Sunday, March 8, 2009
Weekend is Over. Progress Made.
Whose Live?
Whose Live is it Anyway? was fantastic last night! Marv and I laughed our butts off. The show was hilarious. There was a good crowd of 20-somethings and 30-somethings at the casino. Greg Proops started off the show chatting with the audience and finding out (funny) facts about potash and potash mining (potash mines are a big employer in our province). Then he introduced Chip Esten (cutie, great singer and former actor on The Office as Josh Porter, Regional Manager of the Stamford Branch who eventually jumped ship and went to Staples). Then Jeff Davis was introduced, he was on a few televised episodes of Whose Line? Davis is best known for deadpan wit, Christopher Walken impressions and his great singing voice. Then, perhaps saving the best for last, Greg Proops invited Ryan Stiles to come out on stage to a big ovation from the audience (Ryan Stiles is a recurring cast member of Two and a Half Men, as Judith's husband Herb Melnick). Very funny guy. He wore normal looking shoes for this show. Rounding out the troupe was Bob Derkatch, playing background music and piano to different improv games, and of course, for Greatest Hits.
The four cast members performed Song Styles, Film TV & Theater Styles, Number of Words, Jeopardy, Quick Change, Whose Line, Tag, Moving People, Soap Opera and Greatest Hits. Best game -- Greatest Hits. Chip and Jeff can really sing. All the guys were hilarious. There were times when the performers couldn't contain their own laughter at the zany scenes and lines the others came up with. Who knew that potash, Costco, Bollywood, Shakespeare, hockey rinks and soap operas would be combined into one funny show? We'll definitely see them again if we get a chance!
Dancing with the Stars Update
People.com reported today that Melissa Rycroft will be replacing the injured Nancy O'Dell on DWTS and will be performing live on the premiere tomorrow. Jewel is also out with an injury and will be replaced by Holly Madison. I think Melissa has singlehandedly stolen the drama factor away from Denise Richards even before the show premiered. Maybe this is ABC's way of redeeming themselves after the whole Bachelor finale debacle....or Melissa is right where she wants to be. hmmn.
Renos
Marv and I are in the middle of every homeowner's current favorite task (besides taxes).....HOUSE RENOS. YIPPEE. Our goal date for listing our house is April 2nd. Here's hoping we complete our renos before then! Correction: We WILL complete our house renos by April 2nd. What's left to do? Well, we just got the new bathroom floor installed on Friday. We are waiting for quotes from our tile/plumber guy and our painter. Our hardwood floors will be redone on Friday (right before we leave to visit Renata and her family). And Marv is away this week on business. So guess who gets to clean up all the rooms before Friday?
Yours truly,
Lacia
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Stacia Fired Debbie Downer!!
Stacia DID IT! She fired Debbie Downer! Problem Bridesmaid is GONZO!!!!
I'm so proud of Stacia. After reporting earlier this week that Debbie Downer had fallen off the radar, she emerged with a vengeance a couple of days ago complaining to Stacia about money and the orange colour of the bridesmaid dresses. She actually told Stacia, "I'm upset to buy a dress that I will not be able to wear again cause I hate orange and anyone who knows me knows I will NEVER wear it".
WHOA.
Ok, first of all, who really cares what you think, it's Stacia's wedding! Secondly, you know damn well the colour orange is Stacia's favorite colour.... so there was a huge possibility you would be wearing an orange dress. Heck, I knew that 4 years ago!! Thirdly, you don't tell the bride that you hate her wedding colours if you are in her bridal party. Fourthly, I distinctly recall Stacia having to fork out $$$ for a bridesmaid dress for Debbie Downer's wedding (after one of her bridesmaids quit or got fired, one or the other!) Stacia knew she will probably never wear that dress again, but she went along with it without complaining. (I've since suggested to Stacia to sell the dress on ebay).
Anyway, Stacia confronted Debbie Downer for the last time about her behaviour. DD's first response was clueless....like "what did I do wrong?? I don't know?" (I'm serious, that was her summed up response). Stacia explained to her in detail again what went wrong. This time, DD didn't even dispute what Stacia had said after Stacia spelled it out for her. DD basically accepted that she is gone from the wedding party.
I know that was a tough thing for Stacia to do, I've been there too. We've both had to fire bridesmaids from our weddings, which isn't the most pleasant thing to do when people are involved and emotions are high. My constant advice to Stacia throughout has been to trust her gut, it never lets you down. I firmly believe that, no matter what anyone else thinks or believes.
Go Stacia!!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Whose Live Anyway??
My husband Marv and I are going to the Casino Show Lounge on Saturday night to see Whose Live Anyway?, the touring version of Whose Line is it Anyway? I can't wait! This was my favorite show 9 or 10 years ago and I still have my old VHS tapes full of the funniest episodes I taped way-back-when. I think my favorite episode was from 2000. It consisted of Props (my fav!), Telethon (with Brad Sherwood making the best impression of Fred Schneider ever! -- "the guy from the B-52's!!!"), Film TV & Theater Styles and Superheroes. As for the other games, I love Greatest Hits, Scenes from a Hat, Multiple Personalities, Let's Make a Date and Three-Headed Broadway Star. All simply hilarious!
Marv and I saw Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood in a similar live show a few years ago at the Show Lounge. It was so funny, we laughed our asses off the entire time. I think this show with Ryan Stiles, Chip Esten, Greg Proops and Jeff Davis will be just as hilarious, if not more!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Fleetwood Mac begins their 2009 Tour
photo: David Brewster, Star TribuneFleetwood Mac is my favorite band ever. My sister Renata and I are huge fans of Stevie Nicks. It was Renata who introduced me to Fleetwood Mac and Stevie's solo music when I was 16 years old (on the Edge of Seventeen...?? ok, I couldn't resist that one!!) We always said how cool it would be to go to a Fleetwood Mac concert. We finally got the chance in 2004. It was a phenomenal concert! The whole occasion was definitely one to remember. We still talk about it as if it happened last week. Renata and I drove 8 hours to Calgary for the concert, all the while dealing with cruddy weather (it was beautiful when we left home but freezing and windy in Calgary in July, which was ODD!), a decapitated bird stuck on our windshield, lack of sleep and not really knowing where the heck the Saddledome was and which train we were supposed to be on to GET to the Saddledome. We eventually found it. We shopped and hung out for the afternoon, went for supper at an awesome Chinese Restaurant, took the LRT to the concert and had a blast. Then we took the LRT back to the mall where our car was parked and proceeded to drive 8 straight hours back home, stopping for coffee at Timmy Ho's about 3 times on the way. Then Renata drove an extra 2.5 hours to her place. ALL IN ONE DAY. Talk about a marathon trip!! Renata says she was up for 29 hours straight. I catnapped on the way home off and on. Call us crazy. Call us insane. Our parents thought we were nutso. But it was all for Stevie and Fleetwood Mac. And it was the best concert I have ever been to.....that is, until last year, when my husband and I saw Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in concert (Stevie's friends), who topped them.
Anyway, Fleetwood Mac is on tour again this year and I jumped at the chance to get tickets immediately after finding out about it on Ticketmaster. I did end up buying tickets for a concert in May, which I am excited about, but I wasn't so excited to pay $199 (each!) for good available tickets........especially with the state the economy is in. Oh well. I know this may be the last time I see FM in concert, so I am justifying it.
An early review of the Twin Cities concert was good but Stevie's review was so-so, her voice apparently wasn't in top form. I hope her health is ok and that her voice will improve as the tour goes on. It would be very disappointing if her voice wasn't up to par.
I did sneak a peek at the early tour setlist and Stevie is performing my favorite FM song ever, "Sara". That is cause for celebration! She performed it at the Calgary concert and I cried during the whole song. I knew from the opening chords what the song was going to be and she even wore the famous red 'Sara' shawl, reserved to be worn only while singing "Sara"....while the original 'Sara' concert video from 1979 played on the screen behind her. At that time, she hadn't performed the song live in 14 years (I knew that fact from nicksfix.com), so that was a big bonus for me -- the highlight of the concert.
An interesting note about this setlist - it includes "Storms" from Tusk (1979), which is possibly the first time Stevie has performed that song live on tour. I love "Storms".....very raw, very beautiful. I wish "Seven Wonders" could be included as part of the setlist (LOVE THAT SONG!!), "Thrown Down" from Say You Will and "Oh Daddy" as a duet between Stevie and Lindsey....one can dream though, right?
Stacia's Bridesmaid Dresses
I first wrote about my cousin Stacia's upcoming fall wedding a few weeks ago. Problem Bridesmaid is still causing a few issues but has basically fallen off the radar as there are other problems occupying her life right now. I haven't heard from her since the bridal shower discussion about what Stacia did/didn't really want.
Anyway, one change that Stacia did make: all the bridesmaids will now be wearing the burnt orange bridesmaid dress with a brown sash instead of the original orange dress/brown dress split. We are ordering the dresses next weekend! Here's a photo of the lovely dress from the Alfred Angelo website:
Anyway, one change that Stacia did make: all the bridesmaids will now be wearing the burnt orange bridesmaid dress with a brown sash instead of the original orange dress/brown dress split. We are ordering the dresses next weekend! Here's a photo of the lovely dress from the Alfred Angelo website:
Jillian is the Next Bachelorette
and here's hoping she gets a good edit from ABC! I hope they don't turn Jillian into a DeYawna or a Jason. If hell breaks loose, I'm sure Jillian's cool grandma will save the day with a hot Uke boy in tow from Northern Alberta.
Jason and Molly were sure snuggly and giggly last night. Who knows, they might work? Whatever.
Jason and Molly were sure snuggly and giggly last night. Who knows, they might work? Whatever.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tuesday Evening before the 2nd ATFR Show
Gotta have one of these to start off my evening. A nice gin and tonic. I'm sure a few ladies from work could've drank a few of these after discussing the Bachelor Finale this morning. I just finished watching the Jimmy Kimmel show from last night that I taped on our PVR. Mr. Mesnick actually thinks he and Melissa could be friends.
Jason, you really have no clue, do you......
Weenie Needs
Reality Steve was so right about the Bachelor finale.
Jason is a d-bag....he definitely has no idea how to treat a woman. He has no idea how relationships work. He bails when someone doesn't satisfy his weenie needs. I guess Molly was better at stroking his ego than Melissa. Good for Melissa for calling him out on his behaviour! Best part of the finale -- Melissa to Jason: "you are such a bastard." Go Melissa!
Poor little Ty. He does seem a little bratty, but he's only 3 or 4 years old. Geez Jason. Why did you have to drag your child (and countless others) into this mess?
Not sure where Molly fits into the aftermath. I'm sitting on the fence about whether or not she saw Jason before the ATFR #1. I think they were definitely in contact, though. She couldn't contain her excitement upon seeing him at the ATFR.
Lincee Ray is going to have a heyday with this Bachelor Recap, which could possibly be her last one! She is posting her recap after tonight's ATFR Part 2 at ihategreenbeans.com
Jason is a d-bag....he definitely has no idea how to treat a woman. He has no idea how relationships work. He bails when someone doesn't satisfy his weenie needs. I guess Molly was better at stroking his ego than Melissa. Good for Melissa for calling him out on his behaviour! Best part of the finale -- Melissa to Jason: "you are such a bastard." Go Melissa!
Poor little Ty. He does seem a little bratty, but he's only 3 or 4 years old. Geez Jason. Why did you have to drag your child (and countless others) into this mess?
Not sure where Molly fits into the aftermath. I'm sitting on the fence about whether or not she saw Jason before the ATFR #1. I think they were definitely in contact, though. She couldn't contain her excitement upon seeing him at the ATFR.
Lincee Ray is going to have a heyday with this Bachelor Recap, which could possibly be her last one! She is posting her recap after tonight's ATFR Part 2 at ihategreenbeans.com
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Why is this my Office?
The Law Firm I work at is like a combination of The Office, Office Space and Mad Men. Everyone at one time or another has worked with a Michael, a Phyllis, a Jim, a Dwight, a Lumbergh, a Peter, a Michael Bolton computer nerd, a Roger, a Don, a Peggy, a Joan.
Last week was Cake Day at the office for the February birthdays. My boss, Carl, has Cake Day marked in his Outlook Calendar every month with a pop-up reminder. Everyone was in the staff room chowing down on sugary cake with globs of icing when one of the older lawyers, Harold, came in to the staff room. He stopped, looked around and asked, "Who here is serving the cake?" Apparently, there were no more pieces of cut cake left on the platter. Everyone pretended not to notice and kept on chatting and eating. Finally, Harold went to the oldest (and-should-be-retired) secretary in the office, Doris, and asked her to serve a piece of cake for him. Now, Doris is one of those people who has been a secretary at the firm for at least 40 years and always claims to be so busy, but no one is exactly sure what she does. Before heading off to cut a piece of cake for Harold, Doris looked around to the rest of us as if to say "Why is this MY job?"
I had to chuckle to myself as this incident would have never occurred 40 years ago, and definitely not on Mad Men (my favorite show). Joan would have been right there serving the cake....or making sure someone does it while she smokes her cigarette. Today, when people are asked to do something that is just outside their "job description", they immediately say, "That's not my job." Whatever happened to going the extra mile? Is it worth it? Do people even notice?
There are some amusing parts of the job, I must say. One of the old-school lawyers at the office, Irving, is just like Bertram Cooper from Mad Men. Pleasant and eccentric. Instead of walking around in sock feet around the office like Bertram does, Irving walks around in winter mukluks. He is also known for his original outfits. Each article of clothing comes from a different decade. A typical outfit for Irving would consist of a 1970s loud patterned button up shirt with splashes of kelly green and purple, paired with 1980s beige pleated pants, a 1960s wool tan vest and the mukluks. Good old Irving.
Harold, the other old-school lawyer, is also pleasant, but is very needy. He uses at least five different secretaries to do endless tasks for him such as revising a Will, revising it yet again, typing an email for him from his work email so it looks like he typed it himself, filling out his health claim forms, retrieving exactly two office postage stamps from the petty cash box everyday, photocopying personal correspondence and phoning our computer tech guru when Harold has received way too many spam emails promoting personal growth and other informercials.
Aside from clear office changes such as banishing smoking indoors, political correctness, women having prominant roles in business and the fact that casual wardrobes have infiltrated all offices, some things never change. The politics, the innuendos, salary fights, promotions, cattiness and BS have all remained the same.
To cope, people eat and bitch with members of the same reject team. A highlight at the office is when the Candy Man comes by the office every two weeks selling snack items. Other people cope by indulging in a drink or two at lunch or later that afternoon at work. Some people have a mickey of something in their desk, nestled among the Candy Man snack items. If someone is brave, they will confront the manager/boss about problems, only to be told Lumbergh-style that "hmmmyah…..we’ll have to bring that up at the next Partners meeting…hmmmmyah…..hmmmmyah….." while drinking a cup of bad office coffee.
Our nerdy computer tech guru, Michal, has created the worst office computer network system ever known to civilization. Anytime the system slows down or files mysteriously disappear from a folder, Michal will use the excuse, "well, yah the power went out last night" or "that’s a good observation, I will have to check into that"….never to hear from him again until the next problem arises a week later. I wish someone would just fire Michal already. Additionally, it would be nice if he spelled his name like how he pronounces it –"Michael".
No wonder movies and shows are made spoofing office life. The inspirations always come from a real source!
Last week was Cake Day at the office for the February birthdays. My boss, Carl, has Cake Day marked in his Outlook Calendar every month with a pop-up reminder. Everyone was in the staff room chowing down on sugary cake with globs of icing when one of the older lawyers, Harold, came in to the staff room. He stopped, looked around and asked, "Who here is serving the cake?" Apparently, there were no more pieces of cut cake left on the platter. Everyone pretended not to notice and kept on chatting and eating. Finally, Harold went to the oldest (and-should-be-retired) secretary in the office, Doris, and asked her to serve a piece of cake for him. Now, Doris is one of those people who has been a secretary at the firm for at least 40 years and always claims to be so busy, but no one is exactly sure what she does. Before heading off to cut a piece of cake for Harold, Doris looked around to the rest of us as if to say "Why is this MY job?"
I had to chuckle to myself as this incident would have never occurred 40 years ago, and definitely not on Mad Men (my favorite show). Joan would have been right there serving the cake....or making sure someone does it while she smokes her cigarette. Today, when people are asked to do something that is just outside their "job description", they immediately say, "That's not my job." Whatever happened to going the extra mile? Is it worth it? Do people even notice?
There are some amusing parts of the job, I must say. One of the old-school lawyers at the office, Irving, is just like Bertram Cooper from Mad Men. Pleasant and eccentric. Instead of walking around in sock feet around the office like Bertram does, Irving walks around in winter mukluks. He is also known for his original outfits. Each article of clothing comes from a different decade. A typical outfit for Irving would consist of a 1970s loud patterned button up shirt with splashes of kelly green and purple, paired with 1980s beige pleated pants, a 1960s wool tan vest and the mukluks. Good old Irving.
Harold, the other old-school lawyer, is also pleasant, but is very needy. He uses at least five different secretaries to do endless tasks for him such as revising a Will, revising it yet again, typing an email for him from his work email so it looks like he typed it himself, filling out his health claim forms, retrieving exactly two office postage stamps from the petty cash box everyday, photocopying personal correspondence and phoning our computer tech guru when Harold has received way too many spam emails promoting personal growth and other informercials.
Aside from clear office changes such as banishing smoking indoors, political correctness, women having prominant roles in business and the fact that casual wardrobes have infiltrated all offices, some things never change. The politics, the innuendos, salary fights, promotions, cattiness and BS have all remained the same.
To cope, people eat and bitch with members of the same reject team. A highlight at the office is when the Candy Man comes by the office every two weeks selling snack items. Other people cope by indulging in a drink or two at lunch or later that afternoon at work. Some people have a mickey of something in their desk, nestled among the Candy Man snack items. If someone is brave, they will confront the manager/boss about problems, only to be told Lumbergh-style that "hmmmyah…..we’ll have to bring that up at the next Partners meeting…hmmmmyah…..hmmmmyah….." while drinking a cup of bad office coffee.
Our nerdy computer tech guru, Michal, has created the worst office computer network system ever known to civilization. Anytime the system slows down or files mysteriously disappear from a folder, Michal will use the excuse, "well, yah the power went out last night" or "that’s a good observation, I will have to check into that"….never to hear from him again until the next problem arises a week later. I wish someone would just fire Michal already. Additionally, it would be nice if he spelled his name like how he pronounces it –"Michael".
No wonder movies and shows are made spoofing office life. The inspirations always come from a real source!
Bachelor Bashings
Reality Steve is causing quite a stir over at realitysteve.com (one of my featured blogs). He has uncovered information about the Bachelor finale and has leaked it on the internet. His postings have definitely provided some entertainment, to say the least! I was very into this season of the Bachelor. There's something about DeYawna rejecting Jason last season on the Bachelorette and Jason not giving up on true love...hence the Bachelor appearance. I was rooting for him until Reality Steve brought the Bachelor to actual reality....nothing is as seems. I lost a lot of respect for Jason after he sent Jillian home, the best woman there. I actually screamed at the TV, "You're making a MISTAKE!!! YOU'RE MAKING A MISTAKE!!!!" Sigh.
Last night's Women Tell All episode was a snorefest, aside from Natalie's appearance. The casual outfit, gumball jewellery and pissy attitude was a clear diss to everyone ... very funny. Can't wait for Lincee's recap at ihategreenbeans.com
Last night's Women Tell All episode was a snorefest, aside from Natalie's appearance. The casual outfit, gumball jewellery and pissy attitude was a clear diss to everyone ... very funny. Can't wait for Lincee's recap at ihategreenbeans.com
Thursday, February 12, 2009
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - Dancing with the Stars, Season 8
Cue "The Final Countdown" by Europe. (Hey, didn't Lisa Rinna and Louis Van Amstel perform the Paso Doble to that song in Season 2?)
Random British Guy's Voiceover: Ladies and Gentlemen, would you please welcome the Dancing with the Stars Cast of Season 8!!!!
• Former NFL star Lawrence Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska
• Actor Gilles Marini and two-time DWTS champ Cheryl Burke
• Rapper Lil’ Kim and season seven champ Derek Hough
• Actress Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
• Pop star Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan Roberts
• Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and season six champ Mark Ballas
• Reality star Steve-O and Lacey Schwimmer
• Rodeo star Ty Murray and first-time Dancing pro Chelsie Hightower
• Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak and Karina Smirnoff
• Country singer Chuck Wicks and two-time champ Julianne Hough
• Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell and Tony Dovolani
• Actor David Alan Grier and Kym Johnson
• Singer Jewel and first-time Dancing pro Dmitry Chaplin
LACIA'S OBSERVATIONS AND EARLY PREDICTIONS:
Denise Drama Queen Richards and Hottie Maks C
Quick assessment: embarassment for Denise, hilarious for me, frustrating for Maks. Denise is all about the drama. Maks has zero tolerance for breakdowns. I'm expecting some jealousy from the newly engaged Karina towards Denise and her inevitable breakdowns. Especially after Denise has had a hard day at practice and invites Maks to go to Legoland with herself, Sam and Lola to unwind and finally have some fun. Maybe they'll run into Bachelor Jason Mesnick and his son Ty hanging out with their new buddies, Stephanie Hogan and her daughter Sophia.
Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas
Great pairing. Johnson is America's other darling gymnast from the Beijing Olympics. Should be awesome to watch, although I think Mark will have to work on facial expressions with Shawn. She is only used to one expression: grinning. Prediction: Final 2.
Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan Roberts
My husband loves Belinda Carlisle (his 8th grade crush). "Summer Rain" is always on our Ipod mix during summer vacations. Not sure how long these two will last, but I hope the remaining members of the Go-Gos get front row seats to show tapings ala Spice Girls from Mel B's season.
Jewel competing against her husband, Ty Murray
I see shy-Ty as stiff as a board. He might have one breakout number before being voted off. Jewel will stay on longer than Ty and rock the latin numbers.
Lil' Kim and Derek Hough
Oh boy. Either a recipe for success or a recipe for DISASTER. I can imagine the fights occuring during practice footage already and Lil' Kim insisting on wearing pasties for her first dance number on premiere night.
Julianne Hough competing with her boyfriend, Chuck Wicks
Almost too cute of a pairing, which could lead to annoying fights. I think ABC has already booked Dr. Drew for some therapy sessions.
Nancy O'Dell and Tony Dovolani
Too much like the Leeza Gibbons season.
The Rest
Kinda meh so far. But, I could be surprised this season. I’ll watch.
Random British Guy's Voiceover: Ladies and Gentlemen, would you please welcome the Dancing with the Stars Cast of Season 8!!!!
• Former NFL star Lawrence Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska
• Actor Gilles Marini and two-time DWTS champ Cheryl Burke
• Rapper Lil’ Kim and season seven champ Derek Hough
• Actress Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
• Pop star Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan Roberts
• Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and season six champ Mark Ballas
• Reality star Steve-O and Lacey Schwimmer
• Rodeo star Ty Murray and first-time Dancing pro Chelsie Hightower
• Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak and Karina Smirnoff
• Country singer Chuck Wicks and two-time champ Julianne Hough
• Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell and Tony Dovolani
• Actor David Alan Grier and Kym Johnson
• Singer Jewel and first-time Dancing pro Dmitry Chaplin
LACIA'S OBSERVATIONS AND EARLY PREDICTIONS:
Denise Drama Queen Richards and Hottie Maks C
Quick assessment: embarassment for Denise, hilarious for me, frustrating for Maks. Denise is all about the drama. Maks has zero tolerance for breakdowns. I'm expecting some jealousy from the newly engaged Karina towards Denise and her inevitable breakdowns. Especially after Denise has had a hard day at practice and invites Maks to go to Legoland with herself, Sam and Lola to unwind and finally have some fun. Maybe they'll run into Bachelor Jason Mesnick and his son Ty hanging out with their new buddies, Stephanie Hogan and her daughter Sophia.
Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas
Great pairing. Johnson is America's other darling gymnast from the Beijing Olympics. Should be awesome to watch, although I think Mark will have to work on facial expressions with Shawn. She is only used to one expression: grinning. Prediction: Final 2.
Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan Roberts
My husband loves Belinda Carlisle (his 8th grade crush). "Summer Rain" is always on our Ipod mix during summer vacations. Not sure how long these two will last, but I hope the remaining members of the Go-Gos get front row seats to show tapings ala Spice Girls from Mel B's season.
Jewel competing against her husband, Ty Murray
I see shy-Ty as stiff as a board. He might have one breakout number before being voted off. Jewel will stay on longer than Ty and rock the latin numbers.
Lil' Kim and Derek Hough
Oh boy. Either a recipe for success or a recipe for DISASTER. I can imagine the fights occuring during practice footage already and Lil' Kim insisting on wearing pasties for her first dance number on premiere night.
Julianne Hough competing with her boyfriend, Chuck Wicks
Almost too cute of a pairing, which could lead to annoying fights. I think ABC has already booked Dr. Drew for some therapy sessions.
Nancy O'Dell and Tony Dovolani
Too much like the Leeza Gibbons season.
The Rest
Kinda meh so far. But, I could be surprised this season. I’ll watch.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
BREAK NOT THE CIRCLE OF ENABLING LOVE
My favorite cousin, Stacia, is planning her wedding. It's in September 2009. I'm looking forward to the wedding. I’m already having dreams about it. One particular dream was that Stacia got married in some dumpy, dingy small town hall and all of the bridesmaids had to wear blue flowered dresses with poufy satin sleeves. Ugh. I was so relieved when I woke up in 2009. Maybe I was watching too much of my husband's Live Aid DVD the week prior to that dream. Come to think of it, Madonna was wearing somewhat similar floral leggings like the dreamed-about floral bridesmaid dresses.
For this wedding, I am a bridesmaid, the MC and part mediator/consultant about the problem bridesmaid.
Yes. The problem bridesmaid. What is it with selfish, uncontrollable bridesmaids with attitude problems? I don't get it. I know what it is like to have a problem bridesmaid. Things got so bad with her that I had to fire her a week and a half before my wedding. It was a hard thing to do, but it was a long time coming and one of the best decisions I ever made.
Initially, everyone seems a little shocked when it is revealed that I fired a bridesmaid right before my wedding. Then, they recover and make a mental note to themselves to come to me for advice if someone close to them is causing trouble. Particularly, problem bridesmaids.
Bride: I'm having a problem with this bridesmaid!!
Lacia: Hey, do you need me to fire her from the wedding party for you? I'm good at that!! Just let me know when!
Anyway, let's call this particular Problem Bridesmaid "Debbie Downer" (DD), after the negative nelly character from SNL. DD has been causing trouble even before there were rumblings of an engagement between Stacia and Morris. DD and Stacia are friends through DD’s husband Michael and Stacia's fiancé Morris. So they are couple-friends. DD basically volunteered her bridesmaid services before Stacia had selected her bridal party. Ultimately, Stacia did end up asking DD to be a bridesmaid. Michael is Morris' best man.
Unfortunately, since Day 1, Debbie Downer has had an issue with anything Stacia suggests for the wedding. Being the accommodating and considerate person Stacia is, she sends emails to her wedding party to help her make those important decisions and obtain valuable feedback. I don’t think Stacia expected to have to shoulder such opposition to seemingly innocent suggestions. Such as:
ISSUE #1:
THE SOCIAL VENUE
Stacia and Morris are currently planning their social, a night full of fun, silent auction prizes, visiting and making some money to help pay for the dream wedding. Socials are more common in Stacia's neck of the woods than in mine, so naturally I was interested to hear of the plans. Stacia was so excited about booking the venue, Red Grove East Community Centre. It's a newer ventilated building, so there's no reminders of past events that normally took place at older town community centres, such as weddings, smoky bingo nights and three-spot card tournaments.
Stacia and Morris agree that Red Grove East Community Centre is the best place to have the social. They book the Community Centre more than a year in advance before the planned date of the social. Then they tell DD and Michael over drinks one night. The response is not good.
Debbie Downer: oh.........um.....well........I don't mean to be difficult, but.......that's where we had OUR social.
Stacia (getting annoyed, thoughts of so?? who cares?? running through her mind): oh....well........it's such a great venue, soooooooo...... (quick glance at Morris) ....we're going to keep it.
No response from Michael or Morris.
Debbie Downer: well.......um....I guess it's ok then. I mean, your social won't be anything like ours, right??
Stacia: Of course not.
Of course Stacia & Morris’ social won’t be anything like DD & Michael’s social. It will be better! Ditto for the wedding!
ISSUE #2:
THE BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
Stacia loves the colour burnt orange. She loves autumn, and loves the colour espresso brown. So, naturally, Stacia picked those two colours for her bridesmaid dresses. Two bridesmaids will wear orange (Maid-of-honour Carmen and I are the orange crushes) and two bridesmaids will wear espresso brown (Debbie Downer and Kimberly are the root beer girls). Stacia's junior bridesmaid, Liana, will be an orange crush girl.
Everyone seemed fine with the bridesmaid colours and dress style. Then came the issue of the dress cost and when to order/pay for the dresses. Stacia managed to score 10% off the bridesmaids dresses since she bought her wedding gown at the same boutique. Everyone has to order their dresses and pay for them at the same time to take advantage of the discount, and to ensure the same dye lot is used for the fabric.
Monday morning, 9:02 am. Sometime in October or November. Stacia sends out an email informing everyone of the dress-buying plans, hence giving everyone ample notice to plan ahead and save $$.
Monday morning, 9:07am. Same day. Stacia emails me with the simple phrase: “Am I being a bridezilla??”
Monday morning, 9:08 am. I email Stacia back with one simple phrase: “What happened now?”
You’re guessed it. Issue #478 this year. DD and Michael are building a new house and money will be a tad tight during that same exact time the bridesmaid dresses will be ordered and paid for.
I respond to Stacia with “If DD and Michael sold their house and can afford a build a brand new house and get all the toys, then she can afford her bridesmaid dress. The rest of us have to pay for ours, you know.”
A few months later…
Stacia emails everyone that the dress-purchasing day has now been changed from February to March. I know who was behind that change!
ISSUE #3:
THE BRIDESMAIDS SHOES – Whose feet matter the most?
Stacia sends out an email to everyone about what kind of shoes the bridesmaids should be looking for. Preferably espresso-coloured heeled sandals.
Debbie Downer immediately responds with, “Um, Stacia, I don’t mean to be difficult, but…can’t I wear my type of shoes? Wouldn’t your suggestion of shoes be hard to find, and expensive?”
The shoe issue is still being sorted out.
ISSUE #4:
WHOSE SHOWER IS IT?
Kimberly is a fantastic organizer. She, Stacia and I think and operate in the same way – be organized and plan everything early so that we’re not all in a panic the day before or day of a certain event. Kimberly’s been great about sending out group emails about Stacia’s shower/stagette plans and suggesting ideas.
One day, Kimberly sends out an email about the shower and suggests that maybe the guys could help out serving drinks and food. Debbie Downer immediately responds with, "what you're describing is exactly what I had at my shower and Stacia had said that she wouldn't want that cause it is a 'girl' thing and the guys shouldn't be a part of it.... I also don't think Morris would be thrilled about the idea. Just wanted to let you know. At my shower we ate for about 15 mins prior to starting to unwrap gifts and it worked well."
Hmmn. Aside from the eating part, it sounds like a case of "I don't want Stacia’s shower to be ANYTHING like mine!! Nooooo sireeeee!"
Kimberly responds lightheartedly that Stacia has already told her that she would like the guys to help out with the shower. I email a reply with similar sentiments. Debbie Downer suddenly backpedals in the next email and says, “You guys are ganging up on me! lol Oh, that must’ve been one of my other friends who told me that!.....hehehe, oops!!”
Sure, sure. Sounds more like “oops, I better not gang up on Stacia about the shower cuz these girls are the Wedding Police!!! eeeshk!"
That's right. Watch it, girlie. Pretty much this whole blog post is about your antics.
ISSUE #5:
The constant use of the phrase "I don't mean to be difficult, but....."
YOU ARE. YOU ARE BEING DIFFICULT. AND YOU KNOW IT. DROP IT.
The Magdalena Factor
WHO THE HECK IS MAGDALENA?
Magdalena is a Bridezilla from the TV show Bridezillas that used to be on the Slice Channel. I watched the show before I got married and I think Magdalena was the worst bridezilla to ever be featured on the show. Magdalena worked as a publicist in Los Angeles and spent her days hounding people on the phone, picking fights with her clients and bossing her staff around the office. The same behaviour continued while planning her wedding. Aside from barking orders to everyone, fighting with her wedding party/wedding vendors, and making a family member drive 1.5-2 hours to her place in LA to retrieve her veil and then making that person drive back to the wedding venue on the SAME NIGHT, she somehow suckered her fiancé into refinancing their house and using the equity and mortgage top-up of approximately $75,000 (possibly more??) to pay for the wedding and honeymoon.
So, whenever Stacia thinks she’s having a Bridezilla moment, I say to her, “uh-oh. Is there a Magdalena festering underneath the surface??"
Stacia, that wedding cake kinda looks like an A & W Cake!!!
I love researching wedding ideas online. Even though my wedding was almost 3 years ago, I still love all that wedding stuff. And especially now that Stacia's planning her wedding. One day while internet surfing, I came across a gorgeous wedding cake that I knew Stacia would love. Just something a little different then the common white wedding cakes found at most weddings these days. I quickly emailed the photo to Stacia, and she loved it. She immediately replied back with "OMG, I love this cake! I could do this, and have these decorations, and have one layer in this colour and one layer in that colour…..thanks Lacia!!!"
I read over Stacia's email a few times, a bit puzzled. There was something there that didn't seem quite right. Then it hit me. Stacia's wedding colours are burnt orange and espresso brown. What colours do you associate burnt orange and espresso brown with? An A & W Restaurant! OMG! I had to email Stacia right away!
Lacia: Stacia! Stacia! That cake is gonna look like an A & W cake!!
Email response from Stacia in less than 30 seconds: OMG Lacia!! Noooooo!! I'm so glad you brought that up, I would have never have noticed that!! Thank God!!!
Unfortunately, I have now installed the fear in Stacia that she simply cannot have anything at the wedding resembling an A & W Restaurant.
For this wedding, I am a bridesmaid, the MC and part mediator/consultant about the problem bridesmaid.
Yes. The problem bridesmaid. What is it with selfish, uncontrollable bridesmaids with attitude problems? I don't get it. I know what it is like to have a problem bridesmaid. Things got so bad with her that I had to fire her a week and a half before my wedding. It was a hard thing to do, but it was a long time coming and one of the best decisions I ever made.
Initially, everyone seems a little shocked when it is revealed that I fired a bridesmaid right before my wedding. Then, they recover and make a mental note to themselves to come to me for advice if someone close to them is causing trouble. Particularly, problem bridesmaids.
Bride: I'm having a problem with this bridesmaid!!
Lacia: Hey, do you need me to fire her from the wedding party for you? I'm good at that!! Just let me know when!
Anyway, let's call this particular Problem Bridesmaid "Debbie Downer" (DD), after the negative nelly character from SNL. DD has been causing trouble even before there were rumblings of an engagement between Stacia and Morris. DD and Stacia are friends through DD’s husband Michael and Stacia's fiancé Morris. So they are couple-friends. DD basically volunteered her bridesmaid services before Stacia had selected her bridal party. Ultimately, Stacia did end up asking DD to be a bridesmaid. Michael is Morris' best man.
Unfortunately, since Day 1, Debbie Downer has had an issue with anything Stacia suggests for the wedding. Being the accommodating and considerate person Stacia is, she sends emails to her wedding party to help her make those important decisions and obtain valuable feedback. I don’t think Stacia expected to have to shoulder such opposition to seemingly innocent suggestions. Such as:
ISSUE #1:
THE SOCIAL VENUE
Stacia and Morris are currently planning their social, a night full of fun, silent auction prizes, visiting and making some money to help pay for the dream wedding. Socials are more common in Stacia's neck of the woods than in mine, so naturally I was interested to hear of the plans. Stacia was so excited about booking the venue, Red Grove East Community Centre. It's a newer ventilated building, so there's no reminders of past events that normally took place at older town community centres, such as weddings, smoky bingo nights and three-spot card tournaments.
Stacia and Morris agree that Red Grove East Community Centre is the best place to have the social. They book the Community Centre more than a year in advance before the planned date of the social. Then they tell DD and Michael over drinks one night. The response is not good.
Debbie Downer: oh.........um.....well........I don't mean to be difficult, but.......that's where we had OUR social.
Stacia (getting annoyed, thoughts of so?? who cares?? running through her mind): oh....well........it's such a great venue, soooooooo...... (quick glance at Morris) ....we're going to keep it.
No response from Michael or Morris.
Debbie Downer: well.......um....I guess it's ok then. I mean, your social won't be anything like ours, right??
Stacia: Of course not.
Of course Stacia & Morris’ social won’t be anything like DD & Michael’s social. It will be better! Ditto for the wedding!
ISSUE #2:
THE BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
Stacia loves the colour burnt orange. She loves autumn, and loves the colour espresso brown. So, naturally, Stacia picked those two colours for her bridesmaid dresses. Two bridesmaids will wear orange (Maid-of-honour Carmen and I are the orange crushes) and two bridesmaids will wear espresso brown (Debbie Downer and Kimberly are the root beer girls). Stacia's junior bridesmaid, Liana, will be an orange crush girl.
Everyone seemed fine with the bridesmaid colours and dress style. Then came the issue of the dress cost and when to order/pay for the dresses. Stacia managed to score 10% off the bridesmaids dresses since she bought her wedding gown at the same boutique. Everyone has to order their dresses and pay for them at the same time to take advantage of the discount, and to ensure the same dye lot is used for the fabric.
Monday morning, 9:02 am. Sometime in October or November. Stacia sends out an email informing everyone of the dress-buying plans, hence giving everyone ample notice to plan ahead and save $$.
Monday morning, 9:07am. Same day. Stacia emails me with the simple phrase: “Am I being a bridezilla??”
Monday morning, 9:08 am. I email Stacia back with one simple phrase: “What happened now?”
You’re guessed it. Issue #478 this year. DD and Michael are building a new house and money will be a tad tight during that same exact time the bridesmaid dresses will be ordered and paid for.
I respond to Stacia with “If DD and Michael sold their house and can afford a build a brand new house and get all the toys, then she can afford her bridesmaid dress. The rest of us have to pay for ours, you know.”
A few months later…
Stacia emails everyone that the dress-purchasing day has now been changed from February to March. I know who was behind that change!
ISSUE #3:
THE BRIDESMAIDS SHOES – Whose feet matter the most?
Stacia sends out an email to everyone about what kind of shoes the bridesmaids should be looking for. Preferably espresso-coloured heeled sandals.
Debbie Downer immediately responds with, “Um, Stacia, I don’t mean to be difficult, but…can’t I wear my type of shoes? Wouldn’t your suggestion of shoes be hard to find, and expensive?”
The shoe issue is still being sorted out.
ISSUE #4:
WHOSE SHOWER IS IT?
Kimberly is a fantastic organizer. She, Stacia and I think and operate in the same way – be organized and plan everything early so that we’re not all in a panic the day before or day of a certain event. Kimberly’s been great about sending out group emails about Stacia’s shower/stagette plans and suggesting ideas.
One day, Kimberly sends out an email about the shower and suggests that maybe the guys could help out serving drinks and food. Debbie Downer immediately responds with, "what you're describing is exactly what I had at my shower and Stacia had said that she wouldn't want that cause it is a 'girl' thing and the guys shouldn't be a part of it.... I also don't think Morris would be thrilled about the idea. Just wanted to let you know. At my shower we ate for about 15 mins prior to starting to unwrap gifts and it worked well."
Hmmn. Aside from the eating part, it sounds like a case of "I don't want Stacia’s shower to be ANYTHING like mine!! Nooooo sireeeee!"
Kimberly responds lightheartedly that Stacia has already told her that she would like the guys to help out with the shower. I email a reply with similar sentiments. Debbie Downer suddenly backpedals in the next email and says, “You guys are ganging up on me! lol Oh, that must’ve been one of my other friends who told me that!.....hehehe, oops!!”
Sure, sure. Sounds more like “oops, I better not gang up on Stacia about the shower cuz these girls are the Wedding Police!!! eeeshk!"
That's right. Watch it, girlie. Pretty much this whole blog post is about your antics.
ISSUE #5:
The constant use of the phrase "I don't mean to be difficult, but....."
YOU ARE. YOU ARE BEING DIFFICULT. AND YOU KNOW IT. DROP IT.
The Magdalena Factor
WHO THE HECK IS MAGDALENA?
Magdalena is a Bridezilla from the TV show Bridezillas that used to be on the Slice Channel. I watched the show before I got married and I think Magdalena was the worst bridezilla to ever be featured on the show. Magdalena worked as a publicist in Los Angeles and spent her days hounding people on the phone, picking fights with her clients and bossing her staff around the office. The same behaviour continued while planning her wedding. Aside from barking orders to everyone, fighting with her wedding party/wedding vendors, and making a family member drive 1.5-2 hours to her place in LA to retrieve her veil and then making that person drive back to the wedding venue on the SAME NIGHT, she somehow suckered her fiancé into refinancing their house and using the equity and mortgage top-up of approximately $75,000 (possibly more??) to pay for the wedding and honeymoon.
So, whenever Stacia thinks she’s having a Bridezilla moment, I say to her, “uh-oh. Is there a Magdalena festering underneath the surface??"
Stacia, that wedding cake kinda looks like an A & W Cake!!!
I love researching wedding ideas online. Even though my wedding was almost 3 years ago, I still love all that wedding stuff. And especially now that Stacia's planning her wedding. One day while internet surfing, I came across a gorgeous wedding cake that I knew Stacia would love. Just something a little different then the common white wedding cakes found at most weddings these days. I quickly emailed the photo to Stacia, and she loved it. She immediately replied back with "OMG, I love this cake! I could do this, and have these decorations, and have one layer in this colour and one layer in that colour…..thanks Lacia!!!"
I read over Stacia's email a few times, a bit puzzled. There was something there that didn't seem quite right. Then it hit me. Stacia's wedding colours are burnt orange and espresso brown. What colours do you associate burnt orange and espresso brown with? An A & W Restaurant! OMG! I had to email Stacia right away!
Lacia: Stacia! Stacia! That cake is gonna look like an A & W cake!!
Email response from Stacia in less than 30 seconds: OMG Lacia!! Noooooo!! I'm so glad you brought that up, I would have never have noticed that!! Thank God!!!
Unfortunately, I have now installed the fear in Stacia that she simply cannot have anything at the wedding resembling an A & W Restaurant.
p.s. Loretta's singing "Stay" Again
As a postnote to my last post, Loretta scored tickets today to the Sugarland concert in April. I'm sure she'll have a blast!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Words with humour spoken...music ramblings
The Grammys.
Such a treat.
A night of performers, shockers, non-shockers, never-before-thought-of-music duets, Kanye West's next televised I'm-the-best arrogant moment, bad outfits, cheesy interviews... like, on the red carpet, genuine reactions to Grammy wins (and losses). Sigh. You just can't beat that quality entertainment. Rivals the days of Soul Train. Remember that diddy? What's up with Don Cornelius these days, anyway?
This is [deepest bass voice] Souuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul Trraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaain. Cue opening dance theme music and the full camera zoom-in of the Soul Train dancers.
Switching now to country music. I have to admit, I'm not a fan of Sugarland. The only song I can stomach while listening to Jennifer Nettles' vocals is the duet with Bon Jovi, "Who Says You Can't Go Home?" Oh, Jon. No "h". Love the hair. You are so cool.
Now, I am sure Jennifer Nettles is a very nice person, has songwriting talent, and has a multitude of adoring fans who a) will definitely disagree with this post, and b) can identify with at least one of her songs. I know. I just can't stand her singing voice. It kinda grates on my last nerve. I'm talkin' about that song, "Stay". Yes, the song about infidelity, the point of view from the mistress, and THAT man. Yes, the song that just won two Grammys. Yes, the song that literally struck a chord with everyone.
A co-worker of mine (Loretta Nettles) simply adores "Stay". It's her most favorite song ever. One day last summer, Loretta brought in a cheap radio to the office so that she could blast the song "Stay" every. single. day. on the local country station. When I first heard the song, my initial thoughts were "oh my..............OH......[cringe]....yikes....[brow furrowing].....OH DEAR. What does this song remind me of? Hmmn. Oh yes!!! Howling cats in an alley!! Right!!" Then, I felt some momentary waves of anger. I'm not the hugest fan of cats, either. I waited until my anger subsided and Loretta took a trip to the ladies'. I then calmly surveyed my remaining co-workers, clearly still in shock over the song.
Lacia: Ok, seriously peeps. This is just my gut talkin'. I had a reaction to that song, and it wasn't pretty. What's with the howling cats in the alley??
Co-worker #1: OMGAWD, I sooooooooo agree.
Co-worker #2: Looks up momentarily from her computer, then looks back down and whispers, Yes, something has to be done.
Co-worker #1: ok ssshhhhhhhhh. She's back from the ladies'.
Everyone pretends to go back to work. We didn't have the heart to tell Loretta Nettles to switch the station on her radio because of one song. I mean, just listen to the SONG. The mistress is hurten enough!! Surely we could spare some sympathy. But, honestly, we all were scare-dee-cats to change the station in front of Loretta. Just sayin'.
So, with that attitude, we all tolerated the song for about a month, all the while cringing, rolling our eyes, gritting our teeth, jabbing our gel/acrylic nails in our palms while Loretta crooned along Mick Jagger style to "Whhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy don't youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu STAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY". Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Loretta took a summer vacation! Finally, we would have control of the radio! Radio Ga-Ga!! This is our chance to intervene, peeps! At promptly 8:01am the next morning, we switched the radio station to good old 80s pop. My shoulders immediately relaxed knowing that John Tesh and Phil Collins would be taking over from Sugarland. At least for a week. Go 80s!!
A week later, we all sat on the edge of our seats on Loretta' s first day back from vacation. Is she gonna change the station?? Would she?? Is she gonna do it?? Loretta sat at her desk, no word about the changed radio station. hmmn.....suspicious.
The next day, I came into the office and caught Loretta singing along to "Against All Odds". Phil Collins ALWAYS prevails, people!! Just take a look at me now!
ANYWAY.
Speaking of 80s stars, my husband and I watched Whitney Houston's biography on the Bio Channel last week. It was quite the bio. I just love TV bio stories. There's something about the innocence factor and just getting into the business.....then succeeding.....then watching the inevitable train wreck exploding...the drugs! the shady business partners! the love! the money! the rehab! the tell-all interviews with "good" friends and family who can't help but blab to everyone what REALLY happened! Then....the COMEBACK!! This career is back on track! Sucks me in everytime.
Yesterday I read online that Whitney Houston performed at the pre-Grammy party thrown by her good friend and cheerleader, Clive Davis. I have to admit, I'm rooting for a Whitney comeback. I want those glory days back.....the days when I couldn't wait to sneak/borrow my older sister's Whitney cassette tapes. SO GOOD. SO MUCH BETTER than New Edition. Ok, I admit it. I've only listened to one song by New Edition. And that was enough.
So, Whitney dearie, after seeing your TV bio and hearing about the proposed comeback, I'm rooting for ya. I know you've probably heard this advice from countless others, but please take these words to heart. STAY AWAY FROM BOBBY BROWN. I repeat, STAY AWAY FROM BOBBY BROWN. I know you two named your daughter Bobbi Kristina, so there's no escaping the Bobby name, but please. Just stay away from Big Daddy, Bobby B. You ain't Bobby's boo no more. All of us are cheering for you. Go Whitney!
Such a treat.
A night of performers, shockers, non-shockers, never-before-thought-of-music duets, Kanye West's next televised I'm-the-best arrogant moment, bad outfits, cheesy interviews... like, on the red carpet, genuine reactions to Grammy wins (and losses). Sigh. You just can't beat that quality entertainment. Rivals the days of Soul Train. Remember that diddy? What's up with Don Cornelius these days, anyway?
This is [deepest bass voice] Souuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul Trraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaain. Cue opening dance theme music and the full camera zoom-in of the Soul Train dancers.
Switching now to country music. I have to admit, I'm not a fan of Sugarland. The only song I can stomach while listening to Jennifer Nettles' vocals is the duet with Bon Jovi, "Who Says You Can't Go Home?" Oh, Jon. No "h". Love the hair. You are so cool.
Now, I am sure Jennifer Nettles is a very nice person, has songwriting talent, and has a multitude of adoring fans who a) will definitely disagree with this post, and b) can identify with at least one of her songs. I know. I just can't stand her singing voice. It kinda grates on my last nerve. I'm talkin' about that song, "Stay". Yes, the song about infidelity, the point of view from the mistress, and THAT man. Yes, the song that just won two Grammys. Yes, the song that literally struck a chord with everyone.
A co-worker of mine (Loretta Nettles) simply adores "Stay". It's her most favorite song ever. One day last summer, Loretta brought in a cheap radio to the office so that she could blast the song "Stay" every. single. day. on the local country station. When I first heard the song, my initial thoughts were "oh my..............OH......[cringe]....yikes....[brow furrowing].....OH DEAR. What does this song remind me of? Hmmn. Oh yes!!! Howling cats in an alley!! Right!!" Then, I felt some momentary waves of anger. I'm not the hugest fan of cats, either. I waited until my anger subsided and Loretta took a trip to the ladies'. I then calmly surveyed my remaining co-workers, clearly still in shock over the song.
Lacia: Ok, seriously peeps. This is just my gut talkin'. I had a reaction to that song, and it wasn't pretty. What's with the howling cats in the alley??
Co-worker #1: OMGAWD, I sooooooooo agree.
Co-worker #2: Looks up momentarily from her computer, then looks back down and whispers, Yes, something has to be done.
Co-worker #1: ok ssshhhhhhhhh. She's back from the ladies'.
Everyone pretends to go back to work. We didn't have the heart to tell Loretta Nettles to switch the station on her radio because of one song. I mean, just listen to the SONG. The mistress is hurten enough!! Surely we could spare some sympathy. But, honestly, we all were scare-dee-cats to change the station in front of Loretta. Just sayin'.
So, with that attitude, we all tolerated the song for about a month, all the while cringing, rolling our eyes, gritting our teeth, jabbing our gel/acrylic nails in our palms while Loretta crooned along Mick Jagger style to "Whhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy don't youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu STAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY". Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Loretta took a summer vacation! Finally, we would have control of the radio! Radio Ga-Ga!! This is our chance to intervene, peeps! At promptly 8:01am the next morning, we switched the radio station to good old 80s pop. My shoulders immediately relaxed knowing that John Tesh and Phil Collins would be taking over from Sugarland. At least for a week. Go 80s!!
A week later, we all sat on the edge of our seats on Loretta' s first day back from vacation. Is she gonna change the station?? Would she?? Is she gonna do it?? Loretta sat at her desk, no word about the changed radio station. hmmn.....suspicious.
The next day, I came into the office and caught Loretta singing along to "Against All Odds". Phil Collins ALWAYS prevails, people!! Just take a look at me now!
ANYWAY.
Speaking of 80s stars, my husband and I watched Whitney Houston's biography on the Bio Channel last week. It was quite the bio. I just love TV bio stories. There's something about the innocence factor and just getting into the business.....then succeeding.....then watching the inevitable train wreck exploding...the drugs! the shady business partners! the love! the money! the rehab! the tell-all interviews with "good" friends and family who can't help but blab to everyone what REALLY happened! Then....the COMEBACK!! This career is back on track! Sucks me in everytime.
Yesterday I read online that Whitney Houston performed at the pre-Grammy party thrown by her good friend and cheerleader, Clive Davis. I have to admit, I'm rooting for a Whitney comeback. I want those glory days back.....the days when I couldn't wait to sneak/borrow my older sister's Whitney cassette tapes. SO GOOD. SO MUCH BETTER than New Edition. Ok, I admit it. I've only listened to one song by New Edition. And that was enough.
So, Whitney dearie, after seeing your TV bio and hearing about the proposed comeback, I'm rooting for ya. I know you've probably heard this advice from countless others, but please take these words to heart. STAY AWAY FROM BOBBY BROWN. I repeat, STAY AWAY FROM BOBBY BROWN. I know you two named your daughter Bobbi Kristina, so there's no escaping the Bobby name, but please. Just stay away from Big Daddy, Bobby B. You ain't Bobby's boo no more. All of us are cheering for you. Go Whitney!
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