The Cross of War. (Croix de Guerre)
But she wasn’t about war. She was an entertainer.
“Bronze Venus”, “Black Pearl”, “Créole Goddess”
She was generous with her energy and her money.
But she was also a fighter against tyranny of any kind.
That included the Nazis and those who would deny her opportunity in her own country: The United States.
Last night marked the Season Premiere of Celebrity Apprentice, the long-running reality competition series in which washed-up celebrities compete against one another in a variety of business related tasks. This season certainly has it’s share of vibrant celebrity personalities, with the likes of: Arsenio Hall, Clay Aiken, Dee Snider, Victoria Gotti, and Debbie Gibson. By far the best part of the show of course is when Trump fires all of these idiots, because he does so personally, and he alone decides who to fire when and why. The first episode of the season certainly didn’t disappoint, as Orange County Choppers owner Paul Teutul Sr. raised just over $490,000 in one day for the Make-A-Wish foundation, while former supermodel Cheryl Tiegs was the first to get fired. Despite his arrogance, Trump is one smart guy so let’s take a look at the man himself.
Though the 54th annual Grammy awards did indeed have a somber undertone with the tragic death of magnificent songstress Whitney Houston: life as we all know it does in fact go on. And so it did for rising British pop star Adele, who took home six trophies including the prestigious trifecta of record, song and album of the year. The young British recording artist also gave a triumphant performance of her hit single “Rolling in the Deep” after having had recent vocal cord surgery. Other notable Grammy events include Katy Perry’s fiery post-breakup performance done of course with blue hair, and Nicki Minaj’s extremely bizarre and god awful ‘exorcism’ themed performance that was subsequently deemed blasphemous by the Catholic Church. Luckily Paul Mccartney closed the night off with some dignity performing some of Abbey Road with Bruce Springsteen and some others. Adele’s acceptance speech was brief, commenting that the album was inspired by something that we have all experienced: a ‘rubbish relationship’. And let’s be honest, nothing cures heartbreak like searing hot success. I don’t know who her ex is but let’s assume he’s having second thoughts about his decision right about now. Indeed Adele’s album sounds pretty good if you’ve ever experienced heartbreak, and we all have, so let’s take a look at this talented singer and songwriter from Tottenham.
“Watch it now! Watch it!”
He would say it with obvious enthusiasm and kid-like glee.
It was infectious. You could not not be enthralled and intrigued by the man. Well, Actually, no. It was strange, I couldn’t figure out when I was young WHY NOT EVERYBODY was not totally gaga about him and his science. Why is it so?
Music’s biggest night had a solemn undertone as the 54th Annual Grammy Awards was overshadowed by the tragic death of beloved music icon Whitney Houston. The singer’s death happened in Los Angeles about 24 hours prior to the awards show, and gave the Grammy’s their best ratings since 1984 as people tuned in to see tributes to the former singer/songwriter. Host of the show LL Cool J kicked off the night with a touching prayer in honor of Whitney, while fellow singer Jennifer Hudson gave a vocal tribute to the late songstress by singing her classic I Will Always Love You. The night was otherwise rather straight forward except for British newcomer Adele claiming a record six Grammys including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year. Let’s however go ahead and take a look at the woman who is often heralded as one of the best female vocalists of all time, the legendary Whitney Houston.
Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born in Newark, New Jersey the daughter of a gospel singer and an entertainment executive. Houston’s extraordinary vocal talent shined early as she sang in her local choir, and often sang along with her mothers vocal performances. Indeed Whitney’s talents were exceptional, cited as the most-awarded female act of all time with over 415 total awards in her lifetime including six Grammys. Sociable, outspoken, emotionally expressive, with her heart on her sleeve Whitney Houston was a Performer Artisan. Unfortunately Performers are perhaps the most susceptible temperament to temptation, as evidenced by her run-ins with drug addiction. Let’s however focus on the positive: and instead of mourning her death, let’s celebrate the life of this magnificent and vibrant singer Whitney Houston.
From the beginning, the camera and I were great friends. It loves me, and I love it. 
This is the title of her autobiography.
As she says:
What are you saying? Who am I?
Well I’m me — I’m what is called the power behind the throne. I’m your — your character. Isn’t that what they call it?
Yes, Kate. That’s what we call it. Character. You were certainly an interesting Character.
Character: a configuration of habits.
Oh, but Kate, we have another word that you never knew much about. The word is Temperament.
Temperament + Character = Personality
What you didn’t know was your Temperament. But I doubt if you would care. You had an interesting and full life anyway. However, you might have understood yourself and others a little more.
Awards Season 2012 is rolling full force ahead as the 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards kicked off this past sunday unbeknownst to many. The SAG Awards are in fact a special occasion for actors and actresses however, as the awards are chosen by the actors themselves. Big winners in the feature film department included The Help and The Artist, while TV’s big winners include Modern Family and Boardwalk Empire. Mary Tyler Moore was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Bridesmaids trio (Melissa Mccarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Maya Rudolph) lightened the mood by inventing a SAG awards drinking game in which ‘you have to drink every time you hear the word Scorsese’. Actor Steve Buscemi (after winning Best Actor in a Drama Series) capitalized on such a joke by mentioning the iconic filmmakers’ name in his acceptance speech, as Scorsese was an executive producer for Boardwalk Empire. Although his film Hugo didn’t take home any SAG Awards, he and his film are very much in the Oscar race so let’s take a look at the man himself, legendary director Martin Scorsese.
Martin Charles Scorsese (born November 17, 1942) is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film historian. Scorsese was raised in New York City by two devout Catholic Sicilian actors. Martin had asthma, and as a result wasn’t able to play sports and engage in outdoor activities like many of the other children. Marty found other interests however, as his passion for cinema developed at a very early age. Enamored with the stories that the films of his time were telling, Scorsese went to NYU film school, and after graduating started making films of his own. After becoming friends with the ‘movie brats’ of the 1970s: Francis Ford Coppola, Brian De Palma, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg, Marty was ready to make his mark on Hollywood. He went on to make such films as Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas– all of which he collaborated on with actor and close friend Robert De Niro. He is a recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award for his contributions to the cinema, and has won Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and DGA Awards. Scorsese’s body of work addresses such themes as Italian American identity, Roman Catholic concepts of guilt and redemption, machismo, modern crime and violence. Scorsese is hailed as one of the most significant and influential American filmmakers of all time, and is known for his uncanny ability to create a warm, positive, and encouraging environment on-set. Indeed Marty values “harmonious relations” and “can handle people with charm and concern”. Sweet-hearted, charismatic, highly nurturing, very expressive, and a natural leader of groups Martin Scorsese is undoubtedly a Teacher Idealist. Certainly Marty is arguably the best director of his generation, and has an incredible ability to put himself in the shoes of the people he is making a movie about:
Teachers have a highly developed ability to empathize by introjection, that is, taking into themselves the characteristics, emotions, and beliefs of others—even to the point of unconsciously mimicking others. But this unusual ability to relate to other with empathy can also pose a danger for them, because they can easily over-identify with others and pick up their burdens as if they were their own, actually putting at risk their own identity.
Please Understand Me II, p. 151
Now more than ever we need to talk to each other, to listen to each other and understand how we see the world, and cinema is the best medium for doing this.
He said: Hustle. Good things will happen. Keep hustling.
It’s a really simple formula: team, loyalty, competition. And lastly, hard work.
The basics. The fundamentals.
It was about we and us, for 62 years. Constant. He pushed so hard. He expected good things.
It was about family. And he took his team as a second family.
Yet another “Hollywood Power Couple” has fallen victim to the devastating effects of real life as luminescent supermodel Heidi Klum and hopelessly-romantic singer Seal have officially announced a divorce after seven wonderful years of marriage and four children. The tragic split seems to be extremely amicable as “the operative here is that we are civil to each other and we both have a tremendous amount of respect and love and we try and do this with as much dignity as we possibly can”. After seven long years certain mathematicians might argue that Seal was stricken with the infamous “seven year itch”. One would think that marrying a girl who many consider one of the most beautiful women on this planet would save you from a stupid “seven year itch” but some people are just downright greedy. Shame on you, Seal. While the couple has no intention of airing out it’s dirty laundry reports say Seals’ temper was a “deal breaker” for the young German model and entrepreneur. Whatever the source of conflict lets hope for the best and take a closer look at this formerly adorable Hollywood Power Couple.
Heidi Klum is a German model, actress, television host, businesswoman, fashion designer, and television producer. Heidi’s modeling career skyrocketed quite early, as she won a national modeling contest over 25,000 contestants before graduating high school. After graduating, Klum accepted a modeling contract over seeking an apprenticeship at a fashion design school. Klum’s success as a model is astounding, having graced the covers of Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, and Sports Illustrated among others. Klum is perhaps best known for being host, judge, and executive producer of Lifetime’s Project Runway, as well as being a Victoria’s Secret Angel and hosting the Victorias Secret Fashion Show on four different occasions. Indeed Klum is “without peer as master of ceremonies” and makes for an “outstanding hostess”. Extremely hard-working, adorably sentimental, outstandingly personable, and highly accommodating Heidi Klum is undoubtedly a Provider Guardian. With four children, a TV show, modeling gigs, make-up and fashion lines, and now a divorce Heidi Klum certainly has a lot on her plate. No temperament is better equipped however, as “these Providers take their role as family provider seriously, in both a material and moral sense. They provide a sound and safe home, good food, nice clothes, and a store of possessions”.
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel (born 19 February 1963 in Paddington, London, England), popularly known simply as Seal , is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won four Grammy Awards for his music, and is best known for his single “Kiss From a Rose”. A hopeless romantic, Seal proposed to Heidi in a quinzee he built on a glacier in Whistler, British Columbia. Every year during their marriage Seal and Klum renewed their vows on their anniversary with their close friends and family. “Each year, Heidi and I get remarried. It’s a great party, but for about an hour, we go off on our own down to a private beach. We sit there with the kids and read vows to each other as the sun sets. It’s a very special moment to us.” Highly romantic, a very talented singer and song-writer, extremely compassionate, and very private Seal is undoubtedly a Composer Artisan. Indeed Seal is (was) constantly serenading his wife in a very romantic fashion, as “if Composers find a medium of expression, some art form, then they will express their character quite eloquently via that medium”. Seal was also a family man, as “these friendly and soft-spoken Artisans tend to seek a safe anchorage in their home and family”. “With their children, as with their mates, Composers are great friends and mates, though they can be hard to get to know, and their reserve can be a barrier to close relations”.
The most stable and satisfying marriages for Artisans are with Guardians. Not only do Artisans and Guardians both make their home in the concrete world, but the complementarity of their natures seems to fill a void in each temperament. Here is the adventurous, fun-loving SP, bursting with energy and yearning for the excitement of new experiences, attracted to the concerned and responsible SJ, the Rock of Gibraltar standing watch over the established rules and traditions of society. In many ways the match seems incongruous and difficult to account for, and yet the frequency with which SPs choose to marry SJs is compelling. Perhaps seeking the stability they lack, perhaps wanting some missing center to their lives perhaps just needing someone to take care of them—whatever the reason, Artisans choose marriage with Guardians by far over any other temperament.
Please Understand Me II, p. 220
When I first met Seal he had a kindness and compassion that was so sincere I knew he’d be a good father. Bit it wasn’t until Leni was born and we had out three other children that I grasped what a great dad he is. He has infinite amounts of love and patience for our kids,” Klum added. “He puts me and the children first.
Family, my wife and children, that’s my reason for being. Everything is done with them in mind, so perhaps that’s the reason this new album is up-tempo. It does feel like a celebration of life. I am finally in a content and happy place to the point where I feel like I need to sing about it. It’s made me want to address things that are close to home.
“The Steel Mask” refers to the Guardians’ incredible ability to disguise themselves with the passions/interests/attitudes typically associated with one of the other three temperaments. Indeed many Guardians are often mistaken for other temperaments strictly because of the career paths and recreational activities that they have chosen in their lives. Statistically speaking however, Guardians are by far the most numerous temperament and certainly abound in all professions and hobbies. Certainly a Guardian can come to enjoy ANY profession or passion, and brings hard-work and dedication to the enterprise. Guardian’s are the unsung heroes of society and simply put: many Guardians are not given credit for being Guardians.
Artisans and Guardians both live in the concrete world of what is going on around them. Both Artisans and Guardians together dominate most social realms and most of society for that matter. As a result both temperaments learn a great deal from one another. Guardians greatly admire they’re Artisan cousins ability to throw caution to the wind and live life to the fullest, and often emulate such behavior with astounding accuracy. As a result many Guardians find themselves in professions that are typically associated with the Artisan, and yet fit in surprisingly well.
As they walked along the shore, two very competitive guys: both “filthy rich” by anyone’s standard, both had disrupted established giant corporations, and created their own companies, changing the world significantly.
“Larry, this is why it’s really important that I’m your friend. You don’t need any more money.”
Both were kind of inventors, but they were different in Temperament, and completely different goals in life. Larry is a Promoter Artisan and he keeps score by money: his interest was in winning. He loved the fact that he used IBM’s own research to beat them in database software, making himself fabulously wealthy.
For Steve, he was competitive in a completely different way. It wasn’t about the money or the winning. Rather, it was about his legacy: his company.
He hadn’t changed his passion. Long ago, he had seen a way to start making cool things, inventions, that were useful, that he wanted to use — like he had started several decades before with another friend, the Woz.