Disneyland, monorails, Fox Fullerton, 1930s, etc.

Here's a view of the snazzy new Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on June 1, 1956. On the right is the spot where the monorail station would later be built. On the left is the coffee shop that would later be known as the Monorail Cafe. The sign above reads, "Disneyland Hotel Restaurants by Gourmet." I've zoomed in on part of the image below to show off some of the outstanding landscaping, signage, and other Space Age design elements. I'd take this place over Downtown Disney any day!

Today's "Daily Read" in the Register is about the 50th anniversary of the Disneyland Monorail, and features an interview with the monorail's designer, Bob Gurr. It's an interesting article, but take it with a grain of salt. For instance, Walt Disney clearly was not "the most famous guy in America" in 1928 (nor in 1929, nor...) . And the monorail opened in 1959, after a surprisingly short design-build process.

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The Fox Fullerton Theatre Foundation is asking all its supporters to attend a meeting tomorrow night, concerning the development of the area adjacent to the historic theatre. The meeting will be held Wed., July 1, 6:30pm., in the Venetian Room at Angelo's & Vinci's, 550 N. Harbor Blvd., in Fullerton. The project's history and planning process will be discussed, the developer and architectural team will be introduced, and the community will be able to provide feedback on the initial concept.

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Phil Brigandi will discuss "The Great Depression in Orange County" at the Anaheim Historical Society's annual banquet on July 11. For more information or to RSVP, contact Cynthia Ward.

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A bunch of us local history folk celebrated Phil's 50th birthday on Sunday at Disneyland. (See photo below.) Read about it on Cynthia's Anaheim Life blog.

Rachana Mourya Looks Hot in Item Song

spleticna.si

I found a web page, where perfumes are very cheap but original.

Because I just got a salary, and because I'm crazy on perfumes, I decided that I will buy one.
I have to decide between:
- Bvlgari - Omnia Amethyste
- Versace - Bright Crystal
- Elizabeth Arden - Green Tea (+shower gel & body milk)
which should I buy? help me:) Or should I buy all of them :DD

Michael Jackson Tribute from Lady Drama

In this episode of Your Black Gossip with Lady Drama, Lady Drama talks about the legacy of the great Michael Jackson.  She also talks about the latest with Usher and Tameka, as well as the craziness of Kim Kardashian doing an R&B CD.  

Click here to listen to the episode!

www.yourblackgossip.com

Megan Fox Professional Photo Session

Megan Fox of “Transformers” fame only made second place on the drool-worthy list of Maxim’s Hot 100. Recently she is clicked in Red and White dress. She is looking hot as always in this photo shoot.

Megan Fox Professional Photo Session

Megan Fox of “Transformers” fame only made second place on the drool-worthy list of Maxim’s Hot 100. Recently she is clicked in Red and White dress. She is looking hot as always in this photo shoot.

"False Emotions" for Michael Jackson?

Are those claiming to grieve over Michael Jackson's death just pretending? Is this collective outpouring of grief from everyone everywhere around the globe all a big balloon of . . . hot air?

It's a hard question to ask, and the answer is even harder to tackle. But Hadley Freeman from the Guardian dares to ask and answer this question anyway. It's not easy given the current situation, where all TV and radio stations across the world broadcast the story of the life, music and death of the iconic Michael Jackson, hour after hour, over and over again. With Hollywood celebrities coming out of the woodwork to "pay tribute" of the "what a great man Michael Jackson was" variety, to "fans" gazing forlornly in front of the camera saying they love Michael Jackson so, and that they have tickets to his upcoming concert this year "This is it!"

Hadley Freeman thinks "that the desire for collective emotion leads only to false emotion" in the case of the death of Michael Jackson. Freeman touches on the "multiplicity" of media, saying "Jackson's was not an unblemished life and this makes it tricky for the news channels and tweeting celebrities who long for nothing more than to bathe in the soapy, sudsy pleasure of hyperbolic adoration and eulogies."

Many people share the same skepticism. While not in any way disdaining the feelings of truly grieving Michael Jackson fans, it's worth remembering that when he was alive, the Hollywood press fed Michael Jackson's quirky life unmercifully to the voracious appetite of fans. They consumed him and all that he was, but seldom was there a show of support for the man, more a show of mockery for his quirks. And now with his sudden passing and faced with all this belated tributes and accolades, well.... the irony of it is just too striking to ignore.

Source: Guardian (UK)

Photo: AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko

"Mr. Bean's Holiday"

Rowan Atkinson returns to the iconic role that made him an international star in "Mr. Bean's Holiday." In his latest misadventure, Mr. Bean - the nearly wordless misfit who seems to be followed by a trail of pratfalls and hijinks - goes on holiday to the French Riviera and becomes ensnared in a European adventure of cinematic proportions.

Tired of the dreary, wet London weather, Bean packs up his suitcase and camcorder to head to Cannes for some sun on the beach. Ah...vacation. But his trip doesn't go as smoothly as he had hoped when the bumbling Bean falls face first into a series of mishaps and fortunate coincidences, far-fetched enough to make his own avant-garde film.

Wrongly thought to be both kidnapper and acclaimed filmmaker, he has some serious explaining to do after wreaking havoc across the French countryside and arriving at his vacation spot with a Romanian filmmaker's precocious son and an aspiring actress in tow. Will Bean be arrested by the gendarmes or end up winning the Palme d'Or? It's all caught on camera as Atkinson again applies his awkward athleticism to a comedy of errors - "Mr. Bean's Holiday."

4 easy steps to download all Latest Hindi Movies Freely

Don’t waste money to buy CDs of Hindi movies. Know here how to download all latest Hindi movies freely from internet by using torrents. This tutorial is for those who don’t know about torrents to download movies.

So if you want to watch any latest Hindi movie or bollywood Movies without spending a penny, use torrent to get it. You can get DVD quality Hindi movies free of cost by using torrents. Just use following steps to download all movies by using torrents.

Step 1. Download torrent software from http://www.utorrent.com .This is a free software of small size. Install it on your computer. This is essential to use torrent.

Step 2. Search your favorite Hindi or Bollywood movies from http://isohunt.com .You will get all latest Hindi movies there. Type name of movie in search box.

Step 3. After getting your favorite Hindi or Bollywood movie, click on it. You will get a torrent file link for that movie. Download this torrent file on your Desktop. This small sized torrent file of your favorite hindi movie is the door to download that movie.

Step4. After saving on your hard drive, click on that file, torrent software will open automatically, click on green start button. Movie will start downloading on your hard drive. Even if you close utorrnt, downloaded portion of movie will not vanish, if you start again utorrent, movie will start downloading again from that point.

This process is really easy. You will get movie from multiple source in this way, there is nothing illegal in this. If your internet connection is slow, you can use your sleeping hour to download. Even if connection fails at any time, you will not loose downloaded portion. So in this way you can download any Hindi or bollywood movies in multiple session.

The source of movie is not any website in this process, but the source is all people who are using torrent. So this is something like sharing a movie by using same platform.

Don’t try to open movie unless it is fully downloaded.

Now enjoy all latest Hindi movies like- Om Shanti OM, Jab We Met Etc on your PC.

Hillary Duff In Bikini At Hawaii

Strange drawings at the Old Courthouse

The Old Courthouse Museum in Santa Ana has a small but very interesting new exhibit on the 1st floor. They're now displaying about six of architect Charles L. Strange's original 1900 drawings of the Courthouse building itself. The drawings are loaded with detail. For us architecture geeks, it's fun to look for ways the building changed between the planning stage and completion.

These drawings were borrowed from the County by the L.A. architectural firm of Parkinson and Parkinson in the 1920s, when they were approached to design a proposed (but never realized) expansion and remodeling of the courthouse. A former historical commissioner tells me that Parkinson didn't get around to returning the plans until 1992, but then asked to be recognized for their contribution. (Using the same logic, perhaps my neighbor will give me a plaque if I finally return the weed-whacker I borrowed from him twenty years ago.)

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While you're at the Old Courthouse, you might also want to check out their new photographic exhibit of the route of Lewis and Clark. And of course, stop by the County Archives and say hello to me too.

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A late happy birthday to Cynthia Ward and an early happy birthday to Phil Brigandi. See you both tomorrow at Disneyland!

hey

sorry for the lack of posts but I have A LOT of studying to do. I spend most of the day in pajamas or old T-shirts .
I have an exam on monday at 9 am, wish me luck!!
After the exams I will buy sewing machine and finally realize some of my plans. So soon I will be with you with new DIY projects and outfits.

Have a great time!
densy


oh I almost forgot to tell you that I bought a new plain black bathing suit from CK. so beautiful. Pics after the exams.

Aditi Govitrikar at Triumph Lingerie Show

Sean Penn's Puzzling Moves

The Hollywood press is perplexed over recent decisions and actions made by long-time actor and Oscar winner Sean Penn, according to the New York Post. And it is not easy to perplex the media, more so the Hollywood paparazzi who eats perplexing Hollywood celebrity stunts day in and day out. They don't often flinch when LiLo or Paris get a DUI, and love it when Britney gets a new hairdo.

Nevertheless, Hollywood is "stunned and perplexed" by Penn's recent antics. Why? The guy is on a blitzkrieg of unpredictable moves, from reconciling with wife Robin Wright Penn for the second time, to cancelling two Hollywood movie projects ("Cartel" about a father protecting his son from a Mexican drug cartel and "The Three Stooges" with Jim Carrey and Benicio Del Toro), to dating 27-year old Hollywood actress Natalie Portman.

What's up with him? He has announced he is putting his career on hold to spend more time with family. Let's just take his word on it for now. Many think he only got back with his wife because Portman ditched him. If this is true, let's hope this guy straightens himself out. Being perplexed is so... inconvenient.

Source: New York Post

Photo: AP Photo/Jeff Christensen

5 Fwy, citrus labels, Dreger Clock, slides, etc.

This late 1950s Kodachrome image shows the 5 Freeway at First St. in Santa Ana. It certainly looks different today!
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I wondered how SoCal pop-culture maven Charles Phoenix would react to the news about Kodachrome's passing. He posted a piece about it today on his website, which begins, "Kodachrome slides changed my life." Indeed, he makes his living doing slide shows and creating books based on his amazing slide collection. (Click here to read his comments.)
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The Citrus Label Society's next meeting will be held Aug. 17th, 7pm, at the Orange Public Library & History Center. Reader Daralee writes, "It's an informal event in which you walk in and see the [vintage citrus crate] labels on sale at each of the various tables... Anyone who is not a member is welcomed to attend and purchase these labels."
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Those of you following the saga of the "Dreger Clock" (which once stood at Knott's Berry Farm) should check out the recent news updates on Glenn Frank's website. Restoration of the clock is nearing completion and it should be unveiled at its new home, near the Whitaker/Jaynes House Museum in Buena Park, in late July or early August.

Jacko in Orange County

So you thought you'd escape the 24-7 barrage of Michael Jackson coverage by coming here and reading about Orange County history? Sadly, you were wrong. I've had this weird picture - taken at Knott's Berry Farm in April 1984 - for a while now, and this may be the only excuse I ever get to post it. (Note that the sign on the Good Time Theatre marquee behind them reads, "Flash Beagle" - a show based on arguably the worst animated "Peanuts" special of all time.)
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You probably don't associate Jackson with Knott's. But you probably remember his connections to Disneyland.
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In a move I'm sure Disney executives later regretted, Captain EO - a 3-D movie starring Jackson - opened at Disneyland's Magic Eye Theatre on Sept. 18, 1986. (It actually debuted six days earlier at Epcot Center.) The special effects extravaganza was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, with George Lucas as executive producer. They are seen on the set with Jackson in the photo below.
Captain EO was 17 minutes long and cost 17 million dollars to make. That's five million less than Jackson paid in 1994 to settle one of the molestation cases against him.
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The short film was technically and visually impressive, but the glow faded over the years as Jackson's creepy personal life (e.g. sleeping with little boys) became public. The show closed in 1997 to no fanfare whatsoever.
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I'm told Jackson was a regular at Disneyland at various points in his career, going from ride to ride with his entourage - sometimes wearing a disguise. He was so enamoured of the park that he built a half-baked version of it on his Neverland Ranch near Santa Barbara.
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And speaking of Disney connections,... Did anyone else notice that Jackson died in a rented mansion on Carolwood Dr. - the same street Walt Disney lived on when he was developing Disneyland?

Goodbye, Michael Jackson

The dazzling lights of Hollywood tinseltown dimmed somewhat today with the passing of one of the most famous Hollywood celebrities of all time -- Michael Jackson. The New York Times reported on Michael Jackson's death Thursday afternoon at the U.C.L.A. Medical Center, where Jackson was rushed from his mansion by paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department, after reportedly collapsing of cardiac arrest. Michael Jackson was 50 years old.

One of the biggest Hollywood stars with mega-watt status like Elvis Presley and the Beatles, his death reverberated across the nation today, with radio stations playing a marathon session of many of his famous songs such as “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” “Billie Jean” and “Black and White”.

Despite his descent from being one of the most famous Hollywood stars to one of the most weirdly controversial (pedophilia case, multiple plastic surgeries, bankruptcy, making his children wear masks, etc.), Michael Jackson's singing, dancing and song-writing talent, together with his Hollywood star power, is still hard to beat by ordinary Hollywood celebrities of today.


Source: The New York Times
Photo: AP Photo

LiLo's Tweeting Spree

Hollywood perennial headliner Lindsay Lohan is rumored to be so upset over her recent split with Samantha Ronson that now she uses Twitter to rant and rave over her current doldrums. Sun UK reported on this depressed (a very Hollywood) behavior and anyone with access to Twitter can check it out and confirm that LiLo does love to tweet, no more so than the rest of us. The only difference is that LiLo's tweets are of pictures of herself, naked, and of some other Hollywood celebrities doing their sweet and supposedly private stuff.

Some of the tweets she fired are cryptic, like intended for certain people: "Old habits die hard ;) - for some of us."

Shortly after: "I can't sleep. Samantha Ronson - it's your fault." In Hollywood, bluntness is sometimes next to cleanliness or something like that.

Then some more: "I love being alone. Feels safe coz I can only trust myself. Ya, sad. But I'm cool with it." Inane mutterings so common in Twitter but if you're one of Hollywood's princesses, could be read by tens of thousands of Twitter people.

And this clue-filled salvo: "Why do people cheat? When love is always standing right in front of their face(s)?? SR?"

If Twitter followers expected a tweet to end world hunger, they were disapointed.

Source: Twitter, Sun UK

Photo: Lindsay Lohan