KeithMorrrrr? Issonnnnn?

Everytime he tells a story on Dateline, or MSNBC I basically turn into a statue. I sit, and listen, and I don't move at all, that includes not blinking or breathing. I usually don't realize it until a commercial break when I've discovered numbness in my fingertips and a sudden onset of tunnel vision due to lack of oxygen to my brain. But, he just tells true crime and human interest stories SO well, and it's all in the way he fluctuates his pitch and tone of each word, especially at the end of the sentence, by sometimes adding a surprise question mark where it doesn't belong, always throwing me off and jump starting my heart with shock. He loves murderers, however, he loves interviewing the loved ones of those murdered even more....he really gets into their heads, and then he is ultimately so THRiiiiIIIIIiiiiLLLLllled with their sadness. I have heard him repeatedly use responses like "Ohhh reeeeealllyyyy?" or "Sounds pretty strange to MeeeeEEEeee". I have noticed that most people he interviews are from the South and usually quite unprivleged. He himself is from Canada, so I bet the deep South is fascinating to him with it's shocking lack of Zamboni's and Mounties.

Something interesting I found out: he is Matthew Perry's (Chandler from 'Friends') stepfather.

For My Friend, D (you know who you are!)

One of my girlfriends isn't feeling well today and at home. She is depending on Books, TV, Internet, Facebook, DVD's, her amazing Dog, etc etc for entertainment. So I thought I would just post some fun things for her to check out today to keep her smiling!!

1.) This is an amazingly funny skit the angelic Peyton Manning did when he hosted SNL
http://www.hulu.com/watch/1603/saturday-night-live-united-way

2.) I LOVE this website.....it is chock full of fun things to read, for your home, your kitchen, you pets, hollywood gossip, your health, entertaining ideas, etc. etc. Click on 'sites' and the pulldown menu offers everything to select from there....
www.teamsugar.com

3.) This reminded me of my friend D. Love these Owl prints!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5164938

4.) Fun ideas for entertaining, cooking, gifts and recipes
http://www.hostesswiththemostess.com/

5.) For mindless Hollywood gossip. Chock full of papparazzi photos, updates, videos, etc. Rather cheesy, yet wholefully entertaining when you feel like leaving your brain at the door.
http://www.bricksandstonesgossip.com/

6.) For old times sake!!
www.continentalbreeders.com

7.) I can't pull up this site because my work forbids me too, but go to Yahoo. Click on 'Games'. Search for 'Text Twist'. Select 'Play Web Game'. It is very addicting and fun.

That's it for now!! Get well soon! : )

Hail to the Queen of Soul

Nobody but the Queen of Soul herself could pull this hat off. However, she is getting a tremendous amount of criticism for it, and I can't understand why.

ARE EEE ESS PEE EEE SEE TEE, PEOPLE.

Nobody is poo-pooing George Bush's trapper hat!!! Noone is mentioning the man in the red pimp suit!!! Okay, okay, the hat was a bit much, with the grey flannel and the Swavorski Crystals. An interesting mix. I read that the hat is from a Millinery in Detroit called Mr. Song. And, that it cost $179.00, which isn't bad for a custom made hat. I love Aretha Franklin, I loved the hat, and deep down I was kinda expecting some pyrotechnics to all of the sudden pop out of the top of the hat, or maybe a few fireworks would've been nice, or what really would have been great would be if all the crystals all of a sudden started lighting up and flashing, red, white, and blue.

President Obama

Today marks the day that many or most people have been looking forward to since Obama began his campaign for the Presidency. It is an exciting new day, but it is by no means a fresh, clean slate. President Obama has his work cut out for him, and I don't doubt that he will give 100% to our country. But I am a little worried about the frame of mind of the regular joes out here. Throughout the day today, as I sat here in my humble cubicle, trying to log on to a live webcast of the Swearing In and Inaugural Speech, I could here the revelers on my floor, shouting for joy and some even crying over the new day that has dawned. True, it is exciting, and certainly emotional. I heard someone sing "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead" from the Wizard of Oz. I heard someone wishing President Bush good riddance with a loud raspberry sound immediately following. I saw on Facebook, status updates like, so and so "feels good being Patriotic....it's been like, 8 years!". And another status that said so and so "is wondering how we elected the dumbest kid in the class two terms in a row".

I would like to remind my [hundreds of millions of] faithful readers, that there are thousands of American families that have lost a loved one since the war in Iraq and Afghanistan started. It is not necessarily with joy that they welcome a new President. Perhaps new hope, but joy? I am sure this day is tough, a day to reflect upon what has transpired since September 11, how much has changed in our country, but most importantly how much has changed for them personally. I imagine that hearing things like "Now I can be Patriotic again" isn't a comment that they will want to high-five you about.

You should NEVER HAVE LOST YOUR PATRIOTISM TO BEGIN WITH.

I think we need to be mindful of what we say, who we say it around, and remember the fallen. Thank a Soldier today. Thank a Marine. Thank a Sailor.

I am so glad President Obama acknowledged these men and women with the honor that he did in his Speech today. I thought it was beautiful. Here is what he said:

"As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment -- a moment that will define a generation -- it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all."

Farewell Ol' Friends

Barney and Miss Beasley. Am so sad....

SNL: Fred Armisen Is Off The Hook

This is my first installation of 'My Favorite Saturday Night Live Actors'. I am starting with Fred Armisen, since one of his best characters is New York Governor David Paterson, and since Gov. Paterson is probably freshest in all of our minds now due to the excitement surrounding Sully's recent and amazing splash landing in the Hudson and the many press conferences regarding it. Governor Paterson is blind, which isn't funny and I am not making fun of him for being blind. But Fred Armisen spoofs him on SNL and his impression is incredible. Fred also does an unbelievable Barak Obama. Since I can only access these SNL skits from hulu.com, but not allowed by hulu to tag a video to blogger, I am attaching the link. Please, please, PLEASE check this out when you have the chance. It is too funny.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/48722/saturday-night-live-update-amys-goodbye

Thanks Jeff!!

It is with mixed emotions that I reflect upon yesterday's incredible emergency water landing on the Hudson River. Mixed because A) I am a terrible flyer and nothing scares me more than take-off and if you think I am kidding, try flying with me, and B) I am so amazed at the expertise of Pilot Chesly Sullenberger, who managed to land the plane, in water, and prevent what could have been an explosive horrible end to this crazy story. 'Sully's' experience as a pilot has restored (some) sense of faith I have in pilots and the structural integrity of an airplane. These guys really do know what they are doing. And I guess planes aren't made out of tin cans after all. It would be nice if they could make planes out of the same materials they make the Black Box out of. The Black Box always survives crashes. Or maybe a giant Nerf plane would be good. Impact would be not so bad, but I digress.....

I would like to know a little more about Sullenberger's co-pilot, Jeff Skiles, 49, of Oregon, Wis., a 23-year US Airways veteran, who no doubt also played a pivotal part in landing the plane and saving 155 lives. He is getting very little kudos, here, but for a few honorable mentions in the form of short little sentences mentioning that, well, he was the co-pilot. Not much else besides that. They might as well asterix the guy, and mention him in tiny font at the end of each article. It's not fair!! Jeff had a hand in this, doesn't he get a pat on the back too? So, I will do it.

GREAT JOB JEFF! SULLY COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU! In the words of Bette Midler, did you ever knoooowwww that you're my heeeeeeeeeerrrrooooooooooo........

At this time I would also like to say RIP, Geese. You will be missed.

Nutty Salmonella Outbreak

Seriously, very nutty. The CDC has determined that the source in the latest salmonella outbreak here in the US is 'King Nut Creamy Peanut Butter'. As of today, there have been a reported 453 cases of people infected with this particular strain of salmonella in the US, including 40 here in Massachussetts. Three of these infected persons have actually died. How mad would you be if you knew you died from eating a peanut butter sandwich?!?! That's more embarassing than dying on a roller coaster. A massive recall is underway as we speak, and I have a feeling that this recall is not stopping at 'King Nut'.

Personally I would never buy this stuff, just from the name alone. 'King Nut'. It's just so wrong. However, seeing how I have an intense fear of and disliking for vomitting, I will steer clear of all peanut butter products including Jif, Peter Pan, Skippy, Goobers, Plumpy'nut (again, the name...why would you?), and Teddy Bear. I will also steer clear from any Reese's peanut butter products, as well as Drake's "Funny Bones" which are the most delicious chocolatey cakes, filled with creamy peanut butter filling.

Mr. Peanut must be horrified right now and I am sure is in hiding somewhere with Jimmy Carter.

Pap-arazzi

Poor Reese Witherspoon. These photos were published this morning on one of my many fave Hollywood gossip websites, and the pics are of her attempting to make it to the door of her Doctor's offices.

I mean, it's unpleasant enough walking in there on your own, as just an average josephine. I should know, I had to do it just yesterday. It's like a death march. You are ABSOLUTELY DREADING what is to come, it's very unpleasant to think about. Girls, you hear me. So can you imagine that on top of that you have to deal with a swarm of photographers, snapping away at your face?!?

I am sort of rethinking this whole fame thing for me.

SORT OF.

Happy Anniversary Nancy and Tonya!

This is the 15th Anniversary of the day Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed in the knee by alleged Tonya Harding-hired hit man, Shaun Stant. It was at this moment that Nancy coined the famous phrase "WHYYYY WHYYYYYYYY". Actually it was never coined, I am sure lots of people have said it, including moi. Nonetheless, the attack did not stop Nancy from winning the Silver Medal that year in Lillehammer, coming in a close second to Oksana Baiul. Tonya came in eighth and was ultimately stripped of all titles and permanently banned from any United States Figure Skating Association run events. The USFSA concluded that Harding knew about the attack before it happened and displayed "a clear disregard for fairness, good sportsmanship and ethical behavior". Ya think?!?!
The attack on Nancy Kerrigan turned the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics into a tabloid event, that I enjoyed immensely, however, hundreds of other '94 Olympic athlete's accomplishments were overlooked, which was unfortunate. This event put figure skating on the map, though, and increased interest and participation in the sport. I don't wish personal injury on anyone, especially in the form of a vicious attack, but this was HILARIOUS.

Jon & Kate Less $1,350,000. Oh, and Plus 8.

I love 'Jon & Kate Plus 8' on TLC. Every Monday night at 9:00 I cuddle up onto the couch and hunker down for a half hour (sometimes they surprise me with a FULL hour) of sextuplet and twin bliss (Aaden and Alexis, a.k.a. Sassy are my faves). The show is one of my 'programs'. Monday nights to me are the equivalent of a man's Monday Night Football. I got all my programs lined up for the night; The Bachelor, Jon & Kate Plus 8, and what used to be The Hills but is now The City on MTV.

Anyway, this past Monday Jon & Kate announced they are moving! Finally, with the purchase of a $1,350,000 home in rural Pennsylvania, they will be out of their modest little four bedroom saltbox. I have posted some photos of their new spread. I am looking forward to seeing them thrive with more space, and with that I hope we see Kate be a little nicer to Jon. : )

Bizarre Couplings

I recently was watching 'Top Chef' on Bravo, and was curious as to who this Padma Lakshmi is. Besides having a very appetizing, entree sounding name, she is quite pretty, but why is she on a cooking show? So I wikipedia'd her and found out the most interesting little tidbit....she was married to.....drum roll please.....SALMAN RUSHDIE. Huh?!?!? I know, love is blind, and couples don't always seem to make 'sense' to others (my significant other is a Harley Davidson, Cigar Smoking burley bear hug fella, and I am from more of the J Crew, blond bob and pearls, prep school camp - and we adore each other!) , but Salman and Padma?!? The obvs is the aesthetic difference, not to mention the incredible age diff to boot (she is 38, he is 63).

So Salman and Padma sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, got me thinking. What other odd couplings are there or have been out there of interest?

• Billy Joel, 60 and Katie Joel, 27
• Woody Allen, 73 and Soon Yi Previn,38 (Mia, I'm dating your daughter....are you mad?)
• Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
• David Gest and Liza Minelli
• Rene Angelil and Celine Dion (they met when he was 38 and she was 12, gross!)
• Pete Doherty and Kate Moss
• Robin Williams and his Nanny
• Michael Jackson and Anybody (including, Emmanuelle Lewis, Lisa Marie Presley & the monkey)
• Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall
• Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg
• Joe Pesci and Angie Everheart
• Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow
• Ric Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova (married forever tho)
• Andrew Lloyd Weber and Sarah Brightman

This was fun research!!

Why the Firemen were Here

So of course with my inquiring mind I marched right outside to find out what was going on with the firetrucks outside of our house last night. Firemen are so nice. Even in times of blazing infernos they are very comforting, and will talk to you to soothe your nerves before fireman-carrying you over their shoulder with such ease and agility straight to safety.

Well, there was no blazing inferno, it was a broken water pipe that had rushed through two floors of condos next door. And nobody fireman-carried me anywhere, *sad face*. These heroic fellas had to break down the door of the garden level apartment to assess the flooding damage and to make sure there was no fire. So the reason why they had to stick around for so long was because they were waiting for the Boston Police Department to come to file the report about having to break in. I wish I could have watched them break down the door, all in their firemen's uniforms, with axes, and big gloves and boots OMG I have to get a hold of myself......

I have attached a photo of the truck from my living room window. When I spoke to the firemen to find out what was going on (slash bat my eyelashes a little) they recognized me! From my blog! I am famous! Actually, they just recognized me from the grocery store since we were both there just a few hours ago, and I was wearing the same bright pink vest but STILL a girl can fantasize. Fame starts with recognition by firemen and then ideally my next step will be Spielberg.

Giada de Lalala

Who watches 'Everyday Italian' on the Food Network? (pause for answers.....................................okay)

I absolutely adore this show, and I adore Giada de Laurentiis too, she is so cute! (As I write this there is a fleet of fire trucks outside of my house, tending to my neighbor's home, I wonder if I should be concerned?) Anyway, Giada is one of those perky little ladies, just so chock full of personality...and teeth. Her cooking technique is authentic Italian and relatively easy, so that makes it WONDERFUL. Italian food is so delicioso, and you would think it complicated in preparation but Giada makes it relatively simple. Her voice is very soothing, the lighting is soft and the kitchen set is very zen and clean, which is polar opposite to the obnoxious Ms. Ray's 30 Minute Meals, which is comparable to hearing fingernails on the chalkboard. I really can't find anything about Giada I don't like, and she doesn't intimidate me like the Barefoot Contessa and her classic french technique does. I guess if I were to find something about Giada that annoys me, it's that her nails are always perfectly manicured in the most perfect pale pink, I imagine it's a color called 'Pleasant Pink'.

I am going to prepare this dish (see pic above) on Sunday, HOWEVER, I have to go get a springform pan first. I suggest you try it someday too.....(p.s. firetrucks are still outside, I will keep you posted....)

EGGPLANT TIMBALE

Ingredients
2 medium eggplants, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1/3 cup olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound penne pasta
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound Italian pork sausage
1/4 cup Marsala wine
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
2 cups store-bought marinara sauce
1 1/2 cups diced smoked mozzarella cheese (about 6 ounces)
3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus 1/4 cup
1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Special equipment: 9-inch springform pan

Directions
Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or pre-heat a gas or charcoal grill. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the eggplant slices with 1/3 cup olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the eggplant until tender and colored with grill marks, about 4 minutes per side. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta.
Meanwhile, warm the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the beef and pork, and brown the meat, breaking it into bite-sized pieces with a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes. Add the Marsala and cook until the liquid has evaporated, about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the peas and marinara sauce and stir to combine. Add the cheeses, basil, and cooked pasta. Set aside

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the springform pan with the grilled eggplant. Be sure that the slices overlap and hang over the edge of the pan. Fill the pan with the pasta mixture, pressing down to make sure the pan is filling up evenly. Fold the eggplant slices up over the top of the pasta and add a few more slices on top to completely enclose the timbale. Bake the timbale until warmed through and the cheese has melted, about 30 minutes. Let rest on the counter for 10 minutes to set.
To serve, invert the timbale onto a serving plate and remove the springform pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese over the top. Slice and serve.

Ali-G, BOOYAGASHA

I love Ali G. LOVE LOVE LOVE him he is hilarious. This is a great clip from UK Comic Relief, where he interviews Posh Spice and Becks and it is awesome. I love his "Save Africa" jacket with the image of Italy on the back....