Thursday, November 27, 2008

Crunk it up this Thanksgiving!

Check out this 2.2 litre jug of homemade Mulled Wine I got this week from my now favorite patient! I mean, come on, 2.2 litres?! Homemade?! Wine?!More impressive than the homemadiness and wineyness of it all is the awesome handle and squirt top included! All I need now is a lanyard of some fashion to affix it to my head/neck! People, I am just one step and many pigments away from being Lil' Jon this Thanksgiving! Now where's my pimp cup...
Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Wowee Wednesday will be delayed a bit today.
I need to take my #1 Wowee to the airport!
Edit: skipping Wowees this week. (So this single parent thing is hard work! A girl can't even get a little blogging time in for wiping noses, butts, and prepping food! )
Don't cry. Next week's Wowee will be worth the wait!
If you are in desperate need of a Wowee, take another look at last week's. She is sooo worth another gaze!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

New! Barbie Hot Tub Party Bus



*stripper pole and disco ball not included, sold separately, supplies limited
**act now to secure this incredibly inappropriate toy for your little hoochie mama!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Broadway Monday

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Millie Dillmount escapes to New York City from Salina, Kansas determined to marry her wealthy boss — whoever he may be. Bobbing her hair and assuming the modern look of a "flapper," she takes a room at the Hotel Priscilla for Women and gets a job as a stenographer at the Sincere Trust Insurance Company. Thus begins the tale of many love triangles, misunderstandings, revelations and eventually the reconciling of Millie to the fact that love, not money, is a vital ingredient in a marriage. The show was based on the 1967 musical film of the same name starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing.
Millie opened at the Marquis Theatre in Times Square on April 18th 2002 and ran for 903 performances fetching six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Orchestrations, Best Costume, and Best Choreography.
Interestingly enough, the fabulous Sutton Foster was originally cast in the chorus for this show and was quite literally plucked out to become the lead role after Kristen Chenowith bowed out to launch her own sitcom. Sutton went on to win the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical that year. (Kristen's sitcom was cancelled after 6 episodes, but Galinda from Wicked was waiting around the corner!)
Hit pause and enjoy the Tony performance preceding Sutton's big win!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

I just need to vent this frustration, so bear with me:

If someone were giving you something for FREE and all you had to do was show up ON TIME to receive the gift, could you handle it? Could you make the most minute of efforts to show your appreciation by showing up on time? Is that a stretch? Is that too much to ask for? Courtesy? Really?
Hysterical tongue in cheek quickie off Huff Post.
Maybe we should all take a refresher course in English from Rosetta Stone to prep for this new era of correct grammar? We need to take is slow people! No need for a rash of grammar head- rushes!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Wowee Wednesday

Anastacia
Those of you who aren't saying "who?" right now are joining me in a chorus of "Alright! About time!"
Anastacia is a Chicago native and breast cancer survivor who made her big break in 1999 on Epic Records and immediately found success in Europe, Asia and Australia. Just like other artists who are different, incredibly talented and not in the mainstream, Anastacia continues to find a majority of her success in Europe and in the hearts of the gay male community. Gay boys love a girl with a set of pipes, and Anastacia never disappoints.
Her voice is shockingly powerful and as you can see, she is quite easy on the eyes. Speaking of eyes...the girl can wear glasses now can't she?
...or not
Check her out on iTunes, or your favorite music locator.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

jazz hands

I know I have referred to this video a couple of times, and well, it is so worth it in many ways...
but today I am going to refer to it in a comparative fashion and to highlight the genius that is the choreography of Bob Fosse.
Pause The Sylvers, and check out this first clip of Gwen Verdon, Fosse's wife, leading this trio as they perform "Mexican Breakfast":

Now take a look at Beyonce's video as it modernizes the dance moves and style of the original. Beyonce, more specifically her video director, is known for giving a nod to earlier styles and themes. No shame in recognizing brilliance no matter the decade. Inspiration comes in many forms.

Check out the side by side comparison:
Someone is smitten with Fosse...

Monday, November 17, 2008

Broadway Monday

Annie Get Your Gun Annie Get Your Gun was a hit 1946 Broadway production which told the fictionalized story of Annie Oakley and her husband Frank Butler as they performed in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. In a shooting contest Annie beats Frank and they consequently fall in love. One hitch in the story: by beating Frank in the contest, Annie becomes a bigger star, and Frank flees the show leaving a heartbroken Annie behind. In the end, Frank sets pride aside and vows his undying devotion to Annie and they form a gun shooting partnership.
original Wild West Show poster from the 1880's

With music by Irving Berlin, the show is responsible for such timeless and recognizable hits as Anything You Can Do, I Got the Sun in the Morning, Doin' What Comes Naturally, and of course the song you hear playing now, There's No Business Like Show Business. (the incredible voice of Ethel chimes in around 2:20, slide the bar and enjoy!)
The original production starred Ethel Merman and Ray Middleton, ran for 1,146 performances and spawned revivals in 1966 and 1999 not to mention a run at every community theatre in the nation. Interestingly enough, Ethel Merman starred in both the 1946 and 1966 productions.
The 1999 Broadway revival garnered the Tony Award for Best Revival and Best Actress, Bernadette Peters. The show has also enjoyed many film and television versions.

*Please pardon the lack of photos for this show. note to self: choose well-documented shows

Friday, November 14, 2008

yes we can

For weeks leading up to this historic election, we took pictures and video representing the mood in our Democratic little pocket of Florida, and my lovely conjured up with this incredible montage. Props to my girl who is becoming such a whiz on the MacBook!
If you like it, pass it on, post it, play it on a hanging bed sheet for your next outdoor BBQ, burn it to DVD and give it away for the holidays! The economy is rough, and gifts are hard to come by...you're welcome, happy to help. Enjoy.

Great blog addition from Melissa Etheridge regarding Prop 8. I think I'll wait til Bush is gone and Barack closes Gitmo before I stop paying my taxes though...

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Thanks for the comments this week on the whole Prop 8-No on 2-Gay Marriage debacle. I agree 100% with everything said by those who posted and those who just told me to my face! I know it sounded like I was solely blaming the black vote for this result, and I do hold them responsible in part because homophobia in the black community is rampant and well known for some time. The only difference now is that we have an exit poll to prove it.
The question now seems to be: What is the definition of Civil Rights? Are there descriptors of color, religion, sexual orientation embedded in the definition? Here is a great blog post from Deborah Dickerson on MoJo yesterday:

In a forthcoming essay for MoJo in print, I wrestle with the question of how Obama moves us into a harmonious racial future. One point my verbosity kept me from is the requirement that Obama force blacks to answer the question of whether "civil rights" means what it says or really just means "black rights". If we're gonna talk the talk, we gotta walk the walk and explain why homosexuals should have their civil rights abrogated and why we, "America's conscience," are leading the charge to deny them the right to marry.
I'm not saying the argument can't be made. I'm saying that blacks aren't being required to make it. So, here it is in simplest terms, black people: Why is discrimination against blacks based on skin color immoral, but discrimination against gays based on sexual orientation moral?
We're waiting...


Ultimately, red and yellow, black and white...we are precious in His sight...oh sorry some old Baptist programming coming up there...oh wait--that fits, and it's true. Look at that.

Pause The Weepies,..the music...not your tears..and enjoy these incredible rants and exchanges found this week on this touchy topic. Can I just say right now how much I love Keith Olbermann?

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Wowee Wednesday

Diane Keaton Those glasses, those gloves, that smile, that sense of humor...I know my fascination all started with how cute/butch she looked in Annie Hall, but I have come to absolutely love the Diane Keaton of the last 10 years in particular.
I think she is quick witted yet kind, self-assured, aging gracefully and stylishly, and an absolute icon who steals the scene every time. I'm now fairly convinced that I sat through at least four viewings of the three-hour long Reds as a teenager just because Diane was so charming and lovable in her role. I can't remember much about the Bolshevik revolution, but I remember Diane!
Even now when she is put in some stinker movies I can't help but take a peek to get a fix of this wonderful actress and the way she commands the screen.

Two Wowees in the same shot?...stop it...it's too early for such excitement!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

twist of irony

I'm still trying to figure out my feelings on this.
Thus far, I have figured out that I feel stunned, shunned, and sad. Frankly, not new feelings for a gay person in America. I think we go into these elections hoping for the best, praying that people will vote for fairness and equality on these measures. I've yet to see it happen.

Now that we have broken the race and gender barrier in Washington, the gay community will truly be the last minority to find inclusion. I keep trying to convince myself that the struggle toward inclusion takes many baby steps and doesn't happen fast. The struggle for racial equality was and is still long.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that the gay community overwhelmingly supported the black candidate but, in large, the black voters chose to exclude us from a victory.
I guess I have figured out my feelings. Blogging is wonderfully therapeutic.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Broadway Monday

Boeing-Boeing
Bernard is an English playboy in Paris with three girlfriends, who are all flight attendants. With the help of his housekeeper, Berthe, Bernard has organized a schedule to allow his three loves to each spend a night at his apartment whenever they are in Paris. This all works perfectly until the new double-speed Super Boeing arrives and changes the flight schedules.
This show is on my list of pick-ups the next time I'm in New York and I hope it stays around just a bit longer so I can make it happen. It's been open since May of this year and has enjoyed rotating a series of excellent actors in the key roles. Currently Christine Baranski plays housekeeper Berthe, Greg Germann plays Bernard (the role was opened by Bradley Whitford), and Paige Davis, Rebecca Gayheart and Missi Pyle take on the roles of stewardesses Gloria, Gabriella and Gretchen. Plus, it's set in the 60's---what could be better?!
Boeing-Boeing won 2008 Tony Awards for Best Revival and Best Actor in a Play. It can currently be seen in it's open-ended run at the Longacre Theatre.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Happy Birthday, Karly!


Our little girl turns 12 today!

Thursday, November 06, 2008

post-election withdrawal

Doesn't it feel good to wake up today and know that our country will soon be in the hands of someone who has a plan, someone who surrounds himself with people who want a better America, someone who reads, someone who is curious, someone who cares? What a wonderful feeling.
Yesterday was pretty much a blur and reserved for the election hangover I thought I might experience. We rescheduled work so we could stay up all night and watch the results roll in. I had no idea it would be such an early evening, and I am not complaining. I just can't hang with the all-nighters anymore. More importantly, it was nice to go to sleep at a decent hour knowing who won. It actually felt like election nights are supposed to feel. Complete. Decided. Shenanigan-free.
I can't imagine how the media is going to shift gears after following things so closely for the last year+. I find it hard to shut off that part of my brain and I'm just a regular news watcher. In the last few months I have posted over 40 times about this election and my outrage/hope for our future. This blog was born from my frustration with the government and Bush in particular. I needed a place to rant and spew my thoughts. I was encouraged by my lovely to just get the thoughts, hopes and fears out via my fingertips. It has been a great thing, but wouldn't it be great if I never had to rant about anything political again? Pie in the sky, Brain, pie in the sky...

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Wowee Wednesday

wow.
Take a look around today as we celebrate this incredible victory. Take a moment to think about who made this possible. Take a minute to reflect on the number of voices that shouted into this megaphone towards triumph, and the variety of persons that collectively made this hope a reality.
Caucasians, do not solely thank yourselves. It took a plethora of colors to make this happen. African-Americans, it was not solely you as a community that brought this man into power. It took a myriad of hands and faces to make this day possible. My point is, without each other we would never have prevailed. It took the courage of all of us to make this day happen. It took our conviction and courage to make this step towards erasing the ugly stains of prejudice from our country.
During the next few days, whenever possible, thank someone you know that took the time to vote and promote this new leader. We all did it, and without every color marching to the polls none of it would have been possible. Together we made it happen. We might want to take this recipe and make it a template for change in our world. Look what we can do when we work together!

Congratulations, America.

Monday, November 03, 2008

one more day

You voted, right?

Broadway Monday

Evita Evita is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. It is based on Mary Main's biography The Woman with the Whip, which explores the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón. The focus of the musical is on Eva's rise from her slum origins to the wife of Argentina's post-war nationalist leader Juan Peron, a position from which she held her people in thrall. Such was her power, she became her country's unofficial vice-president and as she grew richer, her people's poverty deepened. She died of cancer at the age of 33.
The show opened at the Broadway Theatre in September 1979, and closed in June 1983, after 1567 performances and 17 previews. Patti LuPone starred as Eva 'Evita' Peron, with Mandy Patinkin as Ché Guevara and Bob Gunton as Juan Perón.
The production had a spectacular debut in New York which resulted in 13 Tony Awards including Patti LuPone for Best Actress, Mandy Patinkin for Best Featured Actor, Best Score and Best Musical.
I have never seen the stage repoduction of this show, but I am a huge fan of the movie starring Madonna as Eva. I know, you purists are scoffing right now, but I wasn't old enough to get myself to NYC to see the original, so I have to make due with what I have! For all the good and bad about Madonna, I have to say that she really grabbed ahold of this role and did the part justice. The soundtrack is wonderful, no matter who sings it, so praise is due to Andrew Lloyd Weber who writes a mean musical!
Historical information about Eva Peron can be found here. Great site!
Jump here for extensive information on Che Guevara.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

gearing up

Going to see The Capitol Steps this afternoon in what kicks off the next few days of anticipation and celebration. It's weird how this week feels so much like a holiday week. We are going to a show, we are taking Wednesday off, Joe Biden is in town, I even got a new shirt to wear this week to encourage voting. It's gonna be a fun week!