Hillary Carol Cruz: Miss Teen USA 2007

"The judges for this year's competition included: Coty Beauty Vice President, Jay Clarke; Victoria's Secret model, Selita Ebanks; William Morris Agency's Senior Vice President, John Ferriter; actress, Melissa Joan Hart; former Miss Teen USA 2004 and "Days of our Lives" actress, Shelley Hennig; actor, Joey Lawrence; Warner Bros. Records Vice President of Artist Development, Nick Light; professional skateboarder and MTV's "My Life of Ryan" star, Ryan Sheckler; "Friday Night Lights'" actress, Aimee Teegarden; and President of YMI Jeans, David Vered".

Obviously not one judge is a Latino or a Hispanic. So, it is refreshing to see that this Miss Teen Colorado, of Hispanic descent, was the winner of this pageant in a country where, according to one of the questions asked to another competitor, following certain Statics, one of five citizens is unable to find the US in a world map when asked to do so.
Photo and quote, official site.

Justice was served

Reputed Klu-Klux-Klan member, James Ford Seale, now 72, was sentenced to three life terms for the murder of two black teenagers that took place back in 1964. During almost four decades Seale eluded justice, until a 20/20 investigation, led by reporter Harry Phillips, forced Police to reopen the case and take Seale into custody, thanks to the confession of his accomplice, Charles Edwards, a protected witness. Things have changed since then in Meadville, Miss., since now, a black US District Judge, Henry Wingate, sentenced the criminal saying, "justice is ageless". Mr. Seale suffers from a serious Cancer condition. I am not personally pleased seen an ancient going to jail but if something I do admire in the US is its ability to impose the Law, even when it seems that a crime is fading into oblivion. That´s why I find hard to justify the stubborn mojada Elvira Arellano stance, since she was violating the law staying in the US without a legal permisson. But this is, of course, another thing I want to discuss in another posting.
Image and data: ABC News.

Nikon Closes the Circle

Finally Nikon steps into it's own tradition with the release of its newest D3 DSLR. With a FX CMOS sensor, 12.1 MP, and loaded with many pro options, but the most interesting feature for me is its ability to mount old AI, non chip, lenses. Some of those oldest ones are the best ever made by Nikon and some of them, like the famed Nikkor O F:1.2 were never made again. As Macro and IR are my main photographic passions, I welcome this fav machine, a true heir of the unforgettable Nikon F. As its price tag goes to USD $7,995 I will have to settle with the humbler, made for the poor D300 at USD $1,799.95. With the same features, only with a DX 12.1 MP CMOS sensor. Thanks Nikon!
Image: Nikon.

Joan Jett vs. Brtney

Mostly female friends have said that I like tomboys, several times during my life, perhaps because I liked girls like Stephany of Monaco, Grace Jones, the bald Sinnead O'Connor or the attitude of Deborah Harry. Besides, life is hard, and have spared for me only strong women.

Then, there comes my love for Joan Jett, whose I Love Rock N'Roll was and is a fundamental song in my life. Several days ago I saw for the first time the colour version of the video, that was changed into B&W because Joan found distasteful the red clothing she was wearing during the filming. And she was right, because in B&W it looks fantastic.

Perhaps as an homage, Britney's cover changes from colour to B&W and flashes red hues several times. Although she sings with enthusiasm, the poor direction, lack of creativity and the vulgar dancings chages this classic into a table top dancer's rehearsal. This said, I am sure that my friends will find another argument to point that I like girls with attitude but, isn't it true that Rock'N'Roll will never admit weak performers?
Images: Daily Motion.

Aurora is Back

"The Return of the Return of Things to Come" titled Famous Monsters of Filmland, back in the 70s when the mag was still in the hands of Forrest J Ackerman. This obvious parody of a work by H.G. Wells, came to my mind because the famous Aurora Plastics Corporation announces its return almost 30 years after closing in New York, and because both, mag and factory, are closely related in my memories.

Once I finished the whole Renwall visible line (from Visible Man to Visible Insect, from Visible Cow to Visible Dog), the next models I did were the Atomic Power Plant (Revell) and the Andrew Jackson sub. One day I saw a Frankestein Flyvver, got it, assembled it and a Universal monster fever began for me: again, from Dracula to the Mummy, from the Wolf Man to The Forgotten Prisoner of Castle Maré (coproduced between Famous Monsters people and Aurora) were assembled at least once by my hands. It was sad to say good bye to Aurora, almost at the same time when my interest in modelism began to wane. One of my latest efforts was the replica of a witch, which, of course, didn't got a good look, because my inspiration was over.

Some of these models became classics eagerly sought after by hard core collectors, in spite of the fact that both Polar Lights and Monogram reedited them. Therefore, they have been in the market ever since, however, some of them can command very high prices in auctions, although it is necessary to find them in mint or pristine condition in order to appeal to the collector´s wallet.

Aurora was created by Joseph E. Gianmarino in 1954. In its web site, BTW, as spartan as its former models, you will find the history of the company as well as the real destiny of its original molds (urban legend wanted them destroyed from long ago). For every lover of modelism, visiting Aurora´s site is a must. Please do so, you will enjoy it.
Image: Frankenstein Flyvver. Modeler: Liquid Metal.