The Freethinker Robert Burns

Perhaps there are a lot more sides that we know about Robert Burns, but none stands out as much as his being a poet and a lyricist. He was born on January 25, 1759 in Alloway, South Ayshire Scotland to parents William Burns and Agnes Broun and is esteemed as the national poet of Scotland. He revolutionized poem composition in his nation by writing in his own dialect, the Scots Language. Some of his works are written in English, perhaps only when he deems to be blunt and frank in his political and civil comments.

Robert Burns the Romantic:

Robert Burns is the Father of the Romantic Movement. Romanticism is an intellectual movement during the 17th century that places emphasis on strong emotions and feelings such as trepidation, fear, love and anger in confronting the magnificence of nature and life. His work became the foundation for liberalism and socialism. Robert Burns wrote several poems dedicated to the various loves of his life, one of which is young Eliza Burnett, the daughter of Lord Monboddo. Lord Monboddo owns the house Robert Burns’ father used to live in and young Robert would make excuses like eating supper with his father for the sole purpose of seeing Eliza. Unfortunately, Eliza died at a very young age. Robert though referred to Eliza as the epitome of Beauty, Grace and Goodness. He was later married to Jean Armour.

Robert Burns the Freethinker:

In July 4, 1781, Robert Burns was initiated into the Lodge of St. David Tarbolton and was raised as a Freemason on October 1, 1781. At the age of 25, he became a Depute Master until he was 29 years old. As a Depute Master in the 1700’s, Robert Burns often does all the workings of the Lodge like raising brethrens, attending meetings and doing Lodge business. In May 18, 1787, Robert Burns became a Royal Arch Mason and was re-elected as a Depute Master in the same year.

Robert Burns the Poet:

Robert Burns used to collect folk songs all over Scotland and would often revise and adapt them. One of his most famous poems, which is sung every New Year, is Auld Lang Syne. Scots Wha Hae, another song he wrote also served as an informal national anthem for Scotland. Other poems like A Red, Red Rose, To a Mouse, To a Louse, and A Man’s A Man For A’ That is celebrated all over the world even today. He became a major contributor to The Scots Musical Museum along with James Johnson and published their first volume in 1787 and later in 1803.

Robert Burns the Icon:

His birthday is celebrated as an unofficial national day all over Scotland today. There are organizations named after him, like the Robert Burns Fellowship in New Zealand and the Burns Club in Atlanta. His Statues can be found in Dumfries, Carlton Hill, Edinburgh and Alloway, Ayshire. Some towns like Burns, New York and Burns, Oregon are named after this highly esteemed poet and lyricist known all over the world.

President Lincolns Birthday: Commemorating Abe

Abraham Lincoln is one of the most notable figures in American history. He was the 16th President of the United States who served from 1861 to 1865. He was also the first American President to come from the Republican Party.

Tiffani Amber Thiessen: Beauty, Brains and Luck

Tiffani Amber Thiessen popularly known as Tiffani Thiessen was born in Long Beach California on January 23, 1974. Her father was a park engineer and her mother was a plain housewife. A family-loving woman, she credits her brother for some of the inspirations and the ladies in her life (her mom and grandmother) as her role models. She studied high school at Valley Professional High School in Studio City, California. She was the class valedictorian, proving she is more than just beauty but also has the brains.

Beauty and Brains:

Her rich ancestry contributed much to her physical beauty. In an interview, she disclosed her German, Greek, Turkish and Welsh origin. She had joined many beauty pageants and won the Miss Junior America in 1987. It was in 1988 that she won Teen Magazine's Great Model Search and made it as a cover girl and the Magazine's Model of the Year in 1989. In 1998, she shared the post with Tiffany Weber for the title Teen Magazine’s Great Model Search. Vertical Horizon featured her in a music video You’re a God in 2000. Saved by the Bell, a television program, baptized her in show business in 1989. She played as a nice girl named Kelly Kapowski. It was a big break for her when she joined Beverly Hills 90210. She played the antagonist role of Valerie Malone, the ultimate nightmare of every woman. She was the nemesis of Kelly Taylor, a role played by her best friend Jeannie Garth. After leaving Beverly Hills 90210, she worked on several projects like Fastlane, Just Shoot Me, and Two Guys and A Girl, before doing the Hollywood Ending by Woody Allen in 2002. She was also a talented young lady. She won the Best Teen Choice Awards in 2003 for the film Fastlane and was nominated for Young Artist Award in 1992 and 1993 for Best Young Actress in the series Saved by the Bell. In 1990, she was also nominated as Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast for Saved by the Bell together with Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Dustin Diamond, Elizabeth Berkley and Lark Voorhies.

What about Love?

When it comes to relationship, she had quite a number of love tragedies, which made it more interesting. In 1995, her boyfriend David Strickland committed suicide. He was known to have a bipolar disorder with alcohol and drug problem. He hanged himself in a motel using a bed sheet. After her emotional recovery, she was engaged with Richard Ruccolo from 2001 to 2003. In 2005, she married Brady Smith in a small estate in Montecito, California. This year 2007, she will be part of the ABCs relationship drama What About Brian. Currently, she had joined the Make-A-Wish-Foundation and accepted other philanthropic endeavors such as serving at the National Advisory Council for the aforementioned foundation. Tiffani Amber Thiessen has indeed made her mark in the entertainment world. Her winsome personality, her classy looks and her engaging intelligence will forever etch her in the hearts of countless adoring fans.

The Talented Sara Evans

On the day Feb. 5, 1971, a child was born in Boonville, Missouri who goes by the name of Sara Evans. She was raised in New Franklin, Missouri. Her two brothers soon demonstrated an interest in playing musical instruments. At the age of 4, Sara Evans showed a talent in singing which her mother surely noticed. Being practical and open minded she hoped that her daughter’s talent for singing can help the family with its many financial issues. This prompted her to bring her daughter to a local club in Colombia, Missouri. Sara Evans was soon performing in the local club every Saturday night for a whole two years.

The Lovely Jennifer Love Hewitt

That beguiling smile…those twinkling eyes…the sexy voice…these characteristics are just a few of a long list on reasons why everybody loves a certain girl named Jennifer Love Hewitt. Her captivating personality seems to add up every beautiful feature she possesses.

The Great Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck is the famous voice behind the highly syndicated and third-highest-ranked national talk show on the radio called The Glenn Beck Program. The Glenn Beck Program is aired over 232 radio stations around United States and Puerto Rico. This show has propelled Glenn Beck to be named seventh most influential host out of the Top 25 Talk Radio Hosts in America by the NewsMax.Com Magazine.

The Ballad of Michael Bolton

Michael Bolton draws thousands of fans, young and old alike because of his magnificent talent in singing and delivering heart-wrenching and powerful music to lovers and friends alike. He has since sold over 53 million albums and earned recognition from award giving bodies like the prestigious Grammy Music Awards and the American Music Awards throughout his career.

Svetlana Boginskaya: The Belarusian Phoenix

There are countries in this world that do not own a gold medal from the Olympics. But this woman bagged three gold medals for her country. A well-accomplished ballerina and gymnast, this woman is looked up to. She is called with several titles like Belarusian Swan and the Goddess of Gymnastics mainly attributed to her height and grace and for her artistry on floor exercises.