Diane Warren: California's Songwriter

California music publishing mogul Diane Warren is the CEO of REALSONGS, one of the most successful businesses in the history of the music industry.

The most unusual aspect of REALSONGS Music Publishing is that it became such a phenomenally successful business by representing only one songwriter --- Diane Warren.

While it would be the height of recklessness for any business to pin all hopes of success on a single individual, Diane Warren's compositions have shattered industry records, received the world's highest honors, and made many millions of dollars for REALSONGS.

The Undisputed Queen of Hit Songwriting

If you haven't heard a Diane Warren composition, you're dead.  Her songs are monster megahits ---

• "Because You Loved Me" - Celine Dion
• "Blame It On The Rain" - Milli Vanilli
• "By The Time This Night Is Over" - Kenny G. & Peabo Bryson
• "Can't Fight The Moonlight" - LeAnn Rimes
• "Could I Have This Kiss Forever" - Whiney Houston & Enrique Iglesias
• "Don't Take Away My Heaven" - Aaron Neville
• "Don't Turn Around" - Ace of Base
• "Faith Of The Heart" - Rod Stewart
• "For You I Will" - Monica
• "Have You Ever" - Brandy
• "How Can We Be Lovers" - Michael Bolton
• "How Do I Live" - Trisha Yearwood
• "I Don't Want To Live Without Your Love" - Chicago
• "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" - Aerosmith
• "I Get Weak" - Belinda Carlisle
• "I Learned From The Best" - Whitney Houston
• "I Turn To You" - Christina Aguilera
• "I Will Be Here For You" - Michael W. Smith
• "If I Could Turn Back Time" - Cher
• "If You Asked Me To" - Celine Dion
• "Just Like Jesse James" - Cher
• "Live For Loving You" - Gloria Estefan
• "Look Away" - Chicago
• "Love Can Move Mountains" - Celine Dion
• "Love Will Lead You Back" - Taylor Dayne
• "Music Of My Heart" - NSYNC & Gloria Estefan
• "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" - Starship
• "Rhythm Of The Night" - DeBarge
• "There You'll Be" - Faith Hill
• "Time Love & Tenderness" - Michael Bolton
• "Unbreak My Heart" - Toni Braxton
• "We're Not Making Love Anymore" - Barbra Streisand
• "When I See You Smile" - Bad English
• "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" - Cher

--- and those are just some personal favorites.  Warren's list of great songs goes on and on and on.  Diane Warren is a prolific songwriter.

Warren has won just about every award ever conceived in history.  It would take me forever to list them all.  Just know that Diane's awards list goes on forever and ever.  She is a consistent winner.

Diane Warren is a native Californian born in the San Fernando Valley.  That's right, she's a real-live Valley Girl.  She started writing songs as a teenager, and she has never stopped.  Her romantic love songs are legendary.

Diane Warren is single and has never married.  Why?  She's a smart, attractive, down-to-earth woman.  What's up?

Diane is married to her music, but that's only half of it.  She's not well-known for writing instrumentals, so her lyrics have got to come from somewhere.

Being self-motivated, self-directed, and individually-geared, Diane Warren regularly engages in "emotional intercourse" in a kind of universal way.  She relates to every person's situation and subsequent feelings vicariously.

Diane Warren is a deeply empathic interpreter of life situations.

Warren's radar is always picking up ideas from movies, news stories, books, commercials, conversations, friends' situations, people-watching, body language and dreams.

Combined with her own reactions and perceptions, Diane's massive database builds at the subconscious level until she must outwardly EXPRESS.

It's just how some people are born.  The greatest creator or inventor must work alone because such a person's primary relationship is with all of humanity and all of creation --- not with just one person.

Through her songwriting, Diane Warren is speaking to everyone.  The ongoing conversation is about everything.  That's why her songs have such a broad, international appeal.  Listeners emotionally relate. 

While most people feel that they need their "other half", what if one's "other half" is everyone?

A Platinum Ear for Hit Songs

Great songwriters, like Diane Warren, have an "ear" for what's going to be a #1 hit song.  Such a person can listen to a popular radio station and tell, in 15 seconds, if a song will hit #22 on the Billboard charts or #1 for six weeks.  It's a fun little game to play, in fact, to see how accurate the prediction was.

When a "megahit" is heard for the first time, a songwriter with the "ear" can experience chills down the spine knowing that the song is going to impact listeners tremendously.  It can be an overwhelming experience.  Then, of course, the new song must be listened to 25 times because it's that HOT.

Sometimes the greatest song is one that you wish you'd written yourself.

When Diane Warren hears a new song, shakes her head and simply says, "Hello", the song is gonna be gigantic.  Guaranteed.  Diane knows.

Music fans can't wait to hear the next 50 songs that come from California's most prolific and commercially successful songwriter, Diane Warren.

Diane Warren Turns Back Time with Cher

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Schwarzenegger Legacy

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is about to become 'former Governor Schwarzenegger' in a few days.  Will anyone miss him?

Yes.  I will definitely miss The Governator.

When Arnold Schwarzenegger was a 2003 California candidate for governor, he was optimistic, buoyant and passionate about California.  He was also politically naive.

Today, after more than seven years as California governor, Schwarzenegger is still optimistic, buoyant and passionate about California.  The naivete' is gone, though.

That's what I will miss the most.

That wide-eyed innocence and willingness to work with everyone without prejudice made Arnold Schwarzenegger politically attractive.

I am aware of what Schwarzenegger critics and detractors have to say, and I don't care.  I like Arnold.

He tried hard; never stopped trying; tried something old; tried something new; tried something weird; tried it all; tried like hell.

TRYING is the greatest gift that Arnold Schwarzenegger could have ever given to California.

By trying more approaches than any governor in history, Schwarzenegger completed the difficult and exhausting task known as The Process Of Elimination.

Governor Jerry Brown will enjoy the benefit of his own past experience in Sacramento but, more importantly, Brown will have a much easier time targeting what will most likely work for California, now that what doesn't work is out of the way.

Jerry Brown goes back to the governor's office knowing the guts of the California Capitol as the seasoned politician he is.  With the decks now cleared by Arnold, he can hit the ground running.

I am one of many who wish to thank The People's Governor at this time:

Thank you, Arnold, for years of trying everything including the proverbial kitchen sink on behalf of the People of California --- and for no salary.

Thank you, Arnold, for showing up in all those disaster areas, hugging victims, carrying supplies, and comforting the frightened --- being a real MAN.

Thank you, Arnold, for representing California better than any chamber of commerce could have.  You made California more popular than ever --- and with style and class.

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Got California Unclaimed Property?

The State of California is now holding billions of dollars in unclaimed money and unclaimed property belonging to a lot of organizations and individuals like you.

Could some of this California unclaimed property be yours?  Are you rich and don't yet know it?  You might be surprised!

The California state controller is trying to match people and companies with their California unclaimed property, which is safeguarded by the state until property owners can claim what is rightfully theirs.

Owners or heirs can claim their property directly from the State Controller for FREE as per California's Unclaimed Property Law.  (It does NOT include real estate property.)

It gives the State an opportunity to return your money and provides citizens with a single source to check for California unclaimed property that may be reported by holders from around the nation.

California's Unclaimed Property Law requires "holders" such as corporations, business associations, financial institutions, and insurance companies to annually report and deliver property to the Controller's Office where there has been no customer contact for three years.

Often the owner forgets that this account exists, or moves without leaving a forwarding address, or the owner dies and the heirs don't know about the property.

Businesses and financial institutions are required to send a notice to your last known address, informing that your account will be transferred to the State Controller for safekeeping if you do not notify the institution of your intent to maintain account.

If the institution is not in a position to contact you, your account is remitted to the State Controller's Office, which sends a notice informing you of your California unclaimed property, provided it can find your current address by matching your reported Social Security number with the Franchise Tax Board's records.

How can you know if the state is holding anything with your name on it?  It's easy!  Just visit the state controller's California Unclaimed Property website right now and start searching.

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CA Bans Antichrist Light Bulbs

The State of California is ordering all 100-watt incandescent light bulbs off store shelves starting January 1, 2011 --- because they're EVIL!

These antichrist bulbs are causing puppies to cry, making unicorns run away, and giving raindrops emotional scars.  Ban them!

I was not aware that the Bible described Satan as "appearing as an angel of 100-watt light", nor was I aware that the Qur'an described a paradise with 72 watts, not virgins.

As the 100-watt incandescent bulbs disappear, the wimpy 72-watt bulb will be the highest substitute available.

Nanny-state wussy bulbs!

California is starting to 'repent' for its bulbous sins a year ahead of a 2012 deadline because of state regulations to "reduce energy consumption".

Hello?  Just turn off the light switch when you don't need light.  What?  Oh, that's right:  Common sense makes no money.

Government knows best, it seems.

The new fluorescent light bulbs, which will "save the earth", contain MERCURY which becomes a vapor to light the bulb.  You'll need to get your brain closer to the dull light so you can SEE in 2011.

Mercury vapors are your friends!

With fluorescent bulbs now dominating the alternative light bulb market, consumers are concerned about the mercury.  Ya think? 

Mercury is one of the strongest NEUROTOXINS on earth, and it's so tasty too --- just like candy!

When millions of CFLs end up in landfills, they collectively form an environmental apocalypse.  They save the earth, though, so they're cool, right?

"A 72-watt light bulb will still provide the same service as the old 100-watt bulb," says Adam Gottlieb, a spokesman for the California Energy Commission. "Consumers really need to know they won't see any difference."

Sure, dude, like whatever.  Nobody likes 'alien light' that makes you see dead people dimly illuminated.

Specialty lights that use less than 40-watts and more than 150-watts (like appliance lamps and 3-way bulbs) are exempt.

TIP: Get 150-watt light bulbs if you wanna see, Grandma!

Stop touching my bulbs, dude.

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Central Valley 2011

California's Great Central Valley has seen the hardest of economic times and survived.  In 2011, the Central Valley will turn its blood, sweat and tears into the biggest economic comeback in California history.

The Great Central Valley is standing up and about to start swinging back hard in 2011.

The San Joaquin Valley and the Sacramento Valley, together, make up the planet's largest farm known as the Great Central Valley.  Its gigantic depression in the earth can clearly be seen from space.

The frustration, tears, hopes and prayers of the brokenhearted people of the Central Valley can clearly be heard from Heaven --- and they have definitely been heard.

Back on the third day of September 2010, gubernatorial candidate Chelene Nightingale walked on-foot across the Great Central Valley in support of angry, frustrated Central Valley farmers and jobless residents.

For eight long days, the middle-aged God-fearing mom kept on walking through the jeers of scoffers and the cheers of supporters.  Nightingale believed so much in a miracle for the Central Valley that she risked her life and nearly lost both her feet to infection.

Many folks in California's Great Central Valley met, saw or heard about Chelene Nightingale on her 200-mile walk.  People became inspired, had their hope renewed, stood up in their boots and started dreaming of success again. 

One woman's idea and action had changed the hearts of the people of the Central Valley --- regardless of party or politics.  After being knocked down, people started standing up and speaking out.

The people of the Central Valley are poised for success once more.  Their momentum is unstoppable and their victory is within reach.  In 2011, the strong folks of California's Heartland will show the world what they're made of --- TRUE GRIT.

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Silicon Valley 2011

California's Silicon Valley economy will improve in 2011 with increased consumer spending, higher technology sales and new hiring, as it leaves the recession behind in golden California dust.

Economists are expressing confidence in the region's economic performance with a consensus view that Silicon Valley will avoid a 'double-dip' recession in 2011.

Here are some Silicon Valley economists' and business executives' predictions for 2011:

• Pay will increase, especially in tech, where competition escalates.
• Jobs in technology and health will continue to flourish.
• Consumer spending will improve, boosting small businesses.
• Housing prices will stabilize and commercial deals will escalate.

Most Silicon Valley business leaders expect business to improve in 2011 and plan to hire more employees during the year.

There are signs of a new boom in the construction business.  Silicon Valley is leading the entire state of California in new building permits --- an exciting omen for the California real estate industry.

Silicon Valley's big technology firms have experienced a healthy rebound from the economic doldrums and are optimistic about 2011, with most planning to hire.

"We're starting to set export records again," declared Stephen Levy of the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy.

Skype is moving into new Palo Alto offices and will hire 300 new employees in 2011.  Intel sees bigger global demand for its products. Google and Yahoo! are restructuring for increased profitability.

The City of San Jose Economic Development Office is reporting more calls from businesses wanting to relocate to the city.

Housing is recovering and home-owning consumers are making purchases again.  The Zillow Home Index reports a 1.3-percent increase in Santa Clara County's median home price to nearly $576K.

"Over the past year, housing prices in many parts of California, including Silicon Valley, appear to have stabilized," stated Jed Kolko of the Public Policy Institute of California.  "The stabilization of housing prices in Silicon Valley is good news for the area economy."

Silicon Valley's future growth in personal income looks secure to most leading economists, who see positive economic territory ahead.

In 2011, The University of the Pacific Business Forecasting Center sees a 4.2-percent increase, while Beacon Economics forecasts personal income growth at a higher 4.7-percent in 2011.

Silicon Valley is on the ball, back on track, and right on time in 2011.

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California Hall of Fame

The California Hall of Fame has honored legendary Californians who embody the innovative spirit of the Golden State and have made their mark on history.

Created by Maria Shriver, the California Hall of Fame was established at The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts as a tribute to outstanding individuals and families in California history. 

Honoring the Spirit of California

The California Hall of Fame honors those who embody the spirit of California and have broken barriers to open pathways for future generations.

Founder Maria Shriver has called the honorees "out-of-the-box thinkers... risk takers... they changed their own worlds and they changed ours... all faced adversity but not one listened to what people said".

During the annual December ceremony, inductees have been officially recognized by the Governor and First Lady of California --- with a lavish red carpet event and an elegantly festive celebration.

The formal state ceremony has allowed each inductee to recognize a fellow inductee by reading a citation noting their outstanding accomplishments.  Inductees have been formally presented with the distinguished Spirit of California award.

Past California Hall of Fame Inductees 

• Ansel Adams | Milton Berle | Dave Brubeck | Carol Burnett
• César Chávez | Walt Disney | Amelia Earhart | Clint Eastwood
• Jane Fonda | Frank Gehry | Theodor Geisel | Robert Graham
• Andy Grove | Hearst Family | David D. Ho | Steve Jobs
• Hiram Johnson | Rafer Johnson | Quincy Jones | Henry J. Kaiser
• Billie Jean King | Joan Kroc | Jack LaLanne | Dorothea Lange
• George Lucas | John Madden | Willie Mays | Harvey Milk
• Robert Mondavi | Rita Moreno | Julia Morgan | John Muir
• Jack Nicholson | Packard Family | Linus Pauling | Ronald Reagan
• Sally K. Ride | Jackie Robinson | Jonas Salk | Fritz Scholder
• Leland Stanford | Danielle Steel | John Steinbeck
• Elizabeth Taylor | Alice Walker | Earl Warren | Alice Waters
• John Wayne | Joe Weider | Tiger Woods | Chuck Yeager

The California Hall of Fame includes an exquisite collection of over 100 historic and original items representing the lives and legacies of the honored inductees.  The Sacramento facility encompasses over 3,000 square feet, and the exhibit is on view year-round.

2010 California Hall of Fame Inductees

The following distinguished Californians were honored as California Hall of Fame inductees in December, 2010:

• Edmund G. "Pat" Brown
• James Cameron
• John Doerr
• A. P. Giannini
• Merle Haggard
• Anne Lamott
• George Schultz
• Dr. Kevin Starr
• Levi Strauss
• Barbra Streisand
• Wayne Thiebaud
• Betty White
• Serena Williams
• Mark Zuckerberg

During both of her terms as First Lady of California, Maria Shriver has successfully created great institutions which appropriately and respectfully honor the best of California culture, society and people.

Californiality joins with the People of California in thanking Maria Shriver, an outstanding first lady, for her years of hard work, dedication and love for the Golden State.

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Santa Cruz Author Jim Blackview

Jim Blackview knows Santa Cruz, California better than anyone I've ever met.  The popular author, blogger and longtime Santa Cruz resident is a 'baby boomer' who loves California enough to keep it real.

Over the past several years the author has written scores of short essays about Santa Cruz, a community where citizens celebrate their own enlightenment, diversity and good fortune.

Those essays have been edited and carefully arranged in Blackview's latest book, Tales From The Coast: Pithy Parables of Getting By in the Not-So-Golden State.

Blackview writes of lives that have been warped by the real estate bubble and the Great Recession.  He writes of the invisible people who mumble by the side of the road in Paradise, and of the boisterous college students who hit UC Santa Cruz each year.

Blackview writes about ordinary Californians trying to get by in a paradise where 'getting by' becomes harder each year.  As a mature California 'boomer', he remembers how things used to be and sees how things have changed today.

Jim Blackview's insightful, observant and dryly humorous stories are about people just like most Californians who scramble for a decent life, remember where they came from, and wonder what's going to happen next.

Honestly, it takes a lot for anything to make me laugh out loud.  I usually chuckle quietly when I find something humorous.  Tales From The Coast had me laughing out loud in public with folks staring at me like I was crazy.

In fact, in about 20 sections of the book, I was cackling hysterically --- and very loudly.  Some Starbucks patrons asked me what was so funny, so I read the chapter I was on.  They all laughed too.  (See?  I'm not crazy.)

Jim Blackview is a native Californian with a profound talent for looking at the mundane and making it extraordinary, dramatic, and funny-as-hell.

The author evokes a smile, a frown, tears, and hysterical laughter in a single short story --- very rare, indeed.  As well, Blackview's stories really make readers think about the meaning of their own lives.

In Tales From The Coast, each story is a postcard that captures the humanity of people who are 'just plain folks' --- real Californians living real lives.

Jim Blackview's popular Tales From The Coast blog (which he writes under the handle 'Boomer') is a collection of essays about living in Santa Cruz but, to many, it's really about the human condition.

Santa Cruz is a microcosm of California  and, to me, the gorgeous coastal city represents the free and unrestricted 'California' that has attracted people from around the world for ages.

One of Blackview's writing strengths as an author (besides being very funny) is his clear-eyed view of today's current social and political situation.  His stellar intelligence is communicated in such a way that every reader can easily understand and relate to --- a true talent.

Blackview is not afraid to write about unpleasant issues, and he has a special talent for bringing the focus down to the individual level.  It is easy to identify with the people in his great stories because they are just like us.

Jim Blackview is a people-watcher par excellence.  Part politician, part activist, part psychologist and part evangelist, the author paints an accurate portrait of a modern California society in painstaking detail through authentic artistry with words.

Though I have previously visited and enjoyed Santa Cruz, California, I feel like I missed a lot after reading Jim Blackview's Tales From The Coast.

Blackview's Santa Cruz is more fascinating and funny than the one I enjoyed as a newby tourist.  I want to see more of Blackview's city, now that his outstanding book has given me a more tempting taste.

If you want to get deeper inside the minds, emotions, and motivations of real Californians, then you must read Tales From The Coast by Jim Blackview.

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Hollywood & Horus

Hollywood is said to have conquered the world through its influence and, after 100 years of images and illusions, Hollywood continues to alter global thought and perception.

Are there dark secrets inside Hollywood's own story?

Could the Entertainment Capitol of the World be the modern base for an ancient god?  Is Hollywood the land of Horus?

Horus is the son of Isis, the ancient goddess known as "Queen of Heaven", "Mother Nature" and "Queen of Angels".

Over many years, I have asked thousands of Californians who they think the city of Los Angeles is named after.  Most have replied, "the angels".

Not quite, folks.

The official name of the city is "El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles", or "The Town of the Queen of the Angels".

L.A. is not the City of Angels.

C i t y  o f  I s i s

Just as Horus occupied the womb of Isis, Hollywood has occupied the womb of Los Angeles.  While most of the world believes that Hollywood is an actual city, it is not.  It is a district inside Los Angeles.

It is ironic that a community so globally famous for illusion is not really a city --- but a sign on a hill.

The City of Hollywood used to exist, though.  Incorporated in 1903, it dissolved after seven years.  The first 42 months were a booming, prosperous time for the new city.

Hollywood was a haven for many Christian churches, and the open sale of alcohol was illegal by city ordinance.

Hollywood started out more "holy" than "holly".

The latter 42 months, though, were marked by drought, disease and disasters. Hollywood was annexed by Los Angeles at the end of 1910.

With all legalities formalized, the City of Hollywood disappeared on February 6, 1911 --- the birth date of Ronald Reagan, who many call Mr. Hollywood --- a fateful date which kicked-off a new alliance between "Hollywood" and the camera.

The legal attachment of Hollywood to Los Angeles heralded the mythical reunification of mother and child --- Isis and Horus.  The universal symbol of Horus is the "all-seeing eye".  Today, the electronic version of the "eye" is the camera --- a longtime symbol of Hollywood.

The camera offers a filtered vision of reality.  It affects how people see the world.  It alters perception.  It has developed tremendous power. The electronic "eye" from Hollywood now watches humanity from street corners, shops, cell phones, computers, --- everywhere.

The Eye of Horus occupies the whole earth it seems.

Through the "eye" of Horus, countless Hollywood gods and goddesses have been born, and they all enjoy "eternal life" in a glorified state --- at least on film anyway.

Horus has always been referred to as the "god of the sky", so it should be no surprise that so many in Tinseltown want to be "stars", "superstars" and "megastars" while Hollywood searchlights point skyward.

Unfortunately, the most famous stars get trampled on by tourists on the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard.  That's showbiz.

H O L L Y W O O D  &  H O R U S

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L.A. Rain Totally Not Cool

We live in Southern California for many reasons, one of them being the perfect weather.  Los Angeles is a perennial movie set for the "beautiful people", and sunshine is a social entitlement.

Flooding and mudslides are a total L.A. buzz-kill --- rain, rain and more rain.  Total bummer.

No convertibles, no bikini chicks, no cool sunglasses, no celebrity sightings and definitely no famous California sunsets.  Just umbrellas and bad vibes, man.  We want our fabulous L.A. back.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger!  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa!  Governor-Elect Jerry Brown!  We want action!

All over the internet, there are lots of web pages on "crazy California laws" where people from around the planet laugh at our state law which "guarantees sunshine to the masses".  Constant rain is, like, totally illegal!

Come on, dudes.  Seriously.  Stop it.

We can't exactly be the usual Southern California "babes" and "dudes" when we're all bundled up in scarves, hats and raincoats.  This is Los Angeles, for Pete's sake, not Seattle.  Enough of this lame rain already.

Sure, rainstorms from hell flush-out all the grody pollution that's piled up in L.A., but that was done days ago.  Enough, already.  Our self-tanning lotion and hair mousse are dripping down into our thongs!

What?  Another killer storm is coming?  No way.

California needs a sunshine bailout.  Let's borrow some rays from somewhere else, like Florida or something.  They're probably not even using all of their sunshine anyway.  Can somebody call Miami, like, ASAP?

Please hurry, our tans are fading.

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Samuel Sevian: California Chess Champion

Samuel Sevian, a 9-year-old California boy, is now the youngest chess master in American history.

Sevian, of Santa Clara, earned the title after a San Francisco match where the U.S. Chess Federation gave him a rating of 2,201.

A rating of 2,200 qualifies a competitive chess player as a National Master.

Samuel beat the previous record holder for youngest chess master, Nicholas Nip of San Francisco, by eleven days.

Master Sevian, a fourth-grade student, also was the youngest person to reach the level of Expert when he was only an 8-year-old.

The Chess Federation's ultimate title is that of Senior Master for ratings of 2,400 and up.

The son of proud Armenian-Californian parents, Samuel Sevian has been playing since he was in kindergarten.

All Californians can be proud, as can young chess devotees around the world.

Though I have never been a chess player, personally, a close longtime friend of mine was.

The late Anthony Maniscalco, a great Californian, devoted his life to the game of chess since childhood.  Anthony took the game seriously and played competitively in thousands of matches.

His dedication always made me think he was very good, but chess mates told me that Anthony was a hard chess player to beat.

Hearing this from his peers made me know how great my friend was at the game.  This story is for Anthony, whom I hope reads this from Heaven.

I pray that young Samuel is blessed with the happy and fulfilling life that my friend Anthony enjoyed in between all the chess matches.

Samuel Sevian turns 10-years-old this weekend, so let's all wish our young California chess champion congratulations and a happy birthday --- and many more.

C   H   E   S   S

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Zsa Zsa's Prince Frederic Glue Drama

Prince Frederic von Anhalt, the outspoken husband of Zsa Zsa Gabor, accidentally glued his right eye shut yesterday, but the Duke of Saxony is doing better today.

Fumbling in the dark for his eye drops, Prince Frederic accidentally grabbed Princess Zsa Zsa's nail glue instead.

"It was stupid," von Anhalt said after his Beverly Hills doctor treated his eye and covered it with a temporary patch.

When the prince returned to his Bel Air mansion, he immediately removed Zsa Zsa's fingernail glue from the couple's lavish master bathroom.

"She doesn't use it anymore," von Anhalt said, and he also expressed how terrible Zsa Zsa feels about the accident.

Prince Frederic will have to wear the patch over his right eye for two long weeks but he's taking it in stride as a "new look".

"Zsa Zsa has improved and I will too because we are survivors," the Prince of Bel Air told Californiality.

Frederic wants to be fully healed in time for Zsa Zsa's birthday on February 6th.

Gabor endured a similar eye injury a while ago when she mistakenly used Krazy Glue on her eyelashes, so she is relating to what her husband is going through.

Princess Zsa Zsa has been in a frail condition since a 2002 automobile accident in Los Angeles when her hairdresser hit a light pole on Sunset Boulevard.

Prince Frederic von Anhalt and Zsa Zsa Gabor, the Duke and Duchess of Saxony, are both longtime regulars and favorites on Californiality.

Readers of this California blog experienced the couple's dramatic ups and downs throughout 2010.

Here are some highlights:

• In Zsa Zsa's Prince: California Governor?, Prince Frederic was considering life as a 2010 California governor candidate.
• In Prince Frederic Declares Candidacy, the Beverly Hills duke announced his run for California governor as an independent.
• In Zsa Zsa's Prince Ends Governor Bid, the Duke of Saxony said farewell to politics to care for his Duchess Zsa Zsa.
• In Free Zsa Zsa!, the glamorous Hollywood princess endured an overdose drama at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
• In Pray for Zsa Zsa!, supporters around the world united in wishing the legendary star a full recovery at her posh poolside palace.

After all the years of movies, money, marriages, mansions and medical dramas, Prince Frederic von Anhalt and Princess Zsa Zsa Gabor are still together, still fighters, and still survivors.

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Future Age Now Begins

A new era begins as mankind takes a quantum leap into the future from California.

Capitalizing on its triumvirate of science, technology and spirituality, the world's trendsetter is about to change global human perception and behavior.

Welcome to the beginning of the Virtual Empire.

After the death of the Internet as we know it, a new web will arise like an electronic phoenix from the digital ashes.

The sectors of art, engineering, psychology, biology, physics, history, anthropology, religion, economics, business, education and government all share a unity of purpose which predates modern civilization.

In a bold attempt to harness the spiritual, mental and physical dimensions, the new Internet will fully integrate universal electronic communications into the human brain.

As shocking as it sounds to the average consumer, such a merger of man and machine would claim benefits which most users would find irresistible and indispensable.

• Tiny, quick, painless brain nano-implant
• Miniature microprocessor with search engine
• Universal knowledge access via thought action
• Brain memory and sensory sector integration
• Realistic "live" audio and video experience
• Unsurpassed virtual reality experiences
• Virtual time travel portal access
• Instant financial access/accounting
• Direct communication with spiritual realm
• Interdimensional/multidimensional access
• Spirit, mind, body healing
• Human aging abatement/regenesis
• Brain-direct 3D movies, music
• Telepathic human communication
• Space, undersea, world presence with GPS

With the promise of omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence, few would refuse the benefits of such an 'evolutionary leap' of Aquarian proportions.

Technical, applicable knowledge (technology) has existed in the angelic realm for aeons.

Now, like manna, extreme digital blessings are about to fall from the sky in the near future.

"On earth as it is in Heaven" from an auto-tuned, robotic voice may not appeal to every earthling, though.  We shall see.

Did you really think California was just about palm trees and surfing?

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Jekyll & Hyde Lunar Eclipse

The Lunar Eclipse bursts into the night in a spectacular explosion of electromagnetic duality.

Two sides are fighting a war to the finish.

Jekyll and Hyde will be battling each other until a new day dawns.

Dreams, nightmares and apocalyptic visions will cross dimensional lines on this longest and darkest of nights.

Many inhabitants of Earth will find it difficult to sleep peacefully under a blood-red full moon as Winter creeps in under the cover of darkness to steal the night.

When morning finally comes, will the sun rise on a different world?

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"It Never Rains in Southern California" Albert Hammond

"It Never Rains in Southern California", is a 1972 pop song by singer/songwriter Albert Hammond and co-written by Mike Hazlewood.

The most famous of all songs about California and rain, Albert Hammond's version became a global hit single which is still selling today.

The song tells the classic tale of the struggle, heartache and humiliation of a performer who moves out to California to pursue a career in the Hollywood entertainment industry --- and flops.

Happy song but depressing story.  Nobody cares, though, because folks always start singing the song when it actually rains in Southern California --- still a rarity.

Albert Hammond's emotional songwriting effort has, apparently, been simply reduced to "a song about rain".  Alas.

The song's chorus, which has become almost proverbial, states:

"It never rains in California, but girl don't they warn ya.  It pours, man it pours."

Everybody's heard that phrase for so long that it has reached cliche' status.

Among the recording artists who have resurrected "It Never Rains in Southern California" are:

• Sonny and Cher
• Saori Minami
• Trent Summar & The New Row Mob
• Barry Manilow
• Julio Iglesias

Honestly, when it's on the radio, I sing along every time.  Oh, yeah, and I bought the single in 1972 and played it 'til my parents screamed.

Some California songs just get stuck in your head... especially on a rainy day.

Visit my friend Albert Hammond at his official website.  He's got a great NEW album out.  You'll like it.

It Never Rains in Southern California

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Great 1554 Eclipse Returns

In December of 1554, a total lunar eclipse occurred on the longest and darkest of nights at the Winter Solstice in a rare celestial event.

456 years later, the Great Eclipse of 1554 will rear its head once more over California in the dead of night on the longest, darkest night of 2010.

Tomorrow night, the moon will disappear over California into total darkness and reappear as an apocalyptic, blood-red full moon.

This particular total lunar eclipse will be the most unusual of our lives.  It is a gateway.

Historically remembered as a night of lunacy and insanity, the 1554 total eclipse was felt so strongly over such a long night that people around the world rejoiced when the sun finally rose.

Within approximately a year after the powerful lunar eclipse, one million people were killed in a cataclysmic earthquake in China which devastated a 100-county region with five years of aftershocks.

During the same post-eclipse period, St. Ignatius of Loyola died in Rome, and the Jesuit order of priests was established.

This would not have anything to do with California in 2010 unless:

• the Golden State was overdue for a major earthquake, and
• a Jesuit seminary student was about to be sworn-in as governor.

With the sun now hitting the dead center of the Milky Way galaxy simultaneously, it's not something to ignore, apparently.

Sky watchers say that the Age of Pisces will completely die tomorrow night and the Age of Aquarius will completely take over.

The Great Lunar Eclipse of 2010 kicks-off the new year of 2011 astronomically, so 'happy new year', I guess.

Many experts on the subject are insisting that this celestial event will usher in "the most exciting time to be alive".

Maybe it's just me, but that sounds just a little ominous.  Okay, fine.  Whatever.  We're Californians, right?  We're wired for just this type of event, so no worries.

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The California Prenup

The California Prenup is one of the world's most famous legal documents, but are prenuptual agreements just for wealthy Hollywood celebrities?

The Golden State remains the Divorce Capitol of the World, so prenups are a fact of life in California.

While many famous California couples enter into a prenuptial or premarital agreement, most average couples still shy way from signing a prenup.

To a great number of young Californians in love, a prenup just seems like a romantic buzzkill and implies a lack of trust.

Prenup reluctance is misguided, according to California attorney Kristen Marquis, who publishes The Legally Blogged from Los Angeles.

Ms. Marquis specializes in the legal issues faced by 'Generation Y', or today's twenty-somethings.

Today, many young 'Gen Y' Californians are heading to the marriage altar.  As a young lawyer, Kristen Marquis wants them to be as prudent in their plans for the future as possible.

Here are some quick facts about California prenups which Ms. Marquis was kind enough to share with Californiality:

• If you don't sign a prenup, your marriage will be governed by complex laws like the California Family Code and the California Probate Code.  Either the rules are negotiated by you or imposed by the State.
• Negotiating a prenuptial agreement may strengthen your relationship. The process requires a full disclosure of your financial situation and honesty about how you will handle money and plan your future.
• Prenups prepare you for marriage.  When the honeymoon fades, you'll discover how earning and spending money is an important part of your marriage.
• Prenups can be designed to protect both marriage partners --- not just a wealthy spouse.
• It's just plain smart in a litigious society like California.  In the 21st century, a prenup can be an optimistic part of a solid relationship based on love, trust and reality.

Even if you don't live here when you divorce, California can still assert jurisdiction over you for support, attorney fees and property division.

California applies the doctrine of divisible divorce, which means that each aspect of a divorce is treated differently for jurisdictional purposes.

For example, a California court could assert jurisdiction over custody and visitation matters but relinquish property matters to the Court of another state.

Even though a California prenup is designed to apply only if you are divorced in California, it may apply if you are divorced in another state.

To make sure that your California prenup is enforced in other states you need to retain legal counsel in that state to review the prenup.

Without a prenup, California community property law provides that all community property is divided equally upon divorce.  This means any property acquired during the marriage while the parties are living in California that is not a gift or an inheritance.

If you do not have a prenup, the determination of what is separate and what is community property often requires the use of expensive accountants. In high-asset cases, the accounting and legal fees can be very costly.

In determining whether a business owned before marriage has any community interest, the property must be valued both at the time of marriage and at the time of separation.

Similar calculations are made for real estate and intellectual property. 

Earnings are community property.

If you married without a prenup and earned $10-million during your marriage, that entire sum would be community property, and your spouse would own 50-percent of that property and anything purchased with that property.

If you lost any of that money in a bad investment or mismanaged your assets, your spouse may have an action against you, called 'breach of fiduciary duty'. 

OUCH!

Get a California prenup.

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"California Gurls" Katy Perry

"California Gurls" by Katy Perry was the most overplayed single of 2010 and is one of the top-selling California songs in music history.

Singer-songwriter Katy Perry will be living off "California Gurls" for the rest of her life and will probably be performing the #1 song when she's a California Old Lady.

Both the California blog and the California blogger, however, are happy to finally place the 'cherry on top' of the Candyfornia anthem here at the end of the year 2010.

Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg created a monster hit single, and it was an exhausting roller coaster ride for everyone affiliated with the year's most phenomenal song --- exciting, yes, but exhausting.

Last April, I was asked by the Katy/Snoop camp to help promote an "upcoming single about California that is sure to be the song of the summer".  I must admit that the idea made sense.  This blog is extremely Californiacentric.

Sure.  Why not?  Californiality plus Candyfornia seemed like a fun idea, so I asked for the yet-to-be-released single's audio file.  It was an upbeat California-themed dance song that had the right vibe at the right time.  Very cool.

I published the "California Gurls" post on May 1, 2010.  Back then, the single had not yet hit radio and there was no video.  Katy Perry's team threw together a "lyric video" --- better than nothing.

Over the first few days, my write-up got a respectable number of page views.  After "California Gurls" started getting radio airplay, however, everything went crazy with zillions of hits coming from everywhere.

The majority of this blog's regular visitors are in their 30s, 40s and 50s.  Boy did the demographics change overnight.  I think every teenager on planet earth eventually made their way to Californiality.


As a former Public Service Director, I have a heart for nonprofit public interests that benefit Californians --- but a monster hit single?  OMG.  Never before has a blog post made me work so hard.

I did not need to check the Billboard charts to know that "California Gurls" was exploding all around the world.  Californiality was being invaded by the teenagers of earth amid a full-fledged phenomenon.

The #1 California song was taking over the #1 California blog.

Everywhere I went, there was "California Gurls".  The mall.  The grocery store.  Starbucks.  The public restroom!  The song was blaring from every car on the street.  It became the droning soundtrack in my sleep.

I saw an old lady with blue hair and felt the urge to scream bloody murder.

"California Gurls" became the first single by a Capitol Records recording artist in 43 years to hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in its fourth week since "Ode to Billie Joe" by Bobbie Gentry.

"Ode to Billie Joe" was produced by Bobby Paris, my mentor who helped me improve my songwriting and taught me studio production back in the '80s.  How ironic.

I started feeling like I was MARRIED to "California Gurls", though.

Now, as a California blogger reflecting on the year 2010, I am happy that Katy Perry's fourth #1 single, "Firework", is on top of the music charts this week --- and it's not a song about California.

"California Gurls are undeniable".

What an understatement.  What an experience.  What a wild ride through Candyfornia it's been.  Thank you, Katy Perry.

C A L I F O R N I A   G U R L S

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California Governor 2010 Candidates

Six candidates for Governor of California were in the 2010 governor's race through Election Day on Tuesday, November 2nd. 

Which candidates for California governor battled it out to the bitter end over the issues that California voters found most important, and how many votes did they each get?

Alphabetically, here are the candidates who won their respective party's nomination for California governor and were on the November ballot.  Included are the final statewide vote totals as certified by the California Secretary of State.

List of California Candidates for Governor 2010

Carlos Alvarez (Peace and Freedom Party)  LGBT rights activist.  Proposed $15/hour minimum wage, free college education, free health care, same sex marriage, voting rights at age 16, a sanctuary state, amnesty for illegals.  Pro-pot legalization and free abortions.  92,856 votes (0.9%)

Jerry Brown [WINNER]  (Democratic Party)  California attorney general.  Former Oakland mayor.  California Governor 1975-1983.  40-year career politician.  Gun control advocate.  Anti-Prop 8.  Anti-Prop 23.  Environmentalist.  Supported Global Warming Act.  5,428,458 votes (53.8%)

Chelene Nightingale (American Independent Party)  Conservative.  Constitutionalist.  Businesswoman.  Pro-military, Pro-farmer.  Immigration reformer.  Promoted lower taxes, part-time legislature, states' rights, right to bear arms.  Supported Prop 8, Prop 23, Prop 187.  Pro-Life.  166,308 votes (1.7%)

Dale Ogden (Libertarian Party)  Called for permanent rollback of state spending to pre-1998 levels.  Demanded a part-time California State Legislature.  Promoted bare-bones state government and drastic state cuts.  Promoted open international borders, legalized drugs.  150,898 votes (1.5%)
 

Laura Wells (Green Party)  Financial systems developer.  Supported tax structure changes and affordable access to health care.  Proposed a state-controlled bank, a statewide green energy program and water resources restructuring.  Pro-gay marriage, Pro-pot legalization.  129,231 votes (1.2%)
 

Meg Whitman (Republican Party)  Businesswoman, billionaire.  Fiscal moderate, social liberal.  Sought tax cuts for wealthy.  Opposed immigration law.  Anti-Prop 23.  Proponent of Global Warming Solutions Act (AB-32).  Anti-pot legalization.  Supported by big business.  4,127,371 votes (40.9%)

That sums up the 2010 California governor's race after a wildly unpredictable 18-month gubernatorial campaign season.  There are many other California governor candidates not shown here, who lost to the above candidates in the 2010 primary election.

To see a list of potential 2014 California gubernatorial candidates, read California Governor 2014.

Candidates for Governor of California

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