Pic Of The Day - 02.06.15 - The House That Beyoncé Built

It's been awhile since I've been to House of Dereon and I had the opportunity to visit again so I jumped at the opportunity. It's a cool place and this time I went to the recording studio and the Rice Mansion; another cool building.

Pic Of The Day - 09.17.14 - Be

I captured this from Instagram.  It made me laugh.

Solangegate

I've been enjoying the banter about Solange and Jay-Z.  I think one of the funniest things I heard was: "Solange attacks Jay-Z in an elevator with a purse.  It's the first hit she has had in years!"

Here is my contribution to the banter:

And some of favorite memes:

Everyone, including me, is speculation about what really happened.  The joint statement that was released said something to the effect that every family has their differences.  Well, in my family, we don't beat each other down in an elevator.  And to his credit, I admire for Jay-Z for not bitch slapping her.

If you want to know what really happened, click here.

Ain't Nobody Got Time For That!

Have you ever had one of those moments when you’re driving in the car and you start laughing and there’s no one in the car with you but the reason you’re laughing is because you heard something funny on the radio?  Well that was me this morning.  However, Calvin (aka The Calvinator) was with me.  I’m sure people around me wondered what was going on.  You see…

I was listening to Roula & Ryan on 104 KRBE and Roula said that TMZ had interviewed Beyonce after the blackout at the Super Bowl.  It was obvious that she didn’t know anything about it and her reply was, “Oh Lord Jesus it’s a fire!”  So, you may not think that is funny unless you know the story about Sweet Brown.  You see…

Sweet Brown has become a bit of a celebrity just by being herself.  Sweet Brown became an internet sensation when she was interviewed by Oklahoma City television station KFOR.  Sweet Brown gives her account of a fire and she became famous for the saying, “Ain’t nobody got time for that.”  

As Roula said, Sweet Brown brings happiness and smiles.  I love the fact that she was just being herself and didn’t put on any pretense of being someone that she isn’t.  

We all deal with people who put on airs and try to be something that they’re not.  All I have to say is “And ain’t nobody got time for that.”

Real Housewives. Real Problems

When Bethenny Frankel was on Bravo's Real Housewives of New York, I learned to like and not like her.  At times she seemed whiny.  At other times she seemed very driven.  I didn't care for the whiny.

After she left the show and went on to have her new show, I watched it because I really hoped she would be happy.  In my opinion, he family problems always seemed to cast a shadow on her other relationships.  So...

When she met Jason Hoppy, I was thrilled for her.  He really seemed like a nice guy and he is very nice looking.  His family really seemed to embrace Bethenny.

So, I was a bit surprised when I found out a few weeks ago that they are getting a divorce.  And, it seems that it is getting ugly; that news from New York Post.  One of things that I learned from my mom is to never take sides when a couple is separated or filing for divorce because what happens when they get back together?  Hmmm.

Unfortunately, fame has a price even if you are a star on a reality show and this divorce will play out in the press.

Another housewife with a problem is Beyonce.  Did she or didn't she lip sync the National Anthem at the inauguration?  What has me perplexed is why she hasn't said anything publicly about it.

Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

I was in the car driving around on Monday when she sang and on the radio it sounded fantastic! Watching the video, it's hard to tell. And I guess in the long run, does it really matter?

At Last

I'm not sayin' this just because she is a hometown girl. And maybe it was the moment. Beyoncé knocked it out of the ballpark last night at The Neighborhood Ball.

For the Obamas' first dance, Beyoncé sang At Last. Etta James would have been so proud. And on top of that, Beyoncé looked flawless. It was the perfect song for the perfect moment.

In case you missed it, here it is.

Latin Grammys Are Coming To Houston

I've sorta been on a Mexican/Latin roll with my posts so here is one more...

So yesterday when I was listening to the 400p news with Erik Barajas, not with him in the house but with him on the telly, they announced that Houston will be hosting the Latin Grammys on November 13.

No. This isn't your abuelas (the Latin Grannys). This is the awards show for Latin recording artists.

Folks, this is HUGE! HUGE I tell ya!

Previous host cities have been Miami and Las Vegas and I believe Los Angeles.

When I heard the news, I immediately sent a text message to Kaye Sedilla. You see, Kaye is making her annual Houston appearance on Sunday, July 20 at the Mr. & Miss Mint Julep Contest. Kaye Sedilla only appears once a year in Houston because she is on tour the rest of the time.

So I'm hoping that Kaye can clear her calendar and make another visit to Houston November 13.

There is a rumor floating around town that Beyonce will make an apperance at the Latin Grammys. Her dad, Matthew Knowles, said that Beyonce is working on another Spanish cd that will drop in November so timing is everything.

Kaye's people will be contacting Beyonce's people because Kaye would LOVE to do a duet with Beyonce. She sings the Norteña Mix of Irreplaceable (Irremplazable) all of the time...even if she doesn't know the words.

It's kind of like that girl singing Ken Lee instead of Without You.

If you want the 411 on the Latin Grammy's, click here.

I do have another comment to make...When this city was building Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center and Reliant Stadium, there was a bunch of moaning and groaning (just like what's going on with the soccer stadium). Folks, we need venues and hotel rooms and attractions that will bring major events to this city (i.e. Super Bowl, All Star Game, Latin Grammys). We have quite a bit going on this city and it just isn't about stadiums and arenas.

We just dedicated a brand new Cathedral (co-cathedral to be correct) and this weekend will be the grand opening of Discovery Green.

It just goes to prove that "If you build it, they will come."

In case you missed Tina Turner last night

Sentimental Sunday

Former Houstonian & Now Bostonian Greg has been in town with Sean. The Fabulous Miss Jolie Shay (TFMJS) had a small dinner party on Friday night so that some of us could spend some time with the boys.

I took them to IAH this morning for their return flight to BOS. It was a beautiful day to be outside so I loaded up The Cal Mobile with The Calvinator and off we went. I changed out the cds in The Cal Mobile and put in some compilations that I made. They are a part of The Contessa Collection.

• Contessa Without A Country
• Cocktails For Two: The Contessa Has A Guest
• The Contessa Needs Another Cocktail

This whole collection was inspired after spending a few days with Calgary Ken in Calgary. You see...

Several years ago when I went to visit Calgary Ken, Calgary Ken made a wonderful dinner for a few of us. The plan was to go out after dinner and visit a few clubs. Well...one bottle of wine lead to another and then we each started going through his cd collection and playing one song that we liked and one song lead to another and well...

I remember waking up under the dining room table and Ken was next to me. Brian and Joe had gone to bed at some point. Ken was out of wine; his cd collection was a mess.

So I listened to these songs today while driving around and taking The Calvinator to Memorial Park. There are a few songs that I just really *heart* that are a part of The Contessa Collection.

The first one is You're So Vain by Carly Simon. I did change the words one night for AttyHou. Instead of You had one eye in the mirror as you watched yourself gavot... I changed it to You had one eye in the mirror as you watched yourself go by... because he did. He actually had two eyes in the mirror as he flexed in the mirror of a hotel foyer.


Then there is The Way Of Love. Kaye Sedilla keeps saying that if she ever does a cabaret show full of torch songs this will definitely be on the bill. In this video, Cher looks flawless and she really shows her range.

There are too many songs to list but others include: Being Boring; Something Stupid; When October Goes; Kissing A Fool; Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters. Quite an eclectic collection of music.

While I'm on the subject of music...

Did you see Tina Turner with Beyonce on The Grammy Awards? Of course they were introduced by Cher! Does it get any better than that? Beyonce and Tina performed Proud Mary. Tina wasn't moving as fast as she normally does but that's ok. She was still in her stiletto heels!

The last time I saw Tina perform live was in October of 2000. She performed at the place that is now Lakewood Church formerly known as Compaq Center. She did an outstanding performance. That night Joe Cocker was her opening act. No one around me knew anything about Joe Cocker so I finally said, "Do you remember the opening song from Wonder Years? That was him!" Young ones I tell ya!

OK. Back to Sentimental Sunday. I reconnected with a couple of West Coast friends this past week. We had lost touch for awhile. If the writer's strike ever ends, one of them will be back on the telly.

Also ran into Midtown/Montrose David at Memorial Park on Saturday. So it was a good week to catch up with friends.

Interview With A Diva

I was very pleased to get this interview. The legendary Kaye Sedilla tries to avoid the press and paparazzi. Barbara Walters, Katie Couric and Matt Lauer all wanted an exclusive interview with Kaye. I was fortunate to be selected.

Str8 Up With A Twist (SUWAT): First of all, may I call you Kaye or do you prefer Ms. Sedilla?
Kaye Sedilla (KS): Let’s start with you making eye contact with me and not looking down at your notes. If you break eye contact, the interview is over. Got it?

SUWAT: Yes I do, Ms. Sedilla.
KS: Good. And you can call me Kaye.

SUWAT: Everyone in Houston is looking forward to your performance on Sunday at Mr. & Miss Mint Julep. What can your fans expect?
KS: As a premiere performance artist, they can expect to be knocked off their feet. I’ll be doing a new song…new for me. If they demand it, I will come back later in the show and do a number from one of my previous shows. I hear that Beyonce’ is in The Bayou City this weekend. Everything she knows she learned from me. You might see us at Starbucks during the weekend trying to catch up on things. It's been awhile since we've had a good chat.

SUWAT: Why do you only perform once a year in Houston?
KS: Legacy Community Health Services is very near and dear to my heart. When they call it isn’t a matter of “will I perform”? It is a matter of “when and where do you need me?”

SUWAT: I noticed you have a launched a page on myspace.com. There seems to be a question about your age.
KS: Would you like to end the interview? Someone once said that a lady who will tell you her true age will tell you everything.

SUWAT: Uh. I’m sorry. Can I ask you about Matt Lauer?
KS: You can ask. Not sure that I have anything to say.

SUWAT: First of all, I know that he called you and wanted to do an interview and you said no. Is there some bad blood between you two?
KS: There isn’t bad blood. What’s between us is a woman named Annette. You know…his wife. Can we change the subject?

SUWAT: How are things between you and Madonna? She performed at Live Earth and you didn't.
KS: LOL Madge. Her and her fake British accent. What was up with her black outfit at the show? Tryin' to play it conservative in your old age Mo? I'm VERY selective about where I perform. I was there sitting in the Royal Box right behind William and Harry. You didn't see me?
I remember being a child and watching her (Madonna) perform in Detroit at various clubs (I'd sneak in) around town. She really upset me when she told Dick Clark on American Bandstand that she was 'going to rule the world.' New topic please.

SUWAT: Anything you’d like to say to your fans?
KS: Get there early! I’m second on the program and I “might be” talked into doing a 2nd number later in the show. And bring your dollar bills…5’s, 10’s and 20’s are always welcome.

SUWAT: Well Kaye. Thank you for your time.
KS: You're quite welcome.