Must.Do.Better - aka Daybook 2012 05 12

You might have noticed...you might have not - who knows who actually reads this anyway...but I have not been exactly faithful about keeping my blog up to date.  I must do better.  No - scratch that...I WILL do better.


Returning soon will be Mindless Fact Monday's!!!!!  I know you are all on the edge of your seats!  Or maybe it's just one of you and it's just one seat.  Oh well.  Also coming will be more movie reviews and posts about the origins of some of our favorite sayings.


I know...you can hardly wait.  ~I sincerely hope you can read the sarcasm dripping off of my keys.


As a measure of good faith - I will post a daybook - which I haven't done in ages:

Outside My Window... Sunshiny sunshine.  I love it.

I Am Thankful For...  My husband.  This is his birthday weekend ((and Mother's Day, lest anyone forget)) and I sometimes don't take the time to appreciate all the things he does for me. 

From The Kitchen... Nothing from our kitchen tonight, although we are taking food to someone else's kitchen.  Headed over to some friends house tonight for a little b-day fun.

I Am Wearing... Is it sad that I have to look??  That I don't know what I'm wearing off the top of my head?  lol  Anyway, jeans and a red/white Wally-world shirt that I've had about 3 years too long.

I Am Reading... A Walk in the Snark by Rachel Thompson.  She is a blog writer that I found a free kindle book for.  It was free - doesn't mean it was good.  The jury is still out on this one.

I Am Hoping... Jordan has a great time on her choir field trip tomorrow and she doesn't miss the bus and get left somewhere in Kentucky!

I Am Hearing... The click-clicky-ness of my keyboard.

Around The House... Must attempt to attack Mt. Laundry at some point this weekend - and I think we might at this point have more cat hair than carpet...so vacuuming is a must.

One Of My Favorite Things... Did I mention the sunshiny day??

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Dinner with friends tonight, maybe watching the air show tomorrow if it doesn't rain - church on Sunday.  Normal stuff.

Here Is A Picture Thought I Am Sharing With You... They are actually videos today.  Both kids are in ball leagues and Myles' season has already started and he is the home-run king!  He hit 3 at last Friday's game and 2 more on Saturday's game.  Jordan - who has been a bit intimidated ever since she moved to fast pitch - has been doing great.  And even though her season hasn't started yet - here is a practice preview.  

Monday Reflection

Church was good yesterday - the sermon really hit home in several areas. But, before the sermon, some of our music team got up to perform the offertory song.

Sometimes, it is hard to focus during the offertory...offering baskets being passed - kids dropping money in and getting so excited, etc. So, I am so glad I was tuned in enough yesterday to listen. They sang Press On - by Selah. I wish I could post a link to their actual singing - they did a phenomenal job! I know I've heard it before - but I don't think I've ever paid attention to the lyrics before now.

When the valley is deep

When the mountain is steep

When the body is weary

When we stumble and fall

When the choices are hard

When we're battered and scarred

When we've spent our resources

When we've given our all

Chorus:

In Jesus' name, we press on

In Jesus' name, we press on

Dear Lord, with the prize

Clear before our eyes

We find the strength to press on

In Jesus' name, we press on

In Jesus' name, we press on

Dear Lord, with the prize

Clear before our eyes

We find the strength to press on

To press on

I just really needed to hear that.

Celebrities...and Your Perception of Them

Terrance and I were listening to a sports talk radio show on the way home from mom and dad's this afternoon. With the recent death of Steve McNair, of course talk was about him and the recent unfolding news of the drama around his murder. Apparently, as of the latest reports, he was shot 4 times and the woman with him, Sahel Kazemi, had one gunshot to the head, with the gun nearby. It sounds like a murder-suicide. It also seems, from reports, that he was having an affair with this girl...and she was just a girl...only 20 years old - to his 36.

The topic of the radio show was whether or not our perception of celebrities should change when we find out things about them that are unflattering. Of course, Terrance and I disagreed. :) He thought that it shouldn't...I thought that it should.

In my opinion, their private life - as much as they would like it to be private - is public. That is part of the package when you are a public figure. I don't think they should be held to any higher standard than other people...but I do think that your actions are going to affect how people think about you.

As I have gotten older, a public figures private life plays a big part of whether or not I like them. I have gotten past liking actors or sports figures simply because they are good at their craft. Take for instance Angelina Jolie. She once told a reporter, "I will never sleep with a married man, I'll never lie and I'll never sit back and do nothing." Well, we all know how that turned out...she did sleep with a married man - and I lost a lot of respect for her in doing that. Not that Brad Pitt was blameless - he is just as much at fault - and I've lost respect for him too.

Now that I am older - if a celebrity or sports figure does something I don't like in their personal life...I have no problem with saying that I don't like them - or not watching their movies - or buying their songs - or rooting for them. Some people think that their personal life doesn't have any impact on their skill or profession...it might not - but it doesn't make me have to like them either.

Pacman Jones was big news here in Nashville during all his legal problems. I wasn't a big fan of his anyway - but the constant trouble that he got himself in was tiring. Terrance said that a lot of his problems was because he was a poor boy from the 'hood that was given a ton of money and doesn't know how to act with it. I disagreed (((we do that a lot...keeps it spicy!!))). I told him that Pacman isn't stupid. He knows the difference between right and wrong - he knows that there are things he shouldn't be doing...he just didn't care - thought he wouldn't get caught - and let himself run around with a bad crowd. Those were his decisions - no one forced him into those situations...he did it to himself. And I can't respect a football player - no matter how talented he is - if he's not smart enough to own up to his mistakes and try to better himself.

Part of what the sportscaster we were listening to kept saying was "We shouldn't blame Steve McNair for one mistake"..."we shouldn't let one mistake ruin how we think of him"...Let me just say...One mistake did not get Steve McNair killed...about 100 did. It was mistake after mistake after mistake that led to his death. It was getting involved with that girl...it was owning a car with her...it was renting a home with her...it was disrespecting his wife...it was...on and on and on... He got himself to that point all by himself. Does that change that he was a great football player? No. Does that change that he did a lot of great things for this community? No. Does that change the way I view him? Absolutely.

One of the things that I liked about him was his image of a family man. One of the things I liked about Angelina Jolie - was her statement that she would never be with a married man. In Hollywood, I thought that was saying a lot. If I liked these people just because of their professional talents - then it wouldn't make a difference...but I liked them as people too. I have lost respect for both of them - and I don't have a problem saying that.

I am not saying that celebrities have to be perfect. I am not perfect. I make mistakes - daily. But they do need to be honest about their mistakes and own up to them. And if their private life becomes public - then they have to be willing for people to dislike what they find out.

R.I.P ~ Ed, Farrah & Michael

The entertainment world lost 3 greats this week with the deaths of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Each one was great in their own field.

Ed McMahon (March 6, 1923-June 23, 2009) was a comedian, game show host, announcer, and television personality. He was most famous for his work on TV as Johnny Carson's announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962-1992 and Star Search from 1983-1995.

He was a fighter pilot in the United States Marine Corp. during World War II, serving as a flight instructor and test pilot. He was a decorated pilot (six Air Medals) and was discharged in 1946, remaining in the reserves. He had 3 daughters and 3 sons.

McMahon was the long running co-host of the annual Labor Day weekend Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. His 41st and last appearance was in 2008, making him second only to Lewis himself in number of appearances.

Ed McMahon died at age 86 on June 23, 2009, at the UCLA Medical Center in LA. No formal cause of death was given, but McMahon's publicist attributed his death to the many health problems he had suffered over his final months such as pneumonia, bone cancer and other medical problems.

Farrah Fawcett (February 2, 1947-June 25, 2009) rose to international fame when she first appeared as private investigator Jill Munroe in TVs Charlie's Angels in 1976. She was a multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee. She earned the approval of critics and was in highly rated television movies in often challenging roles. Fawcett was also a pop culture figure whose hairstyle was emulated by millions of young women and whose poster sales broke records, making her an international sex symbol in the 1970's and 1980's.

Fawcett left Charlie's Angels after only one season and Cheryl Ladd replaced her. She had several years of commercial and critical flops until the early 80's. In 1984, her role as a battered wife in the fact-based TV movie The Burning Bed earned her her first of three Emmy Award nominations. The project is noted as being the first TV movie to provide a nationwide 800 number that offered help for other victims of domestic abuse. It was also the highest rated TV movie of the season. In 1986, she appeared in the movie version of Extremities in which she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.

From 1982 until her death, Fawcett was involved with actor Ryan O'Neal. They had a son, Redmond, in 1985.

Fawcett was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006, and began treatment, including chemotherapy and surgery. In May 2007, she bought a small video camera and, with the aide of her friend Alana Stewart, she documented the highs and lows of her battle with the disease. The two-hour documentary, Farrah's Story, aired on May 15, 2009. It was watched by nearly 9 million people.

In early June, O'Neal asked Fawcett to marry him. She accepted his proposal and O'Neal said the wedding would happen "as soon as she can say yes." The two never married. She died on June 25, 2009 in the intensive care unit of Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA at the age of 62.

Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958-June 25, 2009) was born in Gary, Indiana as the seventh of nine children. He went on to become a recording artist, entertainer and businessman. Jackson debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1969, and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. His 1982 Thriller is the world's best-selling record of all time.

In the early 1980's, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African-American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. With stage performances and music videos, he popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip-hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists. Aspects of his personal life, including his changing appearance and behavior, generated significant controversy, damaging his public image. Jackson married twice and fathered three children.

The Jackson 5 signed with Motown Records in 1968. The group set a chart record when its first four singles ("I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There") peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1978, Jackson starred as Scarecrow in the film musical The Wiz. His album Thriller, released in 1982, remained in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for 80 consecutive weeks, 37 at the peak. Seven singles from Thriller hit the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. It went on to sell upwards of 109 million copies, making it the best selling album of all time.

Jackson co-wrote the charity single "We Are The World" with Lionel Richie, which was released world wide to aid the poor in Africa and the US. He was one of 39 celebrities who performed on the record. The single became of the best-selling singles of all time, with nearly 20 million copies sold and millions of dollars donated to famine relief.

Michael Jackson won over 190 awards during his life-time. He won:

• American Music Awards - 22
• Billboard Music Awards - 40
• Brit Awards - 7
• Golden Globe Awards - 1
• Grammy Awards - 19
• Guiness World Records - 13
• MTV Music Awards - 13
• NAACP Image Awards - 14
• RIAA (Recording Industry Assoc. of America) Awards - 56
• World Music Awards - 12

At the time of his death, Jackson was scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts to over one million people at London's O2 arena.
Michael Jackson collapsed at a rented home in Holmby Hills in LA. Attempts to resuscitate him by his personal physician were unsuccessful. He was noted to have already been in cardiac arrest by the time the paramedics who attended his house. Jackson was pronounced dead at UCLA on June 25, 2009 at age 50.
Thank you for all you have done for our entertainment industry...you will be missed.

Information for this blog post was acquired from Wikipedia.com

You Know You Grew Up In The 80's If...

I got this from my friend Cheryl and thought it must be shared...

~ You've ever ended a sentance with the word "Psych!"

~ You know the profound meaning of "Wax On - Wax Off".

~ You've ever watched the "Pound Puppies".

~ You can sing the rap to the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and can do the Carlton.

~ Girls wore bike shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.

~ After you saw "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"

~ You yearned to be a member of the Babysitter's Club and tried to start a club of your own.

~ You remember boom boxes and walking around with them on your shoulders like you were all that.

~ You owned those Strawberry Shortcake dolls that were scented.

~ You wore about EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high-top Reeboks.

~ You know that "Whoa!!" comes from Joey on Blossom.

~ You wanted to be a Goonie.

~ You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talking bout Willis?"

~ You still get the urge to say "Not!" after every sentence.

~ Two words...Hammer Pants.

~ You even wore flourescent clothing...sometimes head-to-toe.

~ You have ever watched Fraggle Rock.

~ You had plastic streamers on your handle bars...and spokey-dokes or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect.

~ You thought He-Man and She-ra should hook up.

~ It was actually worth it to get up on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons.

~ You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose started falling off and his cheek bones shifted.

~ You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.

~ You saw the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the big screen and still remember their names.

~ You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class in school.

~ You took lunch boxes to school...metal ones.

~ You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.

~ You ever wondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.

~ You played the game MASH (mansion, apartment, shack, house).

~ You remember the CRAZE, then the banning of Slap Bracelets.

~ You wore stonewashed Jordache jeans and were proud of it.

~ You ever wore a pair of jelly shoes.

~ You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets and pins.

~ L.A. Gear...need I say more?

~ You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up!!"

~ You remember "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" and all the Ramona books.

~ You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.

~ You have ever played with a Skip-It.

~ You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.

~ You knew all the characters and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell" - the original class.

~ You know all the words to Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name".

~ You remember watching both Gremlins movies.

~ Don't worry...be happy.

~ You remember New Kids On The Block when they were cool.

~ You thought Doogie Howser or Samantha Macelli was hot.

~ You remember Alf, the furry brown alien from Melmac.

~ You remember when mullets were cool...and probably had one yourself.

~ You still sing "We Are The World".

~ You tight rolled your jeans.

~ You owned a banana clip.

~ You had big hair...and you knew how to use it.

~ You remember "Where's the beef?".

~ You're still singing "You Give Love A Bad Name", aren't you.

I had to do this...again. LOL