his ship, Queen Anne's Revenge.
The 11-foot, 4-inch long anchor was pulled from the Atlantic Ocean off the coast ofNorth Carolina.
Scientists hoped to raise the ship's other two anchors, but they are stuck to the sunken ship.
"This is a very important piece that is on top of the wreck," Mark Wilde-Ramsing, the project manager for the recovery, told theWilmington Star-News. "When we remove this it will allow us to see more of what's below it."
The Queen Anne's Revenge was first discovered underwater in 1996. Historians believe the ship was originally a French slave vessel before Blackbeard captured it.
Five months after the ship sank, Blackbeard's pirating days were ended when he was killed in 1718 by the Royal Navy in Ocracoke Inlet.
Blackbeard's killers adorned the bow of their ship with his severed head, according to awebsite devoted to the archaeological project.
The recovery of the anchor comes a week after the third installation of the wildly popular"Pirates of the Caribbean"movies hit theaters. Blackbeard and his famous ship are both featured in the film.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Monte Carlo
Monaco, this is what Formula One is all about to many around the world. The glitz, the glamour and the very tight street racing — where every driver is inches away from making a very big mistake. It’s also a unique weekend as the teams have practice on Thursday, take Friday off and then resume the racing on Saturday and Sunday. Here’s the latest from the drivers, media and team members gathered in the tiniest of principalities.
· On my flight down from London I was lucky enough to be on the same plane as Lewis Hamilton’s girlfriend Nicole Sherzinger. As I watched the porter grab bag after bag after bag from the luggage carousel and place it onto her cart I could not help but reminisce back to the S. African Grand Prix many years ago when Michael Andretti’s wife at the time had a similar large haul of luggage at the airport. What struck me in both instances is how much can a guy focus on racing when in his room is filled with ten pieces of luggage holding such an extensive wardrobe!
· Upon arrival at my hotel it was great to see Frank Williams milling about in the fresh air of Fontvielle, the village next to Monaco . Later I had a quick discussion with Frank and talked about all the changes going on at Williams. While he admitted it was “…a rather unique transitional time at Williams” he nonetheless felt the team would pull through this “challenging period”. I asked him how long it might take to get things back on track and that’s when he merely rolled his eyes. Short term it seems things will continue to be tough.
· On the track on Thursday Red Bull had tougher than normal sessions finishing 5th (Vettel) and 8th (Webber) in the more important second session. Insiders at the team told me not to worry too much about this showing despite Webber losing the entire morning session with technical issues. Seems these cars are now so sophisticated that even when you have a minor issue as Webber’s was described to me, you have to take much of the car apart just to address something that previously could have been quickly replaced.
· Last night Force India owner Vijay Mallya had 950 people on his super yacht for his traditional Monaco party. In the old days the F1 mechanics and media used to gather on Thursday night for a social drink at the famous Tip Top bar just off Casino Square . They knew they could stay in bed just a bit longer on the Friday where they had no running sessions. But this great tradition has been replaced by many in the paddock getting on Vijay’s super yacht and staying to all hours in the morning. This year had a bit of a different twist at Mallya asked everyone to come dressed in a Bollywood Theme. While that thrilled many of the series photographers, many of the mechanics decided to merely paint a thin black moustache on their face to enable them to be part of the unique atmosphere. Seems like another great tradition has gone by the wayside in F1.
· While walking in to the paddock with a bunch of UK journalists they all stooped in unison to stare at a billboard. The image was Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in a team polo shirt and cap so nothing out of the ordinary there. But emblazoned across the billboard was “Be Marlboro”. As one media member said to our group, “I can’t believe I am seeing a cigarette ad with an F1 driver.” Many grabbed their phones and took photos of the billboard. It wasn’t really a cigarette ad but it was unique and something that is allowed in this unique country.
· Flavio Briatore was holding court in the paddock with a 20-strong media contingent talking about his drivers and his rumoured return to Formula One. It was interesting that he chose Bernie Ecclestone’s private hospitality area to hold his impromptu session. While I didn’t fight my way through the media scrum to talk with Flav we did exchange a wave and quick pleasantries. Sadly I didn’t think he looked well at all and in fact I would suspect he is on a heavy dose of steroids based upon the roundness of his face. Maybe getting back into F1 is the remedy he needs to battle his current ailments.
· While speaking with Peter Sauber he told me he is excited by his driver’s chances here in Monaco . He especially thinks Kobayashi can do well given “he’s a proven passer, will thrive in the DRS zone that leads up to Casino square and will use his KERS through the tunnel to overtake.” While all of that may sound optimistic I have learnt over the years that Peter Sauber is never one to exaggerate so it could indeed be a decent weekend for the young Japanese driver.
· Allsport Management is the commercial arm of Formula One, holding the rights to hospitality and trackside signage at most of the Formula One circuits. Since its inception it has been headed up by Patrick McNally. Paddy as he has been affectionately called for years has been instrumental at setting very high standards for client entertainment within F1. Now he’s retiring and today many within the paddock (myself included) will partake in a surprise farewell party as this will be Paddy’s last Monaco Grand Prix. Paddy will be missed in the paddock and within the sport, let’s hope the high standards he set remain for years to come.
· As you can tell a lot of what happens in Monaco prior to Saturday and Sunday is not about the racing on the track. While there are more parties and celebrities here there is also more business done in Monaco this weekend than at any other major international convention or show. While all the captains of industry descend on the principality they will be interested in seeing just how Lewis Hamilton responds to the “spanking” as one ex-Formula One driver described it to me that he received from Sebastian Vettel last weekend in Spain . Insiders at McLaren tell me Lewis was “devastated” by the defeat and looking at his face on the podium and at the post race press conference you can tell why. What concerned this team insider is he felt this is where Lewis needed a “proper manager” to rebuild his confidence that had been decimated by not being able to overtake Vettel despite having tyres in better condition and a working KERS system. Lewis has had “mental mentoring” before from the likes of Olympian Michael Johnson so maybe his own brain is his Achilles heel?
Now let the racing begin so we can all enjoy the real show.
· On my flight down from London I was lucky enough to be on the same plane as Lewis Hamilton’s girlfriend Nicole Sherzinger. As I watched the porter grab bag after bag after bag from the luggage carousel and place it onto her cart I could not help but reminisce back to the S. African Grand Prix many years ago when Michael Andretti’s wife at the time had a similar large haul of luggage at the airport. What struck me in both instances is how much can a guy focus on racing when in his room is filled with ten pieces of luggage holding such an extensive wardrobe!
· Upon arrival at my hotel it was great to see Frank Williams milling about in the fresh air of Fontvielle, the village next to Monaco . Later I had a quick discussion with Frank and talked about all the changes going on at Williams. While he admitted it was “…a rather unique transitional time at Williams” he nonetheless felt the team would pull through this “challenging period”. I asked him how long it might take to get things back on track and that’s when he merely rolled his eyes. Short term it seems things will continue to be tough.
· Last night Force India owner Vijay Mallya had 950 people on his super yacht for his traditional Monaco party. In the old days the F1 mechanics and media used to gather on Thursday night for a social drink at the famous Tip Top bar just off Casino Square . They knew they could stay in bed just a bit longer on the Friday where they had no running sessions. But this great tradition has been replaced by many in the paddock getting on Vijay’s super yacht and staying to all hours in the morning. This year had a bit of a different twist at Mallya asked everyone to come dressed in a Bollywood Theme. While that thrilled many of the series photographers, many of the mechanics decided to merely paint a thin black moustache on their face to enable them to be part of the unique atmosphere. Seems like another great tradition has gone by the wayside in F1.
· While walking in to the paddock with a bunch of UK journalists they all stooped in unison to stare at a billboard. The image was Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in a team polo shirt and cap so nothing out of the ordinary there. But emblazoned across the billboard was “Be Marlboro”. As one media member said to our group, “I can’t believe I am seeing a cigarette ad with an F1 driver.” Many grabbed their phones and took photos of the billboard. It wasn’t really a cigarette ad but it was unique and something that is allowed in this unique country.
· Flavio Briatore was holding court in the paddock with a 20-strong media contingent talking about his drivers and his rumoured return to Formula One. It was interesting that he chose Bernie Ecclestone’s private hospitality area to hold his impromptu session. While I didn’t fight my way through the media scrum to talk with Flav we did exchange a wave and quick pleasantries. Sadly I didn’t think he looked well at all and in fact I would suspect he is on a heavy dose of steroids based upon the roundness of his face. Maybe getting back into F1 is the remedy he needs to battle his current ailments.
· While speaking with Peter Sauber he told me he is excited by his driver’s chances here in Monaco . He especially thinks Kobayashi can do well given “he’s a proven passer, will thrive in the DRS zone that leads up to Casino square and will use his KERS through the tunnel to overtake.” While all of that may sound optimistic I have learnt over the years that Peter Sauber is never one to exaggerate so it could indeed be a decent weekend for the young Japanese driver.
· Allsport Management is the commercial arm of Formula One, holding the rights to hospitality and trackside signage at most of the Formula One circuits. Since its inception it has been headed up by Patrick McNally. Paddy as he has been affectionately called for years has been instrumental at setting very high standards for client entertainment within F1. Now he’s retiring and today many within the paddock (myself included) will partake in a surprise farewell party as this will be Paddy’s last Monaco Grand Prix. Paddy will be missed in the paddock and within the sport, let’s hope the high standards he set remain for years to come.
· As you can tell a lot of what happens in Monaco prior to Saturday and Sunday is not about the racing on the track. While there are more parties and celebrities here there is also more business done in Monaco this weekend than at any other major international convention or show. While all the captains of industry descend on the principality they will be interested in seeing just how Lewis Hamilton responds to the “spanking” as one ex-Formula One driver described it to me that he received from Sebastian Vettel last weekend in Spain . Insiders at McLaren tell me Lewis was “devastated” by the defeat and looking at his face on the podium and at the post race press conference you can tell why. What concerned this team insider is he felt this is where Lewis needed a “proper manager” to rebuild his confidence that had been decimated by not being able to overtake Vettel despite having tyres in better condition and a working KERS system. Lewis has had “mental mentoring” before from the likes of Olympian Michael Johnson so maybe his own brain is his Achilles heel?
Now let the racing begin so we can all enjoy the real show.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Blue Angels
The commanding officer of the U.S. Blue Angels flight demonstration team has resigned, saying he led a maneuver that flew too close to the ground.
Cmdr. Dave Koss, of Orange Park, Fla., stepped down Friday after a Sunday performance in which he led four of the team's six jets in a "lower-than-normal" maneuver at an air show in Lynchburg, Va., the Marine Corps Times reported.
"With deep personal regret I shared with my command today that I will be voluntarily leaving the greatest flight demonstration team," Koss said in a statement. "I performed a maneuver that had an unacceptably low minimum altitude. This maneuver, combined with other instances of not meeting the airborne standard that makes the Blue Angels the exceptional organization that it is, led to my decision to step down."
The Navy didn't say how low the F/A-18 jets were flying, but they are not supposed to fly lower than 500 feet.
"Let's think about how the Blues fly," Naval Air Forces spokeswoman Cmdr. Pauline Storum said. "The rest of that formation is lined up on the leader. So he has to be perfect, every time. They are spotting based on his position."
Koss wasn't available for comment, Storum said, and the newspaper said he couldn't be independently reached.
"What's really striking about this is that they regroup, they go back to Pensacola, and the commander has the courage and integrity to tell his boss, 'You know what? I need to step aside,'" Storum said.
Cmdr. Dave Koss, of Orange Park, Fla., stepped down Friday after a Sunday performance in which he led four of the team's six jets in a "lower-than-normal" maneuver at an air show in Lynchburg, Va., the Marine Corps Times reported.
"With deep personal regret I shared with my command today that I will be voluntarily leaving the greatest flight demonstration team," Koss said in a statement. "I performed a maneuver that had an unacceptably low minimum altitude. This maneuver, combined with other instances of not meeting the airborne standard that makes the Blue Angels the exceptional organization that it is, led to my decision to step down."
The Navy didn't say how low the F/A-18 jets were flying, but they are not supposed to fly lower than 500 feet.
"Let's think about how the Blues fly," Naval Air Forces spokeswoman Cmdr. Pauline Storum said. "The rest of that formation is lined up on the leader. So he has to be perfect, every time. They are spotting based on his position."
"What's really striking about this is that they regroup, they go back to Pensacola, and the commander has the courage and integrity to tell his boss, 'You know what? I need to step aside,'" Storum said.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Will Smith
Thank the show-biz gods for Jerry Seinfeld. Amid the "Super Size This" atmosphere of "Oprah's Surprise Spectacular," his comic tribute to Winfrey explained why her interplay with performers has often rubbed me the wrong way.
During a hilarious riff on her daily shows as training sessions for husbands like me, who can always use more training, he said that male guests on 'Oprah' actually learned to answer questions and listen.
Seinfeld made a brilliant joke out of Oprah's insistent kind of sincerity -- her view that her sofa was a hot seat for "the truth." Her demand for tell-all honesty made a lot of actors lose their playfulness and wit and edge -- or just go overboard. Is it any wonder that Tom Cruise jumped the couch on "Oprah?" These days it's a relief to see him revert to being a toothy variation on an old-time action hero.
For deadly Oprahfied sincerity, no one can top Tom Hanks. In the pre-Oprah Eighties he burst on the scene as a frolicking comic in TV's "Bosom Buddies" and a feather-light romantic lead in "Splash." In the post-Oprah Nineties and 00s he became increasingly earnest and often dull on-screen, and increasingly sappy off-screen. As one of Oprah's farewell hosts, you could believe in his pride and happiness and sadness and still regret that he wore his heart on his sleeve, his cuff, and his collar. His real emoting looked like mugging.
Not everyone succumbed to Oprah-itis during her final shows.
During a hilarious riff on her daily shows as training sessions for husbands like me, who can always use more training, he said that male guests on 'Oprah' actually learned to answer questions and listen.
Seinfeld made a brilliant joke out of Oprah's insistent kind of sincerity -- her view that her sofa was a hot seat for "the truth." Her demand for tell-all honesty made a lot of actors lose their playfulness and wit and edge -- or just go overboard. Is it any wonder that Tom Cruise jumped the couch on "Oprah?" These days it's a relief to see him revert to being a toothy variation on an old-time action hero.
Not everyone succumbed to Oprah-itis during her final shows.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
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