Pic Of The Day - "There's A Hole In This Cake."

Nothing Bundt Cake had really good cakes and yesterday for dessert we had mini-bundt cakes. It was post-birthday celebration for Aunt Lulu and a pre-birthday celebration for Joey and me. 

Pic(s) Of The Day - 01.31.15 - On The Road Again

After a lovely dinner in the Green Room at the Wortham Center, followed by Mozart's The Magic Flute on Friday night, The Calvinator and I were up early on Saturday for a road trip.

Saturday was my mother's 80th birthday so went up there to spend the day with her and help her celebrate. The day consisted of lunch at Mamma Mia in Riverside, Mass at St. George and dinner at Sammie's Bar-B-Q.

There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright Fernando in Fort Worth that set off my nose. Itchy, watery eyes. Congestion. Sneezing. Not pretty.

So...The Calvinator and I left on Sunday morning and my breathing is slowly getting back to normal.

The birthday girl.

Roses that were given to my mom by some of her friends from church.

It's all about the cake. Different flavors at lunch.

Who knew you could get a back tattoo from a vending machine?

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.)

Mamma Mia!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7P2Q_jf4os

This movie will be released in 2008. Can't wait!

I'm Still Here (Oct. 1)

Did you miss me?

I've been on the go for the past few days and haven't had time to hit the keyboard. I'll give you some highlights of the past few days.

Friday I found out that the reason I got the text mssg calling me a wh_re is because the person was watching Ugly Betty and it had something to do with the storyline. I haven't had the opportunity to watch the season premiere so I'm still a bit in the dark.

Also on Friday, I went with RunnerOne and his wife and daughter to see Mamma Mia! This was the fourth time that I have seen it and it still makes me laugh because it is so silly the way that the ABBA songs were woven together to make a musical. Believe it or not, there were parts of it that I had forgotten about.

I think the silliest part of the show is when Donna's best friends start singing Chiquitita. The show is one of those things that just leaves a big smile on your face!

Saturday didn't go as planned. I was going to get up real early and go for a run, then go home, clean up, grab The Calvinator and go to Ft. Worth.

Well...I overslept and we didn't leave H-town until a bit after 900A. I should have been better prepared because in addition to having to find a different way to get on Hwy. 290 due to the I-10 closure near the house, I was also dealing with Longhorns and Aggies going out 290 to get to Austin and College Station for football games.

The Calvinator and I made it to Ft. Worth in good time and surprised Joe & Helen. Earlier in the week they celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary so mi hermana y mi hermano planned on a little get together for lunch on Sunday

There was something blowing in the air in DFW Metroplex because as soon as I got there I started sneezing and it continued until this morning.

It was a short, last minute trip so I didn't let anybody (other than my sister and brother) know that we were coming into town.

Cal loves his Cal Mobile. He slept most of the way coming back to H-town. I guess all of the dance music I played on the way back doesn't bother him.

One of the cds that I played was Probe 20th Anniversary Party. There are some good songs on there: That's Where The Happy People Go; Stormy Weather; Do You Want To Funk; Together In Electric Dreams; and Pandora's Box (just to name a few).

I've listened to Pandora's Box many, many times but I never really knew what it was about. So, I found this video.

This is one of those songs that makes me want to dance around the living room by myself.

So as you can tell, I haven't done much running. Margo and Jake are getting ready to run the Chicago Marathon this coming weekend. They should have really nice weather...at least compared to what we've been having.

Ugh. Just the thought of running 26.2 miles makes me tired!

I found out that Houston's marathon & 1/2 marathon have already sold out. This has never happened this early. I did register a few weeks ago for the 1/2 marathon.

The difference between running a marathon and a half marathon is similar to the difference between commitment and involvement. A chicken is involved in breakfast and the pig is committed.

To run a marathon you have to commit to doing it. It is like a part-time job and to properly train you need to be willing to give up quite a few things. I've done marathons before and I'm just not willing to commit to it again. Maybe if I pick a foreign destination or if I go back to Big Sur I'll do another one. It really would have been nice to have been selected for ING NYC!

Anywho...I was feeling guilty about not running since Thursday (even though I did some weights on Friday) so around noontime I went to the park and did a 3 mile jaunt. Everything was fine until about mile 2 when the sweat started stinging my eyes. You'd think I'd remember to rinse my hair before I go running and make sure that all of the product is out of it. Ouch!

So that about catches me up with some of the things that have been going on. I'll have some additional posts for you.

And Margo, if you're reading this, here is the answer: Last night I dreamt of San Pedro (from La Isla Bonita).

Mark Your Calendars

OK. Everyone who got caught in the rain this morning while you were running, raise your hand.

Believe it or not I did 7 1/2 miles. I did stop after 3 1/2 because there was some thunder and lightning and you know I have this fear of getting struck my lightning...especially with an iPod in my hand! I waited out that part of the storm and then started up again. At one point, I looked down and I could see water oozing out of my shoes.

I was having a good run prior to the lightning and thunder and I wasn't gonna let anything rain on my parade (note to self: put Funny Girl Soundtrack on the iPod.)

Running in the downpour reminded me of the New Balance ad from a view years ago. It was a picture of a lone runner on a road heading toward a thunder cloud. The headline was: When does a jogger become a runner? On days like today.

Just want to pass a few things along to you that I think you might be interested in...so mark your calendar.

Saturday, September 8

"Despite the ruin still prevalent in New Orleans, digital artist anddesigner, James Clawson dreams the city reborn in collages ofmourning, hope, and fantasy. All I can say is, "Stunning!" His eye fordesign, art and photography will mesmerize you on 36" x 36" works of aPost-Katrina New Orleans. This show is as breathtaking as it isproactive. One of the Crescent City's finest designers and artists,Mr. Clawson's works will debut in Houston here at Galerie Blu onSeptember 8, 2007 7PM to 10PM."

411: Galerie Blu

September 9-22

Whistle Down The Wind

"Direct from London, discover what critics have proclaimed "Andrew Lloyd Webber's best show since Phantom of the Opera." Whistle Down the Wind is an uplifting musical about a young Louisiana girl who finds a mysterious stranger hiding in her barn. While the townspeople are determined to find the escaped felon, she vows to protect him from the outside world. The American premiere production partners renowned top rock lyricist Jim Steinman (Meatloaf's classic album "Bat Out of Hell) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Cats, Evita and Joseph.) to create a score inspired by the indigenous sounds of the American South - blues, gospel, country and rock 'n' roll. Directed and produced by Bill Kenwright, Whistle Down the Wind combines award-winning songs including the Boyzone smash hit "No Matter What," and epic storytelling for an extraordinary tale about the transformative power of love."

411: Theater Under The Stars

Monday, September 10

Neiman Marcus turns 100 years old. Stop by Neiman's and get a free cookie. It's the stuff that urban legends are made of...and they'll give you the recipe on the website!

411: Neiman Marcus

Friday, September 14

Linda Eder performs for one night only presented by Brilliant Lectures.

411: Brilliant Lectures

Sunday, September 23

Dust off your tambourine! Polish your whistle! Prepare to shake your groove thing and get down tonight!

Krewe of Olympus-Texas, Inc. presents Trash Disco. From 400P-700P you can relive your youth and dance the afternoon away. Relive your memories and bring your friends. A $5 donation gets you past the velvet rope.

411: Krewe of Olympus

Tuesday, September 25 - Sunday, September 30

Mamma Mia! returns to Houston for a 6 day engagement.

411: Broadway Across America

Coming up in October:

• Thursday-Sunday, October 4-7: Greek Festival


• Saturday, October 6: Fais Do Do presented by Krewe of Olympus-Texas, Inc.


• Saturday & Sunday, October 13 & 14: Bayou City Arts Festival

Something I Forgot...

...to tell you.

Ken Hoffman is a columnist for the paper that I read on a daily basis. In his Sunday column he answers questions from readers and replies to readers' comments. He has a quirky sense of humor; hence my affection for his column.

So, he has been printing restaurant stories from readers. And this past Sunday he printed my story! It's not the first time I've seen my name in print in the paper but it is still kinda fun to see your name in print.

Here's the excerpt from his column:
Ken Hoffman
Aug. 24, 2007, 12:00PM
Special Sunday mail delivery

I have a restaurant story for you. I was taking a defensive driving course at a buffet-type restaurant a few years ago, and we were in a room off the main dining room. Next to us was the dessert stand. I was watching a little boy serving himself pudding, it must have been a boring part of the class. The young boy would serve himself a dollop of pudding and then carefully lick off the serving spoon, then right back into the pudding for another dollop and another few licks. I guess he was maximizing the amount of pudding he was having. I decided not to eat there after the class.

Manny Hernandez, Houston

A few years ago I was having dinner with a friend at a restaurant that's since closed. A few booths over, a little girl picked up a ketchup bottle, unscrewed the top and licked the top. She then put the lid back on the bottle and never once did either of the adults do anything to stop her.

When they departed I told our waiter what happened. He just kind of looked at me like I was a freak but my friend confirmed it. The waiter removed the bottle from the table and I can only hope that he threw it away.

Tim Martinez, Houston

The only thing I drink straight from the bottle in my house is Hershey's syrup. -Ken Hoffman

SIDEBAR: OK...he sorta edited my story 'cause even though the restaurant has since closed they are part of a national chain and reopened a new property a few miles down the road. As Realtor Alan said, "I'm sure he was thinking of losing advertising dollars." And every time I pick up a bottle of ketchup, I think of that little girl. I'm scarred for life!

...to do

So after yesterday's run with RunnerOne my shoes were a bit dirty and they were getting wet from the rain so I took them off before I got in The Cal Mobile and left them in the back of The Cal Mobile. And that is where the story ends until this morning.

I got in The Cal Mobile this morning and could "smell" something. Yuck. The smell was familiar. You got it. Sweaty, wet running shoes that sat there all night and dried out. I'm letting The Cal Mobile air out right now but have to keep my eye on the sky 'cause it will prolly rain this afternoon; it's Houston ya know.

...tell you. (Part II)

I did get a ticket to see Linda Eder on Sept. 14! A small gaggle of us will be going together to see her: Everyday Italian, AttyHou, Bret & Karl from the 006. No one wanted to spend the extra money for the post-concert party so I guess Linda will just have to do without meeting me.

I'll prolly have to wear a muzzle so that I don't sing along with her and they'll prolly have to restrain me in my seat so that I don't jump up and clap every time she starts and finishes a song.

I've seen her perform twice in concert and once in Civil War and I must say that she is a great performer. My favorite songs by Linda are: Someone Like You; Big Time; Something To Believe In; The Bells Of St. Paul.

If you need information about the concert, you can get it here .

...to scratch off my list of things to do.

I bought a ticket to see Whistle Down The Wind. I have several reasons for wanting to see this show. I *heart* No Matter What by Boyzone. And, it is my understanding that this show has had a few reincarnations. It'll be a few weeks before I get to see the show so look for a review later on.

I still can't decide if I want to see Mamma Mia! again. :-) The first time I saw it was in Sydney and then a tour came through Houston and I saw it twice in the same week but with different groups of people. I don't know. It's one of those shows that is kinda silly but it makes ya feel good. The jury is still out on this one. Tickets are still available but it is only here for about a week so I need to decide soon. A road trip might conflict with the run of the show. Guess I need to make some decisions huh?

Did someboday say showtunes?

I found out yesterday that Broadway Across America/Houston is adding two shows this year. They're considered extras.

Mamma Mia! will be in Houston September 25-30. This musical was put together around the songs of ABBA. Str8UpWithATwist first saw this musical in 2002 while on holiday in Sydney. And saw it twice in the same week in 2003. (Can we say addiction?)

The other show that has been added is RENT. Str8UpWithATwist has seen this show 4 times. Twice on Broadway and twice in Houston...as well as the movie. (Can we say addiction?) RENT will be here in the Bayou City Nov. 16-18.

For more information: Broadway Across America

Earlier this week, Towleroad reported that Priscilla, Queen of the Desert may be making its way to Broadway or London's West End.

from Towleroad: "Local critics praised this lavish, $6.5 million spectacle when it opened here last fall. Since then, it's caught on with disco-loving straight women, ages 20-40. They're repeat customers whose enjoyment of the musical increases in direct proportion to the number of 'Priscilla-tails' (cosmopolitans in glow-in-the-dark martini glasses) they consume before, during and after the show. They have one hell of a time. 'Priscilla' is aimed squarely at the 'Mamma Mia!' market, which is about as lucrative as it gets. The ABBA musical has grossed $2 billion around the world. 'Priscilla' ain't in that league yet, but its Australian producers have begun laying the groundwork for London and Broadway. With 23 tons of scenery, 514 costumes and enough glitter to entomb Liberace, a Broadway production could cost as much as $15 million, industry sources estimate."

Riedel notes that the musical, whose Australian production has been troubled by a poor script, would most likely need to be re-written for American audiences.