Friday, February 25, 2011

...I'll be spending time with "Oscar" this weekend!

Maybe it's the acting urge I have... or perhaps the dream of one day winning one... but it could just be the entertainment value...

...well, no matter what it is, I always make it a point to watch the Oscars--excuse me, Academy Awards--every year.  I remember seeing as a teeny tot teetering tamely on the table top (actually, I was sitting on the couch but the historically-inaccurate alliteration sounded so much better) Anthony Hopkins win for Best Actor in Silence of the Lambs, even though I hadn't the slightest idea who he was or what the movie was about--and at age 8, that was a good thing.

IT PUTS THE LOTION ON ITS SKIN OR ELSE IT GETS THE HOSE AGAIN!

Sipping along, A recent Oscar-watching moment (that could in fact be quite Oscar-worthy if put into a movie) truly typified my "need to know" condition when it comes to finding out the winners and losers.  I was at a bachelor party in Atlanta, surrounded by good friends and good company,* but sans a screen of televisic proportion.

*Note: "good" in the first context means trust-worthy and life-long, "good' in the second context refers to pole-dancing and clothes-stripping.

Everywhere I looked, there was no TV.  And this was during the time of phones only calling and texting people, believe it or not (the nerve of having no cellular Internet connection!).  But alas, my luck changed when I strolled into the men's room to wash my hands and discovered a mounted screen above the door. What was on?  Surely you jest if you thought anything but the Oscars! (I never jest... and don't call me Shirley!)

I don't know what was more insane about that ordeal: me foregoing half-naked strippers to watch the damn Academy Awards from the bathroom, or Crash stealing the best picture win from Brokeback Mountain.  Either way, my "good" friends and I laughed all the way home about it (or about tit, as they joked).

Now, in 2011, my plans are more sedentary for the Oscars (ironically they could have been the same years go if I had stalled longer in that fabled facility of the wash).  I've seen all the major films nominated and paid attention to all the nominees for acting.  I'm banking on The King's Speech speaking loudly with a win for best picture and actor (Colin Firth), The Fighter fighting its way to both supporting acting nods (Melissa Leo and Christian Bale), and Black Swan flying away with best actress (Natalie "I may have been making out with another girl at that club in Atlanta while Evan was in the boysroom" Portman).  Oh, and Academy voters will "Like" the Social Network enough in the best screenplay and director categories.  Those are my bold predictions.

Now to find a nice Chianti with some fava beans for when I watch... ;-)

Thursday, February 24, 2011

...Blogging on a Regularly Basis is a Breuhaha!

I keep telling myself... I've got to find more time to blog about the myriad of topics running through my mind and life!

But life keeps interrupting this effort my making my schedule busier and busier (which is a good thing).

Also, work gets in the way often.  But thankfully today, I've set some time... oh, son of a... I'm late for the noon show!

Monday, February 14, 2011

...When I Tap Dance, I Get "Astaire" or two

"You journalists, you're too stressed!  You need to get out more and frolic... take up dance!  Who knows, you could be another Gene Astaire."

One of my favorite quotes from the ill-fated, oft-forgotten 80's horromedy Transylvania 6-5000 came true this past weekend: I, a frequently stressed journalist, took up dance (though I do get out a lot, even if frolicking isn't a frequent foible of mine).  And not just any dance: TAP DANCE.

The Mid-Michigan chapter of the United Cerebral Palsy organization held a Dancing with the Stars-esque charity fundraiser and yours truly, in truly the most liberal and local of definitions, was considered "a star" and asked to perform. 

And what a toe-tappin' time it 'twas: 
--3 rehearsals in tap shoes only (my schedule prevented more... you know, all that frolicking)
--2 hours of practice each time I laced 'em up and clicked 'em off
--1 two-minute performance on-stage with no do-overs
--but countless fun and memories to last long after all my shim-shamming, cramp-rolling and scuffle shuffling is kaput!

My routine featured wonderful choreography by Carmen Zavala of the Ruhala Center (I really enjoyed the fact that this rhymed and would often point it out during rehearsals) to Nat King Cole's L-O-V-E.  And yes, we most certainly capitalized on the Valentine's Day holiday sentiments when it came time for audience appreciation (or TapClap as I called it).

But one thing is for sure... I have a new found respect for anyone who puts on tap shoes and makes both music and dance out of them. It's a remarkably challenging feet I one day hope to become even more in-tune with.  Until then, I'm fine with what I've accomplished so far:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2gmqsndeXo

Hey, they don't call me "Twinkle Toes" for nothing ;-)!  

Monday, February 7, 2011

...What makes the Superbowl "Super" has nothing to do with Football.

And yes, I'd even say the same thing if the Patriots were playing in the coveted pigskin contest (well, maybe).

For me, the Superbowl brings together all the elements essential to successful daily living: great friends, great food, great entertainment.  Case in point--I stopped at two get-togethers, hung out with some fantastic people, sampled an array of pallet-pleasing snacks and samplers, and stirred up many a successful conversation (and drink) about life, work, social plans and of course, the commercials (note: I did not mention "the game" at all).

And I'll even touch(down) upon more evidence supporting my previous statements: I had a monetary vested interest in paying attention to the score, as I entered into three SuperBowlSquare Pools.*  But after pulling out my sheet once, I soon became more interested in having a good time with the people around me, than getting worked up about a few bucks and few flagged plays on the "football-o-vision".

*Note: my Tommy Tutone-esque numbers on said sheet also helped defer my attention (yes, I had 8-6-7... 5-3-0-9 in various combinations...that means safeties, two-point conversions and missed extra points were necessary... talk about an illegal hit to the head, or wallet).

My highlights from the afternoon/evening: Venison Sloppy Joes, a Norwegian Cheese Dip recipe claimed to have been handed down since the 16th century, a drink known as the "Flying Saucer", a dessert called "Cookie Salad", commercials including a little Darth Vader and a prison-bound Kenny G, and Miss Moulan Rouge herself pulling a Frank Drebin and singing the lyrics to our national anthem wrong (why can't we get Enrico Pallazo to sing at the Superbowl ;-).

If I could, I'd go long and root for every gameday to be like this (well, maybe).

C'mon Pats in 2012!