Sorry for the Missed Motivators...

... I've been in Holiday Shopping mode for the past 30 hours (the 18 before that were field-trip-chaperone mode which SUCKED because we walked about 4 miles that day and I am absolutely NOT meant for long-distance walking.  At all.  My thighs still hurt.  Ow.)

BUT I have all my holiday shopping done, the photos for the annual Christmas Card run off, and I'm nearly done with our yearly update letter.  As a result of ALL that, I didn't get a chance to get the mid-day motivators up yesterday or today.

Maybe these will help make up for it?

~ Hath

Mid-Day Motivators: The Three Musketeers

Love it, Bay :)

~ Hath

Biker's Bash Details

From the SunSentinal website:

Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi and singer/songwriter Richie Supa will host the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County 13th annual "Bikers Bash" at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Dec. 8 through 11. Presented by Bruce Rossmeyer's Harley-Davidson and V-Twin Magazine, the weekend will feature four days of police-escorted rides and entertainment including a performance by Sambora and Supa on Dec. 9.

On December 9, from 6 to 11 p.m. the "Bikers Bash" event will include dinner and entertainment by Richie Sambora and Richie Supa along with a live and silent auction to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. From 6:30 to 7 p.m. a meet and greet with Richie Sambora will take place. At 11 p.m. an afterparty hosted by Pangea will include VIP admission and cocktails.

You can read the whole article here.

Anyone going?

~ Hath

StringsforaCURE

From Philly.com

When Angela Cordisco and Elisa Guida were young girls together, endlessly playing "Yesterday," "Twist and Shout," and other cherished Beatles 45s in the basement of Guida's Drexel Hill home, their lives stretched before them.

Cordisco didn't know she would marry a guitar-playing doctor, raise three music-loving children, and make a home in Moorestown.

Guida, always an artist, might have been surprised to learn that she would settle in Erie, start a jewelry business, and marry happily at 39.

She didn't suspect she would battle breast cancer not once, but twice, and live to rock on.

"In so many ways, music has bonded us for over 50 years," Cordisco said of the women's enduring friendship.

Through that bond, and with a lot in their lives to be thankful for, they've teamed up to make a difference for others.

Guida, 57, is founder of the StringsforaCURE Foundation, and Cordisco, 55, an honorary board member, helps get out the word to further the group's cause - helping cancer patients.

She has received the strings of about 100 musicians in the last three years, Guida said. Since she began making the items and distributing the proceeds last year, the group has given about $8,000 to 85 individuals and has a good deal more to go, she said. The foundation's application for status as a tax-exempt charity is pending.

Her earrings, pendants, rings, and bracelets - which sell for about $25 to $500 - have brought in more than $24,000, Guida said.

"The joy is helping - me being able to give back, because I know how much it means," said Guida, whose cancer has been in remission for six years.

Cordisco said one of her siblings has a connection with homeless advocate Sister Mary Scullion, which helped lead to a string donation from Jon Bon Jovi.

StringsforaCURE isn't the only group that uses guitar strings for fund-raising, and Guida said string jewelry has been around for decades, at least. But friends and music aficionados have helped the foundation connect with artists, their mangers, crew members, representatives, and family members.

You can read the whole article here.

~ Hath

More NYE

Thanks, LK!!

~ Hath

Jon's Bling

Now we know where to shop for Jon for the holidays...

Made entirely in Los Angeles by founder Josh Warner and his staff, the line is something of a distilled look at the past, with the most innovative clasps and mechanisms this side of the industrial revolution.

This brand is authentic Americana to the core. Admired equally for the perfection of the Spanish Cross, the elegant hand-assembled chains and the venerable Model 10 Bracelet, this is communication on a visceral level. Every facet of the line is steeped in Warner’s spare-no-expense attitude of “do it right or not at all”.

You can visit Josh Warner's website at http://www.goodart.com.

~ Hath

Wanted Wednesday: November 29, 1991 (Richie)

Please rise for the playing of our national anthem.

So I didn't have a show from "today", but this time I have one from "yesterday" --And a Richie one at that.

With a nice long acoustic-into-Midnight-Rider intro.

*sigh*

Oh, baby, let's ride!





And you can download the song here.

~ Hath

Mid-Day Motivators: Second Grader?

Tre, this must be "Second Grader" Month -- I think Bay had one like that too :)  This is one of the most-passed-around pictures isn't it?  WHEW!

~ Hath

David Memphis Interview

From inMusic.ca. Each question is a link to the MP3 file with the answer from the call in.

As the resident Bon Jovi fan on the inMusic.ca team, I was tasked with interviewing co-founding member and longtime keyboardist David Bryan about his upcoming play 'Memphis' coming to the Toronto stage in December. This is the second theatrical production that David has written the music and lyrics. Memphis has received much critical acclaim on Broadway winning several Tony Awards and launching a multi-city tour. For more information on tickets, you can visit www.dancaptickets/memphis.

Recently, David called in to chat with us - here's how it went down.

• Why did you get involved with 'Memphis'?
• How do you find writing music for a particular era?
• How do you balance touring & songwriting for plays?
• Did you skip a Bon Jovi show for the Tony Awards?
• Will you be taking 'Memphis' to a movie format similar to 'Rock of Ages'?
• What does writing for plays give you that Bon Jovi doesn't?
• Would you ever consider combining both loves and turning a Bon Jovi album into a musical similar to Green Day?
• Whose appreciation means most to you in life?
• What has been the single best thing that money and fame has given you?
• What is the biggest misconception about you?

~ Hath

Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora keeps rocking

Richie Sambora had a lot to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. After more than 30 years in the rock ’n’ roll business, the Bon Jovi guitarist is still grinding away, working on another solo effort and teaming up with band mate and longtime friend Jon Bon Jovi for a new album.

That’s why he tries to give back.

Sambora, 52, will team up with legendary singer/songwriter Richie Supa to host the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County 13th Annual "Bikers Bash” at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Dec. 9.

"I’m the kind of guy who always tries to aim at helping children," says Sambora from Los Angeles. "Every time I get involved in charities it’s to help kids, whether they’re abusing drugs or runaways, or in trouble somehow."

He thinks charity work gives him a better perspective on life.

"You see these kids in danger," he says, remembering a trip to Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital. "I realize how blessed I am to have a healthy child. Knock on wood."

Daughter Ava — with ex wife Heather Locklear — is now 14. The two are headed to Hawaii together for the holidays.

"It’s so remote is what I like about it. I’m a beach guy."

But that doesn’t mean the New Jersey native can stay still for long ("10 days of vacation and I’m good"). Though touring can be tough, at least Bon Jovi isn’t on a bus.

"It’s nice to be off the road for a change. We figured out a while ago that we get around the world a lot quicker on private planes. Our last tour lasted 18 months, flying virtually every day," he says. "We did 50 countries. Not cities. I mean, if you ask someone to name 50 countries, I think they’d be hard pressed!"

Sambora loves the traveling part of the job.

"Being in America isn’t old-hat — it’s where we’re from —but I get excited to be in other parts of the world like Athens and Croatia, which were quite cool," says Sambora. "I’m a sightseer. I go see the sights and museums. I’m into that kind of thing."

Another thing that never gets old: Seeing the Bon Jovi faithful come out en masse.

"Rock and roll is a contact sport," he says. "I enjoy playing the tunes that really get the people going."

Audiences still go crazy when they jam classics like Wanted Dead or Alive, It’s My Life and Living on a Prayer.

Give the people what they want is the group’s motto.

"I’m always asked, ‘Does it ever get old?’ Well, I tell you what: It’s like having sex with 70,000 people at a time. If you ask me, Do I go back to my hotel room by myself and play Living on a Prayer, no. But I’ll probably pull it out if someone’s going to enjoy it."

When Sambora isn’t traveling the globe or making music he works on a women’s fashion line called Nikki Rich, formerly White Trash Beautiful. "Fashion and music go together," says Sambora of the clothes that he calls "sexy and chic."

Life’s good for the music man who is dating actress Denise Richards.

"I’m a lucky guy. I don’t take for granted for one minute what I do."

~ Hath

source

Snaps from Twickenham (LH)

A couple more from Catte -- again, from Flickr.  And again, if they're yours, they're just lovely!

~ Hath

Random Photo

From Catte (she found it on a random Flickr search, so if it's your photo, thanks for posting it on Flickr -- it's gorgeous!)

~ Hath

Mid-Day Motivators: Uhmm Babe?

Bay, I love the look in his eyes :)

~ Hath

Even MORE Mario

Samantha from Have Sippy, Will Travel has posted a few more snaps of Mario day :)

~ Hath

  

New Year's Eve

So, now the ads for the movie are playing on all the standard networks (at least here on the East Coast), causing Dear Husband to reach for the clicker even FASTER now when commercials interrupt his favorite TV programs.  He should be grateful that the full trailer isn't playing.



Though, I will say DH did comment that it would be worth seeing the movie just to see JonBon get "bitch slapped".  I then told him about the YouTube video  where someone put the slaps on loop, and now it's in his list of favorites.  Makes me laugh.

ANYway -- the soundtrack for the film hits stores and iTunes on December 6th.  You can listen to 30-second previews of each of the tracks on Warner Brother's site for the movie here.  In the top left corner, there's a "MENU" button; one of the selections is "Soundtrack".  Here's the track list as per Warner Brothers:


This is the New Year - Ian Axl
Can’t Turn You Loose – Jon Bon Jovi with Lea Michele
2012 (It Ain’t The End) – Jay Sean featuring Nicki Minaj
New Year – Kate York
Life Is A Bomb – Sophie B. Hawkins
Have A Little Faith In Me – Jon Bon Jovi
Light Up The Sky – Duncan
Better Days – Goo Goo Dolls
Auld Lang Syne – Lea Michele
Raise Your Glass – P!nk
Best Day Of Your Life – Katie Herzig
Whattaya Say – Jacob Saylor
Bringing In A Brand New Year – Charles Brown


While the soundtrack plays, there are wallpapers from the movie -- there's one featuring JonBon:

In case you can't wait for "Have A Little Faith In Me", you can revisit one of the performances (this one from 2003) on YouTube:



What else do I have... Let me check my [still] overflowing inbox.

Ah, yes, a couple shots sent to me from Queenie and Catte (thanks girls!)

  

And this one from Hilde (thanks!!)

I think I've gotten all the NYE stuff out of my inbox now :)

~ Hath

Hyde Park Show Replay

Absolute Radio has announced its Christmas lineup, and it includes a replay of the Hyde Park show from last summer:

Frank Skinner will front Absolute Radio’s Christmas Day morning show as part of a festive line-up that sees the group’s ‘decades’ stations taking over the main station each evening.

Skinner’s ‘Christmas Cracker’ 10am-12noon show on 25th December will be followed by breakfast presenter Christian O’Connell in the afternoon and then a second chance to hear Bon Jovi’s live gig in Hyde Park from the summer.

To read the full article, click here.

~ Hath

If You're Hungry, Volunteer

Rocker Jon Bon Jovi is giving back in a big way with a new passion project benefiting The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. The singer's new restaurant, The Soul Kitchen, aims to feed and empower those who are less fortunate.

Jovi explains, "People are going to bed hungry. This is New Jersey in America... that shouldn't be happening."
The philanthropist gave an inside tour of the new eatery to "Extra's" AJ Calloway, and explained, "We developed this system where there are no prices on our menus. There's a minimum suggested donation, and then anything above that covers the guy's meal next to you."

The Soul Kitchen is not a soup kitchen, but a place for people in need of a meal to volunteer in lieu of payment. "[This is] what they can do in order to come into the restaurant... is volunteer."

Bon Jovi is not only heads the foundation -- he also offers up his time and hard work at the restaurant, located in Red Bank, NJ. "I'm really good at washing dishes. That's my job. I don't cook... you don't want to eat my food. But your dishes, I guarantee you, are clean!"

Calloway insisted on teaching Jon how to cook. Bon Jovi came back with, "Can you be a celebrity chef and come in here and volunteer?" AJ replied, "Oh, man, I would love to!"

The New Jersey native reminded AJ of the promise, saying, "Got that on camera!"

To find out how you can help Bon Jovi's delicious cause, click here.

OK, so I love the message here, but (a) the guy's last name is NOT Jovi and (b) proofread please Bon Jovi is not only heads the foundation -- C'MON already!

Just sayin'...

~ Hath

source

Hello!!

I've had a lovely mini-vacation where I've basically unplugged from the world, shunned my laptop, and vegged out with the family.

As a result of all that family time, I have 2,398 unread emails and lots to catch up on. I'm off again at the end of this week, this time for Holiday decorating/shopping, so I'm sure next week, I'll have another crapload of stuff to post about.

So, as I weed my way through my inbox, I'll be posting stuff I find. I'll probably spread it out over the week, so there aren't twenty posts for today :)

I hope all my American friends had a great Thanksgiving, and have not OD'd on turkey and pie (though a pie overdose would certainly be a good way to go -- I'll start with chocolate mousse, and work my way down to apple. Skip the pumpkin though -- that stuff is GROSS...) and that everyone else had a super Thursday.

More to come soon :)

~ Hath