According to a recent study, 40% of  Americans  ages 26-40 now have tattoos.

Michelle Rhee was here in Cincinnati last night with Smart Talk Connected Conversations.  To learn more about Michelle, see this post.  Michelle kept us on the edge of our seats when she depicted story after story of the numerous nightmares she has encountered in American schools.  Not just a bearer of bad news, she’s also quick to point out that there are far more good teachers and principals than bad, but sadly, she has more stories of bad teachers and principals than she’d like to remember.

Michelle is seriously insightful and smart, no-nonsense, yet refreshingly real and blunt.   She spoke of when she first accepted the position as the chancellor of schools of DC  and only 8% of 8th graders were on grade level academically….yet the teachers were rated as 95% effective.  Unreal!

She spoke about a story of a teacher who had forgotten to fill out two crucial forms that she was repeatedly asked for.   That mistake ended up costing the district a half-million dollars.  When Michelle brought her in to consult why she had made such a grave mistake that ended up costing $500,000…the teacher’s response was “You have to understand…I’m a busy person”.

She also said she was once questioned…Michelle, do you agree that ineffective teachers can learn to become effective teachers.  Her response was…perhaps, but we will not do that on the backs of our children.  Michelle said that data shows if a child has an effective teacher for three years in a row versus an ineffective teacher, it can literally change the trajectory of the child’s life.

She also spoke to her theory on why immigrant children and farm children always score so much higher on critical thinking tests.  Her theory is that it’s not that they have more time on their hands to figure things out…it’s that immigrant and farm families usually expect their children to carry their own burden, to stop whining and figure it out.  She thinks we have done a disservice to our children by constantly asking “how does this make you feel”?  Instead of holding them to higher standards, we essentially let them cop out  when their feelings get too heavy.  She stated that in honesty, her own children really stink at soccer, yet they have rooms filled with ribbons and trophies.  She’s quick to point out she’s not a Tiger Mom, but at the same time, she doesn’t want to fool her children into thinking that they can just wish their way through life without any real hard work.

If you want to make a difference in the American school system, visit Michelle Rhee’s foundation, Student’s First to learn more.

Happy birthday to Diane Keaton, who turns 65 today.

Miss Diane is not only an extreme talent in the world of show biz, but she’s also extremely witty, has a unique quirkiness about her, and is ultra-sweet.  She’s one of the sweetest celebrities I have ever met.  Truly!

To read more of the interview with Miss Diane, click here.

I don’t know about you, but I’m buying anything Gordon Gekko’s selling.  Michael Douglas is recapturing his role as Wall Street’s Gordon Gekko once again…and aren’t we the lucky ones!

With a 23 year span between Wall Street 1 and Wall Street 2, it still has mass appeal and works on so many levels….the main factor being Michael Douglas.  Twenty-three years later and the man still has massive drop-dead-gorgeous looks and persona.  And who else but Michael Douglas could pull off Gordon Gekko?

The character has so much appeal because he’s white collar and suit-wearing, but he’s a bad boy…the best of both worlds (or at least until you turn 35 and start to wonder if bad boys were one of your better choices in life…or not.)  But they do bring a whole heck of a lot of fun to the party, indeed.

Michael Douglas in Wall Street above, and below in Wall Street 2 looking just as ridiculously hot 23 years later.

Big news:  Discovery of the most amazing multi-tasker ….ever.   So, not only do these body sprays  smell ridiculously delicious, they are also fantastic multi-taskers, doing double duty as a hair volumizer. 

Not only do the body sprays make your hair (skin and clothes) smell fantastic, but they also give your hair extra oomph and volume.  It doesn’t leave a sticky and heavy feeling to the hair whatsoever.  But it does give your hair natural-looking body. 

Try these  in your hair to experience how good they are.  Instant sexy hair in seconds…what’s not to love? 

www.SupernaturalBotanicals.com