STR8 UP WITH A TWIST: July 2014

Thursday, July 24, 2014

(not the) Pic Of The Day - Part II: Le cirque de la jambe

I'm still laughing about Tuesday night's episode of The Real Housewives of New York City. In fact, I'm the process of re-watching it.

Today on my Instagram feed, this came photo popped up. And yes, it is a circus.

Pic Of The Day - 07.23.14 - Sort Of

So...I realized I had not taken a picture of anything but I did remember this screenshot. Even with the misspelling, it is accurate.

Pic Of The Day - 07.22.14 - The Scream

I worked late on Tuesday and as I was strolling around the 4th floor, I noticed this creature on a co-worker's desk. It's how I feel sometimes. Just sayin'.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

(not the) Pic Of The Day - 07.22.14 - Le Leg, Le Cirque

I can't let the day end without commenting about last night's episode of The Real Housewives of New York City. It was by far one of the funniest episodes ever.

I found it funny that Team Sonja consists of a psychic, a gossipy massage therapist and an entourage of people that we really don't know what they do but hey, they're Team Sonja.

I also find it funny that Aviva: 1) Carried around her x-rays (with her name on them); 2) She handed out her doctor's business cards for the women to call and verify that she has asthma...uh, it's called HIPPA; and 3) The leg being put on the table.

OK. I've never been to Le Cirque in New York but I have been to Le Cirque in Las Vegas and they have high standards. Taking off your leg and putting it on the table and then picking it up and throwing it probably isn't their good public decorum rules for the restaurant. Granted, Team Sonja et al were in a private dining room but still, whatever happened to good manners? I was just waiting for Countess LuAnn to say, "Money can't buy you class."

All of this reminds me of a postcard that I have somewhere in a box in my kitchen that has the saying, "In my family, homosexuality, schizophrenia, and alcoholism were a small price to pay for good manners and good public decorum." Trust me, no one in my would be taking off their leg and throwing it. This makes the table flipping and wig pulling look like an everyday occurrence.

Carole Radziwill said it best, "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings . . or the crazy bitch throws her leg."

"Only in New York kids, only in New York." - Cindy Adams

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Pic Of The Day - 07.21.14 - If Left To His Own Devices

...he chooses the Frosty Paw

Pic(s) Of The Day - 07.20.14 - Mint Julep 2014

It was the 12th Annual Mint Julep presented by Lymphedema & Wound Care Intsitute at Limelight Houston and Kaye Sedilla made a triumphant return to the stage. She brought the house down with her interpretation of Adele's Set Fire To The Rain. And boy, did it ever rain money on the diva. It was all for a good cause benefiting Legacy Community Health Services. Special thanks to our co-chairs George Burch, Bryan Hlavinka and Jani Lopez (who made a Skype appearance from Paris, France).

Thanks to some of her adoring fans, photos were captured before and during Kaye's stellar performance.

photo: Todd Creger

photo: Mike Holloman

photo: Gary Hammett

photo: John Cox Photography

photo: Shannon Hall

She made a quick disappearance after her number. Rumors started to circulate that she had to make a run for the border because Senator Ted Cruz and Governor Rick Perry were in hot pursuit with la migra. Overheard at the bar, was that she had to make a quick return to rehab; her weekend pass was about to expire. The more believable truemor is that Latin hunk William Levy was waiting for her at the corner of San Jacinto and McIlhenny and whisked her away to some unknown destination. Maybe they're preparing for Dancing With The Stars?

photo: Rodrigo Varela

Kaye, if you read this, PLEASE let know that you're OK and let us know if any of these rumors are true.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Pic Of The Day - 07.19.14 - Boas, sequins, and rhinestones. Oh my!

I spent the better part of Friday evening and all day Saturday prepping for Kaye Sedilla's return to the stage at Mint Julep 2014 benefiting Legacy Community Health Services. While looking for her accessories, I found these earrings. Perfect for a fundraiser!

Pic Of The Day - 07.18.14 - The Mothership

When the mothership has a sale, I can't resist. I took an extended lunch break to swing buy Nordstrom and purchased a few things.

Pic Of The Day - 07.17.14 - Mint Julep 2014

I spent the day prepping for Mint Julep 2014. We've never really officially set hashtags so let's give this a try and roll with it.

Pic Of The Day - 07.16.14 - Name That Flower

I had to park a bit of distance from the building and on my day end stroll to the car, I saw this shrub with these blossoms. I have no idea what it is. Do you?

Pic Of The Day - 07.15.14 - The Party's Over

I really tried to post this a few days ago but it got hung up on the Blogger app and I ended up deleting the app and so here we go again.

I was at the shopping center on the corner of Montrose & Hawthorne and parked in front of Berryhill because I hate that parking lot and trying to park close the Starbucks (my destination) is just a pain. I noticed the poles outside of the restaurant were adorned with rainbows in honor of Pride Houston festivities. Well, that party has been over for awhile but it's still nice to see pops of colour.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Pic Of The Day - 07.14.14 - Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls

I think there was some type of water line problem because there was a work crew not to far away from this hydrant. It's been hot in H-town and this spewing water sure looked refreshing.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

I'd Like To Propose A Toast

Star of the stage and legendary actress, Elaine Stritch died today at the age of 89. I think I think I was always aware of her but my friend Greg Fredo was a big fan and put her on my radar. I will always associate her with Ladies Who Lunch. You can read more about her career, here.

Pic Of The Day - 07.13.14 - Put Your Feet Up And Stay Awhile

I was running around on Sunday morning and decided to stop at Starbucks for a beverage. The temperature was rising so I sat in the shade and watched the world go by.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 07.12.14 - Dog Days Of Summer

Walking with The Calvinator.

Pic Of The Day - 07.11.14 - bleh

This are pretty to look at but loose their flavor and gumminess after a few chews.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Pic Of The Day - 07.10.14 - Proud

I had no idea what this was and so I posted a photo on Facebook and within minutes had an answer: Pride Of Barbados.

Pic Of The Day - 07.09.14 - Channeling Ramona

I met some colleagues for dinner on Tuesday night and arrived early. So...I sat at the bar at La Griglia and had a nice, crisp, cold class of Pinot Grigio. It wasn't Ramona Singer's label but I did think of her when I ordered it.

Betty Buckley returns to H-town

Hallie Foote & Betty Buckley (photo credit: David Gordon)

Was just getting ready to leave the office and a tweet popped up on my feed from Playbill.

Veanne Cox, Betty Buckley and Hallie Foote will lead Horton Foote's The Old Friends at the Alley. When Betty was in Houston a few months ago, she alluded to the fact that she might be returning this fall.

I love Horton Foote. I love Betty Buckley. I love the Alley. It's a trifecta! The show closes a few days before my birthday so...

...if anyone wants to give me an early birthday present, this would be perfect. Just sayin'.

To read more about the show, click here.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Pic Of The Day - 07.08.14 - City Hall

I had never seen this view of Houston's City Hall. Photo was taken from the 29th floor of One Shell Place.

Pic Of The Day - 07.07.14 - Get On The Love Train

It wasn't until last year that I was made aware of the extent of human trafficking in Houston. Legacy played host to several brick painting parties that then became a larger part of an event.

We're at it again...raising awareness for Houston Love Project. You can keep up with what's happening by visiting their Facebook page.

Pic Of The Day - 07.06.14 - (mamma) Mia's Table!

Has this ever happened to you? You're on your way to a restaurant and then you something catches your attention and you make a u-turn and go and eat somewhere else? Well...that's what happened.

I had a hankering for BBQ but a funny thing happened ~~on the way to the forum~~. I saw a sign for Mia's and didn't quite do a u-turn and ended up eating there. They had BBQ but the cheese burger and onion rings were too much to pass up plus the strawberry lemonade ~~that needed a shot of vodka. Oh, well next time.~~

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Pic Of The Day - 07.05.14 - Yankee Doodle Cock

BRC Gastro Pub's cock was all decked out for the holiday weekend!

Pic(s) Of The Day - 07.04.14 - Yankee Doodle Dandy

The Calvinator has his fans and followers so I couldn't disappoint them on Facebook and Instagram on Independence Day. Here he is in his stars & stripes bow tie. It was until later that I realized it blinks!

Pic Of The Day - 07.03.14 - Raindrops On Windows And...

...have I ever told you that I'm not a big fan of The Sound of Music? We've gone through a period in Houston where storms pop up in the afternoon and some of them are gully washers. Thursday's rain storm was a good one. After the drought of 2011, I swore I would never complain about rain again...so I'm not complaining...just commenting on the weather.

Pic Of The Day - 07.02.14 - Celebrate

I work with some fun people in my building. One of them is Debbie Costello. Debbie is always planning a party. In anticipation of everyone leaving early on July 3 or just taking the day off, she planned an Independence Day Party and decorated the second floor break room. I couldn't take just one cookie!

Why I Love New Orleans

There's always something going on in The Big Easy and I usually find out about it after it happens. For instance, yesterday was New Orleans' version of Running of the Bulls. There was one difference...the bulls were members of The Big Easy Roller Girls! NOLA.com did a write-up about the event. The best quote from the story:

"New Orleanians in general love to dress up. They love to have a great time, especially if they have an excuse to dress up and drink before eight; that really makes it work.

"And, of course, you can't do this in any other city in America," he added. "You can't run through the street with sangria strapped to your back. It makes everything perfect for New Orleans to have an event like this, and we're lucky enough to call it home."

Here are a couple of pics I lifted from Visit New Orleans' Instagram account

I'll definitely add this to my Bucket List!

Pic Of The Day - 07.01.14 - Tuesday Night Pleasure

My Tuesday night pleasure is watching The Real Housewives Of New York City. And...my favorite housewife is Carole Radziwill. If she lived in Houston, we'd be best buds! I can't afford to live in NYC so she would have to move here.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Pic Of The Day - 06.30.14 - "FLOW"Mosas

During the weekend, Max's Wine Dive on Fairview and FLOW Juice Bar teamed up to create a "FLOW"Mosa. Proceeds from the promotion went to Legacy. A group of us gathered on Monday to taste them and they were yummy. It was champagne with hibiscus and watermelon juice.