Boys of Summer

In case you didn't know, the Boys of Summer have returned. Time for baseball, beer and hot dogs! The Houston Astros play the San Diego Padres tonight. The 'stros will have their home opener next week



This is most likely Brad's last season of play with the 'stros. Hope his family is in the stands tonight at Petco Park to cheer him on.

Selena - The Day The Music Died

On this day in 1995, Selena Quintanilla-Perez died. She was murdered by a business associate who she had considered a close friend. Selena was only 23.

My parents, brother and sister were big fans of Selena. I was familiar with her music but since I've never been a big fan of Tejano music I was always on the perimeter of the family's adoration for Selena.

Selena was on the verge of being the first big Tejano music star to do a crossover. It was at this point that I started paying attention to her music. I've always wondered what her career would be like today if she were still alive.

If I remember correctly, her last concert at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo held the attendance record when it was in the Astrodome. I believe it was somewhere around 65,000 people who were there that day to see her perform. It would be her last performance in Houston.

Selena (the movie) was released in 1997 and I remember the controversy over the casting of the leading lady. It was someone by the name of Jennifer Lopez, yes, JLo. Many people were upset that someone of Puerto Rican descent had been cast to play a person of Mexican descent.

My thought is that JLo did a great job portraying Selena and it was a tribute to her. The fact that a Tejano musician could have a major movie made about them was an honor in itself.

There have been several famous people who have died that I can remember what I was doing when I heard the news. On that list are Princess Di, Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Selena.

I was working for Texas Commerce Bank (now Chase) at the time and I was in the office that day. In the Hedwig Village building was a friend/colleague named Celinda.

Word started spreading through the building that Selena had been shot. A maintenance man (who was one taco short of a combination plate) goes running through the building looking for Celinda to make sure she was safe because well, Selena and Celinda must have sounded the same to him and never mind that Selena was in Corpus Christi and Celinda was in Houston. I still chuckle when I think of that story...and no offense to Selena but uh, Celinda looked NOTHING like her.

I called my mom that day because I knew she was a big fan. Like many of her fans, my mom was very upset.

If you're ever in Corpus Christi, there is a statue of Selena right there on Shoreline Drive. It's a very nice memorial to her.

Here is a montage that is a tribute to her. You will see her in the famous purple outfit at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

Caption This

I ran across this photo a couple of weeks ago and immediately thought of:

• "Everybody's gone surfin'. Surfin' U.S.A."
• "Stop! In the name of love."
• "We're your Dreamgirls..."

Rock Star Status

So this morning I'm taking The Calvinator for his morning walk. There are runners (from Kenyan Way) heading west on Feagan. There is a female lone runner coming toward us. I say, "g'morning" and she nods and says, "g'morning."

Then she says, "Are you Timmy?" I say, "Yes." Turns out it was Leslie a reader of the blog! LOL
She actually recognized Calvin. This isn't the first time this has happened...him being recognized. He's like a rock star and I'm his entourage.

I've often thought that I should trademark his face and name and do a line of t-shirts, hats, cards, etc. and make some money off his face.

Leslie...it was a pleasure meeting you. Hope you had a good run. I'm about to head out myself.

Theater & Politics (Theatrical Politics?)

Picture this. Houston. 2008. Starbucks on the edge of River Oaks. The big one not the little one.

I'm sitting there reading the paper and reading blogs; multi-tasking reading is what I call it.

I hadn't checked Lazy Circles in a couple of days so I'm reading his blog while the man at the table next to me is reading the New York Times.

Lazy Circles posted the footage of Chelsea responding to the question about Monica Lewinsky and Lazy Circles asks, "When can she run for president?"

I look over at the man next to me and he is reading a review of Patti Lupone in Gypsy on Broadway.

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

So then I go to the comments section and read this from one of Lazy Circles readers: "I too love Chelsea, but fear of a very Gypsy Rose Lee situation if mother doesn't win the nomination."

LOL THAT is too funny! The timing of it all!

If you're not familiar with the story of Gypsy, read the review. Oh...to be rich and live in NYC and to be able to go the theatre.

I guess now I'll have to watch the Gypsy dvd this weekend because I'm humming showtunes now.

Overheard

"How can someone who knows so little have so much to say?"

Dick

The other night I was channel surfing and delved into the movies on Showtime. Dick popped up on the telly and it caught my attention. I missed the first 30 minutes of the movie but I found myself laughing at Dick.

Let me give you some background here...

My mother was not a big fan of President Richard M. Nixon. I think it may go back to the time he ran against John F. Kennedy and lost. A few years later he ends up getting elected as President. During his administration one of my uncles was drafted into the U.S. Army and was sent to Vietnam just as Nixon was saying, "We're bringing the boys home." The economy was not doing well and my dad got laid off from his job.

Then the whole Watergate thing happened and my mom started calling him Tricky Dick and she would quote him, "I am not a crook." Also, she wasn't a big fan of Pat Nixon. My mom would imitate Pat's pursed lips.

You should know that my family has always had an interest in politics so I guess I was kind of born with that gene. I actually watched most of the Watergate hearings. Yes, I was a dull child.

So fast forward from the 1970s to 2008 and I'm at home watching Dick on a Saturday night and reliving some childhood memories of Dick.

Dick was released in 1999 and I honestly do not remember ever hearing about this movie. I may have to buy Dick on dvd and watch it when I need a good laugh.

It does help if you know something about Dick, Deep Throat, Watergate, Woodward & Bernstein, Rose Mary Woods, and Checkers. Even if you don't, I think you will still like Dick. I know I do!

from Amazon.com:

So who exactly was Deep Throat, that all-important source who helped Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein bust open the Watergate scandal? Well, according to this thoroughly funny, keenly smart comedy from director Andrew Fleming (The Craft), it was two sweetly daft teenage girls named Betsy and Arlene.

Taking the history and figures from Watergate and running gleefully and sacrilegiously amok, Dick offers up a hilarious what-if scenario that takes the Nixon administration's downfall from grave tragedy to hilarious farce.

When Betsy (Kirsten Dunst) and Arlene (Michelle Williams) run into a shady figure in the stairwell of Arlene's Watergate apartment building, little do they know they've stumbled upon G. Gordon Liddy (Harry Shearer) on the night of the Democratic National Headquarters break-in. Later, on a White House field trip, they wind up meeting with Nixon himself (Dan Hedaya), who, to ensure their silence, decides to make them official White House dog walkers and "secret youth advisors."

Of course, Betsy and Arlene soon find out their idol has feet of clay, and ultimately decide to aid "radical muckraking journalists" (and queasy rivals) Woodward (Will Ferrell) and Bernstein (Bruce McCullough) in their investigation.

Fleming and cowriter Sheryl Longin's enfolding of the Watergate scandal is extremely clever and inspired, from Arlene's 18-and-a-half-minute declaration of love on Nixon's tape recorder to the Hello Dolly cookies (laced with a certain herbal stimulant) that help bring about the U.S.-Soviet accord. And after all the angsty-serious portraits of Watergate, it's bliss to see the prime players sent up mercilessly; in addition to Shearer, the cast boasts Dave Foley (Erlichman), Jim Breuer (John Dean), Saul Rubinek (Kissinger), and Ana Gasteyer (Rosemary Woods), all in fine form.

Hedaya's Nixon, dead-on but never parodic, is an Oscar-worthy comic turn, and Dunst and Williams invest their characters with affection and humor; the success of the film lies in the way these talented actresses make us laugh with Betsy and Arlene, never at them.

Don't be put off by the teen sheen on this comedy--it's also for all of us who still remember Watergate even after 25 years, and still love dancing on the scandal's grave. --Mark Englehart

Scenes From A Sunday Afternoon

A few pics from Bunnies On The Bayou. The weather was perfect and a fun time was had all!

A BIG THANK YOU to Bunnies for selecting Legacy as one of the beneficiaries!!!!

I lifted this from Fitnessnerd and it is even better than Peep Show!

Happy Easter

T 'n T (This and That for Mar. 22, 2008)

Here are some pics of the full moon from last night. I played around with different settings on the camera, hence the two different images of the same subject.
In a few hours Jungle 16 will commence. People from around the country have traveled to Houston to a part of the festivities. This is an annual event that is put on by Bayou City Boys Club (BCBC).

This morning I was reliving some hysterical memories from several years ago. At one time the event was held at Spencers Nursery so you kind of got the feeling you were in a jungle. Well...one particular time I was a bit tipsy, the floor was wet with alcohol, sweat and probably water from the plants. I fell down, slid across the dance floor, took out a few people and ended up with mud/dirt all over my backside. I picked myself up, brushed myself off and started all over again.

I have not attended Jungle in a couple of years. This is a party where the pretty people come out in force and let's just say I don't feel like dancing and doing the jungle jiggle with all of them around me. Plus, I want to catch an early Mass in the morning.

Tomorrow afternoon will be another annual party. Let's hope the weather is decent because this is an outdoor party on Fish Plaza by The Wortham Center. Bunnies On The Bayou. Bunnies is always a fun party. It's always fun to hear about Jungle and Spoiled Boyz from the night before. Plus, it's always fun to see people that I haven't seen in awhile and catch up with them...and throw in a few cocktails and dancing music and well, it's just a bunch of fun.

I'm bartending in the V.I.P. area from 2-4 so look for me. Legacy is a beneficiary of this event so I offered to volunteer my bartending skills for part of the afternoon.

So that's it for about now. See you latte!

Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 10.3

Belated Happy Birthday!
Last week was Sugar Land Stuart's birthday. I did call to send him birthday greetings. I just didn't get around to doing it on the blog.

I met Stuart in 2003. Stuart was Calvin's 2nd owner. He adopted Calvin from Citizens For Animal Protection. Here is a pic of Stuart and Calvin.

Today's Birthday Greetings
Today is the first full day of Spring which means it is AttyHou's birthday! I met Jim through mutual friends but it wasn't until one night in Galveston that we bonded and became good friends. You see...

I was sitting in a second story window of a bar in Galveston and I had Mardi Gras beads. I was giving the beads away and Jim joined me. That was the beginning of the friendship.

Jim and I lived together for a few years. It was during that time that we both trained for our first marathon. I think one of my funniest running memories is the 1997 Heights Fun Run.

We had gone out to eat (Mexican food) the night before and after dinner we went out for a few more cocktails AND Tequila shots. So here it is the next morning. It's June. It's hot. It's humid and we're there to run a race. That has to be one of the most painful 5ks I have ever run. What were we thinking???!!!

There are many good stories to tell about Jim; too many to tell. Let's just say that I am very fortunate to have him in my life and I wish everyone could have an AttyHou in their life.

I've posted this pic before and here it is again. It is one of my favorite photos. We are in NYC in 2001. AttyHou is in blue.

First Day of Spring
So AttyHou's birthday always makes me sing & hum a Pet Shop Boys song. Can you guess which one?

Well...part of the lyrics are: "I feel like taking all my clothes off. Dancing to the Rite of Spring..."


Fitness Activities
OK...so I'm trying to get back into the groove. I've started running again and doing weights. Haven't added spinning back to the routine. I'm feeling much better and getting active again is making me feel better.

Mamma Mia! (2nd movie trailer)

I previously posted the 1st movie trailer for Mamma Mia! Last night the 2nd trailer was released and it is much better than the first.

I tried to embed it but wasn't able to so if you want to see it, you can click here. Enjoy! (P.S. It takes a few seconds to load and then you have to watch a commercial.)

Dancing With The Stars (season premiere) Part II

I'm sorta having writer's block and the only thing I feel like blogging about is Dancing With The Stars. I have three things to work on today and maybe once I get that stuff off of my plate I'll have more to say...but then, maybe not.

So last night, the women danced. Remember, they have to do everything the men do except backwards and in heels.

I must say that Priscilla Presley amazed me. She did such a good job and I think I saw Lisamarie in the audience. I guess I forget that Priscilla really is a quiet person. It is easily forgotten because: a) she married Elvis; b) she was in the Naked Gun movies; c) she was on Dallas. When you put yourself out there it seems that you are a very public person. However, listening to her post-dance interview I remembered that she really doesn't like the limelight. Maybe being on this show is a step in overcoming her shyness.

Kristi Yamaguchi rocks! She did a great job and the judges rewarded her with high scores. Having to live by a training routine for so many years is probably an advantage. I'm not one to subscribe to the thought that just because she is an ice skater she has an advantage.
Marlee Matlin can Cha Cha. On Monday's show she said to read her hips and there was quite a bit to read last night. She is another one who amazes me because she can't hear the music.

The person that made me laugh the most was Marissa Jaret Winokur. That girl has WAY TOO MUCH energy. LOL I agree with the judges though. Tony didn't use her enough in the dance. I have a feeling that it was all about Tony last night. Did you see those pants? And this isn't meant to sound like a jealous remark but does he have to dance around 1/2-nekkid on the telly? I guess if I had a chest like his I'd probably do the same thing.

And how cool was it that Rikki Lake (the original Tracy Turnblad) was in the audience last night. Which makes me think of Divine who played her mother in the original movie.

Not sure if I have ever posted this Divine quote but if I have then here it is again: "All my life I've wanted to look like Elizabeth Taylor and now she looks like me."

Look alikes

Every time I see Steven Cojocaru on Insider, I think of Chastity Bono.

Two for the price of one

This is an advertisement for Hogeschool - Universiteit Brussel. From their website:
HUBrussel, as the result of a merger of three Brussels-based colleges and a university, is a multifaceted institute of higher education. It is, however, characterised by a unity of vision and common policies and practices.

Dancing With The Stars (season premiere)

Tonight was the season premiere of Dancing With The Stars. They actually have people that could really be considered stars! As always, there are a few that I have not heard but then I had never heard of Helio Castroneves until last season and I became a fan.

Here are some observations from tonight's show.

The opening number with all of the professionals was great. I think Derek Hough and Mark Ballas should date and become a dance couple. They'd win every competition!

Tonight was the men's competition and Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller was told that his routine looked like Shrek Does The Cha Cha. I think I even saw Teller laugh and get excited.
Edyta danced tonight with Jason Taylor. I swear she must have 2% body fat. There is something kind of sexy and naughty about her. She wears the skimpiest outfits...because she can.
I had never heard of Cristián de la Fuente. He is an actor from Chile and he is funny. The judges gave him sevens. He said that in Chile seven is the highest score you can receive so he did great! LOL
I think Bruno and Carrie Ann are in love with him. Bruno told him (about Cheryl) “She’s banged, you have to bang as hard as she does.” and “and we’re going to be on top of you until you do so.” Tom Bergeron said it was time for the kids to get to bed. Carrie Ann was having to fan herself after Cristián's Cha Cha.

Maks did not return this season. I know that a certain reader of this blog was considering boycotting the show. She is a big of Maks. Fabian Sanchez from Birmingham, Alabama...yes, from Alabama has replaced Maks. We won't know until Tuesday how he compares because the female celebrities don't dance until then.
On Tuesday, Marlee Matlin will dance. Marlee is deaf so this will be interesting only because I think she will do a great job. I went to high school with a girl who was deaf but was a dancer and a good one at that!
Monica Seles will dance tomorrow night. I know there is someone out there making a joke about I hope that knife in her back doesn't get in the way but far be it from me to make a joke about it.

And I can't not comment on this photo of Priscilla Presley. I guess tomorrow night when they interview her it will be Interview With The Vampire.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

If you drink this:

Do you pee green? I'm just asking...