One made me laugh, one made me cry…

Posted by random olio

I only partially watched the Oscars. I was at a neighbors for the night and found that interacting, talking, and eating was much more fun than watching the Oscars. I was a bit bored by Seth MacFarlane too. Later in the evening, we found out the recording my neighbor had set up ended before the Oscars were over, so we actually missed the last three awards (and the ones I was actually curious to watch). So when I found out later that Jennifer Lawrence tripped on the stairs I wanted to learn more about it, see her dress, and of course find out what happened. What poise, charisma, and sassiness Jennifer brings to this world. She took a not fun situation, made the best of it, and even made it funny. That will do more for her brand then walking up the stairs in that big ass dress! If you have not seen it yet, watch her authentic and real response to reporters.

Now are you ready to cry? Not tears of sadness, tears streaming down your face because you cannot stop laughing. A friend shared this on Facebook. I watched it once and laughed so hard I cried. I had Chris watch it and I laughed again even harder. Sometimes we just need to see the wonder that comes so natural to folks when shit happens. You know, because sometimes shit just happens.

West Wing Is Back For 4:04 Minutes

Posted by random olio

I was a die-hard fan of West Wing. I still get nostalgic of the show. I mentioned a bit about West Wing in this recent blog post. Last week I came across this video on getting out and voting. The video was created as a campaign ad for Bridget Mary McCormack. Bridget McCormack and Mary McCormack (who played Kate Harper on West Wing) are sisters.

It is a great bipartisan video, encourages individuals to vote, and has a positive take (instead of the many snarky political ads we keep seeing). The added bonus is to see the West Wing cast back in action. Although I could not help but think about how Leo was missing (played by John Spencer who died in 2005).

Enjoy all of you West Wing fans!

Sophia Grace and Rosie’s Comment on Ellen

Posted by random olio

Have you heard of Sophia Grace and Rosie? The eight- and six-year-old British music fans and mini singers frequented “The Ellen Degeneres Show” quite often last season. I loved watching them. They were always so excited, happy, and thrilled to chat and sing. They are also Nicki Minaj fanatics. Ellen has had them interview musicians on multiple award shows, and both girls know all the stars, as well as their songs. And, yes the always are dressed in tutu’s.

While catching up on personal emails, online reading, and Great Dane web cam watching over the weekend, I also caught up on Ellen. One of the episodes in her first week of the season had Sophia Grace and Rosie on. Simon Cowell and Britney Spears had been on earlier in the show promoting “The X Factor.” When Sophia Grace and Rosie came on, Ellen asks them if they watched Simon and Britney, and Sophia Grace (dark hair) says: “I met him backstage, but I do think he needs to put his trousers down a bit.” If you fast forward the video to :40 seconds, you’ll see the specific moment (click first image to watch).

Love those two girls. Wish I had as much excitement and thrill about the world, music, and pink when I was six and eight years old.

If you want to see them sing (and their hilarious banter with Ellen) watch the first time they were on Ellen’s show:

Have a great day!

Do You Watch Jeff Lewis?

Posted by random olio

I was talking with someone last week about Jeff Lewis. Have you ever seen either of his shows? His first show was: Flipping Out, and his more recent show is: Interior Therapy. Both are on Bravo and are about designing homes. Jeff Lewis is a character. He is direct, crass, and definitely not politically correct. I am not sure I could ever work for him. I do not have the patience that Jenny (his assistant) does. He would definitely fire me quickly, because I would have to tell him how horrid he is to his employees.

Having said all that, he is hilarious to watch, and he has impeccable design taste. I would live in one of his designed homes in a second (if I could afford one)! I decided to Google him a bit, and found his Facebook page. I had fun seeing all his candid photos of random people or things he finds while out in Los Angeles. Of course I had to “like” it so that his random posts will show up in my Facebook feed and I can smile, laugh, or roll my eyes.

Flipping Out is a show about flipping homes that started a few years ago. When flipping homes slowed down with the economy and real estate plunge, Jeff shifted the show towards his design expertise and helped individuals redo their internal spaces, rather that flipping large homes. The theme that was thread through the show was that Jeff also would flip out at his clients, employees, and subcontractors. All the time. As with a home that is being flipped, time and effort improves the home. The same has happened with Jeff. Over a few seasons, he flips out less. A new season of Flipping Out has just started. Try it out. (I also included part of a random episode below).

You might find it is one of your new favorite shows, or you might find that Jeff’s design skills rank way above his people skills.

Misty, Usain, Missy, And a Bit Of Spice

Posted by random olio

The Olympics are over and I am sad. Although I am grateful that I will be getting back to my normal sleep routine. I did not sleep as much these past few weeks because we kept staying up to watch more of the Olympics.

I wanted to share my favorite observances of the Olympics, in no particular order. Misty May Treanor is hilarious when she wins. She gets her face into the camera and spouts off random words of gratitude to people in her life. What I love most is that she always shares gratitude for the military and troops. She rocked the Olympics again and finished her career in golden style.

I also really enjoyed Missy Franklin and her natural and real happiness. Only 17 years old. She is my hero of this Olympics. For her real joy, excitement, and humility. Did you see the music video with her and the other USA Swimming teammates? If not, you can see it here:

Usain Bolt. I am in awe of his killer running abilities. I was, however, appalled at his attitude and overly exuberant confidence that he is a legend. When you watched many of the other runners you saw humility. Those that won medals, or broke records, and some that finished were grateful to be at the Olympics. Not Usain. He even said in an interview about Carl Lewis: “Everybody’s forgotten about him.” You can read more in this USA Today article. You have lost my respect Usain. You may be a runner that has broken many world records, but you need to work on humility. It goes a long way.

The Spice Girls performing in the Closing Ceremonies. I had to laugh, and do some online searching to remember their “Spice Girl” names, and the songs they sang back in the nineties. Other than the song “Wannabe” no other songs rang a bell for me. Now I cannot get the “If you wanna be my lover” lyrics out of my head. (That and “Call Me Maybe” from the Missy Franklin video.) By the way, what did you think of the bikers with the strange shaped helmets during the Pet Shop Boys singing “West End Boys?” I will miss watching Track & Field, Beach Volleyball, Gymnastics, and Swimming. Now back to more sleep this week.

What were your favorite Olympic moments?