Brad & Angelina: Art Gallery

http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=SNYF,SNYF:2004-46,SNYF:en&q=debra%20messing&sa=N&tab=wi

Hey Guys, I am just back from my driving lessons. and I did well, I was a little bit nervous, but for my first lesson it went great. Thank you guys (you know who you are) for all your encouragement.

That’s great Alexanderina! =D

# 562 | QQQQ | Thanks for the info! This new, shorter page system JJ put up makes skimming a little harder.I’m glad they could visit with some friends without too much intrusion, but it did seem rather crowded there. I guess that’s what these events are about..getting as many people together to promote your work. What a change from the peaceful shores of Namibia. I’ve never been a crowd person, never enjoyed being surrounded by people. I wonder if Angie feels the same way, and her mood had more to do with this than with the possibility of seeing her father, like some gossip goes. Anyway, Congrats Alex on your driving lessons. You’ll do well.Hope we have a peaceful weekend!~Cheers~

# 581 | Alexanderina |-Yes and that is what i need to know too.Well done for your first driving lesson! I’m glad that it went great.I’m sure you will be less nervous in your next one.Go Alex! rooom roooommmm.LOL!

Welcome back Real Hmmmm…err…I mean Lady Lurk. It would be nice have FS be used to another level of stupidity. LOL

# 587 | WHY | -you don’t have to post on tow threads.You already got your attention.Don’t worry.

# 587 | WHY | -you don’t have to post on tow threads.You already got your attention.Don’t worry. # 588 | think positive!Why do you call yourself "think positive" when you wreek negativity to such a large degree?? Has someone abused you at some point in your life that you must spew such hatred?? You are angry because I asked the same question on 2 threads?? Did this hurt you in some way? Am I "Cheating" by doing this ? I just wanted an answer and it seemed most people were chatting on the other thread so I asked again on the other thread. Sorry to get you so upset.

# 519 Readers DigestThank you SO much for posting this interview.Angelina is extraordinary in that she has an interest and vision lacking in so many people, and older and more educated than her. I am now 56, and when I was 30 all I cared about was some guy and whether I saw him or not. College-educated and smart I was, but in comparison to her, what a limited human being, and what a limited MOTHER I was!!!Angelina made me realize how much I did not nurture and how much I missed out while raising my own son-she realized what a great source of happiness Maddox is for her, and I had not figured that out in my own life. It’s hard to realize this, and harder to admit it, and I’m amazed that it took a "movie star" for this to happen.

An Interview with Angelina JolieUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie discusses her time in Cambodia and the effects of landmines there as well as the impact the trip had on her personality. She is willing to share her experiences with the world to help raise awareness for mine action.*By Jenny Lange, MAICJenny Lange (JL): What first made you aware of the landmine situation around the world? Ms. Angelina Jolie (AJ): When I went to Cambodia for work, I was suddenly in a country where I saw it was a very big problem. We were restricted to where we could move or walk because of landmines. JL: What about Cambodia pulled your attention away from the movie and towards Cambodia and its people? AJ: I think it’s a lot of things like knowing the history of the place, [and] having not been taught at school. I felt I should have been taught about the landmine problem. It made me suddenly realise certain things about the world and how much I had to learn, like the history of the people. They are so warm and great and spirited; they are such survivors. I think they are such amazing people. JL: Did you approach UNHCR, or did they approach you after your visit to Cambodia? AJ: I approached UNHCR because I believe in what the United Nations is attempting to do,… and I support the United Nations. I read about the different chapters and UNHCR was the most [appealing] because I believe refugees are the most vulnerable people in the world. They are affected by everything, including landmines. They are vulnerable to everything. JL: Through your position at UNHCR, what exactly are you hoping to accomplish? AJ: Awareness [of] the plight of these people. I think they should be commended for what they have survived, not looked down upon. I think people are often uncomfortable and don’t like the idea. They seem to shy away because of what it means to them. I think these are really amazing people that are not really understood. Also, I personally just wanted to meet these people around the world and know them, because they are my heroes, and I think they are wonderful people. JL: I recently read that you were able to personally detonate a landmine. Is this true? AJ: I went with HALO, which is a great organisation. We were there in Cambodia. We were… in one field they were demining [where] they had found three different mines. At the end of each day they explode them, and they let me explode one. It was a great feeling because you know something like that, if HALO hadn’t been there and if you weren’t detonating it, that it might otherwise be hurting someone, and you are getting rid of something that could be otherwise dangerous or deadly. So it is a great feeling. JL: Are you able to describe personally the effect that landmines had on victims in Cambodia, physically, psychologically and economically? AJ: I think it’s difficult to describe because these people are victims of such horror, and yet they are so strong, that they don’t seem like victims. So, I think, you don’t want to shout that they are victims. We should make a point that they don’t have to go through this, because they are such survivors. But certainly it affects them in so many ways. There’s an organisation - CVD, Cambodia Vision and Development - that works with vulnerable people; most of them are landmine victims. If you can imagine the area and the land in Cambodia, I mean there are hardly any roads in big parts of the country. The roads they have, in the rainy season, become just mud. So, if you’re somebody that has just one leg, or blind with no arms and you have children and you’re trying to work, and earn some money, and take care of your home, it’s hard enough to be a parent and do all of that normally. It seems impossible and probably would be impossible without the help of a lot of these organisations. Organisations like CVD put a lot of these people together so they can work in a group. They are amazing. Then you go to some places where it’s so hard for them to access limbs, depending on where they are in the country. And the young children, if they survive and they have lost a limb, their bodies are still growing so they have to go back quite often. They don’t have cars or local hospitals. It’s a big trek to go in and find somebody who will volunteer to refit you and shave the bone down. They are going to have that their whole life because they are growing. It’s a really horrible thing. JL: While you were in Cambodia, or Pakistan or Africa, did you ever personally feel in danger because of landmines or any other issues? AJ: Well, landmines specifically would be Cambodia. Yeah, I went off into certain areas where you were just told that nothing had exploded in this area therefore it’s not considered a high-risk area, but you along with everybody else stay on a very clear path that has already been walked. You don’t stray from it. You know in the middle of the night when I had to go use the bathroom in the bushes and was not really sure where the path was. It’s crazy the thought that you really don’t know, and for people to live like that all the time. There were times when we would go wandering off in Cambodia and had to be extremely careful where we were going and to know the area. For anybody that works in any kind of demining or any kind of humanitarian aid work, there is danger and it’s always a high-risk area. JL: I am sure you met many influential people and heard many amazing stories. Are there any of these experiences that you would like to share? AJ: There are so many. Really it’s just person after person in every different country that has a life that I can’t even imagine and has gone through horror that I can’t even imagine. And yet, in every country, every family was more generous than I have met in other countries with their time or whatever they had. Trying to find food or tea or something and give you a smile, and [they] are so grateful for what they had left - an unbroken spirit. And that was remarkable for me that that was not specific to one place or one person. That continues to be the majority of these people out there. For whatever reason, I don’t know why, but they’ve learnt something in their suffering and struggle that we have lost touch with. JL: What do you feel being an Ambassador for UNHCR has done for the organisations? AJ: I hope it has brought more awareness. That’s all I can hope for. I know what it’s done for me, but I hope it has brought more awareness. I feel it has because people tend to ask me questions, and I have received a lot of letters from young people talking about the things they are doing to make a difference. And that’s been a very nice thing because I didn’t get letters like that before. The most important thing, or the thing I think I accomplished most was going to these places and sitting down with the families for about an hour, and I think… what matters most of all is that you go out of your way to sit down with people and listen to their stories and talk with them and show them somebody cares and is listening. JL: Do you have any plans for further involvement with other humanitarian programs, or more specifically landmine organisations? AJ: Yes, with landmines, well the film I just finished deals with a lot of things but it also deals with landmines, which has been great, a very interesting thing to have the whole crew listening about, the effects of landmines. But yes, I certainly will. We were just in Namibia, and I am more aware of that area. That area is… changing and I don’t know if we will understand more about the landmine situation there. And in Afghanistan, I’m sure with UNHCR moving back in there will be a lot they will be dealing with, and they will be dealing with working hand in hand with deminers. And in Cambodia, I have… funded some schools and I plan to move to Cambodia, and have a house there and a place to live. So all of that has to be demined. The schools have already been demined. The land will have to be demined. There’s also organisations too, like the Campaign to Ban Landmines. I’ve met with Jody Williams, and spent some time with her, we’ve had an evening at the house to raise awareness. There’s a lot to do. Hopefully it will stop all the manufacturing and everybody will sign off, because that’s what has to happen before anything. JL: Do you have any future plans with UNHCR? AJ: I will be in Washington for Refugee Week, and then it looks like I’m off to South America. How can anyone doubt her sincerity? In my opinion, She is the real deal.

# 591 | think positive!And miss the oportunity to upset (this seems pretty easy) - NO WAY!

Tabloids make up lies to go with these pictures. AJ looks beautiful and her and BP are together. However, some people strive off scandal and it feeds into their opinion of BP/AJ. Tabloids, paps and other web sites are making a mountain out of a molehill. AJ relationship with her father is none of people’s business. Whether she waited for him to leave or miss him entirely is her business. From BP’s outfit, it looks like he met her there after finishing on the set. This explanation is mundane and does not fit into the tabloid lies. This couple is obviously very happy but that does not sell rags. People are going to have their negative opinion about AJ no matter what. To some she will always be seen as the homewrecker, maneater, manstealer etc. However, to her fans she is a compassionate, caring woman who has help and brought attention to many refugees and children around the world.This couple is too busy living their lives, raising their children and suceeding in their careers to worry about tabloid lies and some people’s mis-perception of them.

# 578 | AlexanderinaAWESOME! One thing I didn’t really "know" but learned when our daughter began to drive is to take turns [ya know like right hand turn] at about 15 MPH. The first time she did it she was going about 40 and we just missed the ditch! You will get more confidence and get better real quick now that you’ve done it one time.# 585 | Lady Lurk ROFLMAO Did Lainey really get GMD in the dictionary? Love your new name, and thanks for telling us, so we don’t miss "you". LOL# 592 | Anna I hear ya and agree. I was a stay at home mom until our daughter went into 2nd grade, but I now feel like I could have done so much more. I think that is part of the universal appeal of Angie. She shows us so much of human growth, caring and truth. # 594 | UNHCR Interview |I was falling asleep to Anderson Cooper’s show last night and they had a segment on about Cluster Bombs. Apparently, Israel used them [supplied by US] in Lebanon in CIVILIAN areas. OMG the HORROR of these bombs! Only about 80% of them explode [they explained that there are 100s of "little" bombs inside the big bomb] on a good day, and the ones the Israelis used were old, so they estimate aout 40% of them are unexploded in the civilian areas [you know, the ones people are coming back to?]. There was some talk that Israel went against their "contract" with US using them in civilian areas, but all commentators agreed that we would do nothing about it.