Alice Ghostley Passes Away

Resurrecting many wonderful childhood memories, Alice Ghostley, famed television and film actress, passed away yesterday at her home in Studio City, California.

Her filmography credits include movie parts in With Six You Get Eggroll, Please Don't Eat The Daisies, The Flim Flam Man, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Graduate and The Client...

And she played many characters on television in shows like Evening Shade, Designing Women, Good Times, Love American Style... and many, many more.

But I will always fondly remember her as the good witch and slightly off-kilter Esmeralda on 'Bewitched'.

Ghostley died after a long battle with colon cancer and a series of strokes. Passing from this life is often a blessing, but it's sad for those left behind...

1952 photograph, above, courtesy of AP. As Esmeralda, courtesy of this website.

American Idol Tour: Houston

Having extracted every minute of entertainment value out of the 70's, 80's and a bit of the 90's, I find myself disinterested (and I admit it... tired!) at the thought of attending concerts (of any kind, including reunion tours!).

Caught up in the social interactions of weekly Idol tv, and having strong favorites (Melinda and Blake) this year... I, however, bought pre-sale tickets and attended the tour in Houston last night.

First, let me say... I make it a policy to never sit in a seat other than the end of the row. And after last night, I will never have floor seats... particularly to a 'family' venue (read: alcohol not sold on the floor level).

Second, while you can read more thoughtful and analytical reviews, you might be interested in my superficial thoughts:

Awesome, Yet Not Nearly Enough Stage Time or Focus, and quite regrettably so...: Melinda Doolittle

Pretty Darn Good (probably because I couldn't see or hear the thing in her tongue): Gina Clocksen

Bringing Chubby Back But Not Nearly as Charismatic As I Hoped: Chris Sligh did me pretty proud! And I'll keep following him!

Most Engaging, Captivating and Impressive: Blake Lewis, hands down

GOOSEBUMPS: KiKi! (LaKisha Jones). She was awesome, and in front of her home crowd!!!

Surprisingly Entertaining (in a 'spoof'' sort of way): Sanjaya Malakar

Surprisingly Good: Phil Stacey. His performance, in uniform, was awesome.

Still Not Impressed: Chris Richardson

Pitiful: Haley Scarnato

Good But Not As Good As Expected: Jordin Sparks

Best Unexpected Group: The Boys and their instruments!

Most Unexpected Secret Moment: After Blake's set, he came out, in the darkness, to the sound mixing and balancing area on the floor. I was seated on the end of the back row, behind a giraffe... so I watched the entire show, standing, behind the last row. I happened to glance over and see Blake, mere feet from me, in the dark, taking photographs of the show. I took a few inconspicuous photos with my cell phone, and if I can figure out how to get them from there to here... I'll post them. I always thought he was pretty cool, but having witnessed his enthusiasm and humanness, I respect him even more. I found it funny, too, that he was a couple of dozen of feet from the young girls who screeched (so loudly that I couldn't fully appreciate it) through his entire performance... and he passed by them without notice. Pretty cool...

No Relationship Between Science and Scientology

When South Park has a firmer grip on reality than the Hollywood establishment... ummmm, that's a problem.

And when you consider the tragic effect of their teachings on the vulnerable, it's criminal.

And Just For Fun: Laguna Beach

I happened on a really cool blog a few weeks ago. I've visited a few times since and the site is regularly updated.

If the Laguna Beach cast swept you up too, you gotta keep current with "The Laguna Beach Hook Up".

1. Slept late. (8:15am IS late when your alarm is set for 4:50am weekdays).
2. Got up to let Miss C do her thing.
3. Went back to bed and loved on Miss C.
4. Talked to my friend. Cancelled our plans for the day.
5. Bleached the kitchen countertops.
6. Ate a piece of Star Pizza for lunch.
7. Talked to my friend again for about an hour.
8. Caught up with The Real World and Flava Flave. (did I just admit that???).
9. Watched a Celebrity Texas Hold-Em re-run (with Brad Garrett).
10. Washed two loads of clothes.
11. Laid down to take a nap, and at the pinacle of my slumbering ecstasy, some random @sshole rang my doorbell. Miss C came unglued and my thoughts of afternoon slumber were terminated.
12. Worked a little.
13. Read RWV and SM.
14. Browsed a few random blogs.
15. The bill for my home warranty came in today, you know... the same day I discovered that the flex connector at the water heater is leaking again... and that pi$$ed me off. (I pay for the warranty + $50 a year for someone to come out and fix that very same thing).
16. Speaking of sucking, vacuumed the house with my nifty Dyson.
17. Baked (burnt) oatmeal cookies.
18. Began altering my blog template (after many days research on colors, etc.).
19. Became overwhelmed and returned to status quo.
20. Questioned why I'm so damn tired.
21. Decided to eat a cookie and think about it again tomorrow.

Chloe Dao: Bringing it Home to Houston

Ok, I'm a little reluctant to admit it: I watch 'Project Runway'. THERE. I said it.

I think I watch it because it reminds me of my many days in the College of Architecture: camaradery, competition, interesting challenges, impossible deadlines, last minute detailing and brutal juries.

There is more pressure ($100,000) on the PR participants, for sure, but their juries are a lovefest compared to those in a College or School of Architecture!

I picked last year's winner (based solely on his just being "nutty"), but imagine my surprise when I did it again!

Chloe Dao was selected by the panel this year! I pulled for her because she was the most consistent and professional of the designers. The fact that she was from Houston might have played a small part!

As the winner of the show's second season, Dao receives $100,000 in seed money to help launch her own fashion line and a mentorship from the Banana Republic design team, according to the show's Web site.

Dao said she plans to stay in Houston, where she hopes to expand her successful boutique, Lot 8, and design her own line. "It's about me figuring out how to do this right, where I can balance having a life also," said Dao, who was 8 when her family moved to the United States from Laos.

A Rich, Full Life and Other TV Happenings

Glenn Beck is a hunk!

Crime is so practically non-existant that Greta Van Susteren makes Aruba's 'most wanted' list.

Why so many blog entries tonight??? I'm trying to stay awake for Greta's interview with Joran Van Der Sloot, of course. It's pointless, I know. The case is blown. One can now only hope for a secret told in a moment of weakness.

America will take "The Simpsons" for a 1000, Alex

According to this poll, of all Americans:

• 22% know all five of "The Simpsons", by name.
• 50% know at least two of "The Simpsons", by name.
• 25% know ONLY ONE of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.*

And this is REALLY sad...

• 0.001% know ALL FIVE freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.
• 20% thought the right to own a pet was protected by the First Amendment.
• 38% thought the right against self-incrimination was protected by the First Amendment. It IS protected, but by the Fifth Amendment (hence... "plea the Fifth").
• And more people could name the three "American Idol" judges than could identify three First Amendment rights.

I took the survey in the car, listening to the radio on the way to work this morning. My results:

• I knew 4 of 5 of "The Simpsons" by name. I couldn't remember the baby's name, but I COULD imitate the noise she makes. ;-)
• I knew all 3 of the "American Idol" judges' names. (Did I just admit that???).
• And, I knew all 5 of the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. I didn't recall the term, "redress". I said "the freedom to disagree with your government".

*To abate the immediate google search, the following are the five freedoms guaranteed by our First Amendment:

• Freedom of Speech (Incidentally, I am curious why speech is spelled with an e, and speak is spelled with an a. Anyone know?).
• Freedom of Religion.
• Freedom of Press.
• Freedom of Assembly.
• Freedom of Petition for Redress of Grievances.

Home Sick: Misery and Musings

DAY ONE: MONDAY

1. God, it was good to get home and take my clothes off.
2. Ahhhh... clean sheats and a heating pad.
3. Feeling achy and cold, on not a cold day, I took my temperature. It was 101.2, leaving me with some concern... as (really bad) colon problems run in my family.
4. Miss C drove me crazy.
5. Cooking macaroni and cheese for a late lunch was an ordeal.
6. Dozed most of the afternoon, but noted that judge shows are still good tv.
7. Dozed and missed most of Dr Phil. The part I saw was sick fun.
8. Caught Oprah: Mark Jacobs. He was cool, but I don't get the hubbub. And I don't get the handbag fetish thing... made me wonder if it's a gene.
9. Caught Oprah: The Jimmy Choo shoes were cool, but I'm just SO not a shoe addict... made me wonder if it's a gene. MORE ON THIS STORY LATER.
10. Caught Oprah: Wow. I think at one time I had the original Barbie (worth $25,000 today). I didn't see a use for it then. Sadly, I DO NOW!!!!
11. Caught Oprah: Elmo is a tall black man with a deep voice!!!! Who knew!!! Sadly, it was the shortest part of her program, and frankly, why I tuned in!
12. Cratered to Miss C and let her run around in the yard.
13. Discovered that she DID see a meter man (when she barked). He left the gate unlocked!Fortunately, I checked it before it blew open.
14. Fed Miss C and ate some pizza crust for dinner. Fed the grilled chicken to the baby!
15. Took my temperature again during Raymond re-runs... 100.4.
16. Settled in for the night and watched Wife Swap. Can you believe that woman had a frosty bear head in her freezer???
17. Flipped between 2 1/2 Men and The Bachelor (am I actually admitting this???).
18. Made a mental note to stay up to catch the local ABC affiliate's update on Matt Hickl (the ultimate bachelor)... but fell asleep, instead.
    

DAY TWO: TUESDAY

1. Slept pretty well, but was upset to wake up in pain... again.
2. Feeling a lot less achy, took my temperature. 98.2.
3. Belly still too tender for clothing, but was happy that I could sit up with little pain. Decided that sweat pants would have to do for the medical center!
4. Did a little work from home. Let Miss C do her deal.
5. Did all the stuff you have to do before a Well Woman Exam. You girls know what I'm talking about.
6. Promised the folks in the office that I would be there tomorrow. There's no way I would have been productive the last two days, it's good to know that I'm needed.
7. Said a prayer and headed off for the poking and prodding.
8. Made it home after a long wait at the doctor's office. Look for a post later on this ordeal.
9. Miss C was exhuberant.
10. Ate pizza crust for dinner.
11. And now I'm headed for bed, so exhausted that I don't even care what's on television.

Random Memo: 022306

The Random Memo is back by popular demand (ha!)...

1. I am jokingly referred to, at work, as "the design goddess" and "oh great one". Joke or not, it's actually true! :-)
2. Ever notice that co-workers regard a day that you spent travelling and attending a client meeting... as a vacation? I much prefer, and feel more rested from, a good hard day's work in the office.
3. I think Miss C has been blogging again.
4. Note to self: Check the City of Houston Job Listings! I could use a salary doubling bonus! (Refer to previous post).
5. It's too bad that the IRS doesn't pay interest on refunds.
6. I worked really hard today (and everyday...?) and my boss told me that I could leave early, for my efforts. I got in the car and started home. Heading down the ramp of the parking garage, I glanced at the clock. It was 9 minutes earlier than I was scheduled to leave. Hmmph. I'll bet he laughed himself silly after I walked out the door.
7. Houston traffic sucks. (Alert the media!)
8. If you want to find me tonight at 9pm, you know I'll be parked in front of the tv, watching Joran on ABC. Greta cracked me up last night, reminding her viewers that the conflict in programming is the reason TIVO was invented.
9. For some reason, I don't think Joran and the VDS family are going to be pleased with their decision. But hey... I could be wrong. We'll see.
10. For some reason, I don't think the Kalpoes are going to be pleased with the interview tonight either. IMHO, it seems Joran is setting them up by indicating that they knew where Natalee was and had the vehicular means to return to her. But hey... I could be wrong. We'll see.
11. Already, from the clips I've viewed, Joran contradicts himself. (Alert the media!)
12. Dealing with narcissistic personalities is a bitch... no?
13. Whattaya know... it might be nature, after all! Look for a post soon with further commentary. (Snicker)... You might also look for JAGG's commentary!
14. BEWARE... a restaurant that lists a "new" chicken club sandwich on the menu might just be trying to sell more chickenburgers in disguise.
15. Andrea Yates is in the news again... and I'm reading the book, "Are You There Alone (The Unspeakable Crime of Andrea Yates)" (Suzane O'Malley). I'll have more to say later, but for now, I'll say that I am someone who has taken on the responsibility for someone that didn't have the faculties to be left alone. The emotions that surround this responsibility are incredibly complicated, and hindsight is 20/20. Children weren't involved in my case. So at this point (in my progress in the book), I have to reserve judgment. More later...
16. I just can't wait for my new issue of fusion. That Glenn, he's a hunk! (ha).
17. I have a new perspective on the UAE port contract. (1) After listening to a Houston Port Authority guy, I think this is really no big deal. And (2) I think Bush is leading the Democrats into establishing precedent for special circumstances due to war-time and terrorism. Congress is in an uproar over wire-tapping. Their opposition to the port contract establishes the precedent that there are "unusual circumstances" in this day and age. I could be wrong. And personally, I have mixed emotions. Raised in a a politically active family, I tend to see past the obvious. This time... I'm just not sure what I see!
18. Wow... Mr. P has been with me for over a month! Update coming soon! What in the world is Mr. P?
19. Old friends are a treasure. My old friends know everywhere I've been, and a lot of it hasn't been pretty. I've been through so much that I can no longer afford the luxury to hide any of it. My old friends respect HOW I came through it all, and they understand, at least partly, who I am on the other side, but really...
20. No one REALLY KNOWS me any more.

What to do without Cable & Broadband

1. calm the dog's hysteria
2. love on the dog more than usual
3. water the plants
4. nap
5. cook a real dinner
6. eat at the dining table
7. go for a walk
8. brush the dog
9. read a book
10. gather and take out trash
11. think what you could be doing on the internet
12. watch the 3"x3" camp/emergency television
13. realize how lucky I am to only be without cable. love my house. love my electricity. love my refrigerator and its contents. and the hardest one on the list:
14. love my job.