Offline For A While ...

as if no one noticed! LOL. I've been working on the filings that will be the nexus of the argument to bring "you know who" back to "you know where." Sorry that I haven't been more attuned, blog-wise, as to the happenings politically of recent. But know, I do have an archive ... just not sure when I am able to break free of this time sensitive procedure re "you know who" such that my comments on the political arena for the past month will actually make a difference!
[(sad face :( ]

USA vs. Mexico, Manana!

Getty Images

6:00 p.m., PST.

Update:

In just a few short minutes, Mexico turned the tables on the United States, then ran away with its second straight Gold Cup win.

New York, New York -- Getting Married?

High five to New York.

Governor Andrew Cuomo's bill to give gay couples the right to wed was approved by New York lawmakers, making the U.S. state the sixth and most-populous to legalize same-sex marriage.

SYTYCD Redux

Well, I can definitely see in week two that a few dancers are starting to show some weakness.

Still, last week's decision NOT to eliminate ANY one was an amazing thing to watch and in all eight seasons, a first round top 20 NON elimination has never occurred.

Unfortunately, there were some dancers that did not live up tonight.

Leslie & Kelly (and John, duh) ... At The Movies

I am enjoying this "reunion" of sorts, with old videos that have been posted on YouTube.

This was always on of my favorite songs. I participated in this video which was shot in our home area back in the 1980's in the San Dieguito area (Leucadia, Encinitas, Cardiff, etc.) at a local theater (name escapes me for now). I am in the beginning of the video where they are at the theater, (the one holding the baby, who is my DAUGHTER, MERCEDES)!

I always loved this song. It was a novelty piece, but fun, nonetheless.

Leslie and Kelly - In America

Ok, so I am definitely enjoying me some family videos! Seems SOMEONE has figured out how to digitize the old analog shit and put it on YouTube (I am thinking it is Gia that has the skills, but I may be wrong).

Circa the 1980's, but sheesh, considering that their mother would move to China later on in life, this is sort of eerie!

Enjoy my cousins, Leslie and Kelly!

Come Back To Me - Leslie, Kelly & John Ford Colley

Wow. I am tripping finding this video. First off, that IS the house we all lived at (well, I stayed there for a while, but I had my own place a few blocks up).

I have no clue who did this video .. it is the first that I have seen. But that was the single released from their one and only album produced by Herb Alpert on A&M records, back in the day.

Ah, memories, eh?

Lady Gaga and Clarence Clemons

I know I am a little late on the bandwagon regarding Clarence Clemons death, but I do find it fitting that his last video is appearing with Lady Gaga's "I'm On The Edge."

I was a late bloomer fan of Bruce and the E-Street band, but I have always been on top of techno/disco/dance music. Gaga I had originally dismissed with her first song as very similar to the techno hits of the 1990's. But then, she continued, song after song, to hit the beat, as it were.

Sure, she has the ability to garner attention with her outrageous attire and push to the limits demeanor, like Madonna. But, unlike Madonna, Gaga can actually sing. And not just sing three notes, but fucking sing the shit out of a song. That bitch has a set of pipes, for sure. I am willing to bet a shitload of money that in the long run, Lady Gaga will still be around and an influence in pop culture that will far surpass Madonna.

RIP Clarence. Good for you to go out with the latest trend in music.

Oy, Where's My Cell?

You know you have entered the 21st Century when you are willing to pay money to a flunkie to go get your cell phone that you left at your office! (not to demean the person that got me my phone, but hey, what can I call you?)

Ah, breathing easier. Gonna pack the spare cell phone in case of the rare emergencies like this. If I had my spare phone, I could have gotten in touch with my office, and made preparations to get my cell. But since my computer tech had my office key and my building key card, there was no way I could simply go back to work and get my phone.

Live and learn, eh? (slapping myself so you don't have to!)

No One Sent Home, SYTYCD Style

Just a short post re SYTYCD ... I knew last night that it was virtually impossible to send ANY of the dancers home, and was haunted by the feeling of how were these judges going to pick one guy and one girl, based on those dances, to send home.

So, it actually turns out that the judges decided, for the first time EVER ... to not send anyone home tonight! Of course, next week, two guys and two girls will go home, but for now ... all of the dancers are still in it.

I knew this was going to be hard based on what I saw last night!

SYTYCD -- So Buck!

I've long ago given up trying to beat the YouTube police posting videos of great dances only to have them online for like 15 minutes! All I can say about this season's dancers is ... fuck me! The talent bar is so high that I cannot even imagine any one of the 20 dancers being booted off! Seriously!

Travis Wall, once a contestant (coming in second, I believe in season two) is, to me, the Mia Michaels replacement choreographer. Just as she garnered an Emmy for her choreography, the prediction has been made tonight that Travis' piece would garner him the first Emmy for this 8th season.



While on the show, Wall danced in a Mia Michaels piece -- "The Bench," for which she later won an Emmy for Outstanding Choreography. It is probably the most well known dance piece in the history of SYTYCD.



Another famous Mia Michaels piece -- Twitch and Katee, Season Four

Boston Takes The Cup 2011 Style!

After everything is said about playoff games, whatever sport, and the plethora of images of the "losing" teams' (and sometimes the winning teams') fans rioting in the streets, I bring you Vancouver, after their loss.


Thomas was superb, and he deserved the Conn Smythe Trophy (um for those that don't know what that is, it is the MVP of the series).

Me loves me sum hockey!

What a way for Mark Recchi to end his career, eh?

This is when I generally start to get my groove on with football, but ... are we going to actually have a season?????

And The Stupidity Of Our Children Continues

Diane Ravitch, an education historian who was invited by the national assessment’s governing board to review the results, said she was particularly disturbed by the fact that only 2 percent of 12th graders correctly answered a question concerning Brown v. Board of Education, which she called “very likely the most important decision” of the United States Supreme Court in the past seven decades.

Students were given an excerpt including the passage “We conclude that in the field of public education, separate but equal has no place, separate educational facilities are inherently unequal,” and were asked what social problem the 1954 ruling was supposed to correct.

“The answer was right in front of them,” Ms. Ravitch said. “This is alarming.”

Sadly, with the way this country is leaning toward gutting everything public, one can expect this to get worse. Privatizing education (as opposed to actually attending a private school, built and supported by private money) is just a goal of right wing zealots that hope to push the "stupid" agenda higher, but for profit. There is such a lack of desire to produce educated adults out of our children. But with the constant onslaught of media, little screen and big screen, pushing out crap, distortions and outright lies, it's no wonder that being stupid can still get you a job in America.

We Live To See A Game 7

And no, I am not talking about the gang of seven that ostensibly relate to the GOP frontrunners at the debate last night (which I had no interest in watching either). I'm talking about HOCKEY!

The four quick goals by Boston in the first period pretty much solidified there would be a game seven back in Vancouver tomorrow night. Thus far, each team has won at home so ...

I am still rooting for Boston, for whatever reason I do not know! But whichever team wins, this was one of the best Stanley Cup series I have watched in a few years.

The game should be very physical, and I would expect a lot of pushing, shoving and hopefully NO BITING!

"Diddle De Dum"

Rohrabacher Tossed Out Of Iraq

You say stupid things, you ought to get your ass kicked. Here's the stupid part:

Rohrabacher, the chairman of the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also told reporters during a news conference at the embassy in Baghdad that he suggested Iraq repay some of the cost of the war.

"Once Iraq becomes a very rich and prosperous country ... we would hope that some consideration be given to repaying the United States some of the mega-dollars that we have spent here in the last eight years," said Rohrabacher, according to the Agence France-Presse news agency.

Here's the ass kicking part:

Iraq has informed the embassy that the delegation is no longer welcome, Ali al-Dabbagh, Iraq's government spokesman, said Saturday.

Courtesy of CNN.

Palin’s Emails Show More ‘Junk’ Than Weiner

Palin’s Emails Show More ‘Junk’ Than Weiner

I just thought this title was hilarious!

“EVEN THOUGH I WOULD NEVER EVEN READ A BULGING BRIEF, I DO KNOW THAT PAUL REVERE RODE AROUND WARNING BOTH THE BRITISH AND AMERICANS THAT ANTHONY WEINER WAS COMING.”

Baryshnikov ... That's Life

So, I was at my local watering hole this evening (um, to collect my $20 from winning the Boston over Vancouver hockey bet) and I was discussing dancing with a friend at the bar. I was gushing over how unbelievable the dancers were this season on So You Think You Can Dance, which he claimed he was really not aware of, but whatever. Then I sort of commented on the "booty" dance made most popular by Beyonce, and how it was really Bob Fosse who actually created that move. There was a video making the rounds on You Tube that mashed up Gwen Verdon and a hip hop artist that really accentuated the "move" but it has since been taken down by the YouTube police. Oh well. Then we went into ballet, and it was unfortunate that the guy had a sort of false prejudice as to male dancers being "gay" and all that, and when I brought up Baryshnikov, of course he did not know who the guy was, until I mentioned "Sex and The City" and then he got it. But he had never seen any dances by Baryshnikov and still held out that the guy had to be gay to be in ballet!

I give you this Sinatra piece. Hell, the dude slept his way through all the ballerinas, and for god's sake, was married to Jessica Lange (and has a daughter with her, plus three other children with a second wife ... so not GAY).



I give you this YouTube of the Kennedy Center Honors Tribute to Misha so that you can at least view some of his body of work. My male hero in dancing is Bob Fosse, but next to him, is Misha. No one has the heart and soul of dancing's full potential than Misha. Sigh!

Brecker Brothers

Following up on the RixMix Charles Earland piece, here are the Brecker Brothers, "Slick Stuff."

Play Your Google Guitar!

Totally awesome Google page today. Hope you had a chance to "play" it!

I did!

(click on the "did" link and it will take you to the google guitar that you can not only play, but record with!)

Stanley Cup Comments Re Game 4 vs. SYTYCD Comments!

I cried so much watching SYTYCD tonight that I am sure my co-workers tomorrow will assume I was on a drinking binge! The puffy eyes, etc.

Season 8 has brought so many fucking talented dancers, including those that are unschooled (i.e., street dancers, crumpers, b-boys, etc.) who were able to master the art of jazz, contemporary, ballroom, just to name a few, that watching the eliminations that will eventually culminate to the 20 (10 boys, 10 girls) tomorrow will just KILL me!!!!!

And as a side note re hockey, HIGH FIVE to Boston for a consecutive kicking of Vancouver's butt in the Stanley Cup, which is now tied at 2-2!

I am, at heart, and will always be, a dancer. Just saying.

No Balls Bar

Canadian, having beer and donuts, eh!

It's really fun to have a bar that you can go into and "everyone knows your name." My local watering hole has become a place of respite for me. Back when the daughter and I were arguing (we don't do that these days), she used to try to tell me that I "needed" to go "out" more often, maybe to a "bar" and get to "interact" with people my own age. Well, I've been doing that for a while, and I have to admit, it's been fun.

The regulars, of which I have become one, know each other by name, know the different bartenders and waitresses by name, and even know the owner by name. I have thus been elevated to such a position.

Tonight, hockey was the subject de jour. Funny, a lot of people wanted to claim Vancouver would win the series, as well as the next game, but NO ONE was up to a wager! One guy wanted to bet me four weeks free stay at my co-op in New York for $100.00 (on Vancouver). I was like, are you stupid? $100.00 would get you a weekend, if that, at my co-op, silly person. Finally, only one Canadian was willing to bet $20.00 on tomorrow's game. Sheesh, talk about a no balls bar!

"A Flea In Her Ear" Starring Aria Bruss

A Flea in Her Ear

Written by Georges Feydeau - Translated by Barnett Shaw

Directed by Doug Kaback

Produced by Samara Friedman and Selga Sanders

Feydeau’s iconic comedy comes to life at the Edgemar Center for the Arts for two weeks only. Monsieur Chandel is unable to “rise to the occasion” and his wife Yvonne is certain he is cheating on her. So begins the manic madness of mistaken identities, drunken brawling, rotating beds and the most notorious hotel in France (with a name you won’t forget). Don’t miss what has often been referred to as the “definitive French Sex Farce”, A Flea in her Ear.

The show is being directed by Doug Kaback with Samara Friedman and Selga Sanders serving as Producers. The Stage Manager is Jennifer Schwartz. The “Flea-bitten” players include: Bryan Bertone, Aria Bruss, Paul Buxton, Josh Fishbein, Samara Friedman, Mark Gadbois, Damon Lira, Chris Lohr, Chi Chi Navarro, Scott Roberts, Selga Sanders, Paul Stroili, Theresa Tilly, Clare Trautvetter and Marie Wilson.

I will be attending closing night, June 12, watching my cousin's oldest perform.

"Thumbs Up" Speech By Little Boy Who Learns To Ride Bike

Found this video on AMERICAblog. We liberals aren't always on the computer dishing on the politics of the day!

Enjoy the pep talk by this little kid.

Vacounver Up 2 Games :(

Who knew Vancouver would be up 2 zip on Boston, eh? Wednesday's game was a zero/zero game until 18.5 seconds left in the third period where a puck got past Thomas.

Tonight's game was just as tight, but it was still tied at 2/2 by the end of third period. Unfortunately, Chara was not really on his man, and that caused the puck to cross over the line in roughly 11 seconds into the first overtime.

Now, on to Boston.

Buffalo Springfield As In Sold Out Concert At Wiltern Theater 2011! Damn It!

I can't believe that me, a music person, and one who passes the Wiltern Theater on a daily basis (to and from work) did NOT see on the marquee "Buffalo Springfield" this Saturday and Sunday. Man, it pisses me off that I had no clue this band was playing. I am all things Springfield ... hell I was at a taping of Shindig back in 1968 where they played as well as Herman's Hermits, and I had (I lost them) autographs from both bands!

My first husband bears a strong resemblance to Stills.

I checked for tickets. Shit, $1,000 for an orchestra seat and you can't buy a single ticket it has to be a du0. I may still just show up Saturday, and see if there are any decent scalpers or whatever.

Enjoy the set.

I was a follower of all things Buffalo Springfield, from Richie Furay and his incarnations to Poco and then Souther, Hilman & Furay band, to obviously, CSN&Y, but also Manassas and then, of course, just being Neil Young! Unfortunately, Jim Messina is not participating (of Loggins & Messina fame AFTER Buffalo Springfield).

Enjoy their most famous album.


Kind Woman
Bluebird
Broken Arrow
Expecting To Fly
For What It's Worth
Go And Say Good Bye
I Am A Child
Mr. Soul
Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing
On The Way Home
Rock And Roll Woman
Sit Down, I Think I Love You


























All of these songs affected my life. Those that can even "get" Neil Young's style, lyrics and musicality, well, high five to them. The groove of Loggins and Messina, even though Kenny came out ahead of Jimmy, hey, their blend would not have started any further career for both of them, although at the time, one has to remember, Loggins was the newbie, and Jimmy was, duh, from Buffalo Springfield!

The incarnation of Crosby, Stills, Nash (and then) Young, there really isn't anything to say about that phenomena! But, for me, I went further following Stills into his Manassas days and thereafter.

I did see a few concerts in the 1970's of CSN&Y, but I never saw Buffalo Springfield, except for that TV taping. Saw Manassas live once, never saw Neil, alone. Saw many Loggins and Messina concerts, though! Although, in reality, my favorite in Buffalo Springfield has always been Richie.

Damn, a 59 year old trolling a concert venue for a scalped ticket to a concert! Not quite the image I would usually portray, ha ha.

The Big Man, Bruddah Iz

I have no idea why I suddenly got into the Hawai'ian mood, but I am. I love to do the hula, and I was always looking to join a hula dance group. I think I am going to do that ... I have the time, and an opening is available.

I have already posted this, but you just can't have enough of "Hene Hene" !!!!