In defense of the sanctimonious women's studies set || First feminist blog on the internet

Category: Celebrity

When Artists Fight

This article in the Times about a lawsuit filed by glass artist Dale Chihuly against two other artists caught my eye. I’ve done a bit of glassblowing, though my lumpy, lopsided mugs and vases are nothing compared to the works that Chihuly puts out.

Or, I should say, “Chihuly, Inc.” Because Chihuly himself hasn’t done any glassblowing for 27 years, after an accident left him without range of motion in his shoulder. He presides over 90-some glassblowers who produce his works, which take their inspiration from the sea. And now he’s claiming that the two defendants, one of whom worked for him for many years, are violating his copyright on off-center, sea-life-inspired, brightly-colored works of art. But the real question is whether he can claim copyright on nature or on techniques that have been around for millennia:

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Tommy Hilfiger Smacks Axl Rose

Sorry, but I can’t stop laughing about Axl Rose getting smacked at a nightclub by Tommy Hilfiger.

The scuffle reportedly started after the Guns N’ Roses front man moved the drink of Hilfiger’s girlfriend, Dee Ocleppo.

“I moved his girlfriend’s drink so it wouldn’t spill,” Rose told the Los Angeles radio station KROQ on Friday. “It was the most surreal thing, I think, that’s ever happened to me in my life.”

According to the 44-year-old singer, Hilfiger, 55, smacked him in the arm and told him to put the drink back.

“He just kept smacking me,” Rose said.

It sounds like, from the coverage at the Post (and you HAVE to go to the main page and look at the cover), that Axl just sort of stood there going WTF? and didn’t retaliate, and that Hilfiger’s bodyguard had to pull him off the singer:

A densely packed crowd of celebs – including Lenny Kravitz and Kid Rock – had ringside seats to the battle.

The feisty fashionista was acting all gangsta, hitting Axl with a flurry of punches, one that landed under Rose’s eye.

“First [Axl and Tommy] were sitting. Then they were pulling on each other . . . It got so out of control,” said a shocked witness.

As the punch-up escalated, Hilfiger introduced Rose to some “November Pain” with a blow to the cheek. Club guards quickly tried to separate the men.

“A bunch of security ran over – but Tommy would not back down. He was just out to take him down,” the witness said.

And this just made me guffaw:

“Kid Rock got trampled by people running over. It was unbelievable.”

Axl retained his sense of humor about it when he performed later, dedicating “You’re Crazy” to “my good friend Tommy Hilfiger.”

Craziest. Thing. Ever.

Pete Doherty of Babyshambles/boning-Kate-Moss fame just keeps getting crazier and crazier. We already knew that he was a cracked-out psychopath, but I’m not sure anyone could have predicted this.

Pete Doherty shocked MTV News (UK) TV crews during a recent backstage interview when he squirted a syringe of his own blood at a news camera.

That’s… disgusting. And if you’re in the UK or Ireland, you can see the footage. Lucky bastards.

I *Heart* Gwyneth and Blythe

I do have a secret love for Gwyneth Paltrow. I think she’s beautiful, she’s a great actress, she seems nice, she has such class, I want to raid her closet, etc etc. I love her so much that I can even forgive her for naming her son Moses, which is an abhorrent choice (personally, I thought Apple was cute). And now, she’s given me a more substantial reason to adore her and her lovely mama: They’re campaiging for Planned Parenthood. From the Action Alert:

Why are two Hollywood actors contacting you today?

Because we are first and foremost a mother and daughter, and we cannot stand idly by as birth control, family planning, and basic health care come under attack.

We are deeply disturbed by what’s happening in South Dakota and by the growing movement to limit women’s reproductive rights. And as Mother’s Day approaches, we have a great opportunity to make a difference.

Today, a generous Planned Parenthood supporter has issued a Mother’s Day Challenge for the critical Stand with the States Campaign: all online donations will be matched — dollar for dollar, until they reach $50,000 — until midnight on Mother’s Day.

Please rise to the Mother’s Day Challenge. Your gift will be effectively doubled and you’ll help Planned Parenthood reach their $50,000 goal!

Our family was recently blessed with the arrival of a new member. As we jump into another round of tiny clothes, new expressions, and dirty diapers, it strikes us yet again: having a child changes your life forever.

Such a personal decision should be made by families, not by politicians.

We need common-sense solutions to the health issues we face throughout our lives. Planned Parenthood provides those solutions, helping millions of women each day, improving our communities and our families. That’s why we support this amazing organization. We hope you will, too.

Click here and double your donation at this critical time.

Tell your mom you’ve donated in her name. Or whisper it to your baby at bedtime.

You’ll be making a gift to millions of mothers — to the future of our country. What a profound way to mark this day.

It is indeed a great Mother’s Day decision. Donate if you can.

UPDATE: Thanks for those of you who alerted me to the fact that my personal information was included in the first link. I’ll save any potential stalkers some difficulty by telling you all that I’ve moved since I last donated to Planned Parenthood, and the address that was listed is no longer where I live.