Demi Lovato talks past drug abuse: I brought cocaine on airplanes

Demi Lovato is opening up about her past drug use in revealing new interview with Access Hollywood.

 

Lovato, who has been vocal in the past about her experience in rehab, where she was treated for a number of personal struggles including an eating disorder, bipolar disorder, drugs and alcohol and cutting, talked to "Access Hollywood" recently about the shocking lows of her drug use.
"Something I've never talked about before, but with my drug use I could hide it to where I would sneak drugs," she said. "I couldn't go without 30 minutes to an hour without cocaine and I would bring it on airplanes."
"I would smuggle it basically and just wait until everyone in first class would go to sleep and I would do it right there," she continued. "I'd sneak to the bathroom and I'd do it. That's how difficult it got and that was even with somebody [with me], I had a sober companion, somebody who was watching me 24/7 and living with me [and] I was able to hide it from them as well."
In 2010, Lovato sought medical treatment for "emotional and physical issues" and later mentioned in interviews that she has battled addictions drugs and alcohol and also struggled with bulimia and bipolar disorder.
Lovato, 21, also opened up about her alcohol abuse. She told "Access Hollywood" that at 19 years old, despite living in a sober living house in Los Angeles, she would still find ways to sneak alcohol into her system.
"I was going to the airport and I had a Sprite bottle just filled with vodka and it was just nine in the morning," Lovato said. "I was throwing up in the car and this was just to get on a plane to go back to LA to the sober living house that I was staying at."
"I had all the help in the world, but I didn't want it," she continued. "When I hit that moment I was like, it's no longer fun when you're doing it alone. I've really never talked about this stuff before. I don't know if I should be sharing this."
"I think at 19 years old, I had a moment where I was like, oh my God, that is alcoholic behavior, no longer, I'm young and rebellious and out having fun, it was, wow, I'm one of those people. I gotta get my [expletive] together,'" Lovato continued.
Lovato's revelations come on the heels of the release of her new book, "Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year." The singer is currently serving as a judge on FOX's "The X Factor" and will embark on a nationwide tour, titled "The Neon Lights Tour," beginning in February 2014.
Source:http://www.ontheredcarpet.com

Mega Millions lottery players hope to cash in on $400 million jackpot

 Illinois Lottery Supt. Michael Jones shows off the winning Mega Millions Quick Pick ticket that netted Merle Butler nearly $158 million during a press conference in Red Bud, Illinois on April 18, 2012. Butler, a retired computer analyst from Red Bud, bought the ticket at a Moto Mart convenience store will split the worlds largest jackpot ($656 million) with unidentified people from Kansas and Maryland. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

RICHMOND, Va., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Mega Millions lottery players will be hoping their dollars got them at least a share of the American dream Friday, estimated to be a $400 million jackpot.

The grand prize up for grabs in Friday's drawing would be the second highest award ever for Mega Millions, the lottery said on its website.
After taxes, the cash option was estimated at $216 million.
"The strong sales of Mega Millions tickets mean more than just an exciting jackpot," said Paula Otto, executive director of the Virginia Lottery and lead director for the Mega Millions group. "They mean greater profits to benefit each state in which Mega Millions is played."
On March, 30, 2012, three winning tickets shared a jackpot of $656 million. The tickets were bought in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland.
After beginning on Aug. 31, 1996, as the Big Game with six states participating, Mega Millions now is played in 45 jurisdictions -- 43 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Source:http://www.upi.com

Thousands more to view Nelson Mandela's body in Pretoria

Mourners in South Africa are waiting to view the body of former President Nelson Mandela for a second day.

Long lines of people waited to view the body of Mr Mandela at the building where he was sworn in as president

Thousands of people queued on Wednesday to file past Mr Mandela's body, which was lying in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
His widow Graca Machel and President Jacob Zuma were among those to pay their respects along with relatives and officials.
Mr Mandela died last Thursday at the age of 95 and will be buried on Sunday.
His funeral will take place in his home village of Qunu in Eastern Cape province.
Mr Mandela's body was again taken from the mortuary to the Union Buildings on Thursday, arriving at around 07:45 local time (05:45 GMT).
People lined the streets to watch the coffin being taken to the government buildings where Mr Mandela was sworn in as South Africa's first black president in 1994.

'Fitting tribute'
Huge crowds queued to visit the open casket on Wednesday, tolerating long waits and stringent security checks.
Thousands were successful, but many were turned away before public viewing ended at 17:30 (15:30 GMT). The disappointed will be able to try again on Thursday and Friday

People formed a "guard of honour" as the coffin was taken to the Union Buildings on Wednesday morning

 

In a statement, the Mandela family said the proceedings were a "fitting tribute".
"As he lies in peace at the Union Buildings, Madiba would be happy to know he is surrounded by thousands of South Africans, whom he loved and served - or served with - in the prosecution of the just struggle for democracy, and in laying the foundations in 1994 for a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic South Africa," they said.
"We are humbled that millions of South Africans who loved him, stood by him through his trials and tribulations, supported him... can now join us in bidding him farewell."
Correspondents said Mr Mandela's body could be seen through a glass screen, dressed in one of his trademark patterned shirts.
At each end of the casket stood two navy officers clad in white uniforms, with their swords pointing down.
Some mourners stopped briefly to pray, while a number of people reportedly fainted.
Among the dignitaries to file past were former President FW de Klerk, Mr Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and musician and activist Bono.
The U2 singer accompanied Mr Mandela's long-time aide Zelda Le Grange.
Meanwhile tens of thousands of South Africans attended a free concert in Cape Town on Wednesday to celebrate Mr Mandela's life.
 Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk

Chicago Bears officially retire Mike Ditka's No. 89

Chicago Bears officially retire Mike Ditka's No. 89

Mike Ditka was honored on a cold night in Chicago

No Chicago Bears player will ever wear No. 89 again. The team officially retired Mike Ditka's number at halftime of Monday's game against Dallas. Retiring it against the Cowboys was a fitting choice, since Ditka played his final four seasons for Dallas and was a part of the Cowboys team that won Super Bowl VI.

Ditka spent six seasons with the Bears, starting in 1961, when Chicago made him the fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft. During those six years, Ditka won the Rookie of the Year award, was voted to five Pro Bowls and played a key role on the Chicago's 1963 championship team.

Da coach still remains fourth overall on the team's career receiving list with 4,503 yards. Ditka also ranks fifth in all-time team receptions (316) and touchdown catches (34). In 1988, Ditka became the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

A flag honoring Mike Ditka waves in the frigid winds of Chicago. (USATSI) 

Ditka joins 13 other Bears players who have their numbers retired, a list that includes Walter Payton, Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus. "When you think of all the great Bears players who have had their jerseys retired, I can't say that there's any greater honor," Ditka said.

That number's not going to get any bigger either, the team announced earlier this year that Ditka's number would be the final one retired, "If there is going to be a last one, there is no more appropriate one than 89," Bears chairman George McCaskey said in May.

Ditka, who coached the Bears from 1982-92, is the only individual in the modern era of the NFL to win championships with the same team as both a player and a coach.

Souece: http://www.cbssports.com/