Motivational blogging

I was reminded recently (thanks, Ryan) that I've not blogged in quite some time. Not that I need to be reminded....I actually think about something every single day. It takes discipline, something that has been trumped by the discipline required for my job. My God, you should see my apartment....a Virgo does not live this way!! Anyway, I look forward to being more aggressive when it comes to posting here. I started this to keep some sort of record of life. Based on the current archive, life has been a bit sketchy....at least to date.

Concentration

I often harken back to my early years spent watching gobs of television....some good (Batman) and some bad (the Watergate hearings). One of my favorite game shows growing up was the aforementioned "Concentration." This one had a giant board with numbered squares that would turn and reveal part of a rebus puzzle behind each square (my brother and I used to love the sound the squares would make when they'd turn....it was very mechanical). You would try to turn as many squares as necessary in order to guess the puzzle and win fabulous prizes.

Trolling one of my favorite political blogs, AmericaBlog, I came across this posting today and, not only did it make me laugh out loud, it reminded me of that game show. The ad is one of many that is appearing in a Mexican newspaper. The bottom tagline reads, "A world so complex needs an explanation." I cannot wait until dipshit leaves office and takes his crown with him.

Fierce!

How much did I love this season of Project Runway. The breakout star and winner, Christian Siriano, was absolutely hysterical! Hot mess....tranny....fierce....he even outdoes Tim Gunn for quotable quotes.

So, what do you get when you put his awesome-ness together with one of my favorite shows on TV? This hot mess....



Enjoy!!

-ist

There is something about the suffix, -ist. It's a productive suffix in that you can easily coin novel words by adding -ist to the noun. It has multiple meanings in the English language, corresponding to (i) "advocate of", (ii) "user of/expert in", or (iii) "detractor of". Although use (iii) is probably only a recently developed use of this morpheme (def: a minimal meaningful language unit; it cannot be divided into smaller meaningful units, e.g., the or man), it appears to be the most productive.

Chris, WTF are you talking about??!!!

Well, I guess this all came out of the election for the Democratic nominee. Someone's racist....someone's sexist....sounds like we have (iii) covered. How cool would it be if we could change the perception to (i)?!

Okay class, open your books to page 123 and let's review our vocabulary words for next week's pop quiz.

Do you RSS? I RSS....

I've been working with the new Blogger template and added some of the additional features it allows. I subscribe to a bunch of blogs but I thought I'd add a couple of the ones that I visit the most. You'll find those feeds on the left navigation.

There is a series of -ist blogs that cover news, current events, etc. from the big cities in the US. Of course, being in LA and all, I read LAist on a daily basis. This is a very cool blog that lets me know what concerts are coming up, sporting events, community events....it even tells me if there is a major accident or road closure that's going to impact my commute to and from work! I thought I'd include this so that my friends all over the country can see what's shaking for those of us in Hell-A.

The second feed that I've posted is AmericaBlog. It is a liberal take on the political world. These guys provide brilliant insight on all things political, with correspondents who have served in the US government....from the Congress to Defense, from the states and abroad. It really provides breaking news and analysis of those things I think are important.

My hope is features like this will keep you coming back. Well, that and I hope to be blogging a bit more about what is happening with me.

I'm at the mall on a diet pill!

Probably my favorite band in the entire world is the B-52's. After 16 years since their last album, they are releasing "Funplex" on March 25. Needless to say, this fan is ecstatic about their new album. I also routinely keep up with their activities as I am one of their "friends" on MySpace. So, earlier this week I make my almost daily visit to my MySpace home page and low and behold there is a bulletin posting that the B's are looking for extras for their upcoming video shoot. WHAT!!?? What do I do....how do I get selected??!!

They provided an email address where I sent my contact info, gender and age, and a photo. It said in the posting that they would be letting people know by Wednesday evening if they'd been selected. If you didn't hear back by then....you were out (auf weidersehen!). I didn't hear back. Oh well, I tried....would've been fun....maybe next time.

It was a very busy week at work this week. We have a big meeting twice a year for all of our business units and lots of folks that you don't see on a daily basis were in the office. Lots of meetings, lots of lunches, lots of happy hours and dinners. I ended up getting home on Thursday evening quite late. I had an early Friday but I realized I hadn't checked my msn account all day....it'll only take a couple of minutes. I open my email account and "Voila!," an email from the address "Funplex." I could hardly contain my excitement. Are they just acknowledging that I didn't make the cut? NO!! I've been invited to be an extra in the video! Details, details, I need details....dress code, check....directions, check....time, uh....time, er....time, AAAARGH! They wanted us there at 10am....Friday morning! NOOOOOOOOO!! There was no way I could do it. I had a meeting early Friday morning, a candidate interview at 10am, oh and I work 40 miles from LA.

Was this my big break??! I hope not. Such disappointment, but after hearing snippets of the entire album, I'm guessing there might be another opportunity.

Dumb Dora is so dumb....

I've been meaning to acknowledge the passing of two of my favorite television stars....Charles Nelson Reilly and Brett Somers. You guys know what a Match Game freak I am....I still watch shows on the Game Show Network! As is often the case with game show stars, they get pigeon-holed as has-beens and no one remembers the outstanding achievements these stars attained in their "glory years."

CNR was a Tony award winner for Christ's sake!! He was an Emmy winning director (Evening Shade) and Emmy winning actor (X Files). Of course, he also played "Hoo Doo," the evil magician on Lidsville, a Saturday morning kid's live action program I watched when I was a kid in the 70s. He is forever etched in my brain for his classic, Charlie Callas-like line, "ahhh-uhnnnn-uhnnn"....I know you all can hear me impersonate this as you read it.

And now to Brett....well, you know what I said about outstanding achievements?? She became much more popular by sitting in the center seat in the top row of Match Game. She did tons of TV prior to her Match Game fame....playing the TV wife of real-life husband, Jack Klugman, on the Odd Couple....she also appeared on Love, American Style (looooved that show!), The Love Boat, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Her wit, her wigs, and her cackle made her an endearing, everlasting celebrity who will be remembered long after her passing.

....

I've always been very cognizant of my use of "....". I always make sure to meter those dots to the precise number of four. I can pretty much trace it back to my anal retentive nature....plus I'm a Virgo. Somehow that's meaningful in this equation. I haven't posted recently....my schedule just doesn't seem to allow it. It's time to do better....

The torture has ended

For weeks now, I am certain that the sheer mention of my name on TVs, in news articles and over the internets has made a small percentage of the population wince. It was great while it lasted though....and now back to our regular programming.

I will survive

An update to the post below....Chris Richardson did manage to survive....much like his namesake. I'm pleased that folks will have to endure hearing my name for at least another week. Oh, and yes, that's Blake sitting in Chris' lap....awww, ain't that sweet!

Will the real Chris Richardson stand up please?

The actual genesis of this post came from the sad news that one of my favorite game show stars, Kitty Carlisle Hart, passed away today at the age of 96. Of course, she was best known for her long stint on "To Tell the Truth", but she was an accomplished opera singer, movie and stage actress. I had the oppportunity to see her in LA last fall but my travel schedule wouldn't permit that to happen. Now I'm bummed....it also makes me think that the next time Bea Arthur comes to town, I'd better high-tail it to see her! Anyway, RIP Miss Kitty....you will be missed!

And now for the Chris Richardson part of this post....can you imagine how many people who know me and may not like me for one reason (gay ex-husband) or another seethe everytime they hear my name in the media??! Quite honestly, it makes me chuckle....check that, laugh mightily. Of course after this posting, he'll probably get kicked off....ahhh, it was good while it lasted.

Bless the Beast and the Children

Okay....I really meant to say bless the children, NOT the beast. Am I being cryptic?! Indeed I am. Many of you are aware of the situation I am currently dealing with regarding my kids. Things have gotten very interesting over the past several weeks. I received a rather unnerving call from my ex-wife about a week before Christmas. She informed me via voice mail message that she had some "bad news" and that she and the kids had moved. Now, I couldn't tell if the bad news was that they'd moved or that something really bad had happened in her family. I finally got to speak with her the day after Christmas....I asked the obvious question. Indeed, the "bad news" was that they'd moved. Where?? That remained a mystery until later in the evening when I actually got to speak to the kids. No, she did not tell me over the phone....she "didn't have time to talk." So I asked my oldest daughter, she told me without hesitation that they'd moved to Denver, CO!! HUH....WHA!!?? I didn't get many details....they told me where they were going to school, but that was about it.

Don't get me wrong....the move can actually be a good thing. They are much, much closer to me distance-wise and now we're only 1 hour apart by phone instead of 3. Now if I could just get the beast to return a call or an email, I might be able to actually SEE them at some point in the near future. Of course, knowing exactly where they are in Arvada, a suburb of Denver where they are living, would be nice. The beast has only provided me with a PO box number, not a physical address, to mail things....like their Christmas gifts! Hopefully, I'll get to deliver them personally, but I'm not holding my breath.

So, I got no advance warning that they were moving and she's not providing me with their physical location....hmmmm....can you say illegal. I knew that you could.

The title should have said Screw the Beast, Bless the Children. Stay posted because that's exactly what's going to happen....and very soon.

Shello!

I am still alive and well and kickin in Hell-A!! Lovely Christmas and drunken New Year's....good times. I don't have the gobs of time required to recap many months of absence....but I will....there are gobs!

In the meantime, I got the complete series of Lidsville on DVD for Christmas, starring none other than Charles Nelson Reilly (ah-uhnnn-uhnnnnn!!). Therefore, the inspiration for the title of this post....another fabulous Saturday morning kids show, Sigmund and the Sea Monster!! Johnny Whitaker....Blurp and Slurp....Mary Wickes!!! I think I'm going to collect them all!! Scarily, I've already made a very valiant start.

Yes, I have the Bugaloos too....

Hola NOLA!

One of the reasons I love my job so much is that I get to travel to some pretty cool places. My trips are usually to pretty big cities....Boston, DC, Philly, San Fran, etc. Until recently, one of the prime targets on my travel map has been the Big Easy....New Orleans! Ever since my first visits back in college....we'd drive from Tally to NO for Mardi Gras....I've loved this city. In my professional life, it's one of the premier sites for big conventions and meetings....that was until Miss Katrina made her arrival last year. I could count on at least one trip to NO every year....not anymore. Many of the meetings that were scheduled there late last year and all of this year were moved to new venues. A couple of other biggies couldn't find other accomodations and stuck with their original plan. I was fortunate enough to get one of those meetings on my schedule this year. The American Psychological Association held their meeting in NO last week. The usual attendance for this meeting is in the 12 to 15K range....this year it was attended by barely over 8K people. Think what you want....it's hurricane season....it's crime ridden....it's not ready for the tourists....but do you want to know the real reason??!

IT'S HOTTER THAN HELL!!!

Really, who was the marketing genius that came up with THAT one (to quote a line from Seinfeld)?!! Let's see....I want to plan our annual association meeting for the beginning of August and I want the temperature to be, oh, I don't know, in the mid-90s. Let's not forget about the humidity....can we shoot for 100%?....sure, why not. Oppressive does not begin to describe the conditions for New Orleans in August....I was born and raised in South Florida so I know heat and humidity. Okay, so enough about the inclement weather....so how was NO you might ask??

It's still fun....I stayed in the Quarter at a great hotel. Room rates were dirt cheap this summer (see immediately above for the reasons why). All the main bars and restaurants in the Quarter were open for business. And speaking of business, the Quarter seems to be rebounding just fine....Friday and Saturday nights were busy, loud and inebriated. Mind you, not the same crowds as pre-Miss Katrina, but definitely rebounding nicely. The gay bars at the east end of Bourbon St were all open and festive....I spent most of the time at Bourbon St. and Lafitte's....nice guys, decent music and Abita amber (one of my fave beers).

Meals were great....had breakfast at one of my favorite places, Petunia's. They serve these amazing stuffed crepes that are to DIE for. Needless to say I visited there twice. Dinners were awesome as well. I took some work colleagues to the Cafe Adelaide....a 5-star restaurant in the Loews. We actually saw Cokie Roberts, a New Orleans native, having dinner with her husband and friends the night we were there. I love brushes with fame! And it doesn't have to be 5-star to be great....I ended up going to one of my favorite dive bar restaurants, Yo Mama, for one of the best burgers I've ever had. You get this awesome burger with a baked potato for 5 bucks....huh??!!! I can't forget Fiorella's either....it's totally off the beaten path in the French Market area. I had the best fried chicken....it rivaled my grandmother's....and they serve this crazy appetizer....fried pickles. Yes, you heard me right....they're sliced and deep fried in a corn batter. Oh, and you can get them in a po-boy too.

There wasn't much free time....but I did get some sightseeing in. I went to the Marigny a couple of times....did the Garden district....and visited the Bywater area. The devastation varied from place to place....Marigny seemed to recover well....it's right off the Quarter and they were really spared the brunt of the storm and its aftermath. The Garden district is home to some of the most beautiful antebellum mansions you've ever seen....Anne Rice's house is there! Other than the vegetation, it seemed to fair well too. The Bywater area, on the other hand, got rocked. As I was cabbing through, you could see all the "red-crossed" homes with the dates they were deemed uninhabitable....it was sad and creepy. They looked fine from the outside, but clearly they weren't.

Finally, in a bit of bittersweet commentary, I visited one of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans, Marisol. Well, I visited what was left of Marisol. It's in the Marigny and was heavily damaged. I've been there a few times....actually every time I got to NO. But no more. The owners decided it was too costly to rebuild. The star of Marisol, Chef Pete, continues to cook on, though. What brought me to the Bywater area was his latest incarnation....he guest chefs at this little wine and cheese shop in the Bywater called Bacchanal. They open the back patio, serve wine and beer from the shop, and Chef Pete and his helpers cook these amazing menus of regional cuisine....and not New Orleans grub....he visits places like Mexico, Italy, Equador, Vietnam....all in the form of these amazing menus. It was Mexican fare this time and I was there with some work colleagues....the food was unreal! Keep in mind, we were literally melting from the heat and humidity, but somehow we didn't mind, once we got settled and started noshing. It ended up being a truly fabulous evening.

There's my travelogue for New Orleans....it is definitely worth a visit. They are ready for folks to return, spend some money and drink some booze. Just don't do it in August.

A fine champagne-YA

Those who know me, know that I am a major product of the TV generation. I used to make my Mom and Grandmother crazy when I'd sing the jingles to my favorite TV commercials! I love to tell the story of how each of my kids' names are inspired by old TV characters (maybe I'll go into that in another post). So, you get the drift. There are two long-lasting fixtures of TV that tend to define my lust for good quality television....Days of Our Lives and Saturday Night Live. Yeah, I know, a soap opera....you have to realize, though, that I grew up with DOOL. When I was a small tike, my Mom would watch DOOL religiously and I started doing the same thing when I got older....geez, I even scheduled my classes in college around it! As far as SNL goes, well, when I was younger it was an opportunity to stay up late and watch something fun. I came and went through it's various ups and downs in the 80's but then along came Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey, Julia Sweeney, Jon Lovitz, et al., and I wouldn't miss an episode! Okay, I bet you're trying to figure out the blog title and it's connection to these two stalwarts of my TV viewing habits.

One of my favorite SNL characters is "The Continental" portrayed brilliantly by Christopher Walken. He is a member of the elite "Five-timers Club"....those who have hosted the show five times or more. Between the hysterical dialogue and the camera angle from the mysterious red-silk gloved hand, I don't know what is funnier....he keeps making lewd and lascivious advances and "she" keeps making a beeline for the door! One of his trademark lines is when he offers her a glass of fine champagne. He doesn't pronounce it like you and I do....it comes out like the title....champagne-ya. Needless to say, it has entered the lexicon of my vocabulary ever since....it's just funny stuff!

"After a word from our sponsor we'll return for the second half of Days of Our Lives."

Okay, you're still asking, "what does this have to do with DOOL??!" Among their current storylines is the twisted web of love that encompasses Sami, Austin, Carrie and Lucas....Sami and Austin are engaged to be married and Carrie and Lucas just got married. Problem is Carrie is really in love with Austin and Sami connived to keep the two of them apart. Never mind that Sami was engaged to Lucas and their wedding was cut short by Sami's unraveling litany of lies. Enough of that....anyway, Austin is convinced that Sami is going to be his wife, so he puts together a dinner party on the roof of their condo. It's a lovely catered affair right down to the decadent dessert. As Austin prepares to greet Sami and his guests, he says, "Let's open a bottle of fine champagne-YA."

LOVED IT!!!

I about split a gut!! You know there are the obvious taglines from shows like SNL...."Well, isn't that special!"...."Yeah, that's the ticket!"....etc., etc. But to refer to such an obscure "punchline" as that just made me laugh mightily.

And it's a good thing, because I haven't been terribly inspired as of late with regards to my blogging activities. I should have known the inspiration would come from my two favorite TV shows and, hence, this post.

Friends, glorious friends

I think I'm a pretty lucky guy. I've really never had a problem making friends....all through school and in my adult life I've been fortunate to meet fun, amazing people who I can call my friends. I still have a group of friends I've known since the 3rd grade! I have found the most enduring relationships are with folks I've met in high school, college, and in my various jobs over the years.

I mentioned in an earlier post about meeting up with one of those old high school/college friends, Carol, and her mom on their recent visit to California. We had an absolute blast!! I treated them to a day at the Farmer's Market and the Grove in West Hollywood....we had a lovely little French déjeuner at one of my favorite places in the Market, Monsieur Marcel. A little quiche....a little fine champagne....it was a very fun afternoon.

Here's a Kodak moment of me and Carol at the Grove

I hope she doesn't mind me posting this great picture of us. Like I said before, it had been over 20 years since I'd last seen Carol. She thinks I haven't changed a bit....thank God for hair color and highlights! I don't think she's changed a bit either. And speaking of not changing....here's a pic of her mom, Dot

Amazingly enough, she hasn't really changed either! It was a very fun day and I know I'll keep in better touch with Carol as time goes on. It sure makes you realize how real friends don't just go away....people move on in life and career, but your real friends are with you for life.

I also mentioned in one of my previous posts that I was going to have a little shin-dig for some friends of mine from work. I have found that friends I've made in the workplace also make long-lasting unions that stand the test of time. My friend, Amy, whose blog got me started on this little venture, I've known for almost 20 years! (She probably doesn't want me admitting that on her behalf.) We met at my first job out of college, CRC Press, and there are a great number of those folks I still keep in regular contact with over these many years. And now at SAGE, I have a group of friends I count on as true friends....not just the symbolic after-work happy hour, but folks who would bail me out of jail if I needed them to (I have no plans on giving it a shot....it's the sentiment I'm going for.)

Certainly, in the routine of my daily life I meet people and cultivate friendships....I am very happy to call my ex-boyfriend, Ryan, a good friend. Even family members can be considered good friends. My cousin, Alexis, who lives here in Hollywood, is one of my best friends. She and I can talk about just about anything....I value her opinion and love getting together.

And the great friend network begets new friends....their friends become my friends, and so on, and so on.

So, if there's someone out there whom you haven't kept in touch with over the past several years or even months, reach out and touch them....a phone call....an email. Let them know that you're thinking about them and I bet you'll pick up right where you left off.

Holy Comic-Con 2006!!

Digital cable is a good thing. It's tough though....I can run through the entire list of 999 channels and not find a thing to watch. Funny thing is watching those cable commercials. They make us laugh with their real cheesy production values....but they can, and do, inform. The network, G4, is running daily recaps of this year's Comic-Con in San Diego. Now, I've attended these events both in SD and Orlando....they are chock full of cool stuff (vintage comics, cel art, etc.), exclusive annoucements (the title of the last Star Wars movies, trailers, etc.), and special guest appearances (George Lucas, Kevin Smith, etc.). I love it!!

It's like Halloween in July, too. People take great pride in dressing like their favorite characters like the obvious, Batman, Superman, Spiderman....that list goes on. You can also find the characters from your favorite video game, characters from the "Harry Potter"books, even characters from movies from where they create a comic or graphic novel(Samuel L. Jackson from "Snakes on a Plane!")!! It's sheer lunacy and I love it!!

It certainly is an acquired taste....but if you're interested, check out G4. They have some pretty cool stuff.

blah....blah....blog

Hee Hee....I couldn't resist writing that. It's a bit later in the day and not much inspiration for the blawg.

How about some events?

I'm going to New York to see a friend over Labor Day weekend (can't wait)....oh, the US Open just happens to be there, too. Honestly, it's been ages since I've been to NYC. Actually, the last time I was in New York, I went to the US Open for the first time.

I just saw an old high school and college friend this week....nee Carol Wheeler, now Butler. She's visiting Southern California with her mom....Dotski....well, it's Dot but I call her Dotski. Okay, now hold on to your hats....it's been 22 years since I last saw her!! (Paul, shut your jaw.) We'd been in communicado until our 25th HS Reunion when we got back in touch through a series of listserv-type emails. She took pictures and I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I posted them. I truly had a blast!!

I'm getting together with some good friends of mine from work on Sunday. Eric and Sheenagh just got back from the UK....England and Ireland. Val and Ellen just got back from Argentina.

I'm going to slit my wrists....

No. Really.

Jokerback Mountain

Remember when the first Batman movie was being cast and there was this huge backlash from Batman purists when Michael Keaton was pegged to wear the cowl and the ascot? Be prepared....one source (Latinoreview.com) has announced that none other than Heath Ledger will be portraying the "Clown Prince of Crime" in the upcoming sequel to Batman Begins. Hmmmm....I'm not sure how I feel about it per se, but based on the list of potential candidates, Steve Buscemi (very cool, creepy choice), Robin Williams (loved Aladdin, waaaay over the top for the Joker), Mark Hamill (the excellent voice of the Joker in the animated series, doubtfully believable in this movie), and a bunch of actors I don't recognize, Ledger just doesn't strike me as the best candidate. Any thoughts....does anyone (other than myself, of course) really care??!

It's my pleasure....

This just in from the MediaGuardian in the UK:

In what must surely be one of the summer's more bizarre events, hundreds of people are expected to gather in a hall in central London on August 5 to pleasure themselves in aid of charity.

Prizes will be on offer for those who clock up the most orgasms and those who can masturbate the longest - the current record, according to the organisers, is a chafing eight-and-a-half hours.

To qualify for the record, the organisers say "at least 55 minutes of every hour shall be spent self-pleasuring by manual or sex toy stimulation" with participants getting just 5 minutes to "replenish and renew".

"Following on from the success of 'Penis week', we feel this is exactly the type of provocative and mischievous programming that Channel 4 should be covering in the 11pm slot. Masturbation is something many people do but not many people talk about," Mr MacKenzie told MediaGuardian.co.uk.

Hmmmm....replenish and renew....sounds so civilized.