A controversial move was made in the world of comics this week with Superman, of all people, threatening to give up his American citizenship.
The Los Angeles Times reported that in the latest issue of Action Comics, Clark Kent's alter ego decides he's had enough, after the Secret Service reprimands the superhero for appearing at a non-violent protest against the Iranian government.
"I intend to speak before the United Nations tomorrow and inform them that I am renouncing my U.S. citizenship," the Man of Steel says. "I'm tired of having my actions construed as instruments of U.S. policy."
He also indicates that his famous motto is too narrow: "'Truth, justice and the American way' -- it's not enough anymore," he explains. "The world is too small, too connected."
It's often assumed Superman is American, having been raised by adoptive parents in Kansas. But he was born on the fictional planet Krypton, so his citizenship could technically have always been up for grabs. Still, many are unhappy with the mere threat. A Weekly Standard blogger called this latest development the dumbest thing DC Comics could do: "What does 'citizen of the Universe' even mean?"
"Will Superman now adhere to the Tamaran code of honor?" writer Jonathan Last lamented, "Will he follow the Atlantean system of monarchy? Does he believe in libert�, �galit�, fraternit�, or sharia? Does he believe in British interventionism, or Swiss neutrality? You see where I'm going with this: If Superman doesn't believe in America, then he doesn't believe in anything."
On the other hand, Last argued that there shouldn't be too much cause for concern because the move is likely temporary (he points out that Captain America once renounced his country, too).
Indeed, DC Comics co-publishers Jim Lee and Dan Didio already issued a statement to the New York Post, reinforcing Superman's inherent identification with America:
"Superman is a visitor from a distant planet who has long embraced American values. As a character and an icon, he embodies the best of the American Way."
The statement also said, "In a short story in ACTION COMICS 900, Superman announces his intention to put a global focus on his never-ending battle, but he remains, as always, committed to his adopted home and his roots as a Kansas farm boy from Smallville."
(Meanwhile, American director Zack Snyder just chose Brit actor Henry Cavill to take over from 2006 'Superman Returns' star Brandon Routh, for an upcoming reboot film.)
Is this recent disgruntled side of Superman temporary or permanent? Is he making an idle threat, or seriously turning on America? For now, in the comics world, it's a cliffhanger.
Jon Hamm, star of the hit series "Mad Men", is spotted filming scenes for the upcoming season. Jon was all smiles while filming in a red, vintage Imperial convertible.
Following a false alarm earlier this month, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon spent their 3rd wedding anniversary welcoming two new additions to the family.
The "Glitter" star and her man are now officially proud parents of a healthy baby boy and girl - giving birth on Saturday (April 30) at 12:07PM ET in Los Angeles..
Miss Carey's rep, Cindi Berger, confirmed the baby news by telling the AP the the couple's daughter weighed in at 5 lbs., 3 oz., while her brother followed suit at 5 lbs. 6 oz.
Impressively predicting the possible anniversary twin arrival, Nick previously told press, "I'm not trying to be a psychic, but we renew our vows every year so ... It's probably going to be in the hospital this year. I can feel it. We got the minister coming in, so this gown will not be a wedding gown, but a hospital gown."
Meanwhile, Miss Berger told following the babies' arrival, "I spoke to both of them and they are both completely overjoyed."
I've always been in love with the idea of space travel. When my daughter was growing up, we watched "Star Trek" and had mutual fascination with the idea of visiting other planets and going where no man had gone before. It was the ultimate stretch of imagination and magic: the final frontier.
So when NASA announced they would invite 150 people who follow them on Twitter a chance to come to Kennedy Space Center in Florida (at our own expense) to attend a shuttle launch, I submitted my name.
A few weeks later when they told me I had been selected, I was over the moon! I called my daughter and screamed. I checked my calendar and my deadlines and decided to just do it and not worry about expense.
After a thorough security check, and a wait of far-too-many days, I found myself in Orlando at 6 a.m. the day before the launch, driving through swamp-like territory along State Road 3 to the Kennedy Space Center.
After passing through my first security check of the day, I soon learned that almost everything involved in space travel has an acronym. STS is the Shuttle Transport System, VAB (the iconic NASA building) is the Vehicle Assembly Building, MLP is the Mobile Launcher Platform, the base that stays with the shuttle as it's carried to the launch pad. For the uninitiated, it's pretty much
gibberish, so I just followed my map. Luckily, the parking lot is still "Parking Lot."
After I got my credentials I was so excited to see that Vehicle Assembly Building. I'd seen it in so many photos and now it was right in front of me. I could barely breathe, my hands shook with excitement.
It felt like I was being allowed behind the curtain of so much that represented our future, our space program. This meant far more to me than our Hollywood celebrity circles. I drove into the private world of space magic.
The tweetup was being held in a huge, air-conditioned tent next to the press building. We were to watch the launch as close as any human could be - three miles from the pad, outside the press center.
In the tent, we got demonstrations of equipment and space suits and heard talks from top NASA scientists and astronauts - incredible insights from those who knew firsthand about space and our space program.
Other invitees who had been to past launches spoke about the sound: First you see the rockets ignite, they said, and there's a pause before you actually hear and feel the rumble in your chest. We were like kids, craving more and more information about the launch.
We later were able to enter the VAB, the largest single-story building in the world - 526 feet tall, 716 feet long and 518 feet wide.
The VAB was originally built to allow the vertical assembly of the Saturn V rocket and is still in use today. The design of the building was inspired by Werner Von Braun who felt the rockets should be assembled in a vertical position.
The weather began to cloud up as we waited to go to the launch pad to view the retraction of the (RSS) Rotating Service Structure. The RSS retraction was delayed three times because a lightning-and-hail storm rolled in. We moved into the press conference room to wait more news.
There was a definite feeling of dread among the group that the launch might be scrubbed, but no one whispered a word. We were told if the RSS wasn't removed by around 11 p.m., there was a chance the launch would be scrubbed.
The storm continued throughout the night and the next morning the weather was cold and drizzly. Things didn't look good. The weather got slightly better through the day and the launch seemed more likely.
To pass the day, there were more firsthand accounts from astronauts and a presentation from Daire McCabe, a designer from Lego. Lego kits will accompany the Endeavour astronauts. The crew will put them together while in space, videotape the project, and then the video will be used to get children interested in space travel and science.
We moved over to the road to watch the Endeavour crew drive by from their quarters to launch pad 39A. Cameras at the ready, media and Tweetup participants awaited the cavalcade of vehicles. It appeared and the crowd let out a cheer. Cameras were snapping when ... the cavalcade came to a stop.
The AstroVan transporting the astronauts turned left (not part of the plan) toward the VAB and the other vehicles stopped. Drivers looked out of the windows in a puzzled manner, until we saw the AstroVan come back from the VAB. It stopped and turned back in the direction from which it came. Radios gave the news: there was a technical problem and a hold.
We went back to the tent and soon heard the dreaded news: The launch was scrubbed for at least 72 hours.
When the announcement was made I wanted to cry. I mean seriously? Scrubbed? How can this be? I hauled myself all the way from Los Angeles and there's no launch?
I'm not angry, because after all, stuff happens and launches are scrubbed all the time. But this happened to me. I looked around at the other faces in the room, everyone felt the same way. Even the tough ones looked like a tear was ready to appear.
We were invited to stay until Monday, but many people couldn't. They had jobs and families they had to go home to. Attendees came from all over the country, some from Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, and Australia.
We all hung around the tent, people discussing whether they would stay. People calling their spouses and asking if they could. Others thinking how they could call in sick on Monday. But as we knew to start out with, Monday was no guarantee either.
I wondered for a moment if I could return all the stuff I'd bought at the gift shop. After all, with work deadlines and expenses, I couldn't stay for the launch. How could I ever look at my Endeavour coffee cup again?
But like many things we have to face every day, it's just another disappointment. I can't say the experiences I had weren't a dream come true - it's just there was no icing on my cake.
I did get to go to Kennedy Space Center. I did see many things that most people in the world will never see. But a launch? It's still on my list.
Taylor Hanson has revealed he and his brothers Isaac and Zac think of themselves as a ''70s rock band'' and their new album 'Shout It Out' reflects this.
Hanson think of themselves as a 70s rock band.
The Oklahoma-based brothers, Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson - who shot to fame with their debut single 'MMMbop' in 1997 - have been heavily influenced by music from the 70s and Taylor says it shows on their new album 'Shout It Out'.
He explained: "The last two records we were definitely leaning away from the old school R&B that we had been doing, we've been going a little bit more layered and textured, more pop rock and with this album we've tried to create it in a way that captures a certain energy that we love about albums from our past.
We joke that we're a 70s rock band because we grew up in the Midwest with a little bit of roots music around us but also listening to 50s and 60s soul music and as a result this album is a mid 70s pop rock album made in 2011.
"We joke that we're a 70s rock band because we grew up in the Midwest with a little bit of roots music around us but also listening to 50s and 60s soul music and as a result this album is a mid 70s pop rock album made in 2011."
While Taylor - who will play a series of five shows in London in June called 'Five of Five' with Hanson - admits the siblings do have their fair share of rows, he says their "mutual respect and admiration" will keep the band together for a long time to come.
Asked if he gets sick of working with his brothers, Taylor told BANG Showbiz: "How many times a week, would be the answer to that. Of course we don't always get along. But the truth is we have a mutual respect and connection and sometimes it's actually the clash that makes great art. We have a positive message and story in that we don't get into fights in public and act like idiots but the difference is we don't air our dirty laundry in the middle of the street."
The Prime Minister's wife decides against any headgear
David and Samantha Cameron arrive at Westminster Abbey
Samantha Cameron stood out at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding today - because she wasn't wearing a hat.
David Cameron's wife was one of the few guests not to don any headwear for the big day, with many opting for extravagant, quirky headgear to liven up their outfits.
Princess Beatrice's kooky nude bow-detail fascinator was especially noteworthy and is bound to have got Wills' 22-year-old cousin a lot of attention.
Sam, 40, instead accessorised her fitted teal Burberry dress with a tangerine pashmina, red and gold necklace and chose to wear a small flower clip in her hair.
Within minutes of arriving at Westminster Abbey, the Prime Minister's wife's outfit had sold out on website Net-A-Porter.�
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STUDIO CITY - Firefighters received an assist from overhead sprinklers to knock down a fire in a wall of a banquet room at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City in 43 minutes tonight. No injuries were reported.
Flames were contained to the banquet room's wall, Cecil Manresa of the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
Someone at the hotel in the 12800 block of Ventura Boulevard, near Coldwater Canyon Avenue, reported the fire at 10:09 p.m. It was knocked down at 10:52 p.m., Manresa said.
Officials were investigating how the blaze started. CNS-04-29-2011 23:19
Paris Hilton shared this picture of Nathan Lee Parada apprehended outside her of her home.
LOS ANGELES - A jury took less than hour on Friday to convict a man of attempting to burglarize Paris Hilton's home last year while the heiress was inside.
Nathan Lee Parada, 31, was convicted of first-degree attempted residential burglary and faces up to three years in prison when he is sentenced on June 29, said district attorney's spokeswoman Jane Robison.
Hilton testified this week about her and her boyfriend being awoken early on Aug. 24 after Parada banged on one of her home's windows with the butt of a knife.
Her boyfriend, Cy Waits, detained Parada at gunpoint until police arrived. While being interviewed by detectives, Parada said he wanted to steal as much as he could from the house and planned to move to a deserted island after the burglary, according to testimony in the case.
He also told detectives he found Hilton's Hollywood Hills home after buying a map showing stars' homes, and waited outside for hours before trying to break in.
A defense attorney told jurors that Parada had left a halfway house days earlier and had not taken his antidepressant medication for several days.
Waits was accosted on his way into the courthouse to testify against Parada on Wednesday. On Thursday, the man who hit Waits, James Rainford, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to 227 jails in jail for the attack and a probation violation.
The royal wedding was the hottest ticket in town. And it attracted a who's who of aristocracy, politics and entertainment. From heads of states to stately stars, here's who attended the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton:
By Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images
David and Victoria Beckham were among the famous wedding guests.
By Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images
David and Victoria Beckham were among the famous wedding guests.
NOTABLE WEDDING GUESTS
Prime Minister and Mrs. David Cameron
Naturally, the big kahuna of British politics was in attendance. Cameron is the head of England's Conservative party, and his wife, Samantha, is a business executive and the daughter of a baronet, which ranks below a baron and above a knight. "Quite surprising that Sam, as she's known, didn't wear a hat," said Tina Brown on Good Morning America. "The Camerons are a very upper-class couple, very grand beginnings. ? This is the one day when it's kind of OK for him to be posh." Cameron, a former PR executive, was appointed to the post last May and is the youngest British prime minister since 1812.
Sir Elton John
The musician performed Candle in the Wind at Diana's funeral. He walked into the wedding with a grin alongside his partner, filmmaker David Furnish; the two recently welcomed son Zachary.
David and Victoria Beckham
The famous soccer player and his Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer wife were the perfect guests, arriving early (dressed to the nines!) for the couple's nuptials. Their royal connection: Prince William worked with Beckham on England's failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Guy Ritchie
Madonna got snubbed. But ex-husband Ritchie lucked out because he's a friend of the couple. The British filmmaker arrived with his pregnant girlfriend, Jacqui Ainsley. Ritchie is the director of Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch and Revolver.
Joss Stone
The English soul singer, who frequently takes the stage barefoot, was in step with protocol and arrived in a ladylike bright pink suit and matching heels. She's said to have become close friends with William after performing at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium in 2007, which marked the 10th anniversary of his mother's death.
Mario Testino
A few good (OK, great) shots earned the acclaimed photographer a ticket to the big day. The Vogue favorite shot the couple's official portraits to mark their engagement and also took some of Diana's most iconic photos.
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson
"One of the more fashion-forward guests," according to commentary on the Today show, socialite and TV presenter Palmer-Tomkinson arrived in a royal blue gown and a sculptural Philip Treacy hat. A friend of the family, she appeared on the British reality series I'm a Celebrity ? Get Me Out of Here!
Ian Thorpe
Prince William met the buff Olympic swimmer, known as the "Thorpedo," on a visit to Australia in 2010 and has donated to Thorpe's charity, Fountain of Youth.
Rowan Atkinson
The comedian, best-known for the ungainly TV (and movie) character Mr. Bean, is pals with Prince Charles.
Tom Bradby
The former royal correspondent at ITV News, now its political editor, conducted the first official interview with William and Kate in November. He's buddies with William.
Ben Fogle
The travel writer and TV presenter escorted his very pregnant wife, Marina, to the affair. Fogle and William met years ago and are close friends; He shot Prince William's Africa, a Sky1 documentary with William and Prince Harry to promote the wildlife conservation charity Tusk Trust.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Ms. Miriam Gonz�lez Dur�ntez
Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats and a former journalist, and his Spanish wife, a partner in a law firm.
First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Mrs. William Hague
Hague, a member of the Conservative party, and his wife, Ffion, last year publicly revealed their struggle to start a family.
Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Hon. Mrs. George Osborne
The Conservative politician is a member of the aristocracy and was appointed to his post in May 2010. His Cambridge-educated wife, the Hon. Frances Victoria Howell, is the author of the non-fiction book Lilla's Feast.
Members of foreign royal families
The Prince and Princess of the Asturias, Felipe and Letizia
Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium
The Sultan of Brunei and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha
King Simeon II and Queen Margarita of the Bulgarians
The Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II
King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes
Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Prince Constantine of Greece
Sheikh Ahmad Hmoud Al-Sabah of Kuwait
Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso and Princess Mabereng Seeiso of Lesotho
The Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg, Henri and Maria Teresa
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Miss Charlene Wittstock
Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco
Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima of The Netherlands
King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway
His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman
The Emir of The State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and Sheika Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned
King Michael I of Romania and Crown Princess Margarita
Prince Mohamed bin Nawaf bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia and Princess Fadwa bint Khaled bin Abdallah Al-Saud
Queen Sofia of Spain
King Mswati III of Swaziland
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel, Duke of V�sterg�tland
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand
King George Tupou V of Tonga
Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi
Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia
Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia
Representatives of the church and other states
The Most Reverend Gregorious, Archbishop of the Greek Archdiocese of Thysteira and Great Britain
The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and Mrs. Jane Williams
Rabbi Anthony Bayfield
Mr. Anil Bhanot, Hindu Council UK
The Archbishop of Armagh, Cardinal Archbishop Sean Brady
Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, The Most Reverend David Chillingworth
The Right Reverend John Christie, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Mr. Malcolm Deboo President, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe
The Rt. Reverend Doctor Norman Hamilton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
The Archbishop of Armagh, The Most Reverend Alan Edwin Harper
Monsignor Philip Kerr, The Convener, Action of Churches Together in Scotland
Commissioner Elizabeth Matear, Salvation Army
The Archbishop of Wales, The Most Rev. Dr. Barry Morgan
The Rev. Gareth Morgan Jones, president of the Free Church Council of Wales
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-Connor, Emeritus Archbishop of Westminster
The Archbishop of Westminster, The Most Rev. Vincent Nichols
Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh
Rabbi Alan Plancey
Imam Mohammad Raza
The Chief Rabbi (Lord Sacks)
The Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala, Acting Head Monk, The London Buddhist Vihara
Maulana Syed Raza Shabbarm, Muhammadi Trust
Mr. Natubhai Shah, president, the Jain Academy
Dr. Indarjit Singh, Director, Network Sikh Organisations (UK)
Canon Chirstopher Tuckwell, administrator of Westminster Cathedral
The Rev. Martin Turner, Methodist Central Hall Westminster
The Archbishop of York John Sentamu and Mrs. Margaret Sentamu
Dignitaries
Governor-General Dame Louise Agnetha Lake-Tack of Antigua and Barbuda
Governor-General Quentin Bryce of Australia and Michael Bryce
Governor-General Sir Arthur Foulkes of The Bahamas and Lady Joan Eleanor Foulkes
Governor-General Sir Clifford Husbands of Barbados
Governor-General Sir Colville Young of Belize
Governor-General David Johnston of Canada and Mrs. Sharon Johnston
Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen of Jamaica
Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand of New Zealand and Lady Susan Satyanand
Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio of Papua New Guinea
Governor-General Sir Frank Kabui of the Solomon Islands and Lady Grace Kabui
Governor-General Sir Cuthbert Sebastian of St. Christopher and Nevis
Governor-General Dame Pearlette Louisy of St. Lucia
Governor-General Sir Frederick Ballantyne of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Lady Sally-Ann Ballantyne
Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia and Mr. Tim Mathieson
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham of the Bahamas and Ms. Delores Miller
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart of Barbados
Prime Minister John Key of New Zealand and Bronagh Key
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare of Papua New Guinea and Lady Veronica Somare
Prime Minister Stephenson King of St. Lucia and Mrs. Rosalia Nestor King
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Mrs. Eloise Gonsalves
Premier Paula Cox of Bermuda and Mr. Germain Nkeuleu
Premier Ralph T. O'Neal of the British Virgin Islands and Mrs. Edris O'Neal
Premier McKeeva Bush of the Cayman Islands and Mrs. Kerry Bush
The Hon. Sharon and Mr. Rodney Halford (Falkland Islands)
Chief Minister Peter Caruana of Gibraltar and Mrs. Cristina Caruana
Chief Minister Reuben T. Meade of Montserrat and the Rev. Dr. Joan Delsol Meade
The Hon. John and Mrs. Vilma Cranfield (St. Helena)
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GUESS WHO was spotted heading to her hotel in Vancouver,Canada on Thursday morning? HiNT: She WAS rumored to be pregnant…. It’s rapper Nicki Minaj. She was spotted with her rumored fiance SB and a big bodyguard at the Vancouver International … Continue
COUNT: Increase was less than 1 percent from 2009, says population report.
The California Department of Finance released figures Friday showing the state's population grew less than 1 percent in 2010 - one of the smallest increases in modern history.
The population in the Golden State was estimated at 37,511,000, an increase of 287,000 residents - or .77 percent - from the previous year. Los Angeles also had meager growth, with an increase of 0.4 percent to 3,810,00, an increase of 17,000 from 2009.
Finance Department spokesman Daniel Shiya said California is no longer a magnet for new residents because of its double-digit jobless rate and lack of new housing.
"It is about what we expected," Shiya said. "The growth we've seen has been due to a natural increase of births over deaths and not a lot of migration."
Los Angeles officials said they will scrutinize the revised figures to determine their accuracy and their impact on policy.
"Once the recovery gains steam, we expect the growth to pick back up," city Planning Director Michael LoGrande said. "In addition, undercounting has been a historical problem in L.A. While at this point, the jury is out on that question, undercounting has to remain a concern."
The figures were developed through a formula based on housing units.
There has been a steady decline in the number of new housing units since 2005. In 2010, there were 44,649 new housing units added statewide, compared with 63,036 in 2009.
"Housing units reflect how
the economy is doing," Shiya said. "I think from what we're seeing, I don't think there is any indication we are over the hump, economically."
According to the figures, Los Angeles remains California's largest city, followed by San Diego with 1.3 million and San Jose, with 958,000. San Francisco had a population of 804,000.
Another notable change is that Glendale, Oxnard and Huntington Beach - which each began the decade with populations of more than 200,000 - have fallen below that benchmark.
Glendale has about 192,000 residents, while Oxnard has 199,000 and Huntington Beach, 190,000.
Jordan isn't happy about Peter Andre's new access-all-areas programme
Katie Price is divorcing cage fighter Alex Reid
Katie Price has criticised ex-husband Peter Andre for using their children in the new series of his reality TV show.
Peter Andre: The Next Chapter kicked off on ITV2 yesterday, and throughout the series viewers will see the 38-year-old singer take children Junior, 5, and Princess, 3, on various adventures.
'I hear someone used my children in there show again..I wonder if there show would be a show without my children!!' Katie, 32, Tweeted last night.
'I wonder if my children also get paid and money put into a bank account for them for being in this persons tv show..'
Glamour girl Katie, who's currently in Argentina with new man Leandro Penna, 25, no longer features Junior and Princess in her reality programme, but does let the cameras film her disabled 8-year-old son Harvey.�
'I want to withdraw them from the public eye as I want them to have as normal a childhood as possible,' the glamour girl Tweeted at the end of last year.
'I start filming for my new reality show this week junior and princess won't be in any of my shows or any photo shoots again.'
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This is a guest post by Rob Shedd, VP of Product and Technology for Three Screen Games, who is actively involved with the Lion Launch Pad, an accelerator program for student entrepreneurs at Penn State.��You can read the original article here.
This is a post I've had a running draft of for some time. I'm happy to be getting it out of my draft bin and out onto the web!
Josh Kopelman of First Round Capital spoke at DreamIt Ventures this summer. During his talk, Josh mentioned how he expects to see an increasing number of DreamIt/TechStars/Y Combinator-style locally-focused "seed stage startup accelerator" programs in the coming years.
This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Between the research that led to the founding of the Lion Launch Pad at Penn State and my research into startup accelerator programs before joining DreamIt Ventures this summer, I've talked with / read about a number of programs.
But I wasn't really sure how many programs were out there, nor have I been able to find a comprehensive list anywhere else. The programs certainly don't all operate in the same fashion, so there is a lot of diversity as far as terms and offerings, but in general, I think everyone can agree that it's a good thing for startups that so many are taking an interest around the globe in helping early stage ventures get off the group and take flight.
So, here is the list I've been compiling ? I'm sure I'm forgetting a few ? what else is out there?
Global Seed-Stage Startup Accelerators
Ann Arbor, MI ? SPARK Business Accelerator ? http://www.annarborusa.org/start-ups/spark-business-accelerator/
Atlanta, GA ? Shotput Ventures ? http://www.shotputventures.com
Houston, TX ? Houston Tech Center ? http://www.houstontech.org
Italy ? H-Farm ? http://www.h-farmventures.com
Italy ? Working Capital ? http://www.workingcapital.telecomitalia.it/2010/03/koinup-selezionata/
Jordan ? Oasis 500 ? http://arabcrunch.com/2010/06/oasis-500-a-startup-accelerator-to-launch-in-august.html(launching in August ? no specific site yet)
Lexington, MA / Menlo Park, CA ? Summer@Highland Capital ? http://www.hcp.com/summer/
Lexington, KY ? The Awesome Inc. Experience ? http://awesomeinc.org/the-awesome-experience
Limerick, Ireland ? The Greenhouse ? http://greenhouselimerick.com
Lisbon, Portugal ? Maverick/SeedCapital ? http://maverick.pthttp://seedcapital.pt
London, UK ? Seedcamp ? http://www.seedcamp.com
Los Angeles, CA ? LaunchPadLA ? http://www.launchpad.la
Madrid, Spain ? Tetuan Valley Startup School ? http://www.tetuanvalley.com
Menlo Park, CA ? Lightspeed Venture Partners Summer Grants ? http://lightspeedvp.com/summergrants.aspx
Montreal, Ca ? BOLIDEA ? http://blog.bolidea.com
Montreal, Ca ? Flow Ventures Accelerator Program ? http://www.flowventures.com
Montreal, Ca ? Montreal Startup ? http://montrealstartup.com
Mountain View, CA ? Y Combinator ? http://www.ycombinator.com
College of the Atlantic ? Sustainable Ventures Incubator ? http://www.coa.edu/press-releases_pg1_724.htm
Cornell University ? eLabs ? http://www.elabstartup.com
Couri Hatchery at Syracuse University ? http://whitman.syr.edu/eee/incubator/
Duke University ? DUhatch ? http://www.cerc.duke.edu/duhatch
University of Michigan ? RPM10 ? http://www.rpmvc.com/rpm10/
University of Michigan?s ?Techarb? Business Accelerator ? http://techarb.org/about/ and http://cfe.engin.umich.edu/businessaccelerator
University of North Carolina ? Carolina Launch Pad -�http://www.carolinalaunchpad.org
Penn State University ? Lion Launch Pad ? http://www.lionlaunchpad.org
University of Pennsylvania -�Wharton Venture Initiation Program ? http://vip.wharton.upenn.edu
RIT Student Business Development Lab ? http://entrepreneurship.rit.edu/business_lab.php (part of the Venture Creations program at RIT http://www.venturecreations.org)
Santa Clara University ? Global Social Benefit Incubator ? http://www.scu.edu/sts/gsbi/
Stanford University ? Student Startup Lab ? http://sselabs.stanford.edu/
Syracuse University ? Start-Up Accelerator ? http://accelerate.syr.edu/ForStudents/index.aspx
Syracuse Student Sandbox at the Tech Garden ? http://thetechgarden.com/studentsandbox
Union College ? U-Start ? http://www.union.edu/resources/technology/u-start/index.php
The University of Texas at Austin ? Texas Venture Labs ? http://www.texasventurelabs.net
Virginia Tech ? DayOne Ventures ? http://dayoneventures.com
University of Waterloo ? VeloCity ?Dormcubator? -�http://velocity.uwaterloo.ca
Wayne State University ? SmartStart Business Development Program ? http://techtownwsu.org/business/smartstart.php
Yale University ? Yale Entrepreneurial Institute / Yale Startups ? http://www.yalestartups.com
Deadpool / Inactive
Other Useful Resources:
Map of Seed Accelerator programs around the world: On Google Maps
The bride and groom's siblings get on like a house on fire
Pippa Middleton was chief bridesmaid to sister Kate Middleton
Now Says blog
Prince William melts my heart at his fairytale wedding to Kate Middleton
Read more >
Chelsy Davy was watching from the pews as boyfriend Prince Harry followed just-married Prince William and Kate Middleton down the aisle at Westminster Abbey today.
And she might have been better to have looked away.
The cheeky Prince, who was Best Man to brother Wills at today's Royal Wedding, laughed and joked with Maid Of Honour Pippa Middleton, 27, as they walked arm-in-arm at the end of the ceremony.
The pair whispered to each other and couldn't stop grinning - perhaps in anticipation of tonight's reception at Buckingham Palace, where Harry's sure to embarrass Will with his speech.�
Zimbabwe-born Chelsy, 25 - who has been dating Harry, 26, on and off for a number of years - chose a turquoise Alberta Ferretti mini-skirt and off-the-shoulder top for the event.
But it seemed Harry's eyes were all on Pippa, who wore a classy ivory full-length silk gown to perfectly complement her sister's lace retro-style Sarah Burton wedding dress.�
NEW PICTURES Royal Wedding crowd celebrate Kate Middleton and Prince William's big day>>
ROYAL WEDDING GALLERY See the guests arrive for Prince William and Kate Middleton's special day>>
NEW PICTURES Kate Middleton wears elegant lace Sarah Burton dress for her wedding to Prince William>>
NEW PICTURES Kate Middleton and Prince William are married at last>>
NEW PICTURES Kate Middleton and family arrive at London hotel ahead of Royal Wedding to Prince William>>
NEW PICTURES Prince William and Kate Middleton visit Lancashire before the Royal Wedding>>�
MORE PICTURES Amazing facts about Kate Middleton - Prince William's wedding belle>>
NEW PICTURES Prince William revealed! Amazing facts about Kate Middleton's man>>
SEE PICTURES Kate Middleton and Prince William: Their love story in photos>>
PHOTO GALLERY Kate Middleton watches Prince William play polo>>
PICTURE SPECIAL Kate Middleton and Prince William appear together at first public engagement>>
NEW PICTURES Kate Middleton and Prince William attend wedding>>
PHOTO GALLERY Kate Middleton gets into Christmas spirit at charity do>>
Stepping out for a fun-filled day in New York City, Leighton Meester was spotted leaving her Big Apple hotel on Friday (April 29).
The ?Gossip Girl? gal looked cute in heels, skinny black jeans, a tank top and a hat as she made her way out of her temporary digs with a mystery male.
In other news, Ms Meester has been busy adding more and more films to her acting resume.
Her latest flick, ?Monte Carlo? which stars Selena Gomez, Katie Cassidy and Cory Monteith is due out in theaters this July.
The long-awaited public display of affection was quick -- blink and you miss it -- and was watched upon by thousands of people gathered outside the palace's gates, who cheered when the appeared from behind the glass doors.
Prince William is notoriously shy when it comes to PDA (unlike his little brother Harry) and the crowd chanted "Kiss her again!" So he did. The newlyweds shared not one but two kisses in front of the adoring public.
The rest of the wedding party, including the Queen, the Middleton family, and Prince Charles and Camilla Bowles watch on as the Royal Air Force and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flew over the celebratory crowd.
In this image taken from video, Britain's Prince William, second left, looks at his bride, Kate Middleton, as they stand at the altar at Westminster Abbey for the Royal Wedding in London on Friday, April, 29, 2011. (AP Photo/APTN) EDITORIAL USE ONLY NO ARCHIVE PHOTO TO BE USED SOLELY TO ILLUSTRATE NEWS REPORTING OR COMMENTARY ON THE FACTS OR EVENTS DEPICTED IN THIS IMAGE
Camilla announced well ahead of time that she would be wearing her designer of choice Anna Valentine, who designed the off white gown and long jacket she wore for her wedding to Prince Charles in 2005. Valentine has created many dresses for Camilla over the years so her designer choice for the royal wedding wasn?t surprising.
I found the jacket, which was light gray with a kind of pale peach pleated skirt, pretty on camera but ?off? somehow, like she was striving to be a little fashion-forward and didn?t hit the right notes. She paired the jacket with an asymmetrical champagne colored hat with ribbon-type accents. It wasn?t a bad look overall.
On CNN, a lot was made of the fact that the crowd cheered for Camilla, and that she was at the wedding and was able to traditionally greet the queen. Much has passed since Diana?s death and Camilla seems to be accepted by the British people. She?s spent many years earning it. I think it?s clear she?s not striving to be a fashion icon like Diana, but she?s well dressed enough and has her own well established sense of style.
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The Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. has admitted his heavy drug abuse contributed to some of the problems in the band.
Albert Hammond Jr. almost ruined his career because he was a "total f***ing junkie".
The Strokes guitarist admits his substance abuse problem contributed towards some of the tensions in the band which led to their hiatus at the end of their 'First Impressions of Earth' tour in 2006 and further spiralled out of control when he was working on his solo projects.
He said: "I became a drug weirdo because of my own anger and when you're angry with yourself and you're ingesting a lot of drugs, it doesn't help any sense of dialogue and you just feel isolated.
"At that point (the end of the tour), I was a year into doing pretty hard drugs, but I still wasn't that crazy yet.
I was a total f***ing junkie. I came close to some pretty heavy s**t. I never thought I'd do that, but I've definitely seen the dark part of my soul.
"Super craziness came at the end of my first solo record and the beginning of my second one. I was full-on junkie by the second solo record.
"I was a total f***ing junkie. I came close to some pretty heavy s**t. I never thought I'd do that, but I've definitely seen the dark part of my soul."
Albert insists his problems are now behind him, which he thinks made it possible for The Strokes to reunite to record their latest album 'Angles'.
He told Q magazine: "The only reason I'm able to talk about it with such insight is that I've gone 180 degrees the other way. I'm living in a different place and that's why I can speak about it.
"In my f**ed-up-ness I didn't notice all the other people in the group saying how much they waned to be in it. Me being sober and present has definitely helped."
At one end of the country, Frank McCourt's most emotional and strongly worded response yet to Major League Baseball assuming day-to-day control over his tenuous co-ownership of the Dodgers might have sounded like a pre-emptive strike to just-appointed overseer J. Thomas Schieffer.
"I'm a self-made man," McCourt asserted Wednesday afternoon. "Every dollar I've made I've earned the old-fashioned way. Nobody handed the Dodgers to me, and no one is going to take them away from me. I'm not going anywhere."
He also went so far as to call the actions that MLB commissioner Bud Selig has taken against him and the Dodgers, "un-American."
But moments later, as Schieffer stood behind a podium at a hotel ballroom near LAX, the former U.S. ambassador to Japan and Australia hardly seemed rattled.
"I've dealt with North Koreans," he told reporters with something of a smirk.
Rather than meet up with Schieffer during his first day in Los Angeles to discuss arrangements, McCourt flew thousands of miles to Selig's New York offices.
Then, he unloaded - all but saying he was about to file any kind of lawsuit against Selig or the league to keep hold of the Dodgers.
McCourt's visit was again to plead his case for approval of a new front-loaded TV rights deal with Fox Sports that he insists would not only keep the team solvent but, as "one of the highest rights deals in all of baseball," would secure its financial future for years to come "whether I'm the owner or somebody else is the owner."
The terms of the Dodgers' pending deal with Fox is up to interpretation. McCourt said it is a 14-year extension on the current three-year deal (with those years renegotiated) that will bring some $3 billion into the fold - of which some $300 million would be paid at the beginning.
McCourt contends that Selig's office rejected it, even though it would go "entirely" toward the team and "in no way for any personal matter and I'm happy to make that commitment in writing."
He said an equity component would also give the Dodgers some ownership share of Fox Sports West's Prime Ticket channel.
"It's the same kind of components that baseball has approved (in the past) with other teams," he said.
MLB sources have reportedly replied that the deal is only for $1.7 billion.
Regardless, McCourt was neither satisfied with how the meeting went - Selig did not attend and hasn't returned his phone calls - nor was he willing to be quiet about it.
He arranged a teleconference through the Dodgers' communications staff only a half hour before going on a 45-minute diatribe that pushed back the start of Schieffer's pre-scheduled L.A.-arrival media gathering.
Contending that Selig and the MLB have been treating the Dodgers by a different set of rules, McCourt insisted that "in my personal opinion, there is a predetermined end result here and the investigation is designed to prohibit our ability to close this transaction."
He maintained the team has been "current on all of our obligations, all of our payments. We have not asked for a penny of emergency funding from (baseball) and we just put a multibillion-dollar media transaction on the table with only Commissioner Selig's approval standing in the way."
Yet just as defiant as he would be one minute, McCourt took the opportunity to sound contrite in how his public divorce with former wife Jamie has played out publicly over the last two years. He said he realized that it has played a role in Selig's recent actions to step in.
"I've made some mistakes," McCourt said. "And I'm sorry about that. And I'm definitely committed to doing things differently moving forward. Some things might have been overblown when you're going through a divorce, but overblown or not, I've learned from my mistakes.
"I'm very energized right now and very focused on the Dodgers and the Los Angeles community and everybody deserves a second chance.
"I apologize to the community, I apologize to the fans, (it has been) horrible and I can't imagine how tough it has been (for my sons). I wouldn't wish it on anybody. But there are silver linings and you learn. Your focus changes and if someone were to go through what I've been through and didn't become a changed person, then they'll never change.
"I look forward to showing the Los Angeles Dodgers community what I'm really made of and I hope they'll give me that chance."
While McCourt said he was willing to modify the structure of the Fox deal in any way that MLB saw fit, he still would like something in writing from MLB in return: Such as, what is Schieffer's job title?
Asked if he would be willing to work with Schieffer, McCourt said: "It depends if it is as a `monitor' or as a `receiver.' (If it is the later) we don't accept that pretense. We don't believe that Commissioner Selig has the right to jump the gun and send a receiver in to take control of the Dodgers."
Schieffer joked that he'd "never been a hall monitor in school before," but he only sees himself as "a representative of the commissioner" and acting "in the best interest of baseball."
Schieffer added that he hoped his role as a monitor didn't create any friction between himself and McCourt, but "that's really his choice."
Rob Manfred, MLB's executive vice president of labor relations, issued a statement later Thursday to correct McCourt's account of their earlier meeting.
Manfred said it was "unfortunate" that McCourt chose to publicize their discussion and "it is even more unfortunate that Mr. McCourt's public recitation was not accurate. Most fundamental, Commissioner Selig did not veto a proposed transaction (the TV rights deal with Fox).
"Rather, Mr. McCourt was clearly told that the commissioner would make no decision on any transaction until after his investigation into the club and its finances is complete so that he can properly evaluate all of the facts and circumstances."
McCourt also said that having "his property seized" was "not appropriate just because, you know, you get divorced, or for some arbitrary reason. That's one of the great core principles of this country. It's un-American for me to sit here having this conversation defending whether or not the franchise and property that I've put my hard-earned money and my family's blood, sweat and tears (is) susceptible to someone taking it away. And people will see that's not right."
McCourt did say that he made the point "very forcefully" that his pending divorce situation is "no reason to turn down this transaction."
Manfred also denied McCourt's assertion that the Dodgers had been seized, saying Schieffer has been appointed as a monitor and that McCourt was provided paperwork from Selig describing Schieffer's role.
"In our meeting, no one from the Dodgers asked a single, specific question about the terms of the document setting forth the monitor's role," Manfred said.
Chris Hemsworth injured himself on the set of 'Thor' when he accidently hit himself in the face with a whip.
Chris Hemsworth whipped himself in the face on the set of 'Thor'.
The 27-year-old actor - who plays the titular character in the superhero movie - decided he wanted to try out a whip which was being wielded by co-star Tom Hiddleston, who portrays villain Loki, on set.
However, his skills with the weapon weren't good enough and he struck himself across the face leaving him writhing in pain.
Chris said: "I remember one Sunday rehearsal with Tom and his character had a whip and I was like, 'Give me a crack at that.' I was doing my best 'Indiana Jones' impersonation with the whip and suddenly I whacked myself right in the eye with it.
There was a huge welt across my face and it felt like my eye was hanging out of its socket
"There was a huge welt across my face and it felt like my eye was hanging out of its socket."
The Australian star panicked about the injury because it occurred just a day before filming on the Marvel project was due to start, but quick-thinking director Kenneth Branagh told him what to do.
He added: "It happened one day before we were due to start filming. I rang Ken and he said, 'Don't tell anyone - just ice it. Fingers crossed.'
"Luckily, after about five hours of pressing ice on it, the swelling went down ... But I'd come off set with all sorts of bumps and scratches - I didn't even know where half of them were from."
Chris had to bulk up for the role as Thor - who is a Norse God-turned-man by his father Odin, played by Sir Anthony Hopkins in the movie - so he could portray the character convincingly.
He said: "My previous training had all been cardio-based - surfing, swimming and running. I'd never really lifted weights until I got this part, looked at the comic and noticed that Thor was a f***ing huge 600lb guy.
"It was good old Arnold Schwarzenegger-style body-building and eating tons of protein."
Getting in a serious sweat session, Khloe Kardashian was spotted after a workout in Los Angeles, CA on Thursday (April 28).
The ?Khloe and Lamar? babe looked cute in her black workout gear but seemed to be in no mood to have her picture taken.
Meanwhile, it?s no secret that Khloe has had to battle with her weight for a long time now - and she recently opened up about when the struggle started.
?My brother [Rob] and I were always heavy. They gave us food to keep us comforted. All we did was eat crap,? Khloe said referring to when her mom Kris and late father Robert went through a divorce.
On April 19th, to coincide with Earth Day and the first anniversary of the oil spill in the Gulf, the documentary Gas Hole was released on DVD. Directed by Scott D. Roberts and Jeremy Wagener, the film gives an overview of the history of American oil companies... and the country's dependence on their product. It is presented alongside the possibility that options for alternative fuel have been surreptitiously sabotaged. Throughout the movie, there is a menace in the air that recalls the Silkwood affair.
For Roberts, the questions started when he read a letter in a Northern Californian town newspaper. It was written by Ken Kunde, who claimed to have witnessed a water-injected carburetor that gave drivers 100 miles per gallon. On screen, Kunde relates the tale of a man who developed the concept and sold the Kunde becomes an onscreen presence relating a tale of the man who developed the concept and sold the patent to Shell Oil, making him a millionaire. However, the sale came with a condition. He could use the one that he had invented for his own use, but he could not produce any others.
This information sent Roberts and Wagener on a three-year exploration of other technologies that were also suppressed under suspect circumstances. Prominent among them was Tom Ogle and his fuel-system invention, the "vapor engine," where two gallons of gas yielded 200 miles per gallon. Ogle died mysteriously, and his "Oglemobile" disappeared. But the question remained, why would oil companies want to suppress these innovations?
The filmmakers lay out the timeline and backstory on the birth of the American oil companies, which is essentially a narrative about John D. Rockefeller. Understanding the benefit in consolidating companies, Rockefeller bought out smaller producers who were in financial trouble. Often, he would "sweat a competitor," a method that forced them to sell out. Through moving into both refining and shipping, by 1899, his Standard Oil company had virtually gained total control of the industry. Rockefeller's assertion that his goal was a move toward stabilization was disputed in the first journalistic expos� of oil price fixing and predatory business practices in The History of the Standard Oil Company, written by Ida Tarbell in 1904. In 1906, Standard Oil was accused of being a monopoly, and was broken up into 20 subsidiaries. This yielded 20 regional monopolies, which become even richer. Simple graphics show how the current international major companies referred to as the "Seven Sisters" were all direct descendants of Standard Oil. With these insights, the viewer is better able to understand the larger picture.
Before the turn of the 20th century, in 1893, Rudolf Diesel developed a fuel source based on peanut energy. He said, "The use of vegetable oil for engine fuels may seem insignificant today. But such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum." His demise is also shrouded in mystery, and his engine invention moved forward -- using oil.
News footage traces American presidents expounding upon the need for energy independence. It begins with Richard Nixon in 1974 telling the country, "We must provide for our own energy needs." It follows Ford and Jimmy Carter, who in 1980 stated, "Independence on foreign oil is a clear and present danger to our national security."
Thirty-one years later, despite being aware of the political implications and understanding that if we use less petroleum there will be less pollution, the country has yet to address the problem. Kriss Moller, Founder of ConservFuel, a platform to amplify the alternative fuel dialogue, observes dryly, "It's going to take a tidal wave coming over Los Angeles for people to realize there's a correlation [between the oil market and the factors of weather and politics]."
Nothing speaks louder than the highlighted C-SPAN clips from the oil hearings on Capitol Hill, when the testifying executives who are earning salaries in the millions, refused to be sworn in under oath. It is noted that the two chairmen of the panel received a combined 1.5 million dollars from the coffers of the oil companies. Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) declared, "As long as I am chairman, regulating global warming is off the table indefinitely. I don't want there to be any uncertainty about that." Barton would later make headlines in 2010 with his apology to BP CEO Tony Heyward.
The stats for campaign contributions on both sides of the aisle are astounding. Since 1990, oil and gas companies have contributed $49,027,504 to Democrats and $150,588,788 to Republicans. Despite these dismal numbers, there are those in the House and Senate who have been asking the hard questions about America's addiction to oil, and looking for accountability.
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) has been a strong advocate for reducing American dependency on fossil fuels. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) has served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee since 1995. She explains, with an air of disappointment, that Congress is a "reactive rather than a pro-active body." She makes it clear that she is working on behalf of her constituents, and not the oil corporations.
"Bush and Cheney were way too close to the oil industry to give it the kind of scrutiny it needs," suggests Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM). Having served as New Mexico's State Attorney General and as a congressman, Udall wrote and passed legislation to establish a national renewable electricity standard. He has served on the Committee on Environment and Public Works, and firmly believes that our national policy has been influenced by oil -- pointing out that America produces 8 percent of the world's supply to the Middle-East's 66 percent.
Throughout the documentary, questions are put forth and examined. They include:
? When crude went up 12 cents a gallon, why did gasoline elevate to 60 cents more a gallon? ? Where are the record profits coming from? ? How is the price of oil set? Are U.S. oil companies damaging the country's economy with their prices? ? Do the oil and automobile industries work in collusion by having consumers believe that safety and fuel efficiency aren't synonymous? ? What is the role of advertising in influencing the consumer? ? What's the incentive for oil companies to embrace alternative fuel options? ? How do you get people to change their behavior to benefit the collective?
It should be noted that the filmmakers contacted Chevron and Shell for interviews. They both declined. Fear of retribution from the oil companies impacted Wagener and Roberts while they were in production and distribution. People were afraid to speak on the record, and threats were made to potential sponsors of the film's tour.
Roberts advocates for people to check out how their elected officials are voting on oil industry regulation, industry tax cuts, campaign contributors, and alternative fuel. Once again, it comes down to the power and determination of the individual.
This article was written for the Moms Clean Air Force blog.
�
Follow Marcia G. Yerman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mgyerman
A controversial move was made in the world of comics this week with Superman, of all people, threatening to give up his American citizenship.
This is a guest post by Rob Shedd, VP of Product and Technology for Three Screen Games, who is actively involved with the 
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fivechubbymonkeys
April 27th, 2011 at 1:17 am
she is really funny!!! i wish i new her!:) i wonder if she reads her comments on You Tube?
mamitachocolate
April 27th, 2011 at 6:52 am
Aww @ the look on her face when she said she was poor. It seems like that?s a real sore spot for her. =( WE LOVE YOU KATY!!!
btrfly25
April 27th, 2011 at 7:11 am
Yeah Canada is in North America, not outside of it lol. It?s more to the north than the U.S.! xD bahaha