Merry Christmas from Karen Carpenter, Zooey and Me

How is it that Karen Carpenter manages to make the most cheerful songs seem sad and suicidal? It's a gift.

Merry Christmas, Darling



Christmas Waltz

...annnnd thhhhhhhhis song of mine, in three-quarter time, wishing you and yours the same thing too.


I'll Be Home For Christmas



Christmas Walts by She and Him

All I Want For Christmas...

...is a flight to the Philippines!

David Gandy Monday

I kept seeing this guy in different magazines, so I decided to see him in motion. I think you will enjoy it.

David Gandy in the Light Blue Fragrance commercial

iPad Fever

OK, so listen to this. Since I didn't buy myself anything special for my 40th birthday last year, I decided to buy something special for my 41st. I bought an iPad. Not just the regular iPad, but the iPad 2.

OMG!

FEDEX delivered it today. I couldn't wait to open up the box and play with it. I quickly finger tapped my way to the App Store and bought Words With Friends. I signed on, but then I realized I didn't know how to request someone to play with me. I finally figured out a way to connect with my sister and MSH.

I drank the Kool-Aid and I loved it.

There's so much to do on there and all I can do is play a silly word game.

The best word game ever!!

Weeks 4 and 5 with Weight Watchers

I started my fifth week and I'm not off to a good start. Our theme dinners are inadvertently killing my points. They take place on Wednesdays which happens to be the beginning of my weekly point tracking. The food is delicious and I try to watch my portions, but when you see lasagna, green bean casserole, and pasta (just to name a few) all intelligent reasoning goes away.

Last night, after having a tamale at a school function I went to my mother's for dinner where she fed me a nice hearty piece of steak. Tsk, tsk. I don't feel guilty for eating, but I feel disappointed that I faltered. Not too bad, though, because I enjoyed every bite.

My last weigh-in was Wednesday morning and I came in at 177.5 lbs. Five more pounds till I hit my 10% goal! I'll keep you updated.

Week 3 Begins

Is it weird that I lost one pound from one day to the next? I'm guessing it's water weight, but I could swear I weighed 180 Wednesday morning, and then I weighed 179 this morning. Since I have to weigh myself once a week, every Wednesday for me, I chose to keep my weight at 180 and not take off that pound.

I'm not feeling hungry in between meals, but staying within my daily points allowance while attending theme dinners is making it tough. Last night was our bi-weekly theme dinner, and while I ate small portions, I still went over my point limit - by LOTS! 30 points lots! Ugh!

Weight Watchers is watching me.

Weight Watchers is Watching - Weeks 1 and 2

"What!?" was my reaction when I looked at the scale last summer. I'd reached an all time high of 185 lbs. Never in my 41 years on this Earth had I weighed that much. I feel no shame in sharing this number since hardly anyone reads this blog.

I didn't go to a Weight Watchers place to sign up, instead, I did it online. Isn't that how you do things nowadays? It was easy, and you get a deal on the first three months. You don't have to attend the meetings for the weekly "weigh-ins", but you can do it yourself. I see how you can find help in others' support, but I don't think I can handle that right now.Instead I consult some co-workers who are in this too.

I weighed myself at the end of week one, and I lost 1.7 lbs. Not much, but it's a step forward. I keep track of those silly points, but keeping track and knowing you only have so many allotted per day keeps your hunger in between meals in check. Since I lost almost two pounds, my total points were reduced from 38 to 37. Suuuuuuucks!!!

Overall, it's interesting because you can still eat things you enjoy, but you just have to watch your portions. It's all in the portions and exercise.

OK, so hopefully - keep your fingers crossed - I'll be able to update you on my progress as I go through this. ( Wrong attitude? Too soon? Eh!)

Bless the Beasts and the Children

Travel with me, if you will, in the Blogger Time Machine back to 2009. 

This entry was saved in my draft page. I have no idea which child at school disappointed me on this day, but this bitch of a squirrel made a nest in my walk-in closet, toured my apt, and "shit" on my floor. 
 

"...Bless the beasts and the children
For in this world they have no voice
They have no choice

Bless the beasts and the children
For the world can never be
The world they see..."


Normally, I would agree with those song lyrics, but a child and a squirrel disappointed me today.

80's Duets

As usual I started looking at music videos on YouTube and my focus changed. My evening started with random 80's music and then I narrowed my focus to only include duets.  Here are my top three, but not in any particular order.

First on my list is "Separate Lives"  by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin from the movie White Nights
At the 2:50 minute mark is my favorite vocal."...build that wall...."

Overall, it's an amazing song.However, to Academy voters it wasn't amazing enough to beat Lionel Richie's "Say You, Say Me" for Best Song at the Oscars that year. I remember being bummed out because I really wanted it win. I believe it's one of my earliest memories of REALLY watching the Oscars and paying attention to categories. The song is not cheezy and awesome in its range. Lionel's....not so much. I think Marilyn Martin makes the song, and seeing  Baryshnikov dance is always fantastic.Plus seeing him in a white t-shirt doesn't hurt either.



Next on my list is  "Can't We Try"  by Dan Hill and Vonda Shepard. I was telling my sister, Trixie, this evening that these songs have that "build that wall" moment in them sung by the female singer. This song's moment is "...don't let our love fade away..." at the 2:09 mark. Again, excellent vocals and nothing extraordinarily tacky, plus it tell a story as "Separate Lives" does. I love a good narrative in a song.



Finally,  I've chosen "On My Own" by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald. I don't even know where to start with this one. The whole song is a *moment* like the snippets in the previous songs. It's two big voices in one song and one hell of a narrative. Need I say more?

While I was only 15 when this song came out and I couldn't really relate to the subject matter, the vocals stood out. It also didn't hurt that I was a rabid General Hospital fan in those days. Lucy Coe and Jimmy Lee were in this deep relationship and their "song" was "On My Own". Because the show was so popular back then, the song took off even faster on Billboard.

The video is a time capsule. Patti's hair: HUGE. Her shoulder pads: HUGE. Her voice: HUGE. Love it! I remember thinking she was like a singing Dominique Deveraux.



I have a few more duets saved up, but these were the ones that meant the most to my teenage soul.

Downton Abbey

I fell in love with this PBS/BBC series when it aired in late winter/early spring. I just couldn't get enough.



Here's the British Comic Relief spoof: (part1)
"Uptown Downstairs Abbey"


(part 2)

Drunken Blog

I spent the evening with Msh's sister and her husband who are visiting from ATL. Long story short, I had too many glasses of Pinot and now I'm drunk. It's been a long time since I've been drunk. Being the good Catholic boy, I'm always feeling guilty for feeling good. I just can't justify it without the guilt.

I'm also thinking about my trip to France in the fall. What will I wear? How am I going to pack just enough to make it a whole week? Will my seats on the plane be comfortable? I just don't know.

These are the songs I want to hear in my drunken state:
Feist: "1 2 3 4"


Dido: "White Flag"


Concerto in G by Vivaldi:


Good night.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2011

Congratulations team U.S.A. for being runner-up at the World Cup!

Happy Independence Day!

Hey, watch it sister!

"Come on Julie, have some lard."


Via jason

Leek and Potato Soup (ala Julia Child)

Photo via Average Betty

For about 2 quarts serving 6 to 8 people

• A 3 to 4 quart saucepan

• 3 to 4 cups or 1 lb. peeled potatoes, sliced or diced (canned whole or cubed works too)

• 3 cups or 1lb. thinly sliced leeks including the tender green; or yellow onions (1 large leek is enough)
• 2 quarts of water (4 cups) - you can also use veggie broth to give more flavor
• 1 Tb salt

Simmer the vegetables, water and salt together, partially covered for about 40 to 50 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Mash the vegetables in the soup with a fork, or pass the soup through a hand mixer. Correct seasoning ( she's not kidding - I had to add more salt and veggie seasoning because it was bland)

Set aside uncovered until just before serving, then reheat to the simmer.

• 4 to 6 Tb. whipping cream or 2 to 3 Tb. softened butter
• 2 to 3 Tb. minced parsley or chives ( chives gives it more flavor and doesn't cut into the flavor of the leaks)

Off heat and just before serving, stir in the cream or butter by spoonfuls.

Pour into a tureen or soup cups and decorate with herbs.

Bon Appetit!

Recipe Source: Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, & Simone Beck

I believe I found my new religion: cooking. The whole process took about two hours, but my focus was on nothing else but making this dish. I was in the zone and it felt great.

Tom Hardy

"You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling."

Happy Father's Day

Dead or Alive Wednesday

Boys and girls, today we'll be learning about comparing and contrasting.

"Lover Come Back to Me"





How are the videos similar, and how are they different?

Discuss.

The Gayle King Show

Ann Curry: Being interviewed by you is like eating butter.

Gayle King: Butter??

Ann Curry: Yes. Painless. Yum.

Gayle King: Next time, let’s put a biscuit on it.

I love how Gayle adds to the food analogy. She loves her food, and it’s one of the many reasons I like her lately.

Mini Gaga

Quickly before I hop on over to the Oyster Fest. Mini Lady Gaga (Terra Jole') will be performing tonight at Zephyr Stadium after the game. Her opening act will be Mini Michael Jackson and, get this, Mini Beyonce!! Awesome!!

Being There

Melissa McCarthy, the actress, said it best (and I paraphrase), “You are your problem and your solution.”

Have you ever wanted to be something that you thought you would be good at, but deep down inside you knew it just wasn’t going to happen?

I did.

I wanted to be a math teacher. I had such a good math teacher my last two years in high school that I believed I was actually capable of teaching others. Even though I was in denial that I’d made straight D’s my sophomore year in Geometry.

Even in college, I concentrated in math. I never made a grade higher than a C in my math courses at UNO, but HELL I knew I was going to teach it. As a matter of fact, the only math class I made a B in was Calculus for Business Majors.

You know why?

Because I only had to memorize formulas and problems and there was never any actual proving of proofs. The instructor basically gave you the problems that were going to be on the test, but he just changed the numbers.

I suppose I realized I didn’t like teaching math when I actually started doing it my second year at work. I wasn’t very good at explaining it, and I found it all too boring. Experience made me come to that conclusion.

Now, what if I’d never come the realization that it just wasn’t meant to be? Would I be missing something in me telling me to change direction? I knew I didn’t need anyone to tell me so, but what if I looked to others to tell me what my life should be like? Looking to others for solutions is not the way I want to live my life.

They are not me.

I am my own person.

YOU are your own person.

Suburbia

I was once told that there's nothing going on in the suburbs. It's all vanilla and that everything that is anything is happenin' in New Orleans.

I beg to differ. I saw a legless man smoking his cigarette next to his front door. I waved *hi* as I walked by. He waved back.

Oops! Naomi

Someone took offense.



Tyra's BFF!

Bridesmaids

My summer movie recommendation.




Female fight club...we grease up...beat the shit out of her...surprise!


How can anyone not laugh? Oh, wait. It happened.

The Professor and Lily

Lily Allen's "Knock em out"



Professor Longhair's "Big Chief"

Playlist

I know it doesn't make any sense to make this playlist for a close friend who recently had a break-up. My friend is at that stage where all you want to do is cry. Indulgence is needed until you get to the point where you can hear angrier songs. Any suggestions for me to post here?

No Doubt


Bread (well, just David Gates)




The Carpenters


Eric Carmen in his '70s best.


Lily Allen


Garbage


Expose


The Jets ( with bad '80s graphics)


Cake ( Last one)

Something

Reading MSH's blog entry about Mary Hopkin made me think about songs from my childhood.
http://neworleansboy.blogspot.com/2011/02/percussion-side-of-town.html

This Beatle's song was THE song they would play when Channel 5, in Honduras, would sign off for the night back in the 70's and most of the early 80's. I was describing it to MSH, and after over 30 years of me searching and wondering, he found it for me. In ONE night! He's amazing!

All Things Gay...

Speaking of all things gay...I found this lovely lamp on one of the main streets in my neighborhood. It turns out that it actually works when you plug it in, as you can see. I think it's lovely. and it gives my house a nice warm glow. I love warm glow.

Speaking of all things gay...My sister and I had an extended discussion of how terrible SATC 2 is from the over-the-top costumes...

Exhibit A

Exhibit B



to the bad dialogue and puns..."Abu Dhabi Doo!" " Lawrence of my labia"

My biggest complaint, as it turns out, was the decision to put Liza Minnelli in the movie and have her be a gay icon for the younger men in the chorus during the wedding scenes. Do I really believe that gay men in their early to mid-twenties will go ga-ga over Liza? No. Do I believe Michael Patrick King will? Yes.

Why not pick someone like Lady Gaga, Xtina or, I'd even stoop down to, Ke$ha? Why not? I think it was a bad choice on his part, but the movie had bigger problems than poor, wobbly Liza.

Then, I got to thinking about something that happened that same day having to do with all things gay. I received my Vanity Fair with Rob Lowe on the cover. He's shirtless, but let's just say I would rather imagine him shirtless, than see him shirtless. A slight disappointment.



Anyway, I was flipping through the magazine when I saw an article on, who else? Judy Garland!


It then forced me to think about what I said about MPK. I was, for a lack of better words, literally enthralled with the piece.

Why? Not sure.

I suppose it was interesting to read about the last decade of her life when things weren't so good anymore and she was struggling to get back on top. I especially liked Polly Bergen, coming across as a total bitch, ripping Judy a new hole into the beyond by saying that she WAS a total mess and unreliable.

What is it with these women and gay men? Can anyone explain this to me? Anyone??