The best and worst of capitalism

By ABC's Alan Kohler

Posted August 01, 2011 08:18:50

Photo: In 2011, the US government is underwater to the tune of $US4 billion a day. (Thinkstock: Hemera)

There's something quite pleasant watching our politicians arguing about whether Australia should save the planet, while in Washington they argue about whether to allow the government to borrow enough money to pay its salaries.

Not that I'm suggesting Australia's political debate is edifying, it's just that it's a lot more edifying than America's. It's a bit like when I first moved out of home, and the people in the apartment next door used to have all night fights spilling onto the landing and into the street. It was both upsetting and fascinating.

The US "domestic" is a little scarier, since if they choose to default we're all in trouble. But they probably won't. The news out of Washington this morning is that a deal is close and could be finalised today. The humiliation of this episode will last for much longer.

The deal centres around $US3 trillion spending cuts over 10 years, which is a start. The Congressional Budget Office predicts total deficits over the next 10 years at $US9.5 trillion, so if that's all the spending cuts they can manage, then economic growth will need to deliver a lot of extra revenue.

At the heart of the United States' problem, it seems to me, is that rarely - perhaps never - in the history of the world, has a nation bankrupted itself for so little benefit.

Karl Marx once likened the economic impact of war on a country as being "exactly the same as if [it] were to drop a large part of its capital into the ocean", but surely that has never been more true of America's military spending.

In 2010 US defense spending totalled $US689.1 billion, or 4.7 per cent of GDP. It got as low as 3 per cent of GDP in 2000, and has steadily increased since 9/11. It's true that Osama Bin Laden has been killed and there have been no more massive terrorist attacks on US soil, but the US military is mired in a losing conflict Afghanistan, trying to wriggle out, and wasting billions in the meantime.

Worse, America's welfare spending is $US2 trillion a year - equivalent to all tax revenue - yet its health care system is regarded as among the worst in the world and poverty remains endemic.

It's been said that the US combines a left-wing welfare system with right-wing taxes and defence spending, and that's certainly true according to the numbers.

In 2010 total tax revenues were $US2.16 trillion, or 15 per cent of GDP, and total outlays were $US3.46 trillion, or 23.8 per cent of GDP. Two trillion dollars of the spending involved mandatory programs (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Income Security and other programs), and $US1.35 trillion was "discretionary", including defense.

In 2011, the US government is underwater to the tune of $US4 billion a day. On current CBO projections, public debt is projected to be $US23.8 trillion by 2021.

One of the amazing facts being touted in the US at the moment is that Apple Inc has more cash than the US treasury - $US76 billion versus $US74 billion – which raises a fascinating question: how can a nation with such a wonderfully creative and profitable corporate sector have such a dreadful political system and bankrupt public sector?

US businesses have led the world for more than a century and are now in the process of reinventing themselves to lead the world into the digital age. And it's not just Apple, Google, Amazon and Facebook, but the American manufacturing sector is also now automating at world-record pace.

Yet US company tax revenue in 2010 was $US191 billion, an absolutely piddling amount. It's never been more than 2.5 per cent of GDP. Reagan cut it to 1.1 per cent of GDP and it's currently 1.3 per cent.

Perhaps that's part of the answer. Domestic corporate taxes are passed onto the consumers, of course, but America's companies cover the globe and profits are transferred home, where they seem to be taxed lightly.

Meanwhile on Saturday morning, our time, we learnt that the US economy is slowing down again as consumer spending runs out of puff - unsurprisingly since house prices are falling again and unemployment is stuck above 9 per cent.

The negotiations on Capitol Hill will cut government spending into the teeth of a serious economic slowdown, reducing the potential for tax revenue to rise as a result of growth in incomes.

America really does possess the best and worst of capitalism.

Alan Kohler is editor in chief of Business Spectator and Eureka Report, and as well as host of Inside Business and finance presenter on ABC News.

The best and worst of capitalism - The Drum (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Diplomatic dole scandal

Natalie O'Brien July 31, 2011

EXCLUSIVE

"Propaganda against us" ... the Lebanese consul-general, Robert Naoum, back in Australia. An arrest warrant has been withdrawn. Photo: Jon Reid

A CRIMINAL investigation is under way into allegations that staff at the Lebanese consul-general's office in Sydney have been paid wages in cash while illegally pocketing Centrelink payments.

The revelations come just days after the consul-general, Robert Naoum, returned to Sydney agreeing to pay off his unrelated debts in return for an arrest warrant being withdrawn. Now federal police have been called in to examine claims that his office has been defrauding the Commonwealth.

It is alleged some staff, among more than a dozen at the Edgecliff office, collected welfare and, in at least one case, a dole payment. At the same time, the consul-general's office had not been paying tax, superannuation or workers' compensation for its locally engaged staff.

Some staff allegedly made a profit by selling cigarettes and alcohol bought within the diplomatic tax-free quota. It is claimed large sums of cash were sent from Australia to banks in Lebanon to avoid the scrutiny of authorities. But Mr Naoum told The Sun-Herald yesterday the allegations were just "propaganda against us".

However, his spokesman agreed the office did not give staff statements of earnings; nor did it deduct any tax on behalf of employees. It was up to the employees to declare it, he said.

"We have our own system," the spokesman said. That system of paying staff was regulated by the laws of the Lebanese government.

"They work according to regulations by the Lebanese government, not the Australian government. Australia has nothing to do with how we pick and pay them or how we pay tax. This is an internal system between the government of Lebanon and its employees."

He said Fair Work Australia had approached his office recently about a case involving an employee but he said the authority's laws were "irrelevant" to its operations.

The spokesman categorically denied Mr Naoum had knowledge of any wrongdoing, and said no staff had sent cash back to Lebanon or sold duty-free goods. He dismissed the claims as an attempt to defame the consul-general and extract cash from the Lebanese government.

A spokesman for the Minister for Workplace Relations, Chris Evans, said the matters were being treated seriously and had been referred to the appropriate agencies.

In an unrelated matter, Mr Naoum, who has been consul-general since 2004, had faced being arrested and forced into bankruptcy if he did not pay tens of thousands of dollars in legal bills.

He came under the spotlight two years ago when he unsuccessfully took defamation action to stop a Greenacre journalist, Nabil Dannawi, publishing material about him.

Mr Naoum appealed and lost again, and had costs awarded against him. Then he argued he did not have to pay because he had diplomatic immunity. The courts disagreed, finding he was not acting within the scope of his official immunity.

A warrant for Mr Naoum's arrest was issued about the time he left Australia in April for Lebanon after he ignored an order to appear in court over his legal and court expenses. Mr Naoum returned only last week.

Mr Dannawi's lawyer, Richard Louis Mitry, confirmed the matter had been resolved on "confidential terms". Mr Dannawi told The Sun-Herald it was "unfortunate this case had to go so far. But there was interest in it internationally, and the good thing to come out of it is that it threw some light on the limitations of diplomatic immunity."

The allegations about Mr Naoum's staff were brought to the attention of the MP Tony Burke's office months ago. Mr Burke, the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, told The Sun-Herald a "staff member formed the judgment that the issue was described as potentially involving criminal matters and was told it was already in the hands of the police".

A Foreign Affairs Department spokeswoman said Australians employed by a foreign state were "entitled to minimum employment conditions, including wages, leave and safety conditions and protection" and must pay tax.

Mr Naoum's spokesman said consulate staff had signed an agreement with the Lebanese government on pay and conditions.

Diplomatic dole scandal

Not even a miracle can save Communion wafers from US hegemony

Leesha Mckenny Religious Affairs July 30, 2011

Wafer thin ... the Australian Communion bread industry is fading. Photo: Reuters

THE humble Communion wafer can become the body of Christ, many Christians believe, but changes of a profane kind might yet signal the end of Australia's artisan altar bread industry.

Two of the few NSW producers - including Ozanam Industries, the country's biggest - have bowed out, while an imported crumble-free range whose makers say is ''untouched by human hands'' is increasingly the wafer of choice in Australian churches. Ozanam, a St Vincent de Paul Society company that switched off its machines last month, said it passed on the work to the Poor Clares at the Bethlehem Monastery in Campbelltown ''as they were seeking an extra source of revenue''.

However, that decision unwittingly helped end decades of tradition for the order, which has stopped making wafers to become a stockist of Cavanagh's, the American, Catholic-affiliated company that supplies much of the world's Communion wafers.

The extra workload to supply 300 parishes, schools, religious houses and nursing homes was too much for the ageing nuns, said its abbess, Sister Catherine.

''The average age of our sisters here is 70, so the altar bread production was quite intensive - the work involved, the baking and the paste-making and all that …'' she said. ''It was a very, very sad time for us to have to give it up, after having made them for over 60 years.''

They had also discovered that some customers were switching to Cavanagh's, which churns out 20 million white, wholemeal, embossed or Christmas wafers a week. ''And we thought, 'Oh, my gosh,''' Sister Catherine said. ''It seems that most of the parishes prefer them.''

Mike Grieger, the director of Australian Church Resources, which has supplied Anglican, Catholic and Lutheran markets - ''or anyone who wants it'' - with Cavanagh bread for 25 years, said that although all wafers were just flour and water, the US wafer was a better product.

In an industry in which denominational loyalties give his competitors an edge - even if he said nuns did not always deal well with clients on the phone - the Adelaide-based Lutheran aims to never run out.

The standard 2.9-centimetre ''people's host'' was his biggest cross-denominational seller, while rich Catholic dioceses favoured the 3.8-centimetre special.

''It's a product where if someone wants it they've got to have it,'' he said, ''whereas sometimes I think that the others are a little bit inconsistent. You might ring up a monastery [to order], for instance, and they are at prayer.''

Mr Grieger now supplies hosts to all of Tasmania's Catholics through a religious order that had made its own Communion wafers until its machine broke down. ''[Parishes] probably still think that the convent makes it, when in actual fact we ship it across to them,'' he said.

While Catholics might be migrating to Cavanagh wafers, another growth market remains strictly Mr Grieger's domain. He is also the country's largest supplier of gluten-free altar breads - increasing used by coeliac Catholics and priests, in defiance of a Vatican ban.

''I know others who would come in here and would frown on us because we've even got it in our catalogue, because they would think that we are theologically incorrect,'' he said.

The Carmelite Monastery in Queensland, one of the few that still makes altar bread, supplements its small stock with Cavanagh's - bought from Cistercian monks in Victoria, who began importing it in 2000.

Nonethelss, the Carmelites are planning on stepping up, not bowing out. Sister Moira Kelly said the ageing congregation had imported a semi-automatic machine from Italy to provide affordable local bread to the small Toowoomba diocese.

Cuts would need to be made elsewhere, she said. Its Easter candle-making would stop.

''We just think its a lovely work for contemplative communities to do,'' she said. ''Our prices are much lower than the Cavanagh ones. It is important that we don't let the big companies just rule our lives.''

Not even a miracle can save Communion wafers from US hegemony

Don't be fooled by the endless whingeing

Jessica Irvine July 30, 2011

We may not be as miserable as we seem.

WE DON'T like carbon taxes and we don't like boats. Mention population growth and we're at each other's throats. We don't like interest rate rises and we disdain debt. We can't stomach liars and we never forget.

Australians, it seems, are a grumpy bunch these days. And, yet, we have perhaps never had more reasons to be happy. The drought has broken. Incomes are growing. Unemployment and inflation are low. We survived the global financial crisis in better shape than almost any other developed nation.

In a speech this week, the governor of the Reserve Bank, Glenn Stevens, described how the China boom had delivered the ''biggest gift'' since the 1850s gold rush.

''Yet it seems we are, at the moment, mostly unhappy,'' he said. ''Measures of confidence are down and there is an evident sense of caution among households and firms.''

Something has clicked in the minds of households since the global financial crisis. We've stopped shopping, for one, prompting retailers such as David Jones to downgrade profits and others such as Just Jeans and Portmans to close doors.

Westpac's regular survey of consumer sentiment shows people are as downbeat about their household finances as they were in the 1990s recession. Ask any economist the reasons for this faltering confidence and practitioners of the dismal science reel off a list of woes: the US and European debt crises, political fearmongering about a carbon tax, floods, the threat of higher interest rates, falling house prices, looming painful restructuring in industries exposed to a

higher Australian dollar. But just because we don't feel like going out to buy a fridge this weekend, does that mean we are unhappy?

''No, absolutely not,'' says Bob Cummins, a professor of psychology at Deakin University. Although satisfaction with government is the lowest it has been in decade, and lower than when the Howard government was ejected in 2007, Professor Cummins says this, and confidence in the economy, make up only a small part of our total ''mood happiness''.

In fact, according to the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index, Australia's longest-running survey of wellbeing, of which Professor Cummins is the lead author, we are as happy as we've been in the past decade and have been since Kevin Rudd posted us $1000 cheques in late 2008. ''That cheered everybody up like you wouldn't believe.''

Professor Cummins says people as individuals experience macro-economics differently from the way economists often think. The flipside of global financial turmoil is that it reminds us how well we are doing by comparison.

A higher dollar hurts industry but means we can go on holiday. And lower retail sales mean we are building a comforting debt buffer.

The truth, Professor Cummins says, is that some of us just enjoy a good whinge, particularly about politicians. ''Some people actually get off on it because it is an opportunity to slag off at people who can't get back at you.''

We target our scorn at politicians, in particular, because their generally low standing makes this a socially acceptable way of being rude.

And whingers in search of an outlet have a growing array of means to broadcast their discontent: talkback radio, television, Twitter, Facebook and blogs. But the impact this has on happiness is limited, Professor Cummins says, because if people get too upset by the increasingly vicious nature of political debate, they can simply switch off.

''If people find that they're being personally upset by it, they will cut off from it, turn off the television, because it's discretionary. You don't need to be exposed to it.'' Indeed, it could be our very prosperity that is driving some of the pettiness of some complaints.

According to a professor of psychology at Murdoch University, Craig McGarty, humans tend to ''normalise'' to their conditions. ''If you're living in a luxury penthouse and your airconditioning breaks, you become unhappy,'' he says.

Ultimately, humans, through their social interaction, tend to lift one another up more than drag one another down.

''People can together arrive at negative states but that's a relatively rare event. If it was common we'd all exist in a permanently negative state. The general experience, especially if you think of natural disasters and other stresses, is that people strive incredibly successfully together to overcome disaster and respond to negative circumstances.''

Perhaps we're not such a miserable lot, after all.

Don't be fooled by the endless whingeing

Carbon cop handed tough new powers

Sid Maher From: The Australian July 29, 2011 12:00AM

Video: Govt releases draft carbon tax bills

Company officials who fail to comply with the government's carbon tax could face up to ten years in jail. Sky News29 July 2011

A NEW carbon cop will be given sweeping powers to enter company premises, compel individuals to give self-incriminating evidence and copy sensitive records under a carbon tax package that will force about 60,000 businesses to pay 6c a litre extra for fuel.

The tough new powers of the Clean Energy Regulator were included in the fine detail of the carbon tax package released yesterday, which enshrines national emissions cuts of 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year after 2016, if the government of the day rejects targets proposed by its Climate Change Authority.

The package, which shows that the government will cement in law the body of its carbon tax structure in a bid to force Tony Abbott to win the approval of both houses of parliament to complete his promise to scrap it, also tasks the Productivity Commission with inquiries into assistance to trade-exposed industries, international climate change action and the future of fuel taxes.

Related Coverage

• Campaign: Taxpayers fund Labor MPs' carbon spin

• Henry Ergas: Swan hides his dodgy carbon model

• Promise in reverse gear for truckies The Daily Telegraph, 7 days ago

• Carbon cops to clean their own house The Daily Telegraph, 12 Jul 2011

• Carbon cops: New team to protect consumers from rorts Adelaide Now, 12 Jul 2011

• What the experts says ... Adelaide Now, 10 Jul 2011

• Airlines warn of impact on fares Herald Sun, 10 Jul 2011

As it released the exposure draft of the 14-bill package -- which will set up the $23-a-tonne carbon tax, the mechanisms to pay compensation for households, the Climate Change Authority and the Clean Energy Regulator -- the government said it planned to introduce the bills in September and plan to have them passed by November. The schedule raised hackles with some interest groups for allowing only three weeks of consultation.

The exposure draft of the legislation gives sweeping powers to the Clean Energy Regulator, which will police the scheme, and the climate change minister will have the power to demand information from corporations covered by the scheme.

Fraud or attempts to subvert the scheme can be punished by up to 10 years in jail or fines of $1.1 million for corporations.

Inspectors working for the regulator will be able to obtain warrants to search premises of companies covered by the act and search or examine any activity on site as well as copy documents.

The regulator will have the authority to demand information from company officers even if it could incriminate them.

The enforcement provisions will be further strengthened by an extra $12.8m over four years for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet's spokesman said the safeguards were similar to the compliance provisions in other areas of business law such as corporations and consumer law.

The Clean Energy Regulator will administer a rigorous inspection regime and will be able to issue infringement notices and seek the imposition of penalties by the courts. "Most of the penalties are fines which will apply to corporations if they break the law," the spokesman said.

"There are a few offence provisions that could lead to jail terms, but they relate to serious criminal conduct such as deliberately falsifying records or stripping the assets of companies to evade liability."

Mr Combet said the government's plan to separate economic growth from long-term damage to the environment was an economic reform similar to floating the Australian dollar and introducing major tariff reforms.

And Wayne Swan seized on a $20 billion liquefied natural gas investment by Origin Energy and ConocoPhillips at Gladstone in Queensland as evidence of the benign impact of the carbon tax on the burgeoning LNG industry.

The Minerals Council hit back, saying the legislation clearly showed that the tax on a range of fuels would increase on a "carbon tax equivalent" rate.

"Australian Tax Office data shows that this tax increase will directly affect up to 60,000 businesses from 1 July, 2012, and nearly 100,000 companies when an additional 40,000 road transport businesses are captured by the tax on 1 July, 2014," an MCA spokesman said.

He added that it would raise $3.3 billion in the first three years and $16bn to 2020, including the change to aviation excise.

The government has consistently claimed the tax would directly apply to only 500 firms. Last night it argued the fuel treatment in the scheme did not change those figures as the companies concerned faced no extra administrative arrangements and were not liable to directly pay for pollution permits. This was limited to about 500 companies that emitted more than 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year and would be liable to pay for pollution permits.

The MCA spokesman said that, based on Australian Taxation Office data, from July 1 next year, 22,500 construction firms, 5300 manufacturing businesses and 1500 mining operators would pay more for fuel.

A spokesman for Mr Combet said the government announced on July 10 that there would be a carbon price for off-road business fuel use through reduced fuel tax credits -- but this would not apply to the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries. He said households paid 38c a litre in fuel excise and would pay no more.

"By contrast, off-road business fuel use is normally free of excise, due to fuel tax credits," he said. "The government will reduce the fuel tax credits by around 6c a litre. This will not impose any additional administrative burdens because businesses already fill out the forms for fuel tax credits, but it will create incentives to improve fuel efficiency and lower pollution from the transport sector."

Tony Abbott, speaking yesterday in the northern NSW electorate held by Tony Windsor, taunted Julia Gillard to resume her carbon tax promotion tour. "The Prime Minister is hiding . . . refusing to talk to the Australian people," the Opposition Leader said. "Not only did she not wear out the shoe leather, she didn't even wear the shoes in. At the first sign of a blister she's back in her office hiding . . . because she knows the more she talks about this tax the less people like it."

Carbon cop handed tough new powers | The Australian

Work trip sex 'like going to the gym'

My comment: “ONLY IN AUSTRALIA”

Margaret Scheikowski July 28, 2011

A public servant injured on a work trip while having sex with an acquaintance at a motel was entitled to compensation, a judge has been told.

The woman's barrister, Leo Grey, said sex was "an ordinary incident of life" commonly undertaken in a motel room at night, just like sleeping or showering.

The woman, who cannot be named, is challenging the rejection of her workers' compensation claim for facial and psychological injuries suffered when a glass light fitting came away from the wall above the bed as she was having sex in November 2007.

In his statement, the man said they were "going hard".

"I do not know if we bump the light or it just fell off," he said.

"I think she was on her back when it happened but I was not paying attention because we are rolling around".

In the Federal Court in Sydney yesterday, Mr Grey said the woman's employer had sent her to spend the night at a NSW rural motel ahead of a departmental meeting the next day.

He submitted errors of law were made by ComCare, the federal government workplace safety body, in rejecting her claim.

The barrister referred to previous cases, including when compensation was granted to a worker who slipped in the shower at a hotel.

But Andrew Berger, for ComCare, said the sex was not "an ordinary incident of an overnight stay like showering, sleeping or eating".

While sexual activity was an ordinary incident, it was not necessary, he added.

Describing the case as "by no means easy", Justice John Nicholas asked if the woman had been injured in a motel gym on an exercise bike, would that be compensable.

Mr Berger said it would depend on all the circumstances but it would "probably fall on the compensable side".

Mr Grey said there was no suggestion the woman had engaged in any misconduct and noted the absence of any rule that employees should not have anyone else in their room.

"This is not the 1920s after all," he said.

She was entitled to compensation because she was at "a particular place", as specified in the legislation.

The activities had not occurred "outside the place", such as in the bandstand in the local park, he said.

Mr Berger submitted the sexual activity was not a reasonably foreseeable part of an overnight stay, while Mr Grey argued it was not a "far fetched" scenario.

Mr Berger said there was not a sufficient nexus between the cause of the injury, sexual activity, and her employment.

The judge will deliver his finding on an unspecified date.

Work trip sex 'like going to the gym'

Dos Años

July 17th marked my 2 year anniversary here in LA. In some ways it feels like I've been here much longer and in other ways I still feel very green. In the last 24 months, here's what I've learned...

*Warning- I haven't written a blog post outside of my daily activity entries in awhile so this is a long one.*

Training
Man if you have the money, do this from the outset! I wish I could've afforded to be in the class that I'm in a long time ago because it's making such a difference. To be able to hone the skills that you have as well as learn new ones on a consistent basis is necessary. Every other professional stays sharp in their skills by doing whatever it is they do on a daily basis. Lawyers, Doctors, Athletes, Musicians, they all work/practice/perform as much as they can to be at the top of their game. Yet Actors, especially those of us just starting out, don't usually get that opportunity to be working for the majority of the year so when you're not working you NEED to be in class if you want to compete with the girl or guy who will be auditioning for the same role as you. Don't fall into the trap of thinking your talent is so great that you can't use some polishing. Please. If you're not working {whether on film, TV or stage}, get in class.

Day Jobs
Of course, if you have no money you can't afford to be in class or to pay for other necessary actor expenses so getting a day job is vital. While I tried my hand at serving, it wasn't for me. I really like people and I want it to stay that way. If, however, you can overlook the incompetence that ignorant, uneducated, drunk, or just plain rude people exhibit from time to time while in a restaurant or bar, then by all means get yourself a serving or bartending job and make it work for you. There's a reason this is the most popular actor gig- it's flexible! There's also catering, temp work, substitute teaching, extra work {though this should be done sparingly if you really want to keep your days free for auditions}, babysitting, tutoring, security guard positions and production work if you can get on the night shift.

I work as a Night Logger/Transcriber for a production company because I happen to type pretty fast and accurately. It started off as a very unstable, on and off gig transcribing one show and has lead to a consistent job transcribing all the shows they produce so that now I only have a few weeks off throughout the year. It's not my dream day job by any stretch of the imagination. It's somewhat tedious. It keeps me away from my family at night when I'd rather be tucking the boys in and spending time with Stephen but it's a means to an end. It helps pay for acting expenses. Hell with the cost of living out here, it helps pay for household expenses! It keeps my days free for auditions. It has weekends off so I can get some family time. I can make-up any days I need to miss for a shoot. And best of all, I have autonomy. No one's looking over my shoulder micro-managing me which I CAN'T STAND! Even my supervisor is an actor, so he gets it. You gotta use the skill set you have to find the job or jobs that will allow you to do what you need to do to make this work.

Auditions
I've certainly learned what is worth my time and what isn't. When I'm notified that I have an audition I read the sides or the whole script if available, to see if it's something that I want to INVEST my time in. If so, full speed ahead. If not, I thank the CD for the opportunity and respectfully decline. This isn't foolproof. Sometimes the sides aren't available until you get there and you realize you wouldn't want to do the part even if they paid you. But other times, the audition experience is exhilarating and it's why we come out here- to have an opportunity to play these roles. At my stage in the game I'm mostly auditioning for student films, short films and ultra low-budget indie films, not to mention commercials. Of course TV is where I wanna be but getting in those audition rooms without representation, while not impossible, is no small feat.

Representation
Speaking of rep, I'm still on the hunt for a good manager and theatrical agent. I knew this would take some time so I'm not concerned at this point but I do know how important and truly helpful having good representation can be. I mean let's face it, there are PLENTY of TV casting offices that I can mail or drop-off my headshot to tons of times and they're still gonna call in the girl who was submitted by her agent or manager. That's just the way it goes. Certainly there are exceptions to the rule but who wants to rely on those odds? Not me. If I wanna play in that sandbox, I gotta get some theatrical rep on my team.

Support
While I have a lot of colleagues that are talented/nice/sweet/whatever, my actual circle of friends has gotten smaller and tighter. People who I thought were friends turned out to be colleagues only and those who I thought I'd never have a deep connection with because of our differences have turned out to be some of the people I love the most {Tara & Lex for instance}. Having friends I can call back in Houston is wonderful {and I wouldn't trade them for the world} but you really do need a tribe out here to survive. You need people who understand the daily grind that you've chosen to put yourself through because they're doing the same. They understand the anxiety and self-doubt you feel from time to time yet they also get that there's nothing else in the world you'd rather do. Their support is invaluable, especially if you're not getting it at home.

Which leads me to the toughest one...

The homefront
My husband loves me. He loves my drive. He loves my ambition. He loves my steadfast determination to pursue something I want until I get it.

What he doesn't love is LA.

He doesn't love that his salary is the same or very close to what he'd make in the south, yet the cost of living is 2 to 3 times more. He doesn't love that $150,000 can buy us a nice house with space and a yard for our boys somewhere in TX while out here it can barely get you a decent condo. He doesn't love that he has to spend a fortune to fly out to visit his parents while he can just take a road trip if we lived closer. He doesn't love that I have very few Christian friends out here who can encourage me in my walk with Christ, while all my friends back in Houston believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and try to share his love with others. Most importantly, he doesn't love that he's been helping me pursue my dream for the last 2 years while neglecting his. In case you're wondering, he wants to be a Pastor.

All of these things I can understand, especially the last one. There's no way I could've come out here and do what I've done without him being by my side and I want nothing more than for him to feel the utter joy that I feel from pursuing what I love most. I just want him to feel it HERE. Because to ask me to leave LA, the one place I physically NEED to be if I'm going to pursue TV & film work when we just got here only 2 years ago... I can't do it. I just, can't.

So there's that.

A lot has happened in 2 years. Some good, some not so good but it's all a part of my "adventure" I guess. And I share it because I know some of you are going through the same things too so this blog is my way of saying you're not alone. Or maybe it's my way of reaching out and hoping that I'm not alone. Either way, hopefully I'll have more exciting stuff to share by Year 3.

Czech not cleared in Parliament visit

Richard Willingham July 27, 2011

Czech President refuses security check

Play Video

Czech President Vaclav Klaus refuses to pass through a security checked at Parliament House.

EVERY person visiting Parliament must go through security scanners or they will be barred from entering, even if that visitor happens to be the Czech President.

Vaclav Klaus, who gained notoriety for stealing a pen while holding a press conference with Chilean president Sebastian Pinera, yesterday refused to undergo a basic security check and was not allowed into Parliament.

Mr Klaus, a prominent climate change sceptic, had addressed the National Press Club and was on his way to do an interview with the ABC's 7.30 show.

President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus. Photo: AFP

The 7.30 producer Michelle Ainsworth greeted Mr Klaus, Peter Gregory from the Institute of Public Affairs (the group that paid for the President to visit Australia), and three other Czech men at the main entrance, ushering them past school children to the security scanners.

''As soon as Mr Klaus saw the security thing, he said, 'I'm not going through there','' Ms Ainsworth said.

She asked a security guard if the Czech President would be allowed to go through without a check. She said the security guard replied: ''I don't care who he is, everyone's got to go through security.''

''I relayed it back to Mr Klaus and he said, 'If you want to do the interview, you can come back to my hotel'. He just turned around and walked out.''

The show did not take up Mr Klaus's offer. Mr Gregory declined to comment and the Czech embassy was unavailable. The secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services, Alan Thompson defended his security staff.

''All of us go through the normal metal detectors - the only exception being the Prime Minister of the day,'' Mr Thompson told The Age.

He says special arrangements for visiting heads of state to enter without security checks require ''an early notification''. President Klaus arrived with ''no notice at all''.

''If we'd had a little bit of forward notice, I'm sure we would have been able to accommodate him.''

One hundred and forty security staff provide a 24-hour, seven-day service securing Federal Parliament.

Staff are not given discretion to allow unscheduled visitors to bypass the ordinary system of checks. With

TIM LESTER

 

Czech not cleared in Parliament visit

The 20-40 effect (or why mothers are dressing like their daughters)

By David Derbyshire


Lookalikes: Carol Vorderman and daughter Katie at Epsom last month


It used to be teenage daughters who raided their mothers’ wardrobes for something to wear.

But these days, it seems it’s more likely to be the other way round.

A generation of mothers are treating their daughters as fashion role models, according to a study.


The ‘20-40 mums’ – an expression invented by teenage girls to describe women in their 40s who dress as though they are 20 – are so desperate to stay young that they follow their daughters’ leads on everything from make-up to hairstyles.

But it’s a one-way process, with the fashions and tastes of the older generation leaving youngsters cold.

The findings could help explain why celebrity mothers such as Carol Vorderman appear to be taking style tips from their offspring. The 50-year-old presenter and her daughter Katie, 19, showed off similar looks at the Epsom Derby last month.

The study of more than 300 mothers and daughters found that adolescent girls have a powerful influence on the make-up, clothes and hairstyles chosen by their mothers.

Spot the difference: Demi Moore, 48, and her daughter Tallulah, 17, look more like sisters


Cultural historians have long argued that the 1950s were a turning point when the younger generation actively rebelled against the tastes of their parents for the first time.

However, the phenomenon has now come full circle, with parents increasingly copying the younger generation, the study suggests.

Dr Ayalla Ruvio, from Temple University Fox School of Business, said the impact adolescents have on parents ‘is much more profound that has been credited to them’.

The researchers, whose findings appear in the Journal of Consumer Behaviour, questioned 343 mothers and daughters with an average age of 44 and 16 respectively.

They found that if a mother is young at heart, has high fashion awareness and views her daughter as a style expert, she will copy her daughter’s shopping habits.

But even if a daughter regards herself as older than she is and is interested in fashion, she is far less likely to see her mother as a role model.

Dr Ruvio said: ‘Our culture emphasises being young and so we see this reverse socialisation where parents mimic their kids. We had mothers who were 44, but who felt that they were 33 or 34.

‘They feel younger and they are compelled to project that through their consumption behaviour.

'But they don’t have time to go and work out what was cool or hip because they have busy lives and jobs, so they take a short cut and mimic their daughters.’

Copycat: Mother Janet Cunliffe, left, spent thousands of pounds to look like her daughter Jane


In 2009 it was reported that a mother had spent £10,000 on cosmetic procedures to look like her daughter, 22 years younger.

Janet Cunliffe, 50, said: 'It might sound barmy that I had cosmetic surgery to look like my daughter, but she's gorgeous. Who wouldn't want to look like her?

'The way I see it is that she got her looks from me in the first place - mine have just faded with age.

'Seeing how attractive Jane is made me want to get my looks back. Now instead of mum and daughter we look more like twins.'


source:dailymail

Goodbye, Amy: Family and friends gather at Miss Winehouse's funeral to pay their last respects to the tragic star

By Georgina Littlejohn and Sara Nathan


Saying goodbye: Kelly Osbourne - wearing a beehive in tribute to her friend - and friends Remi Nicole arrive at Amy Winehouse's funeral this afternoon


Friends and family of Amy Winehouse said emotional goodbyes to the star today as they came together for her funeral.

Among those paying their respects to the tragic star was her entire family, friends Kelly Osbourne, Mark Ronson and her music 'family' including her backing singers and manager.

A convoy of black vehicles with tinted windows silently made its way inside the Edgwarebury Cemetery in north London this lunchtime for the private service.


Amy, who died at her London home on Saturday aged 27, will be cremated after the service attended by her loved ones.

Family spokesman Chris Goodman said only family members and close friends would be present and added: 'Cremation is part of the family's tradition.'

Kelly, one of Amy's best friends, had flown into the UK from Los Angeles as soon as she heard the news about her death.

In mourning: Producer and DJ Mark Ronson made his way to the service on foot as did Amy's friend Nick Grimshaw


Her face was solemn as she was driven into the cemetery and she appeared to have paid tribute to her friends by styling her hair in a beehive do, similar to Amy's trademark style.

Kelly hid her eyes behind large dark sunglasses and clutched a white rose in her hands.

She was followed into the service by another of Amy's close friends, DJ and producer Mark Ronson, who looked deep in thought as he arrived on foot alone.

There was a heavy security presence outside the cemetery as guests made their way inside.

Nearest and dearest: Amy's friends and family made their way inside the cemetery to say goodbye


Winehouse's bandmates, Zalon and Heshima Thompson, who were seen in tears outside her home yesterday, were also among the select group.

Her singer songwriter friend Remi Nicole, who was very close to the star, was in tears as she got our of her car and Amy's manager Raye Cosbert cut a solemn figure as he joined the funeral party.

One person not attending today was Amy's ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who, according to sources, was refused compassionate leave from Armley Prison in Leeds.

It was also reported that he had already been warned away from the funeral by Amy's father Mitch who 'hates his guts'.

Remembering: Amy's singers Heshima and Zalon Thompson jin the mourners including Amy's manager Raye Cosbert


The service, which, according to Jewish law, had to take place as soon as possible after the star's death, was conducted by Rabbi Frank Hellmer.

The service started with prayers, they read a meditation, Mitch gave a eulogy and there were final prayers.

Shiva - the Jewish ceremony of bereavement - will be observed for two days starting at 5pm today at Schinder Hall in Southgate progressive Hall.

Amy's spokesman Chris Goodman said: 'Mitch was funny, he told some great stories from her childhood. It was a celebration. He stressed many times that she had been more content than he had been in years. Mitch paid tribute to a lot of people from Amy's life.'

Talking about her boyfriend, film director Reg Traviss, he added: 'Mitch said that they were very much looking forward to their future together.'

Alfie Ezikiel, 55, from London said that around 150 guests had attended Amy Winehouse's funeral.

He added: 'Mitch's last words to Amy in his eulogy were "Goodnight My Angel. Sleep tight. Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much."

'In the days before her death she told Mitch she was very happy, satisfied and content in her life. Janice was fine but she didn't do a eulogy.'

The last song that was played at the ceremony was Carole King's hit So Far Away which was Amy's favourite song.

Another guest said: 'Mitch said "Amy will be carried in peoples' hearts". There is such a big and strong community that will be looking after the family and Mitch is a very strong guy.'

A group of photographers and reporters lined the road opposite the cemetery and stood alongside a few dedicated fans who came to pay tribute.

The service comes after police revealed they will have to wait up to four weeks for the results of toxicology tests to establish her cause of death.

A post-mortem examination carried out yesterday was inconclusive and an inquest has been opened and adjourned until October 26.

Fans have been flocking to Amy's Camden home, where she was found dead on Saturday afternoon, to pray, lay flowers and remember the Back To Black singer.

Yesterday, Winehouse's father Mitch visited the street and said: 'Amy was about one thing and that was love. Her whole life was devoted to her family and her friends and to you guys as well. We're devastated and I'm speechless, but thanks for coming.'

Her boyfriend, film director Reg Traviss, also paid tribute to the singer and said he had lost 'my darling who I loved very much'.

Winehouse battled drink and drug problems throughout her career and news of her death was quickly followed by suggestions that it could be related to one or the other.

The troubled artist had cancelled all tour dates and engagements last month after a series of erratic public appearances. She was booed at a shambolic performance in Serbia.



source:dailymail

Miranda Kerr finally gets her hands free: Orlando Bloom takes over parenting duties as wife enjoys some alone time

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Handful: Miranda Kerr held on tight to her little treasure Flynn as she left a hair salon in West Hollywood today

It looked like Miranda Kerr had been left holding the baby yet again as she left the hair salon with her baby Flynn.

But chivalrous Orlando Bloom made sure he took his turn so she could have some time to herself in plush Beverly Hills today.

Victoria's Secret model Miranda, 28, took the rapidly growing infant with her when she got her hair done at a fancy West Hollywood salon


Your turn: Orlando Bloom is left holding the baby for a change as Miranda Kerr gets the chance to stretch her legs


But Lord of the Rings actor Orlando made sure she got the time to enjoy some quiet time alone when he took his boy while she ran some errands.

And it looks like the Calcium Kid star is feeding his son plenty of milk as the baby, who weighed almost 10 pounds when he was born in January, continues to grow at a rapid pace.

Miranda took advantage of the opportunity to make a phone call and looked stunning in a flowing ankle length floral dress which showed off her enviable post-baby figure.


Hold on: Miranda makes sure she holds on to her rapidly growing son as she leaves the hair salon


Dressed to impress: Miranda wore a stunning black floral gown as she went about her business


Orlando was returning the favour after kind Miranda looked after the baby while he had a laid-back day of fun yesterday.

The 34-year-old was spotted riding his motorbike in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles.

And he was spotted the night before enjoying a slap-up meal with chums at a local restaurant.

It was recently been confirmed that Orlando will be reprising his role as the elf Legolas in The Hobbit: An Unexpected journey, which is currently shooting in New Zealand.



Hands free: Miranda takes advantage of the fact Orlando is holding the baby to make a phone call


source: dailymail

Baby's first trip: Denise Richards jets into New York with new adopted daughter Eloise

By Daily Mail Reporter


New mum - again: Denise Richards looked tired but happy as she jetted into New York from LA with newborn adopted daughter Eloise

With a famous mother jumping on planes at a moment's notice, it's a lifestyle that baby Eloise Joni will soon have to start getting used to.

And although she may only be six-weeks-old, she appeared to take her very first public trip in her stride.

The newborn, who was recently adopted by actress Denise Richards, snuggled into her new mother as they jetted in to New York last night.

She was very well-behaved and gazed up at her new mother as her sisters Sam, 7, and Lola, 6, from Denise's marriage to Charlie Sheen, fussed around her.

The actress, 40, looked a little tired, but it couldn't have been an easy flight with two young girls and a tiny baby to look after on the six hour flight.

It comes a day after Denise hosted a celebratory 'baby shower' gathering at Beverly Hills' Montage Hotel, with guests including Tori Spelling, Lisa Rinna, Mel B, and Nancy O'Dell.


Me and my girls: Denise clutches Eloise close to her and holds hands with Sam as Lola walks behind with a friend


The star is in New York to promote her new biography, The Real Girl Next Door.

But she intends to mix business with pleasure and has planned to take her children to see the Lion King while in the Big Apple.

Denise tweeted today: 'Eloise's 1st trip to NY!! The girls are really excited about this trip!!'


Baby on board: Denise Richards arrived at LAX today with her newborn daughter, Eloise


The Wild Things actress and former Bond Girl, who took Eloise into her care the day she was born, recently opened up about the new addition to her family.

'She's brought so much joy, and I love her to pieces,' she told America's Us Weekly.

'She is a cuddle bug. She loves being hugged and held. She's such a beautiful little baby and little soul.'

She also revealed that her ex Sheen, whom she talks to every day, is thrilled for her.

'Charlie is truly very happy for me,' said the star, who is currently single. 'He knows I always wanted more kids.'


Bundle of joy: It was Denise's first public outing with the six-week-old


She also revealed it was a difficult and complicated process.

'Some people think if a celebrity wants a baby, they get one the next day. The adoption took two years, and there were times I felt discouraged, times when I got close to adopting a baby and it fell through.

'But I knew the right baby would find us.'


Girls' trip: Denise also took along her daughters Sam and Lola


source: dailymail

She's my little ray of sunshine! Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima dotes over her daughter at the beach

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Simply adorable: Little Valentina had a ball with her mother, playing with her tresses while Adriana blew her kisses, and the pair wading through the water smiling and laughing

Victoria's Secret model Adrian Lima played the model mother yesterday, showing off her incredible bikini body as she hit the beach with her adorable daughter.

The 30-year-old and little Valentina had a ball as they splashed around in the surf on Miami's South Beach.

The star opted for a skimpy black bikini, which accentuated her supermodel figure.


Taking a break: The pair also lounged in the wet sand, with the little Valentina sitting in her mother's lap


Bubbly little Valentina, who is just under two years old, was pretty in pink in a Juicy Couture swimsuit.

Clutching on tight to the tiny toddler, Adriana treated the little girl to some playtime in the ocean, beaming as she waded waist deep through the water.

Valentina broke into fits of giggles and pointing, fascinated at the waves.


Flawless: The Brazilian-born model, who gave birth 21 months ago to Valentina, shows no sign of ever having carried a single ounce of extra weight

She also admired her mother's hair, playing with her raven tresses, while Adriana blew her kisses.

The pair also lounged in the wet sand, with the little Valentina sitting in her mother's lap.

Natural beauty Adriana went all au naturel for the beach outing, wearing no make-up on her flawless complexion and her hair out in a loose straight style.

The Brazilian-born model, who gave birth 21 months ago to her daughter Valentina, showed no sign of ever having carried a single ounce of extra weight.


Keen swimmer: The tiny tot, who was pretty in pink in her Juicy Couture one-piece swimsuit, was keen to go back into the surf

Adrian is married to Serbian basketball player Marko Jarić.

The couple eloped in a private civil ceremony in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on Valentine's Day, February 2009.

Their daughter, whose full name is Valentina Lima Jarić was born on November 15,2009.

She arrived prematurely at 34 weeks, weighing a tiny 4.4lbs after Adriana suffered pre-eclampsia.


Time to head home: After their fun in the sun Adriana and Valentina headed back to dry land


Adriana was recently listed in Forbes magazine as the forth richest supermodel in the world, with an estimated $8million salary.

Over the last few weeks, the lingerie model has been busy with her Victoria's Secret duties, dropping in at the company's stories in various cities across the U.S. and Canada.

There she has been meeting fans and giving advice on how to get the summer look, with the season's new ranges of bras, bikinis and beauty products.


source: dailymail

'People don't understand the pressure on me to look perfect': Kim Kardashian fears her career is over after being diagnosed with psoriasis

By ANDREA MAGRATH

My career is over: In last night's episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kim panics when she develops an angry red rash all over her body

She is one of the most photographed women in the world, and makes millions from modelling.

So Kim Kardashian was horrified to discover that she had developed the skin disease psoriasis in last night's episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

The reality star gets an angry red rash, first on her legs, that soon spreads all over her body.



Not appealing: The reality star is horrified to find the red patches just before she has to shoot an ad campaign


After seeing her dermatologist, Kim panics when she researches the condition on the internet and realises her entire body could end up covered in the painful patches.

'My career is doing ad campaigns and swimsuit photo shoots,' the 30-year-old cries. 'People don't understand the pressure on me to look perfect.'

'When I gain a pound, it's in the headlines. Imagine what the tabloids would do to me if they saw all these spots?'


Help! Her dermatologist tells Kim she has developed the skin disease psoriasis


All your fault mom! The condition was passed down from her mother Kris, who developed it at the same age


The hereditary disease was passed down to Kim from her mother Kris Jenner.

'I got it for the first time when I was exactly your age,' Kris tells her distraught daughter. 'I cried myself to sleep for months.'

Kim's doctor tells her the condition is incurable, and the best way to manage it is to lead a 'slower-paced life.'

But she is adamant, saying: 'It's just not possible.'


I can't do it: Kim begs her mother and manager Kris to cancel the lucrative photo shoot, but she refuses


Saved the day: The make-up artist on the shoot is able to cover up the rash


In the episode, filmed in April, Kim starts to panic about an ad campaign for Skechers Shape Ups, for whom she is a spokesperson.

'I have to wear a sports bra and I have this rash all over my stomach,' she cries. 'What will the producers say? In a photoshoot they can just photo-shop it out but this is on video. They can't hide this.'

As her main source of income is from modelling and red carpet appearances, Kim is certain her career has come crashing down around her.


Make-up covers all: She relents and turns up to the photo shoot

During a heated argument with Kris, she tells her mother to cancel the shoot, which Kris refuses to do.

Kim accuses her mother, who also acts as her manager, of just wanting her ten per cent commission.

After storming out, Kris waits nervously at the shoot the following day, not knowing if Kim will arrive.

With 200 crew members waiting and five minutes to spare, the reality star finally arrives, and after managing to cover the rash in make-up, completes the shoot.




source: dailymail

Amy's drug-addled ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil left out of her £10million will

By Sara Nathan and Simon Cable



Left out: Ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil will not receive anything from Amy's will


Amy Winehouse left her drug-addled former husband out of her will to ensure he could not win a slice of her fortune.

The singer, who will be cremated today following a Jewish service for friends and family, made provisions to ensure Blake Fielder-Civil would not get a penny following their divorce in 2009.

Her fortune was estimated at £6million in the Sunday Times Rich List of April, but is now said to surpass £10million and growing.


Her acclaimed album Back To Black topped the iTunes chart in 17 countries yesterday, including the UK and the U.S., and is expected to top the official UK charts this week.

Legal experts said Miss Winehouse’s wealth would be divided among her immediate family, including her mother Janis, who is suffering from multiple sclerosis, father Mitch and older brother Alex.

Her parents split when she was nine and are divorced.

A close family friend said: ‘Don’t expect everything to be straightforward. Janis is very sweet, but very meek and not in the best of health, Mitch is always the one in charge.’


The body of the singer was yesterday released to her family after they were forced to carry out the arduous task of identifying her at St Pancras Coroner’s Court.

Her parents broke down in tears as they visited a growing shrine outside their daughter’s £2.5million home in Camden Square, North London.

Last night, a close friend told the Daily Mail Miss Winehouse had put her affairs in order following her tumultuous two-year marriage to Fielder-Civil, 29, who is currently in prison.

She wrote the majority of Back To Black about their stormy romance and the friend said: ‘Around the time of the divorce, all of Amy’s finances were sorted out – and Blake can’t get his hands on any of it.

‘I am pretty sure that Amy does have a will. As a matter of course with record contracts, financial advisers will make sure that is done.’

Fielder-Civil was sentenced to 32 months in jail last month for burglary and possession of an imitation firearm.

Speaking from her home in Ruskington, Lincolnshire, his mother Georgette said: ‘He’s devastated and profiting from Amy’s death would be the last thing on his mind.’

Miss Winehouse’s friends and family will today attend a service at a North London cemetery before her body is cremated in Golders Green.


source:dailymail

'I have lost my darling who I loved very much': Amy Winehouse's heartbroken boyfriend Reg Traviss speaks of his agony at her untimely death

By Daily Mail Reporter


-Singer will be cremated in Golders Green, north London at 3pm today
-Heartbroken boyfriend Reg Traviss tells of his agony at Amy's death
-Ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil will NOT be present at the funeral
-Back To Black rockets back to the number one spot in the iTunes chart

Amy Winehouse's distraught boyfriend Reg Traviss has spoken about his agony in the fallout following her untimely death at the weekend.

Clean cut Reg, a film director, was pictured in the wake of Amy's death standing by her shrine with a haunted expression on his face.

Three days after the 27-year-old singer's body was discovered in her bed Reg has spoken for the first time about Amy, his 'dear love'.

Agony: Reg Traviss bears a haunted expression at the shrine to his girlfriend Amy Winehouse who was found dead at the weekend


Speaking to The Sun newspaper, the 35-year-old explained how his world came crashing down after the shock news of his girlfriend's death.

He said: 'The last three days have been hell. We have suffered a terrible untimely loss and want peace now.

'I can't describe what I am going through and I want to thank so much all of the people who have paid their respects and who are mourning the loss of Amy, such a beautiful, brilliant person and my dear love. I have lost my darling who I loved very much.'

Calming influence: The film director had the full blessing of Amy's parents Mitch and Janis thanks to his positive influence on her life

He described Amy's death as a terrible accident saying she had been upbeat recently, exercising and doing yoga.

Reg - who had been with Amy for two years - received a full blessing from Amy's parents Mitch and Janis, both of whom acknowledged that he was a welcome calming influence on their daughter.

The polar opposite of her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who is currently in jail serving 32 months for burglary and possession of an imitation firearm.

Blake, 29, was blamed for introducing Amy to hard drugs embarking on a tempestuous and destructive relationship with the singer.

Meanwhile Reg's relationship with Amy couldn't have been any different.

While Blake and Amy were often pictured looking dishevelled and 'out of it' on their nights out around London, Reg and his love were rarely pictured out together.

Instead, they stayed out of the limelight and, when they were pictured together, it was under far more civilised circumstances.

Reg always dressed in his trademark sharp suits and skinny ties, hair slicked back - a far cry from the unkempt Fielder-Civil.

And ex-husband Blake has been told he will not be able to attend the funeral today.

According to sources he has been refused compassionate leave from Armley Prison in Leeds - he had already been warned away from the funeral by Amy's father Mitch who 'hates his guts'.

Family support: Amy's parent's Mitch and Janis Winehouse were seen with their son Alex as they made an emotional visit to view the tributes left outside the singer's Camden home

In our thoughts: Reg is seen at Amy's north London shrine with her mother Janis, bottom right, Amy's father and his wife Jane, middle and brother Alex, far right


It has also been reported that Fielder-Civil was left out of Amy's will, even though it has been claimed she still considered him to be her soulmate.

A close friend told the Daily Mail Miss Winehouse had put her affairs in order following her tempestuous two-year marriage to her ex.

She wrote the majority of Back To Black about their stormy romance and the friend said: ‘Around the time of the divorce, all of Amy’s finances were sorted out – and Blake can’t get his hands on any of it.

‘I am pretty sure that Amy does have a will. As a matter of course with record contracts, financial advisers will make sure that is done.’

Speaking from her home in Ruskington, Lincolnshire, his mother Georgette said: ‘He’s devastated and profiting from Amy’s death would be the last thing on his mind.’

'My tears won't dry': Amy's ex-husband Blake Fielder-Ciivl has spoken about his devastation following his ex-wife's death but he will not be at the funeral today


According to reports Amy'sparents plan to mix her ashes with those of her grandmother Cynthia, who died of lung cancer 5 years ago.

A source claims: 'The family discussed mixing Amy's ashes with Cynthia's and scattering them together," a source told the paper.

'They were incredibly close, it feels like the right thing to do.'

Amy idolised her grandmother, a singer who once dated Ronnie Scott, even tattooing her name on her arm.

Tattoo tribute: Amy had her grandmother Cynthia's named inked on her right arm


It has also been reported that there are plans to stage a memorial concert in honour of Amy.

A source told The Mirror: 'There will be no shortage of people wanting to sing. She struck a chord with so many.

'It's an idea at the moment but hopefully the balls can be set in motion over the next few months when it isn't so raw.'

Meanwhile, Adele paid an emotional tribute to Amy saying she "paved the way" for artists like her.

She said: 'Although I'm incredibly sad about Amy passing, I'm also reminded of how incredibly proud of her I am. And grateful to be inspired by her.'

Tribute: Adele paid her respects to Amy Winehouse via her website


On Sunday Reg accompanied Amy's parents Mitch and Janis Winehouse on an emotional visit to the shrine made in tribute to the singer outside her London home.

They sobbed as they looked at the flowers, candles, cuddly toys and even cigarette boxes and alcoholic drinks left at the edge of police cordons surrounding the singer's house.

A spokesman for the family explained: 'The funeral will take place on Tuesday and will be a family and close friends affair.'

He would not reveal details about the location or time of the funeral, which Jewish law states has to take place as soon as possible.

Bad taste? Fans left bottles of vodka and wine, and cans of beer at the site


Mr Winehouse, a former taxi driver, said yesterday: 'Amy was about one thing and that was love. Her whole life was devoted to her family and her friends and to you guys as well.

'We're devastated and I'm speechless, but thanks for coming.'

Amy's parents sought support from each other and were seen hugging and condoling the other as they took in the reality of what has happened.

Camden tribute: Amy Winehouse's picture has been posted on a street sign for Camden Square near her London flat


They have said they are 'devastated' and 'speechless' by their daughter's death, whose inquest was opened and adjourned. The cause of death has not yet been specified and toxicology tests will now be carried out. Police have ruled out foul play.

Sharon Duff, coroner's officer at St Pancras Coroner's Court, said during the two minute hearing yesterday: 'I bring before you the death of Amy Jade Winehouse who was aged 27 born on the 14th September 1983 in London.

'She was a divorced lady living at Camden Square, NW1. She was certified dead at her home on July 23 by a paramedic and a doctor. She was a singer/songwriter at the time of her death.

Fans' notes: Amy's grieving fans not only left her notes on paper but also wrote on the footpath to say they love her


'She was identified by her family here at St Pancras this morning. A section 20 post mortem has been carried out today and samples have been taken for histology and toxicology to determine the cause of death.

'The scene has been examined by police who have deemed it non-suspicious.'

Reg joined Amy's parents at her shrine in north London, where Mitch thanked mourners and reporters at the scene.

Moving: Flowers, notes and messages and candles were left outside Amy's Camden home yesterday evening


He said: 'I know a lot of you, we've been together for five, six years, I know you've got a job to do. I'm glad you're all here anyway.'

'And you people in the street, I can't tell you what this means to us - it really is making this a lot easier for us.

'Amy was about one thing and that was love, her whole life was devoted to her family and her friends and to you guys as well. We're devastated and I'm speechless but thanks for coming.'

Young fans: Two little girls bend down to read the messages left as they join crowds of people eager to pay their respects to the singer


source:dailymail