Friday, July 31, 2009

intelligent perspective


For an intelligent perspective, beer or sans beer, read this offering from Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
It's nice to hear some thoughtful calm, words during a week filled with conjecture
and finger-pointing.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Millions of Americans are waiting (and dying) for health care reform. So what would any responsible group of leaders charged and directed personally by the President do to make sure this reform takes place? Oh yeah...go on vacation.

Nice one, Reid. Can't rally the troops even in a majority.
Also, don't worry about Ted Kennedy's life long passion being realized. I'm sure his health will hold out another month while you guys take a vacay.
Go on grab your water wings and towels. We'll be waiting right here.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Wowee Wednesday

Samantha Brown If you're a geek like me, watching TV consists of a healthy dose of HGTV, G4TV, and anything including Travel Channel's Samantha Brown!
I mean what could be better than traveling to distant locales with a cute blonde? (No offense to my lovely!) When you travel with Sam you stay in great hotels, never wait in line, have private tours of cool events, and did I say all with a cute blonde? That's right! This girl is like a traveling Rachel Ray without all the "Yummo!" every five seconds! Perfect, no?
I must say that Travel Channel makes it very easy to keep up with/travel alongside Sam Brown too. There are a number of ways to keep up with her and visit all sorts of places, all in the span of a dinner in front of the telly. Heck, I don't even have to get frisked by the TSA at the airport!
This girl has a blog, a Facebook page, Twitter account...

You got questions? Sam's got answers!

You want Wowee wallpaper? Can do! You're welcome! I really do try to be a full service blog.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Broadway Monday

Superior Donuts Arthur Przybyszewski owns a decrepit donut shop in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Franco Wicks, a black teenager who is his only employee, wants to change the shop for the better. This provocative comedy, set in the heart of one of Chicago's most diverse communities, explores the challenges of embracing the past and the redemptive power of friendship.
This week's feature is a preview of sorts since this play will not open on Broadway until October. But because writer Tracy Lett's is still fresh off the astounding success of August: Osage County, I thought it might be nice to get ready for his next venture with a short peak at this new play. Donuts has been playing/previewing out of town at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago to rave reviews and much anticipation in New York. Take a look at this short piece which gives a great feel for the new piece.


Superior Donuts will open October 1, 2009 at the Music Box Theatre in New York with previews beginning September 16, 2009.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

60 Americans per day die due to lack of healthcare. What if a terrorist group were killing 60 Americans per day?
We'd have marches and car flags and t shirts and ribbons...
Instead, we have the Republican party interested in "breaking the president" but not helping it's own citizens.

Friday, July 24, 2009



It's been a good day!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

One More Day!

My lovely and I are headed out this afternoon for a weekend of haircuts, classes and burritos.

It's continuing ed time, so our first stop is going back to Marietta and getting a little food for the brain in between food for the belly-- burritos from Willy's! Yahoo! First stop, however is to 313 Salon so they can take care of these problems. Oh my lord the hair....11 weeks unacceptable!
Will be tweeting, and maybe even posting. Have a good weekend!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Wowee Wednesday

Walter Cronkite, 1916-2009I grew up watching my parents and grandparents watch the news. There were only a couple of channels to choose from at the time, so Walter Cronkite was a fixture in either black and white or color. When I was small and at my grandparents house, Walter reminded me of my grandfather. If I saw him on at my house in color, he reminded me of Captain Kangaroo. Isn't it funny what our kid brains do?

As an politically aware adult, Walter was a reminder of where journalism came from, and how most of us wish it had remained; pure, honest, sincere, and valid. Modern "news channels" have sensationalized and cheapened our news experience to the point that it's easy to confuse the 6 o'clock nightly news with Entertainment Tonight. We are fed a direct line of news all day long, if we choose to plug in, and that direct access makes what Walter Cronkite did even more special. Each night he brought a nation together to listen, laugh, celebrate, mourn, and think. It is my hope that he will continue to guide and watch over the industry.

After all, Fox News needs a strong guiding hand.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

First of all, so excited for my blogging hero, Heather Armstrong, to have been named #26 in the Forbes Most Influential Women in Media! Pretty impressive and not too shabby for a mom from Salt Lake City.

I must must must shout my outrage, horror, disbelief and overall WTF-edness at how on earth did #13 Kathie Lee Gifford come in above #15 Rachel Maddow? I mean that is just wrong on every front.
Stupid vs. Brainy. Old Hat vs. Cutting Edge. Annoying vs. Adorkable.
I don't think I need to go on.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Broadway Monday

The Norman Conquests
Three interlocking, but independent comedies show the same story — Norman attempts a tryst with his wife's sister in the family's country home — from three different perspectives: the things that happen in the dining room, the things that happen in the living room and the things that happen in the garden.
This unique spin on what is most likely a somewhat common event is brought to life by the fact that it is viewed by the audience from three different perspectives. Norman's attempts are given life from three vantage points and new details unfold in each setting giving life to the storyline.
Adding to the intrigue for the audience is that you can: see one of the plays, all three of the plays at different showtimes/days, or put your sittin' muscle through it's paces and attend the marathon which runs on Saturdays and Sundays. That's over six hours of theatre goodness in one day starting at 11:30, 3:30 and 8:00. Just enough time in between shows to catch a bite and a cup of coffee. What a genius idea!
The Norman Conquests was written by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by Matthew Warchus. The trilogy was nominated for seven Tony Awards and garnered the statue for Best Revival of a Play.
The Norman Conquests opened at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 11, 2009 and will close July 29, 2009.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

At any given time you can tune in to this site and feel the love I have for Rachel Maddow. I mean let's be honest---she is awesome.
Last Thursday night on her MSNBC show she proved her awesomeness again by very nicely putting Pat Buchanan in his place as he had yet another case of Racist Tourette's.
Just look at how Rachel takes Uncle Pat's arm and guides him ever so gently into the venue that makes him all tingly inside: bigotry
The segment ran over 10 minutes, but honestly it is pure joy to watch and I won't even mention her adorableness, sigh.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Update on one of last week's posts:

You'll all be relieved/excited to know that the nut-job church featured in this story has no plans for taking the sign down, in fact, more will be erected featuring more button-pushing topics such as abortion and same-sex marriage. Something tells me I will be linking back to this story a lot.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Wowee Wednesday

Brooke Shields She has been a part of our celluloid life for a long time, but somewhere during the time we were having lives, gaining/losing weight, and having babies and breakdowns Brooke Shields was doing the same thing... except she got HOT-TER in the process! What the..?!
I have always carried a torch for Brooke, but kept it dialed back to a low flame. I fell in love with her during the Blue Lagoon/Endless Love portion of her career and chalked it up to hormones because let's face it, I was an adolescent who was struggling with the gay and she was bee-yoo-tee-ful!
No longer struggling with the gay, I still think Brooke is stunning, and last week during the memorial for Michael Jackson, I fell in love all over again as this beautiful woman shared her love and grief with all of us, again making that connection that endeared us so many years ago to both her and Michael. She was touching, and sincere, and honest, and simply wow.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Broadway Monday

My Fair Lady
Professor Henry Higgins made a bet that if he could get a poor girl who sells flowers, to speak the English language properly, she would fit into the higher class. Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, takes speech lessons from Higgins so that she can pass as a lady. Higgins takes credit for Eliza's success, but Eliza soon realizes that she can now be independent and does not need him.
My Fair Lady is a musical based upon George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. In 1956, My Fair Lady was a smashing success, becoming the longest running musical production in theatre history. It immediately spawned a London production, a popular film version, numerous revivals, and local/regional theatre productions.
The original cast featured Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews in the lead roles. Both stars went on to reprise their roles in the West End production which opened in 1958 and ran for 2281 performances.
It was again Harrison in the role of Higgins as the 1964 film version hit the screen, but this time Audrey Hepburn took on the role of Eliza, while Julie Andrews went on to win the Oscar for Best Actress that year for Mary Poppins.
My Fair Lady opened March 15, 1956 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre and ran for 2717 performances. Tony Awards showered the production with Best Musical, Best Actor, Best Direction, Best Conductor, Best Scenic Design and Best Costume Design.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Want to get good and pissed off at the Righties? Uhm yea, like you need a reason? Here is a good one. Oh, but first you may want to sit down, and have your blood pressure meds on the ready.
Pathetic.
Disgusting.
Sad.
Did I say pathetic already?
This story encapsulates my reasons for loving where I live, and at the same time hanging my head in shame.
Most of the time I am bathed in the love and acceptance of our town and how incredibly open and inclusive we can be to everyone.
Then there are times when I just think we will never pull ourselves up from the muck of fundamentalism.

I just keep thinking, if Gainesville, Florida can't get it right, who ever will?

I had a link to an awesome video on this story and how great Gainesville residents can be, but the story has been taken down. All that remains is the bickering between sides on a rickety bulletin board. Sorry. Watch the one above for a good idea of what is going on.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

This week's Time Magazine cover says:


"Unfaithfully Yours


Infidelity is eroding our most sacred institution. How to make marriage matter again."



Hmmm...all this time I thought it was the gays that were eroding marriage. Isn't that interesting. So it's infidelity, huh?


I guess this means that I can go ahead and make my 16-year-monogamous-lesbian relationship legal now and get all those great benefits, right?

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Wowee Wednesday

Michael Jackson Fans
Yesterday fans of Michael Jackson embodied the very message the entertainer fought to deliver most of his career. We are one. We are a family. We are the world.

It was amazing to see the many tributes during the memorial yesterday, but the most amazing thing to me was seeing footage from around the world as fans joined hands, swayed, sang and together said goodbye to the greatest entertainer of our generation. It was heartbreaking and beautiful and gave me hope that we all might carry Michael's message a little closer and act on it a little more often.

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

A few days ago I tweeted this:
"The FL Turnpike billboards have been hijacked by right wing-nuts. Hell, damnation, abortion scare tactics and conspiracy theories."
I was immediately honored by a follow from these guys.
Should I be worried? Scared? Looking over my shoulder? Or what I really am...laughing hysterically! Now to just get the Pope to follow....

Monday, July 06, 2009

Broadway Monday

The Pajama Game The Pajama Game is set in the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory during a strenuous labor negotiation. At the musical's center is the simmering attraction between a handsome new manager and a lovely union representative. But their budding romance is threatened by the impending strike.

The original production of this famous show starred a trio of Broadway greats in John Raitt, Janis Paige, and Eddie Foy. Standard musical fare of "Hey There" and "Hernando's Hideaway" are melodies that still linger on radios, elevators, and supermarkets! Talk about staying power! The original production opened in May 1954, ran for 1,063 performances, and won the Tony for Best Musical and Best Choreography by Bob Fossee.

In 1973 and 2006 it was revived by the Roundabout Theatre Company. The latter production featured the marquee power of Harry Connick Jr. and Kelli O'Hara. The combination of Harry and Kelli's voices rivaled, if not surpassed, the original recordings in depth, richness, and all out sublime ear candy!

The revival production opened at the American Airlines Theatre, ran a limited engagement of 129 performances, and garnered the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Choreography by Kathleen Marshall. The revival also boasted three new songs written by Richard Adler who penned the original score.

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Is it me, or does this sound like sour grapes? Sore losers? Big cry babies? Oh that's right, we are talking about Faux News after all.



Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Wowee Wednesday

Michael Jackson Many years ago when his personal life started to eclipse his professional life, I decided that I wanted to remember the wonderful memories I had of Michael Jackson before he became the punchline of jokes and a defendant in court. So it seems fitting that my Wowee Wednesday will celebrate the Michael Jackson that changed music and video for my generation.

One of my first LP's as a teenager was "Off the Wall" which of course was Michael's solo venture and it gave us only a taste of what was to come. Many argue that this release was equally as important as "Thriller". Take a look at the track list and you may feel the same. By the time "Thriller" was released most of America was hooked, or at least intrigued, and the awesome career of the cute little frontman of The Jackson 5 had been launched.

We all had Michael wannabees in high school. I remember everything from the skinny black guy who really could have been a double, to the awkward white kid who just couldn't leave that single white glove at home. Admit it....at least once you've tried the dance steps and belted your best "Billie Jean". At one time we were all a little enamoured. Back before the media ruined everything with a "Sneak Peek" at a world premier, we sat with mouths agape as Michael moonwalked across the stage at the Motown 25 celebration. Watching that was a wonderful surprise moment in television history. It was Michael at his best. The next day at school the cafeteria was filled with kids practicing the famous moves. I imagine high schools across America had similar scenes.




The stir that Michael made with that Motown performance was nothing compared to the elated eruption after the groundbreaking "Thriller" video premiered. At the top of every hour for the entire day, MTV played "Thriller" and it was the most awesome thing ever. Just think of it: 15 minutes of entertainment followed by 45 minutes to recuperate, practice dance moves, and eat some Cheetos or a Steak-umm sandwhich. Heaven.
I'd love to talk to our former teachers and find out just how manageable we all were the next day!
One of my favorite features Michael did was a 3D movie called "Captain EO" that played at Disney's Epcot. It was, at the time, the best 3D venture available and well worth the wait time in line. It was groundbreaking as well, just like everything Michael lent his name and expertise to. These are just a few of my memories and I have played them over in my mind during the past week. Things may have gone awry personally, his life became a bit of a circus, and he is mocked endlessly for his cosmetic choices, but behind all that is the boy who altered our musical landscape for the good. Nothing can change that.

Thank you, Michael.