GEORGE TAKEI IN TORONTO FOR THE SAKURA BALL

George Takei in Toronto - April 2012

Now this is a real honour! He may be known internationally for his work on Star Trek as Hikaru Sulu, but Actor/Political Activist George Takei just now is hitting his best stride as a Star of Social Media.  Takei who celebrated his 75th Birthday in Toronto Friday night, also is in-town to receive honours at the Sakura Ball for his achievements in the Arts and also politically, for his championing of Japanese-American Relations and Gay Rights.  The Sakura Award is handed to one Individual who has had a significant impact on how Japan is viewed and accepted on a Global scale. 

The $1,000-per-head Gala held at Don Mills' Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre is now in its fourth year and past Honorees include Canadian Icon David Suzuki.

Takei this Evening was accompanied by Husband Brad Altman (above, bottom right) to accept his Award and earlier in the day he was spotted out and about on a brisk stroll in Yorkville, before returning to his Hotel to get suited-up for the Black Tie Affair.  Refined, gracious and humbled, Takei took his time greeting Fans before stepping into his black Limousine in that old school Hollywood flare he radiates.  A true Gentleman and a real inspiration to me on a personal level.

One of his Handlers who oversees Social Media affairs, reveals to me that he was responsible for posting a Photo of Takei getting ready to blow the candles on his Birthday Cake last night in the City and might have snapped a Photo of us to be posted on his Facebook Page, which currently boasts over 1.6 million Fans!  On Twitter, Takei has a devout Fanbase in-excess of 350k Followers.   

Takei has developed a reputation for sharing insightful and humorous Memes (notable images shared via Social Media), connecting with and touching the hearts of many - a unique ability making him relevant across multiple demographics and generations.

He currently can be seen in the U.S. doing a brief Arc on Steven Seagal's True Justice, which airs on the ReelzChannel.

UPDATE: I almost fainted when I saw the below:

HONG KONG D&G SCANDAL PROTEST: 17,000 PEOPLE SHOW THEIR SUPPORT ON FACEBOOK

D&G Hong Kong Security Guard reprimands Reporter

More than one thousand Protestors rallied outside D&G's Flagship Store in Hong Kong's Tsimshatsui District today (Sunday) after a Photographer tried taking Photos of its storefront from the sidewalk. The Photographer was reprimanded by Store Security and asked to stop, which sparked an outcry on Facebook with over 17,000 people denouncing the Store's actions.

In the above Screen Capture recorded by one of Hong Kong's leading Newspapers Apple Daily, a Security Guard tells a Reporter, "Take your camera away from here or I will break it".  Protestor's signs made plays on the Fashion House's name, reading "Dislike & Get out", "D&Go Home" and even harsher, "DoG".

Protestors on Facebook even went as far as to say that the Store's actions not only infringe upon their rights, but also are racist.  It does not appear that D&G has yet issued an apology regarding the incident.

Facebook User Tanazhi Hirozhi uploaded some Photos of the Protest here.

(Photo credit: Apple Daily)

EMMA STONE COVERS AUGUST 2011 ISSUE OF "VANITY FAIR"

Emma Stone on August 2011 issue of Vanity Fair

Must have. A Blonde Emma Stone stone covers the August issue of Vanity Fair with stunning Photos by Patrick Demarchelier. Stone tells Alexandra Wolfe about a Paparazzo who tried striking a deal with her, telling her "‘If you ever go to the beach with your friends or walk out of your house in your pajamas, call me'". She says, "These guys try to strike up a deal with you so you feel like they’re your friend. I didn’t even know that was a thing—that people would call them.”.

Stone also talks about auditioning for NBC's Heroes in a role which went eventually to Hayden Panettiere, her addiction to FarmVille and her Spider-Man Diet.  Read more here.

(Photo credit: Patrick Demarchelier/Vanity Fair)

MARK ZUCKERBERG AND JESSE EISENBERG UNITE ON "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE"

Mark Zuckerberg, Jesse Eisenberg & Andy Samberg on SNL

It happened!  Facebook Co-founder Mark Zuckerberg did make an appearance on tonight's episode of Saturday Night Live after all as rumoured.  Jesse Eisenberg played Host after only last week garnering his first Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Zuckerberg in David Fincher's The Social Network.  

Apparently Eisenberg and Zuckerberg have never met, but they were united on-stage for the first time along with cast member Andy Samberg who was dressed also as Zuckerberg.  Yes, count 'em - three Zuckerbergs.  Eisenberg played up the awkwardness of the moment after Zuckerberg revealed he has indeed seen the Best Picture candidate.

MARK ZUCKERBERG IS TIME MAGAZINE'S "PERSON OF THE YEAR"

Mark Zuckerberg on TIME

My biggest Geek Crush.  TIME Magazine has named Facebook Co-founder Mark Zuckerberg its Person of the Year.  To clarify, the Title is not an Award nor an Honour - it is an acknowledgment of a person's influence as a Newsmaker, whether it be positive or negative.

Just after being named one of Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating People of 2010 last week, Zuckerberg is described by TIME's Lev Grossman as "warm....not cold" and after speaking to his Employees at Facebook he can say with certainty that "people like him".  

With all the Awards which The Social Network has been raking in of late, wouldn't it be fitting if he were given the opportunity to present an Award at the Oscars next February?  Academy Bitches, work your magic!

(Photo credit: Martin Schoeller/TIME)

BARBARA WALTERS UNVEILS 2010'S 10 MOST FASCINATING PEOPLE

Gen. David Petraeus

ABC aired Barbara Walters' annual 10 Most Fascinating People special last night. In what could be considered a surprise, General David Petraeus topped the last according to Walters. Deemed an "American Hero", Petraeus is celebrated for the humanity and strength he has shown as the Top U.S. Commander in Afghanistan.

In an otherwise non-eventful Special, Walters also presented the cast of Jersey Shore, Justin Bieber, Mark Zuckerberg, Sarah Palin and Jennifer Lopez among the year's most noteworthy.

Click here to see the complete list.

(Photo credit: ABC)

BIRTHDAY LOVE

Mr. Will-W. on Twitter

Yes, it's my Birthday today, so you'll have to forgive that I won't be v. active over the next couple days!  The festivities have just begun, seeing the awesome Priscilla Queen of the Desert earlier tonight and I've already received Chocolates, Wine and Cake!  Yum.  

Tomorrow night I'll be celebrating at Hazelton Hotel's ONE enjoying an amazing meal with my BFFs and our friends at Ben Sherman were ever so kind as to have my closest friends and I at their LG Fashionweek Party tomorrow night.  

Part of the excitement for me every year is putting together Goodie Bags for my friends and this year, I've thrown in a Mixtape of songs I love, Candy Apples, Dark Chocolate Truffle Puppies from Teuscher and Loose Leaf Tea from David's Tea.  Don't tell them though, as it's a surprise.

I am super-excited about my Birthday Cake this year too, a Red Velvet Cake from Phipps.  Let's be real for a second, yes Birthdays are about spending time with loved ones but without good Cake, it's not a real Birthday!  And then Saturday I'll be at Woodbine Race Track watching the Races with my close friends over Lunch.  Can't wait!

The best Birthday gift you guys can give me is to:

Follow Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Twitter  or  Like Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook

I look forward to keeping in touch with you there.  Much appreciated and thank you for all your Birthday Greetings!  As always, you are amazing.

xW

THE SOCIAL NETWORK REVIEW

Although I was a bit devastated that David Fincher's (Zodiac, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) The Social Network didn't do the rounds at TIFF this year, it was just as rewarding attending an advanced screening of it and I can say that it very much lives up to the hype surrounding it.  

The story criss-crosses different stages of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's hands-on and meticulous involvement in the crafting of the world's favourite social networking website up to his  documented legal battles over the legitimacy of his title as its Founder. Turning Facebook into the $25 billion empire that it is today did not come without its share of Drama.  The limits of true friendship and loyalty are put to the most rigorous test when fortune divides best friends Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) and Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield).  Zuckerberg's integrity also is challenged further with  wealthy twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (Armie Hammer and Josh Pence) fighting for an entitlement to the fortune in having commissioned him to assist in the creation of a project which wound up spiraling and veering off into the opus of Facebook as we know it. 

GOOGLE POKES FUN AT TWITTER AND FACEBOOK

Too funny.  One of my readers Chris pointed out to me today that Google somehow has programmed a bit of humour into their searches for social networking tools Facebook and Twitter.  And the results are so true it hurts.... and of course, there is Humour in Truth.  Look here:

I will also be reviewing David Fincher's The Social Network aka "that Facebook movie" and am rather excited about it.  Expect a review later on tonight, one of the first to be published, so remember to check back. 

And while we're on the subject why not add yourself as a Fan on Facebook here and also follow me for up-to-the-minute updates on Twitter here?  How else will you win lots of fun Giveaways and stalk me stalking Celebrities, huh?

VIDEO: THE SOCIAL NETWORK (AKA THE FACEBOOK MOVIE) TRAILER

"You don't get to 500 million friends.... without making a few enemies first."

Although I had my hesitations about The Social Network, buzzed originally as The Facebook Movie, this trailer was brought to my attention by my friend Yen and it looks intriguing, yes?

The David Fincher film recounts the whole creative process that went into creating the world's favourite social utility site, but it definitely didn't come to fruition without its share of Drama it appears. The film will be released via Sony/Columbia Pictures on October 1, 2010. Crossing fingers this one gets a screening at TIFF too.  Love lead actor Jesse Eisenberg (Adventureland, The Squid and The Whale)!!!

"LIKE" MR. WILL-W.:POP MAVEN'S FACEBOOK FAN PAGE AND GET A FREE DOWNLOAD!

Hey Mavenati!

I've just created a new Facebook Fan Page for MR. WILL-W.:POP MAVEN.  Feel free to "LIKE IT" and share with your Pop Culture-loving friends on Facebook.

The first 200 Mavenati to "LIKE IT" will receive a Free Download link to my 2010 Remix of Madonna's Crazy For You.  Hurry! Click here for the Fiesta.

xW

NAY TO QUIT FACEBOOK DAY

With all the controversy surrounding Facebook and the issue Privacy of late, a group  and website have surfaced urging users users to quit the social networking website.  May 31, 2010 (today), is Quite Facebook Day.  

Recently, Facebook has made it mandatory for users to include items like music/film/reading preferences and education information, making it easier for advertisers to target its users.  Also, information like our names, our friends, the city/town we reside in and our pictures are all on our  public profiles by default.

WHAT HIS FACEBOOK PROFILE REALLY SAYS ABOUT HIM

If you're like me, you've probably at some point "snooped" the Facebook profile of that person you were interested in.  In the early stages of dating, you might want those few extra clues to what they like so that you're prepared on your date.  Nothing wrong with that as long as you're not perpetually clicking on "View Profile" to track their every move.  Now that's a problem.  Let's be honest though, we've all done it!

I was reading this Glamour article posted on MSN today and I found it was pretty spot-on in shedding some light on what a Facebook profile and pictures can say about your boyfriend or man of interest.   

The article categorizes guys into among others, these groupings:

• guys who use party photos as their profile pictures (they may not be into relationships)
• guys who post only pics with their pets (perhaps too introverted?)
• guys with pics of them and a celebrity (they're professional and fun)
• guys who pose for pics of them with pretty girls or guys (a warning sign?)
• guys who constantly update their profiles (social and loves interaction... to a limit)
• guys with negative status updates (lacking control in their own lives?)
• guys who constantly take quizzes (competitive and maybe lacking attention to details)
• guys with tons of friends (popular and fun-loving, but maybe overextended?)
• guys with few friends (private and loyal)
• guys who play lots of Facebook games (only problematic if they claim to be busy all the time)

HAPPY BELATED SIXTH BIRTHDAY, FACEBOOK!

Although I'm a couple days late, I wanted to wish Facebook a Happy Sixth Birthday!  Facebook, you have changed my life and in the words of Ellen Degeneres, "six years ago nobody would've known what Facebook was if you asked,  but now you can post pictures from every single vacation you've ever been on and people just can't get enough of them!".  So true.  To many more birthdays ahead and may you always continue to evolve and continue to change the face of our global culture!  I love you. No matter how often you decide to change!