Betty White, American Treasure

Today is the birthday of Betty White, legendary comedienne, actress, performer of stage, screen and television. Probably best known for her ditzy Minnesota farmgirl character Rose Nylund on the Golden Girls and her bitchy character Sue Ann on the Mary Tyler Moore show, she has been bringing joy to audiences for more than 70 years.

The woman is still going strong, working in her 90s forpetesake. In the last decade, she’s worked on commercials (candy bars, laundry detergent), television shows (too many to name but she arguably steals the show in Hot for Cleveland) and movies (The Proposal)  … and she keeps going. They should make her the new Energizer Bunny.

Speaking of bunnies, she has long spoken out on the subject of animals, and has generously funded and been the face of numerous campaigns, fundraisers, shows etc. to bring attention to animals in need.

God bless her stamina and the example she has shown. I think the world should try a little harder to show their love of Betty, and why not cash in on it a little at the same time? 

For example, department stores could have “Betty White” sales instead of “white sales.”

Fashion stores could have promotions like, in honor of Betty’s Birthday, all white slacks are on sale for 50% off.

Flower shops could promote their rose arrangements in honor of Rose Nylund.

There are many possibilities. For my part, I won't attempt to make a traditional St Olaf Geflurkenflurken (I know my limits), but I will honor Ms. White by making a donation in her name to the Morris Animal Foundation (her goal is only $10k, surely America we can make this happen) and later tonight I’ll curl up and watch a few episodes of the Golden Girls, maybe with a slice of cheesecake, and think of the joy she’s brought to our lives.

http://www.causes.com/causes/769196-morris-animal-foundation/actions/1722764

Don't bother asking Y

Finally made it back to the gym after shall we say a brief (ahem) hiatus. I waited until late afternoon on Jan 6 thinking most of the resolutioneers would have cleared out by then. Of course never having been at the gym at 4 pm on a Sunday I have no real basis of comparison.

The cardio room was not full, which it often is on weekday evenings. It was comforting in a strange way that the room still smelled terrible and that the man who picks his nose was still there.

Am going to try a kickboxing class next. The last time I took kickboxing was many moons ago when I lived in South Florida and was a member of Gold's Gym. The instructor was a cappuccino skinned hunk of manhood who went by the name of Silk. A name that would seem silly for anyone else but he owned the moniker. And his classes were always full. Oversold even. You had to get there early to ensure a spot in the class and once in, there was jockeying for position to be in the front row. Not by me, mind you, I jockeyed to be in the very back of the room. But on the part of the scantily clad attractive women who vied for the attentions of Monsieur Silk. They all wore full make-up and were extra fake-tanned for the occasions.

Whatever the motivations for attending, Silk was a great instructor. Chose great music, charismatic, friendly and easy on the eyes. Taught me the difference that a good instructor can make, and I haven't found his equal yet. But I'll keep looking . And wherever he is, I hope Silk is still helping people master their uppercuts.

Incidentally, although I'd never guess that the outdoor pool at the Y would be open in January, I could have sworn I saw a cold, lonely lifeguard huddled by himself in the lifeguard stand..tho then again I do need my eyes checked...

Vagina Dentata

One of my new year's resolutions (well pretty much my only one) is to watch more movies. Resolutions shouldn't be difficult, should they?

The other night on IFC I caught an odd film from a few years ago called Teeth. Link below. Honestly I watched because it came on after Portlandia, and I'm not sure I'm glad I watched.

It was oddly compelling and haunting, I hope someone out there has seen it, because it's one of those movies that must be discussed. Talk therapy required.

The primary plot point involves a young girl who discovers she has a shall we say unusual gynecological condition that both serves her and proves dangerous. Can't shake it from my head does that mean it's a good movie?

http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0780622/

Late to the Downton Party

I should like to have my own blend of tea named after me.
I should like to have long silk dresses dripping with beading.
I should like to have a houseful of servants.
In short, I'd like to live at Downton Abbey.

The social nuances, the strict code of conduct, the gossip and the intrigue. The crushed velvet!

The dialogue is snappy, crackling, tight and eminently quotable.

I can see why the show has caused such a fever. I deferred my invitation to the DA party for 2 seasons, afraid to accept another television show into my life. But when I heard that Shirley MacLaine was joining the cast I could no longer mount a resistance.

One episode in and I'm hooked, line and sinker. What a credit to the show's creators that they can so immediately draw viewers in to care about and be invested in the characters, from the lowliest scullery maid to the highest lady and lord.

Like the pull of the town that keeps pulling the residents back to Downton in their hearts and minds, so viewers have been genteelly sucked in to English country life in 1917.

I don't ever use Netflix but I'm going to have to. Such is the power of Downton Abbey. And let's not even get started on the hats.

Addendum to 2012 Accomplishments List

I count as one of my accomplishments of the past year that I saw the comedian Patton Oswalt perform a live set. He makes me laugh. Which I suppose is the point. As a bonus, the show was at the Arlington Cinema Drafthouse, a place that still shows $1 movies on Mondays and where a nice person brings you a pitcher of beer and pizza and other snackies while you watch a movie or a show. All business establishments should involve pitchers of beer and at least freshly popped popcorn. Back in the day (aka when I was in college) you could also smoke while you enjoyed your pitcher of beer, but I digress.

What I appreciate the most about Oswalt's humor, aside from his snide wit and cutting but not unkind observations is that I can relate to his cultural touchstones. He grew up in the Mid Atlantic region of the US (Virginia) and we are roughly the same age. I can laugh knowingly when he pokes gentle fun at the low budget commercials for Carvel Ice Cream starring the gravelly throated Tom Carvel ... which reminds me one of these days we are going to have to discuss Fudgie the Whale, Cookie Puss and Cookie O'Puss. And what is comedy if not the ability to relate to one another? I just made that up but it sounds good.

In the stand-up routine that I experienced in person, the bit that stood out the most for me was his description of going to a tony LA department store to try on designer pants and how the chic and slender sales clerks treated him like a man who didn't know he was dying for his lack of awareness of his own body and how it appeared in the John Varvatos pants ... you had to be there. Which again is I suppose the point of live comedy.

I won't try and find the clip on You Tube or link to any clips out of fear for suggesting something that's a violation of copyright in any way - hey, I respect an artist's right to own his/her own content, to the extent that they can. But do check out his website, http://www.pattonoswalt.com.

And follow him on Twitter for pete's sake, you'll thank me later - @pattonoswalt. Following his live tweets during the recent political debates was a much better use of my time than actually watching the debates themselves.

If you still have a few minutes, read this post about voting, it's what a funny and thoughtful blog should sound like and even tho we're past the elections, the message resonates: http://www.pattonoswalt.com/index.cfm?page=spew&id=158

I didn't start this post to be a love letter to Patton Oswalt, but what the hell. Laughter is life and life is love and love is laughter. I made that up too but if you want to needlepoint it on something, let me know where I can buy it on Etsy.

Did I mention Oswalt is going to be on Portlandia next week? Swoon. @ifcportlandia
http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Portlandia-Adds-Juliette-Lewis-Matt-Lucas-Patton-Oswalt-Others-Guest-Star-Season-3-49752.html

PS - oooh I thought of another accomplishment from 2012 - Ken Kercheval responded to one of my tweets. It's a marvelous time to be alive. New season of Dallas starts Jan 28 ... boom.

Test Blog

Technology is a wonderful thing, if you embrace it and know how to use it. I finally got a new phone and with it decided to move into the 21st century with an app that will let me blog on the fly. It's a wonderful time to be alive. Enjoy the gratuitous pic of one of my dogs.

You Have Your Bucket List, I Have Mine

2012 was a good year, by my measures. Had fun with my significant other, traveled and knocked some items off the bucket list. Here is a recap, and I'd love to hear about your year, your bucket lists and any resolutions you have? 

I made it to the Georgia O’Keeffe museum in Santa Fe – take that, bucket list!

We saw whales in the wild in Hawaii – being doused with blowhole water was an unforgettable experience. Being spit on by a whale is far cooler than it sounds. 

Went to the Pez Visitor Center (Orange CT) – so much delicious Pez. I never knew this should have been on my bucket list, lucky for me we drove past it on I-95.

Visited Martha’s Vineyard (ferry!)

Attended a Formula 1 race. Very cool. 

Tried Popeye’s chicken for the first time. Damn good. 

Went to Zoo Lights at the National Zoo. This may not seem like a big deal but I liked it. 

We were on TV (DIY Network). Look for us on the show "I Want That" trying out household items. I built a shelf. 

Finally saw GNR in concert. This is not easy, given Axl Rose's proclivities and likelihood to have shows cancelled. 

Toured Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio in Arizona. Highly recommend. 

Experienced a NASCAR race in Richmond. Not my first NASCAR rodeo but the Richmond track is singularly interesting - you can bring your own alcohol. Good people watching. 

2^nd time around at the fun Gold cup races. 2013, will plan a proper tailgate party. 

Participated in the Washington Tennis Education Foundation auction (met Art Monk and Charles Mann, and only spent $100 on an auction item). But new rule, we are not allowed to go to charity auctions. 

Met Train (the band). Got my picture made with them. 

Threw a surprise bday party for bestie Af. I think she was truly surprised and if she wasn't, she'll never tell. 

Completed a 1,000 piece puzzle with no picture to go by. Again this may not seem like a big deal, but it can ruin relationships. 

Partied with pirates. Yup. 

Finally ate at the Peppermill in Las Vegas (hey you have your bucket list I have mine). 

Saw Poison & Def Leppard in concert for first time; saw Florence & the Machine; saw B-52s for 3^rd time.

Celebrated 5^th anniversary of going to Bethany Beach with family friends. 

Got to Dogfish Head Ale brewery restaurant (DE) and Stubb’s BBQ (TX) at last. 

  

Visited Paramount Ranch - now part of a National Park, it is a set that looks like an old Western town where scores of movies and tv shows have been filmed. 

http://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/paramountranch.htm

Took a sunset sail on a historic schooner in Baltimore harbor.

Flew Virgin America for first time – not bad.

  

Went to weddings in Maui, Martha’s Vineyard, Malibu mountains, St. Michael’s Eastern Shore Maryland, Delray Beach FL. NIce to celebrate that much love with people we care about - and fantastic venues.

Experienced Amoeba Records in LA- a fun, giant music store. 

Drove to top of Sandia Crest mountain, NM. Long story about trying to take a tram that was closed, but lovely view and drive. 

In sad news, we said goodbye this past spring to our beloved senior dog Java who went to canine heaven. For Thanksgiving, we welcomed rescue dog Cinder into our home. 

One door closes, another one opens. Sometimes a window. Here's looking forward to a great year in 2013 with my fur babies, my spouse, my friends and family - I'm a lucky gal and I wish nothing but the best and an upward trend for all of us. And Dallas is back on January 28 .... see y'all.