Erica Hill
AC360° Correspondent
Rhode Island isn’t much farther north than NYC, yet the sun seems to rise far earlier in the Ocean State.
I woke up in Newport this morning; I came up yesterday for a conference (hence my comment via Gary re: last night’s Beat 360°). What a gorgeous city! I haven’t been here in years, and even then I was visiting a friend when we were both in college…not really a get-up early kind of visit.
This morning, I couldn’t resist some quality time with the rising sun. If only I could be this motivated every day.
The familiar, sticky salt air instantly made me feel at home. The scenery (shops, restaurants, beautiful old homes, the mansions, the beach!) was more beautiful with each mile, but what really stood out to me on my run were the people.
Everyone was so friendly! Lots of waves, “mornin’”s and hellos…I wish we could all be a little friendlier when running in NYC.
Maybe these early morning joggers and cyclists were still pumped from David Ortiz’s appearance at last night’s PawSox (as in the Pawtucket-Red Sox) game. The Boston Red Sox slugger is rehabbing from an injury; he should be in PawSox country through the weekend.
Rhode Islanders could use something fun and positive to focus on. While “Papi’s” fourth inning home run dominated the local news this morning, the headline in the Providence Journal read, “Number of jobless Rhode Islanders continues to grow.” Not the best news to start the weekend…
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Speaking of weekends, get ready for some popcorn and A/C. Two highly anticipated films open today, “Mama Mia” and “The Dark Knight”, with Heath Ledger.
Since Ledger’s death from an accidental overdose in January, there’s been speculation about how studios would market the newest Batman film, and how they’d handle his untimely death.
Ledger’s performance, however, seems to take care of all those concerns. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, and not out of sympathy. The sad fact is, by all accounts, “The Dark Knight” affirms Ledger’s incredible talent, and the tragedy of a life cut much too short.
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As many of you know, I like to end these posts on a positive note, so…. How about some bday wishes for Nelson Mandela?
An incredible man, Mandela celebrates his 90th birthday today. He granted CNN’s Robyn Curnow an interview, in which Mandela admitted he wishes he’d spent more time with his family. Check out the full interview here.
| Melissa, Los Angeles |
July 18th, 2008 2:54 pm ET I remember seeing Heath for the first time on a TV series called Roar and was instantly smitten with him because of his acting ability and yes it didn’t hurt that he was good looking too. I’m still saddened by his death not only for what great movies he could’ve created but also for his daughter growing up without him. R.I.P. Happy birthday Mandela! I wish you many happy more! |
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| carmen |
July 18th, 2008 2:57 pm ET Hey Erica: If only we all made a bit more time to say hello, smell the air and with our families… thanks for pointing it out so well. |
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| marcy |
July 18th, 2008 3:19 pm ET and while we are talking b’days Happy Early B’day to yourself Mrs. Hill! Marcy, |
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| Larry |
July 18th, 2008 4:06 pm ET Is Nelson still married to Winnie? |
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| Jacqueline, NY |
July 18th, 2008 4:11 pm ET Hi Erica, Newport Rhode Island is one place this native New Yorker could easily be transplanted. I fell in-love with Newport a number of years ago while attending the annual Jazz Festival there. Oooh, how Heavenly! I just did not want to return home New York. I sulked for weeks as I dreamed of living there one day. But how sad the news of unemployment. I guess I won’t be making that move anytime soon, especially since I’m unempoyed here in my own hometown. We just gotta fix this state of unemployment some how. …And how amazing a life of Mr. Mandela. Happy Birthday to you, Mr. Mandela! God bless you and keep you. Have a GREAT weekend all! I’m heading out to see Mama Mia! |
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| Megan Dresslar |
July 18th, 2008 4:25 pm ET Helloooo Erica!!!! |
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| Cheryl,Johnston RI |
July 18th, 2008 4:39 pm ET He Erica, |
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| Ruby Coria, LA. CA. |
July 18th, 2008 4:57 pm ET Hi Erica, for a second there I thought you woke up in “New Port” Ca. your time out there sounds cool.. |
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| Krista |
July 18th, 2008 5:52 pm ET Hey Erica, glad are enjoying RI, I’ve always loved visiting there also! |
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| Alexander |
July 18th, 2008 6:48 pm ET Erica, I know someone else who needs a happy birthday wish.: ) I do believe it is going to be your big day this Sunday, if I am not mistaken.: ) And, I am not- I just say that for ‘effect.’: )))) ; ) Happy birthday, Erica, even if it’s a bit early. Hope your weekend gets off to a great start.: ) Alex |
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| EJ (USA) |
July 18th, 2008 7:24 pm ET I saw the Dark Knight today - and it was very good. Heath is/was talented and very funny. I am glad that he was around long enough for so many to know his talents. I feel sorry for the person who has to play the joker next! It’ll take a whole lot to trump Heath’s character. And I have to say - throughout all of the pictures and tributes shown when he died - and when watching the movie this afternoon - that guy had great sexy hair! I love that hair! |
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| Janet E. Powell |
July 18th, 2008 7:39 pm ET Hi! |
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| Michelle Fonthill Ont,Canada |
July 18th, 2008 8:44 pm ET Hi Erica |
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| Steve |
July 18th, 2008 9:19 pm ET Erica, I was at the Conference in Newport this morning. You did a wonerful job hosting the Blue Ribbon Panel. You helped to draw out some interesting perspectives from the panelists. You looked and sounded as fresh, bright and beautiful as you do on Anderson Cooper 360. What a lovely way to begin my (our) day! Take care! |
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| Lilibeth |
July 18th, 2008 9:54 pm ET Hi Erica, I’ve never been to Rhode Island, but it sounds beautiful. I have a friend who lives there and I might just take a trip there one of these days. Yeah, I heard that Heath Ledger might get a posthumous Oscar for his performance. I thought he was incredible in Brokeback Mountain. I miss him. Happy Birthday to Mr. Mandela! Lilibeth |
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| Gillian |
July 18th, 2008 10:43 pm ET Hi Erica |
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| Genevieve M, TX |
July 18th, 2008 11:04 pm ET Happy Birthdays to Nelson Mandela and Erica Hill. |
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| EJ (USA) |
July 18th, 2008 11:07 pm ET Since Anderson never tells us his opinion on politics, can he at least let us know what he thought of the Dark Knight. I loved it. I’m into that dark murdering stuff in movies. I never thought Batman would be there but this one did it for me. I only saw Brokeback after he died (as its a love/story-drama not a dark murder thriller that I like) but it was sweet - and sad to me. Very passionate. Heath is beautiful and I’m glad his daughter Matilda gets to live on through him - as he once said. |
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| Eric, Denver |
July 18th, 2008 11:31 pm ET Hi Erica, |
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| Avinash, New York, NY |
July 19th, 2008 12:14 am ET HAPPY Pre-BIRTHDAY, Missy Hill!! Please let us know how it goes Woo Hoo! |
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| Shelly Sullivan |
July 19th, 2008 7:52 am ET Hi Erica, |
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| Brian E. Fillioe |
July 19th, 2008 8:37 am ET Hi Erica, Brian |
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| Jocelyne |
July 19th, 2008 9:12 am ET Hello Erica, |
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| Timothy Nelson - Hopkins, Minnesota |
July 19th, 2008 4:24 pm ET To hell with the Turtle hunter! You get him, Erica! Rawr!!! |
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