Random Thoughts about a Crazy World, Crazy Love, the Mom Squad, the Miles and Track Tuesday

Thirteen years ago, I was teaching at an elementary school is a migrant community.   After the Columbine shooting, my school district put lockdown drills into place.  We practiced those drills along with fire drills and tornado drills.

Sometime after that, the lockdown drill became a reality when a person ran through our school’s soccer field wielding a gun and shots were fired. We (the teachers) had to turn off our lights and hide with our students in our classrooms. We had to be brave for our students. We had to protect them and these students came from horrible homes and probably saw this type of thing regularly. School was their safe place, but not that day.

As an educator, I can’t even imagine how the teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School felt that fateful Friday last week. I can’t even imagine what went through their minds as they tried to be brave and protect their students who thought school was their safe place. As parent, I just want to hold my babies and never let go.

God bless the teachers, the survivors and the families as they deal with their loss. Hopefully, schools can be safe places again and maybe the powers that be will make common sense gun control as common place as lockdowns.

Also thirteen years ago, I married my best friend.  It’s been a crazy, mad wild ride but I wouldn’t change one day of it, especially since my husband still has a few surprises up his sleeve.  He bought me this mirror from IKEA that I’d been eyeing for the longest time and wrote a message on it that says, “Denise, Happy Anniversary. You are beautiful and I love you. xxxx ♥ ♥”

His present is…er…um….on backorder.  Yep, that’s it!

Speaking of surprises, my husband pulled a doozy on me yesterday.  He high jacked my email and contacted Joe of 10 News to ask if he would to announce our anniversary on the air during our Moms Squad segment.  Watch it here and check out my totally surprised expression at the end.

On the subject of the Mom Squad, Joe has asked Marisa, Jenny and me to be his regular team every week, so we are officially The Mom Squad, which of course means we need our own coffee mugs since we’re part talk show television.  Plus, if I was holding a coffee mug, it would keep me from speaking with my hands.  Here’s last week segment.

I’m really struggling mentally with my marathon training.  I’m just so tired lately and as a result, my training is suffering.  Then, the Holiday Half didn’t go so well, but at least I beat my time from 3 years ago which shouldn’t been hard to do since I was pregnant then.  (More about the Holiday Half tomorrow!)

I had a really tough time recovering after the half marathon.  On Sunday I woke up with this horrible Charlie horse in my thigh I know it’s a direct result from not fueling properly after the race.  Other than a few beers, I didn’t drink any of my usual recovery drinks such as chocolate milk or coconut and I didn’t eat for hours after the race. Stupid move, I know and I definitely paid for it in the middle of the night.

Since my Mondays are Mom Squad days, I’ve also had to readjust my whole marathon training schedule.  But given the whole Charlie horse episode, I also decided against speedwork last week and just went for an easy 3 mile run.

3.1 miles
Time 31:25
Ave Pace 10:08
Max Pace 8:08

And that was the last time I ran last week, except for my 20 miler on Saturday.  Again, not my proudest marathon training moment, but it happens.  Last week was a really tough week for me emotionally and my training suffered.  I honestly considered postponing my 20 miler until the following week, but my running partners talked me into it.  Sometimes peer pressure does have its benefits.

So, I ran I went into my 20 miler with only 3 miles recorded that week and I was dreading it.  I feared the worst and I warned my running partners that I would be all piss and vinegar and cussing up a storm.

After 5 miles, I had this weird pain in the top of my foot, like my shoelaces were too tight.  I tried to loosen them but things still hurt.  Overall it wasn’t my best, but we finished just under 4 hours and I could walk afterwards.  20 miles in the books!  And even with all those weird foot pains, I found the energy to do a 5-10-15-20 dance with my running partners.

20 miles
Time 3:56: 35
Ave Pace 11:50
Max Pace 8:07

Today, I decided against speedwork but elected to do a 4 mile tempo run.  I even threw some sprints in at the end.

4.25 miles
Time 40:46
Ave Pace 9:36
Max Pace 6:47 (0.25 sprint – 7:33)

According to variety of plans I’m following to make up my hybrid plan, this week is a step-back week to 12.  I like the sound of that distance.

What’s you running plans for the week?  Got some sprints to share?  What other work-outs are you doing?

I am excited to announce a new Track Tuesday co-host!  Meghan of runMeganrun will be joining me on the track for weekly speedwork.  The “rules” are still the same, so link up and play along with us.

To join our Track Tuesday linky party, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post.  Then, link up your post at either runMeganrun or Run DMT to share Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions.  To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party.  Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.

 

*Also linking up at*

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Thoughts about Purple, Green and the Miles in Between and Track Tuesday

In case you haven’t heard, November is all about purple in part to spread epilepsy awareness.  Last week, my running group and I held a Purple Run to show support for this cause.  Expect a Purple Run Recap tomorrow, but in the meantime, if you are interested in joining the Virtual Purple Run for a Cause, you can sign up here.

After Halloween, I purchased purple lights on clearance, but they’ve been sitting on my dining room table.  While I was at the Pretty Muddy on Saturday, my husband hung the purple lights as a surprise.

The purple run and these purple lights are to show our love and support for my niece, Meghan and others who live with epilepsy.

Have you heard about the Slash the ‘Stache challenge?  Last week on Morning Joe on MSNBC, David Axelrod challenged Joe Scarborough to raise $10,000 to CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy).  Scarborough met the challenge and set a new goal for one million dollars.  You can help Scarborough, Axelrod and CURE reach that goal, by making an online donation here or text the word “RESEARCH” to 501501 to donate $10.

To show her support for CURE’s Slash the ‘Stache challenge, my SIL, Kirsten, created a Slash the Stache group on Facebook to encourage people to post purple ‘staches while raising money and awareness for this cause.  “Like” the page and add your own purple ‘stash with the help of PicMonkey.

I wear the Fu Manchu for Meghan.

Early Monday morning, I had my first green room experience.

Jenny of Metamorfit and I joined Channel 10 News Mom Squad.  During our panel discussion with morning news anchor, Joe Gumm, we offered our opinions and thoughts on hot topics in the news.  Check out me being a goofball at 5:40 in the morning.  As you can tell, I am definitely a morning person.  Can you believe I didn’t drink one drop of coffee?  It was so much fun, but I was so nervous and I had all this nervous energy built up in me.  I needed to run.  Next time, maybe Joe can interview me on a treadmill.

Since I had to be at the Channel 10 Studios at 5:15, Monday was a forced rest day.  Honestly, Pretty Muddy on Saturday, a 12 mile run on Sunday followed by rooftop fitness party hosted by friends at peerFit and all the planks, I couldn’t move and my plantar fasciitis heels were really hurting.  It’s the first time I’ve felt any pain in months which I believe may be a result from running in old shoes at Pretty Muddy.

12 miles
Time 2:08:32
Ave Pace 10:43
Max Pace 7:56

One day of rest helped and I had tons of energy for some sprints today.  WOOT! WOOT!

1 mile
9:32
Lap 1 – 0.25
Time 1:49
Ave Pace 7:17

Lap 2 – 0.25
Time 1:51
Ave Pace 7:34

Lap 3 – 0.25
Time 1:51
Ave Pace 7:21

Lap 4 – 0.25
Time 1:50
Ave Pace 7:26

1.1 mile
Time 10:04
Ave Pace 9:09

So how did your runs, sprint and/or work-outs go this week?  Link up and tell me all about it.

To join our Track Tuesday linky party, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post.  Then, link up your post at either Ricole Runs or Run DMT to share Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions.  To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party.  Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.

*Also linking up at*

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Thoughts about Television and Track Tuesday (Speedwork Wednesday)

I hoped this week would be my quieter, calmer week, but that was just a pipedream.  The girls had Monday off which through threw the rest of the week for me.  Instead of spending Monday piddling about doing chores, I spent it entertaining them and working on school projects.

Since I chaperoned a field trip on Tuesday, there was no catching up yesterday.  And now, Little Lion Man came down with some nasty cold with a fever.  Today, I’m playing catch up on my housework and blogging, which is why my Track Tuesday post is now a Speedwork Wednesday post.  Oh well.  Such is the life of a mom on the run.

Esme and I made our television debut yesterday.  If you missed it, you can watch me make a fool out of myself test out the Shed Pal  at WTSP.com.  My husband said the producer really caught my personality.  Next time, I need to remember to sit up straight, suck in my gut and get a manicure.

Speaking of television, I am still obsessed with Once Upon a Time.  This show is even better in the second season now that magic has made it to the real world.   My girls love it too and we each have our own predictions about each character and storyline.  Although with it airing on Sunday night at bedtime, they typically have to wait until Friday night to watch it.  Since there was no school on Monday, they were so excited to watch it in real time.

Have you watched any episodes of Guys with Kids?  The one-liners are seriously laugh out loud and the style of the show reminds me of the programming we watched back in the 80s.  Jimmy Fallon even announces at the beginning of each episode, “Guys with Kids is filmed before a live studio audience”.  When is the last time you heard that before a show?!

Rather than a throwback to the 80s, I prefer to call  it “a Disney Show for grown-ups” because it’s as silly as any of the kids’ shows on Disney today, like Good Luck Charile.  Either way, it’s nice to have a show that finds humor in everyday life without falling back on the same old jokes.

Speaking of new jokes, I’m also watching Go On and The New Normal, but the comedy on those shows is anything but normal.  Both are also laugh out loud funny and occasionally, a bit tearful too.

The weather has been gorgeous in the early morning, almost cold.  Although it doesn’t take long to warm up when you’re running!

Due to camping and a late night Halloween party, I took a few days off from running this weekend, but I did manage to fit in my 12 miles before the our camping trip on Friday.  Not my best run, but at least I did it.

12 miles
Time 2:14:55
Ave Pace 11:15
Max Pace 8:50

Monday, I squeezed in 4 miles.

4 miles
Time 40:10
Ave Pace 10:03
Max Pace 8:05

Yesterday, I rocked some speedwork!  I shaved ten seconds off my sprints from last week!  I got my mojo on thanks to the cooler weather!

1 mile
9:29

Lap 1 – 0.25
Time 1:47
Ave Pace 7:37

Lap 2 – 0.25
Time 1:46
Ave Pace 7:13

Lap 3 – 0.25
Time 1:52
Ave Pace 7:31

Lap 4 – 0.25
Time 1:51
Ave Pace 7:28

1.1   mile
Time 10:13
Ave Pace 9:18

So how did your runs, speedwork and work-outs go this week?  Link up and tell me all about it.

To join our Track Tuesday linky party, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post.  Then, link up your post at either Ricole Runs or Run DMT to share Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions.  To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party.  Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.

*Also linking up at*

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

My Day with The Daily Show

Yesterday, my sisters in law and I attended a live taping of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart for their first stop in Tampa for the Republican Nation Convention 2012, or as The Daily Show refers to it “The Road to Jeb Bush 2016”.

We arrived at the Straz Center around 1:30 for the distribution of the first come-first served numbered tickets.  Though we arrived with hours to spare, there were about 200 people ahead of us. Around 3:00 pm, the producers began handing out the tickets and then we waited another hour to enter the Ferguson Hall.

Upon entering the lobby, we were given audience participation rules.

“No cameras or any other types of video recording devices will be permitted and will be confiscated.”

“No eating or gum chewing.”

“No calling out.”  Actually, I believe her words were, “Don’t be that person.  Don’t be a jackass.  Today is not that day.”

Once escorted to our seats, we waited another hour or so for the audience warm-up comedian.  By targeting and teasing people in the audience, we practiced our made for TV laughs.

Shortly after the warm-up guy, Jon Stewart greeted us and answered a few questions.  Regretfully, he called on a happy burned-her-bra-hippie chick who swayed to some Grateful Dead music in her head as she stood to ask her question, which I can’t remember because I was too busy laughing at Jon Stewart’s reaction to her.  “Oh o.k.  Um…yes…I’m just going to look this way,” he said as he turned his back on the happy-headlights-on-hippie yet still listening attentively.

I anxiously held up my hand up to ask a few questions, but I wasn’t chosen.  Had I been, I would have asked, “Are you planning another Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear?”  “When can we expect a “You Wrote It. You Watch It” reunion?

After a few jokes and one-liners, Jon thanked us for attending his show and the taping began.  Every seat in the house offered a great view of Stewart’s news desk, but no moments were missed in part to the monitors mounted throughout the theater.

Once the show started, they wasted no time dishing out the zingers about Tampa’s meth labs, humidity, insects and strip clubs.  There were also some misplaced laughter as the audience watched the Best F*cking News Team prepare for their “live reports” in front of two huge green screens.

Though I would have preferred a break from the Republican hoopla and hot air with an appearance from a left leaning talking head like Rachel Maddow or Chris Matthews or any Democratic politician, tonight’s guest was Marco Rubio, an interview I would have fast-forward through if I was watching at home.  However, Stewart’s playful banter with Rubio made the interview tolerable.  (Watch the extended interview with Marco Rubio to hear more of their discussion and the audience’s reaction to their talking points.)

Once the show wrapped up, we were escorted out of the theater, but not before I could snap a shot of the stage.  I needed some evidence to prove we were there.

And thankfully, my phone and I lived to tell the tale.

(Thank you, Kirsten, for acquiring the tickets and for sharing them and the day with me!)

If Life Were More Like the Theater

Do you have a list of songs that represent the soundtrack of your life?

Do you have a theme song?

Do you feel life would be so much better if conversations were emphasized with jazz hands?

Have you ever told a story through interpretive dance?

Have you ever ended a story with the words, “and scene” or “exit stage left”?

Do you ever feel like you should have you own dedicated spotlight?

Do you see events throughout your day as scenes or acts and opportunities for costumes changes?

Do you ever feel like you deserved a standing ovation just because?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then you wish your life was more like theater.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday fun.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Tuesday Thoughts about a Super Sloth with a Cough, a Sociopath, Some Hot Stuff and Track Tuesday

For the past two weeks, I had been suffering from a really nasty cold that I just couldn’t shake.  One of the fantastic symptoms of my cold was a horrible, wet hacking cough, like a smoker’s cough. No exaggeration, I sounded as though I had been smoking unfiltered Lucky Strikes for 20 years. With the cough, I also had this horrible tightness in my chest, which made it very difficult to breathe.

Despite not being able to breathe, I decided to go ahead and run in the 5 Miles for Moffitt race.  I already had skipped out on the Crazy Sombrero 5K the week before due to my cold and I didn’t want to miss another race.  Besides, my aunt spent the better part of two years fighting lung cancer, the least I could do was suck it up and run with a little chest cold.  Admittedly, that wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.

Just as the experts warn you, you shouldn’t run with a chest cold.  A runny nose or sore throat is a different story.  Limited breathing due to chest congestion is not a good thing and I truly believe running in the race extended the life of my cold.  So, let this be a lesson to you. Learn from my mistake.  Always listen to the Livestrong Gods.

So while I spent the time recovering from my cold, my blog suffered.  Actually, everything suffered.  I didn’t have the energy to do much.  I missed out on the superhero challenge.   I missed out on the Track Tuesday speed work.  I missed out on logging miles for the Joggermom Marathon. It made me sad to miss out on it all.  For almost two weeks, I was a super sloth with a cough.

Then when I woke up on Saturday morning, I could breathe, but I waited a couple more days just to be safe. I started running again on Monday and today it was back to business as usual with my speed work.  I am happy to be back on “track” now.

Now that I’m all healthy again, I’m a #superhero once again doing my Spiderman and Superman sets as well as running and blogging again.  The first half of the month may have been a loss, but next couple of weeks and the Joggermom Marathon will end on a high note.

Although my running may be back to business as usual, my blogging still had a slow start because yesterday, I totally flaked on a Music Monday post, which is a first in almost 3 years.  I’ve been playing catch up now that I’m feeling better and blogging a music post didn’t make the must-do list.  I felt horrible about it too since I’m an honorary co-host this month with Xmas Dolly and 4M crew.  Plus, this week’s theme was a song from a movie and movie soundtracks are my thing, a lesson I learned from the late John Hughes.  And I had such a good one in my head, but it just never made it to the blog.  Aw hell, I’ll share it now.

Is anyone else sad that all the shows are ending?  I am not happy about all these season finales and cliff hangers.  I am completely addicted to Once Upon a Time and that cliff hanger was the worst best.  Of course, if the show is not renewed for another season, I would be happy with the ending, without giving too much away.

Please tell me I’m not alone with my Once Upon a Time obsession!  I can’t wait for the Season 1 DVD to be released (August 28) so I can watch it all over again.  Seriously, it’s that good.

When I am really into a show, like I am with this one, I visit the show’s website and read all the actors’ bios and watch the interviews.  I love reading where the actors studied and what other shows they’ve done.  Since I’m a bit entranced by the actor who plays Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold, Robert Carlyle was the first I investigated.  Imagine my surprise, when I learned he was the actor who played Begbie in Trainspotting.  Actually, I wasn’t truly surprised, because Rumplestiltskin in pretty creepy as is Begbie.  But Begbie gave me nightmares.

In case you aren’t familiar with it, here’s a glimpse.  Warning: Begbie is a psycho sociopath and these clips are violent and riddled with vulgarities.

Robert Carlyle may be better known for his role as Gaz in The Full Monty. (Be sure to click on that link and watch the movie clip.  Gaz is one sexy thing. lol)  Truthfully, I prefer to remember him as Gaz than Begbie.  It also demonstrates the depth to his acting ability.  Plus, with Donna Summer’s passing over the weekend, this scene and song seem very fitting pretty fitting.

 

So, there you have it. My Music Monday post may be a day late, but Track Tuesday is now literally Track Tuesday.  And now for the sprints…

1.1   Mile

Time 11:05

Ave Pace 10:05

 

Lap 1 –  0.25 mile

Time 1:73

Ave Pace 7:37

 

Lap 2 – 0.25 mile

Time 1:73

Ave Pace 7:37

 

Lap 3 – 0.26 mile

Time 2:01

Ave Pace 7:53

 

Lap 4 0.24

Time 1:52

Ave Pace 7:39

 

1 mile

Time 10:14

Link up and share your speed work and some music for your Track Tuesday/Track Tuesday post.

*Also linking up at*

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Irish Drinking Songs and Going Out In {green} Style

I am ridiculously excited about St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Saturday this year because there’s no work or after school activities to get in the way of our Irish beer consumption.  Although my girls and I do have a 5K race in the morning, it won’t be long before I’m finishing off a green beer after crossing the finish line.

Before we head out that evening, Allan and I will line our bellies with some Guinness corned beef and potatoes and then get onto to the drinking.  It won’t be too long before we look like this.

 

I’ll probably wear the same green top I always wear, but I love this shirt from Urban Outfitters.

I’m thinking about buying a green hair wig too just to change it up this year and go out full on green style.

 

 What are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day?  Will you be going out in style?

It’s Crystal Clear

Crystal Bowersox has been my American Idol pick since the beginning.  This Indie Chick is simply superb.  Everything she sings sounds original and fresh.  With the assistance of a didgeridoo, Bowersox proved that she can out do The Beatles.

 

 

And her version of Give Me One Reason gave Tracey Chapman a reason to blush.

 

 

Last week, she kicked Kenny Loggin’s I’m Alright to a whole new level.  Although I have been never a fan of this song, Crystal’s performance converted me to enjoy this popular song from Caddyshack.

 

 

But my favorite Crystal Bowersox moment by far has been People Get Ready.

 

 

It’s crystal clear to me that Bowersox is the one to beat this season.

 

 

Musical Monday: That’s Entertainment

I *heart* my TiVO.  Now, it may seem a bit bizarre to proclaim my love for TiVO during a Musical Monday post, but just go with me on this.  When I say TiVO, I’m not using the generic blanketed term to label my DVR.  It’s the real McCoy.  See, a TiVO is this genius little contraption that learns what programs you like to watch and begins recording new programs called “suggestions” that match your television viewing tastes, which is how my TiVO knows me so well.  He just gets me.

 

If you recall a few weeks ago, I briefly mentioned Spectacle: Elvis Costello With during my Ray LaMontagne post.  Since I also watch Later with Jools Holland, my TiVO noticed that I enjoy music shows and suggested a new (but really not-so-new) program.

 

Since becoming pregnant, I have been waking up around 3:00 a.m. and I am unable to fall back to sleep.  (Old wives’ tales would tell that this will be the time I will feed the baby when he arrives.)  While wide awake in the wee hours of the morning, I’ll scroll through our “Now Playing List” to see what new shows have recorded.  Sometimes, I’ll even flip through the “Suggestions” folder to see what little programming presents my TiVO will leave me.  And that’s when I found an old flame from the past: 120 Minutes.

 

Apparently, VH1 airs old episodes of 120 Minutes at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

 

Finding 120 Minutes in my Suggestions list brought back memories of my high school days.  I remember setting our VCR every Sunday night to discover all the cutting edge alternative music (referred to as New Wave in those days) that would never hit the airwaves on our Tampa radio stations.  Then, I remembered how I would also record on Sunday nights The Young Ones and Andy Warhol’s 15 Minutes both which also featured cutting edge music, but I’m probably really dating myself by even mentioning these beloved shows.

 

 

 

 

So here it was, 120 Minutes, a blast from the past in my present modern day world and despite being awake in the wee hours of the morning, my TiVO made me happy.  As I fast forwarded through the music show, I stumbled upon a vintage video that summed up my love for my TiVO and its perfect programming present.

 

 

 

A Week’s Worth of The View

A Week’s Worth of the View: Week 1

If you’ve noticed the nifty little new badge that states “I’m a The View Brand Ambassador”, you may have wondered what that wee widget means.  Basically, I was selected to participate in a program where I watch The View and share my thoughts about the show on my blog and in variety of social networks, such as Twitter and Mom Central.

 

Admittedly, it has been years since I watched The View.  Organizing my moms group and attending several play dates a week leaves little time for daytime television. My most recent knowledge of The View was from satirical sketches on Saturday Night Live.  But here was my opportunity “to take time to enjoy the View” and see what I’ve been missing all these years.

 

Unfortunately, I realized that I hadn’t missed much, but I did learn that the cast of SNL does a FANTASTIC job of impersonating the cast of The View and Kristen Wiig’s impersonation of Elisabeth Hasselbeck is spot on.

 

 

I tuned in Monday to hear all the Oscar buzz, but according The View’s panel, the award show was a bust.  Joy Behar called it “boring, stiff and constipated”, but she felt that Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin really complemented each other.  Although I missed the Oscars this year, it seemed that the two hosts worked well together based upon the highlights of the award show I watched on-line.

 

The panel also mentioned that Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) won for Best Director and noted that she was the first female director to win.  I was surprised by this fact because I had sworn that Sophia Coppola won a few years ago for Lost in Translation, but later realized she won for Best Screenplay.  The ladies complained about the music that accompanied Ms. Bigelow’s exit off stage (I am Woman. Hear Me Roar). They felt the music selection was inappropriate and tacky, however, I disagree.  I found it funny and charming.  There are few female directors in the film industry and their work is rarely recognized with only four female directors ever being nominated. So good for you, Kathryn!  YOU ARE WOMAN!  It’s about time the Academy orchestrated a symphony for a woman’s roaring performance!

 

On Monday, they also touched upon the Oscar tribute to fallen stars, but how some stars were omitted from the tribute, such as Farrah Fawcett.  Since I hadn’t seen the Oscars, I didn’t understand the reference, but this Hot Topic would be discussed further later in the week.

 

On Wednesday, the ladies discussed the Oscars “In Memoriam” in more detail and shared their outrage with the stars that had been omitted.  I have to agree that the Academy committed a huge faux pas by not recognizing such stars as Bea Arthur, Richardo Montalban and Farrah Fawcett and their bodies of work.  I would much rather memorialize Kahn than the King of Pop.

 

The ladies briefly talked about the John Hughes tribute.  Elisabeth had been quite moved by the tribute and after watching the video on-line, I have to agree with her.  John Hughes films were our teenage anthem in the 80’s.

 

Also during the Hot Topics segment, Whoopi expressed her outrage with Shock Jock Howard Stern’s rude comments about Gabourey Sidibe, the star of Precious.  Stern’s comments suggested that Ms. Sidibe would not find any further work in
Hollywood due to her looks and size.  Whoopi was clearly more annoyed that Robin (Howard Stern’s sidekick) did not defend  Gabourey.  I also feel Howard Stern’s remarks were rude, but that’s Howard Stern’s schtick.  That’s what he does and he’s been doing it for years.  I don’t value his opinions any more than I value Rush Limbaugh’s opinions.

 

American Idol also came up during the Hot Topics piece on Wednesday’s show.  Joy commented on the judges being too “wacky” this season, particularly with Kara’s tearful reaction to St. Pete (Whoop! Whoop!) resident Michael Lynch’s performance of A Woman’s Work. I thought that Joy’s comments were wacky, because the original version by Kate Bush has moved me to tears on more than one occasion.  The lyrics in A Woman’s Work are so powerful, and like Kara said, when an artist connects with the words and the emotion of a song, that connection is felt by the audience.   So cry on, Kara and pass the Kleenex!

 

Joy also brought up “Boxershorts”, better known as Crystal Bowersox, and how she had “star quality”.  I definitely agree.  I believe Crystal out performed Tracey Chapman this week with her own rendition of Give Me One Reason.

 

Jesse Ventura appeared as a guest on Wednesday’s show to promote his new book, American Conspiracies. I had previously seen Jesse Ventura on the Today Show so I was familiar with his new book and his theories.  Truthfully, I don’t know if I necessarily believe all his theories, but I prefer to keep an open mind and entertain the idea of a great government conspiracy.  However, if I had only seen this interview, I would have been highly annoyed with the panel.  Those ladies wouldn’t shut up and let the man speak!  And if I only saw this one interview, I would have thought Jesse Ventura was a madman!   After a few short minutes, he appeared frazzled with wild flyaway hair and he soon resembled Riff Raff from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

 

On Thursday’s show, tabloids were a Hot Topic more than once, because publications such as the National Enquirer are now eligible for a Pulitzer Prize.    From a journalist whose career spans over four decades, I sensed a sarcastic tone in Barbara’s voice.  She felt “checkbook journalism” would discredit real journalists.  Barry Levine, CEO of the National Enquirer, disagreed, of course.  He stated that his reporters check sources and facts before running stories and although their pieces may seem like fabrications, his publication has done an excellent job of reporting real news first, such as the Jonathan Edwards affair and the Tiger Woods sex scandal.

 

Real news or checkbook journalism, I honestly don’t see much worth in any tabloid.  Sure, I like to glance over the headlines while at the grocery line check-out, but I really don’t give those publications much more notice or credence than that.  Pulitzer Prize or not. Incidentally, I use a similar method when reading USA Today through the glass panel in corner newstand.

 

But then, I don’t see The View as real journalism either.  Maybe I should use this same method when watching The View?  I’ll just pay attention to the Hot Topic headlines and nothing more. There’s not much substance beyond that.

 

And now for the legal mumbo jumbo…

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.”