The Recovering Actor? SAG round-up

The SAG’s were on Sunday night. Yes, I really am an award show junkie! The SAG's began with a selection of actors from around the room reciting a quick lmonologue extolling the virtues of the craft and ending with…”I’m so-and -so and I’m an Actor”

That get’s me every time, I could’ve been a contender, and I could have been an actor!

My love of the stage started back in a grade school class play, when I slyly expanded the small role of Lady Lemondrop with comedic ad libs. Suddenly, I was a bit of a celeb, and I LOVED it. More school plays, musicals, and summers spent doing shows at the local community center. I was building up quite the resume. Ahh…C’est la Vie.

SAG one-liners round up

• Is there a 30 Rock backlash yet?
• I'm starting not to care for Kate Winslet. I don‘t respect actors who fall apart when they make a speech. Get it together lady!
• That House guy really cleans ‘em up. That show is "eh" for me.
  
• Sally Field winning was a bit of a shock. I guess they still really, really like...oh you know...
  
• Mad Men really is good, just have to be in the right frame if mind.
• There was a nice tribute for James Earl Jones, who is very cool. It was a little long so that is where I switched over to Family Guy. Overall the SAGS are actually pretty snappy time wise. We'll see what the Oscars bring!
  

Seattle Community Examiner: For your consideration-more theaters showing Oscar nominations

Hug a DJ today

Today is National Disc Jockey day! So as a Recovering DJ, I found myself a little bouquet!

Although I'm really a Recovering On-Air personality, DJ does sound better.

Mr. Obama goes to Washington

Song of the Day: "Young Americans"- David Bowie

Like most of the world, I've been viewing the Presidential Inauguration festivities today. I can't really remember watching so much coverage, I don't think I have ever cared so much before!

I have a friend who told me her son had the choice of going to recess or watching the Inauguration. Ha Ha....he's in 1st or 2nd grade...it's like asking a kid if he wants to take his medicine or have a piece of candy. The school should've had ALL the students watch, it's a piece of history no matter what your beliefs. That's a shame, he's missed out on a memory that would always be a part of him.

Good luck President Obama, I wish you the best!

Let's call it a water landing, shall we?

So I was "on lunch" with the tube on getting ready to compose a frothy little post about the Wii Fit. And lo and behold...there's a plane in the Hudson River!

Ummmm..planes don't belong in that waterway between NYC and Jersey City, Hoboken, and the "rest of New Jersey"!

Something about planes crashing in the NYC area freaks me out more so than any other area. So I call the hubby, who turned on the computer part of the Slingbox. We watched in silence together on the phone for a few minutes, our old home shrouded in tragedy once again. We hypothesized where exactly the plane had crash-landed and we were amazed at the sight of a slew of boats and ferries surrounding the area. And then he had to go, and I called the next person I call during these times....my mom.

In the meantime, I updated my Facebook, Twitter and Adium statuses. (Twitter by the way, an excellent resource for times like this, found pictures on the web immediately)


I started IM'ing with my Jersey peeps as I watched and waited. And then it was ok, for the most part. Silly geese...a brave, quick-thinking US Airways pilot, who walked the plane twice after the crash...a water landing really. He made the absolute best out of the cards he was dealt on a dime, and it turned out all right. A whole lot of people must be thankin' their lucky stars today. It certainly puts it all in perspective now doesn't it? Who cares about lost luggage and security hassles now??

A shout out to the Circle Line and NY Waterway Ferries! If ever you get to NYC/NJ area...you won't be disappointed by a ride long or short.

Alot of people on Facebook were fretting they were afraid to fly even more now. I say-the best time to fly is after an incident like this, the karma is good. Can't be afraid, just have to be grateful and hope for the best.

But I'll tell ya what,,,I'll take sitting in the exit row much more serious now!

True confession 2: Couldn't resist tuning in!

Contrary to what I said yesterday, I ended up watchin "American Idol."

I know, I know...I'm a hypocrite. I never said I wasn't.

I didn't seem as mean spirited as it's been. But really "bikini girl"....you've GOT TO be kiddin' me girl!

And of course the blind guy made me bawl. That whole segment was designed for tear-jerking and it served its purpose.

Not sure I can watch it two nights in a row though.

Seriously!

Tomorrow I have to report my fun with the Wii Fit!

True confession: Not an"Idol" fan

I know I'm a jumbo-sized minority here…. But I can’t believe we have to endure another season of "American Idol."

I just don’t get it. The show raises false expectations. It’s churning out a nation of "over-singing" karaoke crooners and sloppy tribute bands. Anyone who can hold a tune for a few in the shower thinks they can take on the Simon. They want to stand next to that creepy cyborg Seacrest and slobber over bizarro world Paula.

I think American Idol is ruining music. I really do. Over and over contestants cover the same classic songs. Really? No originality whatsoever? Whatever happened to American innovation?

I’m not a fan of, nor do I get the whole genre of “reality TV”. Isn’t reality TV the news??? Think about that one. But I realize the pull of the limelight is strong, so warm and inviting. That’s the draw. We can all hear the voice in our head whispering, “Look to the light, the bright shiny spotlight and all your dreams will come true.” Or at least your 5 minutes of fame that lives forever on “You Tube. “

Of course I’ll probably watch a bit. I like to see if I’m right about the diamonds in the rough in the beginning. I get bored in the later rounds. Besides, on the West Coast you can just hop online and get the updates without having to watch. I think if they did original songs, it would be much more interesting.

Ahh…originality, what a concept. There’s an idea for a genre-“original TV” ☺

But what do I know. A quick glance on Twitter this morning proves that a TON of people can't wait for tonight. And speaking of ton, a lot of people are talking about flipping back and forth from “A.I” to “The Biggest Loser”. I can’t believe that show; the humility people subject themselves to.

And before you get all huffy on me, just know-I’m not the only one who’s a rabble-rouser.

And I do love to rouse me up some rabble, heh heh.

Random Radio Births

Super Random tidbit to share....

I heard this on XM's P.O.T.U.S channel this morning....

Howard Stern and Rush Limbaugh share the same birthday today. That's just so cosmically wacky, no??? I kinda hate 'em both but I just thought this was a hoot. How bitter do you think Howie & Rushy are about this!???

It's also Christiane Amanpour's of CNN birthday as well. Good day for broadcasters to be born I guess.


Just a random, recovering dj ponder :) And my shortest post ever to boot!

I LOVES me da Globes...

The Golden Globes. Celebs from all walks of entertainment in one room…drinking and table-hopping. I would love to be there just once...what a blast!

I love watching the tables between the awards to see who is talking to whom. This year you saw Bruce Springsteen sitting next to Mickey Rourke, Robert Downy Jr. & Tom Cruise at the same table, and Susan Sarandon & Ralph Fiennes made a fine couple I thought. I know they were all in movies together, but still…I’m sure they don’t have to sit at the same table if they don’t want to.

I got on the “30 Rock” bandwagon a little bit. I groaned when Tina Fey won AGAIN-but her speech made up for it. When she said, “I love the Hollywood foreign press, I have all the action figures…” I LOST IT. What a hoot! I got a Facebook post and Twitter status out of that comment…BONUS!

I love award shows probably in part because I never got over my childhood dream of becoming an actress. I tossed that fantasy and went into something more financially rewarding and chock full of job security…radio…heh heh heh.

It’s after an award show I feel a stronger tinge of “I wish I was in the radio again.” It was such a blast to pontificate on what happened…who did what, etc. Radio is the lowest form of entertainment, so the only thing jocks can do is poke fun at those above. ☺

A few more random globalicious globs:

Why are they delayed on the West Coast..??? So annoying. I have to stay off the Internet for a few hours, which probably is at the root of my aggravation.

Laura Linney’s speech was great...she is such a pro. (“Recount” was excellent by the way) I’ll never understand how people can be ACTORS but they can’t speak in public off-the-cuff…drives me nuts! I wanted to smack the overrated Kate Winslet for her awful speech and stage presence.

And that “Happy-Go-Lucky “ babe Sally Hawkins was hideous. Someone should have just dragged her off the stage, what an idiot. That movie isn’t even playing around here, which is rather sad.

Ricky Gervais was hilarious. People in Hollywood don’t get him at all I don’t think. I think he was making some references to an episode of “Extra’s” (super duper funny show).

I am so over the tweens-Jonas Brothers and Billy Ray Cyrus’s kid. (I know her name, but she don’t need no more press ;)

Paul Giamatii looked weird, but still love.

What is up with Rita Wilson’s hair?

And what was going on with Jessica Lange & Drew Barrymore??

Ugh, how hideous was Mickey Rourke??

“Slumdog Millionaire”…yay!!! Can’t wait to see it!

Why wasn’t"Gran Torino" nominated for Best Picture or Clint Eastwood for Best Actor??!! The Academy’s better straighten that out!

If you missed the show EW has a great little play-by-play.

The Globes. Bringin’ out the diva in all of us!

Panic in Detroit Rock City

Song of the day: "Detroit Breakdown" The J. Geils Band

Today, I was sent a link to probably one of the best articles I have ever read about Detroit. It’s an article in Sports Illustrated written by Mitch Albom. Yes, it’s a little long and schmaltzy…but any Detroiter, former Detroiter or anyone who wonders what the heck it’s like to live in the Detroit area should read it. It certainly has made me ponder. It’s nice to know there are others who feel like I do.

It's hard to be a Detroiter. I guess I'm a former Detroiter since I don't live there anymore, but I think it's kinda like being a recovering Catholic. It will always be in you; no matter how hard you distance your self or try to deny it, it will always be a part of your makeup.

Detroit and its suburbs will always be “home”…in that Hallmark “home is where the heart is place.” I was born there, grew up there, spent my best years in radio there. My family and some great friends are still scattered about all over area. Detroit’s a giant metro region that is very spread out. It can take you an hour or more to drive from the east side to the west side. There’s no such thing as public transportation, something I knew nothing about until I moved to the NYC area. And either you get it or you don't. I suppose it helps when you've spent a long time there.

And you can love it or hate it. I know a lot of people that left and never looked back. I know alot of people who want to leave but can't. I left 10 years ago and more or less always check behind me. Sometimes I’m embarrassed and frustrated to admit I’m from there and every once in awhile I want everyone I know to just leave already. But most of the time I keep up on what’s going on. I still root for the sports teams, although I really don’t like to own up to the Lions anymore. I love Vernor’s ginger ale (which you can buy in Seattle ironically) and crave Coney Islands, (hot dog’s with chili), Olga’s (sort of a gyro) and Sander’s cream puff hot fudge sundaes (self explanatory ☺). Yes we are a fat bunch, ha ha. But Michigan summers truly are legendary.

Back in town over the New Year holiday, I got used to having to drive everywhere again. The roads are generally a joy to drive on, and they keep ‘em cleared for the most part in the winter. Yes, there are potholes and what not, but you can drive 70 MPH in most places on the freeway!

And despite it all, people are still nice and friendly; as if all they have left to give is a smile and a kind word and they’re gonna flaunt it.It’s funny, because sometimes I tell people I’m from Detroit and they think I’m all tough. But if I say I’m from Michigan they just shrug a bit. It certainly is a sad little city, and the butt of so many jokes as Mitch said in his article.

it’s the place that built my backbone; my foundation my spirit, and I'm realizing you can take the girl out of Detroit, but man that Motown is still flowin’!

The most dreaded day of the year

I personally think The Monday After New Years...(Shouted in a booming, echoing voice) is one of the most daunting and dreaded days of the year. Back when I was gainfully employed at a “real” job…I would grieve the holiday that just passed.

No more short workweeks, no more cocktails and cookies anytime you wanted, just because it “was the holidays”. It looks bare and empty everywhere…no more plastic colored lights, fake greenery and tinsel to fill the void.

Everything that you put off until “after the holidays” has to get done, or at least now you have to pretend you are going to do it…even more exhausting.

You’re flipping through a calendar, either the one you received as a gift and feel obligated to use… or the one you had to buy because no one got you a you a calendar this year…and all that was left at the Rite Aid was a Barbie knockoff or one with weird pictures of dogs posing with fruit. Thank goodness it was free or 70% off.

I digress….

So you’re flip flip flipping through the calendar and it dawns on you that the next long weekend maybe isn’t until February, if you get Prez day off. Unless your company is very progressive and you get MLK day off. A few people in financial will have Good Friday off, actually all those days off if you’re in financial AND in NYC. But for most people, other than calling in on the Monday after the Super Bowl or taking some vacation time…. Most people won’t have a three-day weekend until Memorial Day!

Yikes! That will turn you back to cookies and cocktails.

None of this applies if you’re in radio, where you work six days a week anyway, no holidays off and there is no such thing as a 3-day weekend. Or you’re not a 9-5 Monday-Friday kind of person, work part time, or have flexible hours and your time is your own, not “the man’s”

Or…you’re a recovering D.J ☺

Happy New Year…you can still say it. Hope your dreaded day was ok.

How's your day 2 of '09 goin'?

GO WINGS! Heck of a game at Wrigley. I love the new NHL Winter Classic that started a few years ago. Always reminds me of a very underrated but very excellent movie called Mystery, Alaska. Loved the old school 'D jerseys too!



Ahhhh, the New Year. A clean slate, a time to start over. Usually, I have a million resolutions. And by now, I've already broken most of them. But since you can't break something you don't make, I'm actually ahead of the game this year! What a relief.

Been in the 'D for New Year's. Spent a great night down at the MGM Grand casino, where I made a sizable contribution to the city of Detroit. You wouldn't know the area is going down the tube by the crowd hangin' down there on New Year's Eve!

Always cracks me up now, how many "NON-foreign" cars area around here, as opposed to Seattle. Who knows how long that will last though, they might all be made outside the U.S.

I was ambling around the dial thinking of one of my favorite bits growing up. Ken Calvert, "the casual one" used to play it most mornings for a long time on WRIF or WLLZ....I think it was WRIF...one of the greatest rock stations in America.

If you know my humor, or share in it's madness, you too will have a whale of a chuckle.

Wet Dream-Kip Addotta

Happy New Year! If it wasn't so great in '08 it should be fine in '09 :)

Just be your Elf

The Space needle and a tree. Yes, the girl from Michigan is writing about New York from Seattle. Deal with it ;)

In the last few days, I've watched the movie "Elf" about 5 times. Directed by the underrated Jon Favre and starring the big kid Will Ferrell, who despite looking like an ex in a certain light now and again… always makes me laugh.

Most of the time I fell asleep or was doing something else while it was on, so in all actuality I probably watched it straight through about once. It's a great happy movie to fall asleep too, I like something light in the background. And the music is really jammy so it's good to have on doing chores and what not.

At any rate, for awhile I couldn't figure out my sudden obsession with this small little holiday flick. I was getting worried.

And then after about viewing 4, as Elf made it out of the Candy Cane Forest, and past the Swirly Twirly Gumdrops, and he's walking through the Lincoln Tunnel and he comes out........

And there it is. The Big Apple. All shiny and pretty and exciting and...and it hits me.

"Elf" is a giant video love letter to NYC. And it gets better the more you watch it. And double bonus if you know and love the City that Never Sleeps! The city that wears Christmas like no other.

But Christmas comes to wherever you are, it's that small light in all of us, that shines no matter where you are. Santa can always fine you! :)

A Snow Falls in Seattle-A Street View

When the snowing gets tough, the tough grab a snowboard. Resourceful kids on Broad St. in Seattle

From buses hanging over I-5 to the heartbreaking stories of the stuck masses out at Sea-Tac, to say it’s been heck of a week weather-wise in Seattle is an extreme understatement.

Slip Sliding Away






Who really gets used to cold and snow? I guess some people do, those that enjoy winter and skiing and sledding and all that. I myself…not a fan of the winter sports.

If you can't beat it, than do some city skiing

I think the problem is, I really hate snow touching me. I remember as a kid, getting into those full body-armor snowsuits and feeling well protected from all the elements. Although it really sucked when you had an itch. Or when you started getting sweaty and all it just pooled in your suit. Ewwww…you know what I mean!


An umbrella is good way to keep the snow from touching you

But with snow, comes the whole white XMAS thing, so you just have to make the best if it.



This looks like the beginning of a Holiday Animated Special ;)

Snow? We don't need no stinkin' SNOW!

It snowed in Vegas last night. VEGAS. It makes you contemplate the whole “when hell freezes over” expression. If you see piggies flying by….well…

The other night, the first snowfall settled upon the Seattle area. It’s comical how initially a few flurries can make even the most cynical, “anti-snow” person a little jubilant. We stood outside our local, having no commitments and nowhere to drive and raised our faces to the sky, the ginormous flakes whizzing by. It was pretty, like being in a snow globe. Yes, we had a few glasses of wine in us too.

But now it’s snowing again. And it’s not so pretty anymore when you have to be somewhere. It’s not so pretty when you live in a state that doesn’t clean the roads very well, or have salt.

This is my third winter (gooood grief, I’ve been here this long already, ugh)…In an area that allegedly never gets any snow, at least that’s what we were told before we moved here. At any rate, there are many many things I don‘t understand about this neck of the woods, but one of my big beefs is this…. clean the effin roads!

It is beyond my comprehension how a few inches of snow strands an entire metro area, schools are closed, roads are icy and the best they can say is put chains on your tires. I don’t even know how one would go about doing that.

I know, I KNOW "they" do the best they can. It’s hard with all the hills here. (Another secret Seattle tidbit) Where I come from, those roads get cleared pretty quickly. That salt is thrown down. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t have had school all winter, we would have had snow days all the time.

Snow days all the time? Hmmm, on second thought……

Recovering DJ's Holiday mix tape-part 1

As I've previously mentioned,I’m a Christmas music lover. Toss together some Pop with a little bit of Rock and Jazz and you've mixed a mélange of melodic goodness. It’s a sickness, but isn’t admitting that the first step towards Recovering? ☺

With so many holiday themed events comin’ down the chimney lo’ these next few weeks I bet you’re seekin’ ideas to keep the sassy Santa spirit a flowin'. Here’s a good start, in order of how many times they've played according to my iTunes: an 0bjective way put together a countdown.

Top 15
By order of iTunes play count

1-"Last Christmas" -Wham!
So so 80’s I know, it just makes me ache with nostalgia. And FYI, I’m not the only one who loves it… so **mleh** (I believe that's the sound of sticking out your tongue?) Say it aloud and see.

**Just discovered this has been covered by someone named Taylor Swift *Gasp**

2-"White Christmas"-Otis Redding
This version is from the “Love Actually” soundtrack- a new classic holiday movie in our household. It’s a little sad and soulful, but the warmth of Otis’s voice wraps around you like a musical muffler.


3-"A Charlie Brown Christmas"- Vince Guaraldi Trio
I couldn’t decide between, “O Tannenbaum”, “Christmas Time Is Here”, “Skating “ or “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” so I just threw in the whole thing.

An interesting story about the "Charlie Brown Special", tee hee.

4-"All I Want For Christmas Is You"-Olivia Olson
From "Love Actually" as well, you could use the Maria Carey version in a pinch though.


5-"Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Live)"-Bruce Springsteen
" He’s flyin’ over Michigan…down the Jersey Turnpike.." Whoop Whoop!


6-"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"-Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan
Two of my faves rockin’ the Xmas tree Canadian style


7-"The Little Drummer Boy"-Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
From a Very Special Christmas, a great series of contemporary Christmas music. Not really my fave song in the world, but have to add Rockin’ Robert when you can.


8-"The Christmas Song"-Luther Vandross
I like other versions of this song, but love the late GREAT Luther!


9-"Wonderful Christmastime"-Paul McCartney
Happy Paul, before Linda died and that other psycho wife came a’ callin'.


10-"Same Old Lang Syne"-Dan Fogelberg
“We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now”...that "Rob Lowe on Saxophone" sound from “St. Elmo’s Fire"…C’mon this is quintessential 80’s people. I immediately bought this last year when he died. Along with that, and the older I get, “Same Old Lang Syne" gets a little more bittersweet with each passing year.


11-"Bells Will be Ringing" - The Eagles
Really, just keeping the 80's alive...


12-"Winter Wonderland"- Harry Connick, Jr.
From the “When Harry Met Sally Soundtrack” which is another one of those "Christmissy" movies that isn’t really billed as such.


13-"Happy Christmas (War is Over)"-John Lennon
Oh John…What if…!!??


14-"Run Rudolph Run"- Keith Richards
A new fave from last year, the Bryan Adams version was previously on the Recovering DJ Holiday Mix. Brits usually trump Canadians. Plus, if you buy on iTunes, it comes with a bonus rocker “Pressure Drop”


15-"Father Christmas"- The Kinks
This is upbeat and "it's easy to dance to Dick, I'll give it a 95" This always reminds me how much I forget I love Ray Davies.


Glancing over this list, I see I’ll have to add some more subjective favorites soon.

"Sooner or later, your legs give way, you hit the ground"

One of my favorite albums of all time is Special Beat Service by the English Beat. I bought it, along with many other fabulous records at Harmony House in Downtown Farmington-the wondrous local music store where I spent many a magical day, and much of my babysitting money on the splendors of recorded music on vinyl.

In my senior year, I would listen to that album over and over …the skip on my copy of the record in the beginning of “I Confess” would prove to be just part of the song to me.

When I heard the CD version years later, I could still “hear” the scratch, chuckling at the memory.

So I was very excited when I found out the English Beat was going to do a show at the Showbox Theater in Seattle. The Showbox is a charming joint, just grimy enough to give it a little character. A few months ago I was fortunate enough to catch Squeeze at the same venue. Squeeze is definitely another of my top fave bands, and although Chris and Glenn or getting old, they still put on a heck of a gig. (See pic at left)

Yes, a pattern is emerging, old 80’s bands, and albums. I’m getting a little ***gasp*** mature.

It’s ironic that I spent half my life immersed in new music, keeping up with all that is hip and hot, but for the last few years, I am less and less into it. I try to stay current, but glancing at a recent top 10 songs list I’m familiar with less than half of the artists. It makes me feel a bit out of touch. But these days, I am extremly comforted by all that is musically aged.

I don’t really know how it started, but I became a big BIG U.K music fan. I would anxiously await “Rock Over London” which came on after “The King Biscuit Flower hour” on 89X a Canadian station in Windsor. Or there was the “Dangerous Exposure” show on WABX Detroit, hosted by the Mike Haloran, who started the best alternative station in it’s day; XTRA in San Diego.

I loved all things musically British so much, I used to dream of moving to London and becoming a DJ there. I had heard they ironically liked American accents as much as I was enchanted by English accents.

So it’s comforting when an old school band comes around. To me sometimes, the 80’s happened just a few years ago. It’s when I go to a show and get a good look at the rest of the audience….
I realize that I’ve become an old fart.

The crowd overall was pushing 50. And Dave Wakeling, the only surviving original member is not aging well. ( see pic below) Despite not coming on until the late hour of 10PM…☺ they played a strong energetic show. I was exhausted when I got home at 12:30, clutching my requisite concert t-shirt and a bit sad because the one song they didn’t play was “I Confess”

I wanted to see if I would still “hear” the scratch in the live version. I’ll have to “Save it for Later” ☺

We need a little Christmas, right this very minute

Song of the Day

"We Need a Little Christmas"-Various Artists

There are two things that I've lugged around during my many moves- a box of records (the vinyl kind that contain musical recordings) and my big blue Rubbermaid box o’ Xmas.

Yes Ginny, I’m a Chris Missy person.

You either are or aren’t a Xmas person, to varying degrees. Some people aren’t into Christmas for religious reasons, or they think they’re too cool for the room, that’s ok. But some people are just plain mean and hateful and those are the ones that need a little Xmas.

I fight it. Sometimes I say I’m not opening the box, it’s too much trouble. Things are tough, the world is in shambles, Christmas is for kids, blah blah blah…

Which is precisely when we need a little Christmas right this very minute.

My Christmas addiction isn’t really the religious sort, much to my mother’s chagrin. But it’s that concept of good. Of the brightness that shines in all of us, no matter how tarnished the world makes us.

Monet liked to paint what he called “momentary qualities of light” and that’s what Christmas is to me. Those little moments that make life just a little more bearable and enable us to trudge on.

Plus it’s the one time of year you’re allowed to hang shiny shiny lights everywhere.

When you feel good, you make others feel good. You give a smile and a “Hi” to the cashier at Rite Aide as opposed to a curt nod. She is nicer to the cranky old man behind you who in turn is actually a tad kind to the next person he comes across.

That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.



P.S......

Did you know that “We need a little Christmas” is from musical “Mame”? I always thought it was in an animated Christmas special.

"Momentary qualities of light" is the title I have chosen for my great Amercian novel, or at least a short story that the "New Yorker" will publish...whenever I get around to writing it.) ☺

Holiday travel tips: You can't take it all with you

Yesterday, I was pondering about a nice frothy little post with some soft random thoughts and frilly traveling advice. It’s the holiday season and a lot of inexperienced fliers are out and we should all just try to get along. I was feeling uncharacteristically Zen; pretty O.K. with my fellow man & womankind.

But then I got caught.

Caught red handed with extra gels and liquids. Done in by my greed to take my new Burt’s Bee’s Orange face wash that I LOVE and a few other extra niceties that didn’t fit in the regulation bag, like hairspray and my own shampoo and conditioner.

I know the rules. I obey the quart size bag decree to the tee. I take off my shoes and coat, place everything in those bins, and have my boarding pass ready with a pleasant attitude. I travel quite a bit.

Since I’ve have been there, done that…I saw it…. more like felt it. I was getting flagged. I’ve been stopped for electronics, I’ve been stopped randomly. But I haven’t been stopped over gels before. I knew they saw something. You know why? The bag with the extra contraband was in the outside pocket. I cursed my stupidity.

But truthfully I had never tried to sneak in a whole regular size Burt’s Bee’s before.

Suddenly, my bag is grabbed off the line and this strange lady opens it up and is touching my stuff…which just makes me crazy. In all the hullabaloo my toothbrush comes loose from its case, skids out and hits the floor.

I begin to lose it. I grab a few bottles out of my bag and throw it in bin and say, “I don’t need this stuff lady, I need to go”

Bad move. I’m not allowed to touch, or use a tone. I’m supposed to be happy I’m being violated. I know, I know they’re just doing their job…. but it was early in the morning.

NOW these big guys come over and yell at me. My horrid criminal self with the large size Burt’s Bees, and essentially three small extra items. He’s gonna haul me away in a second if I don’t calm down. I flash to myself on the news, the crazy woman screaming and kicking and no Thanksgiving for you lady. I wondered too what the hell happened to my Zen moment.

So, I step back a second. In all fairness to the lady, she’s trying to shove as much as she can into my quart bag and I think she is at least being nice, but I don’t care, I want to be done. The process, which is probably no more than a few minutes tops, feels like decades and I’m shakin’ like a junkie and I need to cry now.

So, I think they’re gonna run my stuff through the conveyor security thing again. That’s the point right? I had too many liquids that weren’t originally in the trusty quart bag. I know the rule.

But no, they just sent me on the way without a few of my products and most of my pride.

I knew I was wrong. A weak last minute moment that morning, throwing a few extra things in the bag. After I stopped crying I chastised myself.

I was gluttonous. I wanted to take the little niceties that help staying in three different places in five days a bit more manageable when you have all your HBA's with you.

On this Thanksgiving Eve, it’s nice to have such little problem right? I’m grateful for that. I feel like such a turkey now ☺

This Radio Life Part 2-Names & B'days

When was on the radio, my air name was sometimes, and most famously Susan Cruise.
I was actually just Susan at WORB- the Oakland Community College radio station where This Radio Life all started. At my first paid gig, up in Cadillac,MI- I was Susan Dean. I know pretty lame.

Onward I went to Lima, OH where the overlords wanted something jazzier. So Susan Cruise..AKA Cruisin’ Susan was born. Until I went to Akron, OH and Buffalo, NY where I worked and later hung out with the incomparable Sue O’Neil. Sue had seniority and wanted to be the only Sue….so Dianna Cruise was born. Changing names on a whim can be fun.

But back in Detroit, I was Susan Cruise again. Nov. 20th came around and I did a shout out "Happy Birthday" to my dad, because even thought he wasn’t listening I knew my mom was and she would tell him. Plus, a huge on-air perk was the on-air birthday announcement. People love to hear their name on-air and you are so forgiven if you for forgot the card and gift.

So I said something like this I am sure:

“ Latest from Sheryl Crow there…Q95 5. How are ya, its Susan Cruise wishing my papa Tom a happy happy birthday, Have a good day daddy! We’ll check the weather next on the Q.”

And the phones started ringing’ off the hook. I couldn't figure it out, It didn’t even dawn on me at first.

Half of Metro Detroit was wondering: “Is your dad really TOM Cruise!??”

Tee hee. In a matter of speaking, I guess so.

Happy Belated Tom “Cruise” ☺

Time Talking

I was in Champion's the other day, looking for a time-themed costume for a time-themed party. (70’s costume, milestone birthday party) and was ruminating on time, how times have changed, how much time I had to find something, how much time has passed since I met my dear friend….

When suddenly, the day turned to night. I panicked for a second, because I thought I had only been there a short time, for when I arrived it was light.

“What time is it?” I asked the hipster dude behind the counter.
“I know, it seems so late now with the time change, right?” was his reply.

Ahhh, that’s right, the time change thing. From daylight savings time to standard time. It gets dark soooo early and you think it’s soooo late.

I was out at 6pm the other night with my husband and I felt it was around 10pm. I was already tired and ready for bed.

The transition from day to night…from light to dark progresses quicker on the West Coast than in the East Coast or the Midwest…something to do with the mountains I think, the sun just drops.

But the thing is, when it was 6PM here, it WAS 9 PM on the East Coast. So I could have been a little tired. I swear for the most part I am still on East Coast time.

I know my darling cats are stuck in their native time zone. They used to get fed around 6 PM EST. Now they are hungry and whining at 3PM PST. You can’t tell an animal that suddenly the time is different just because you shoved them on a plane and flew them to a new time zone.

And time seems different on a Saturday then it does on a Wednesday. Time used to drag during the summer when we were kids, until that week just before school, and suddenly it flew, …you didn’t have enough time to get ready!

I don’t have the time. Can you make some time for me? What time do you have? Is it time to go yet? He’s got too much time on his hands.

It’s time for you to leave. How much time is left in the game? We made good time. What time does the show start? Can you believe how much time she took on that project?


Time flies when you’re havin’ fun. I lost track of time. Thanks so much, we had a great time. Time to make the doughnuts.

Make some time for yourself and the ones you love. Time is precious.


Bonus Songs of the Day-

Top 10 Recovering DJ songs with Time in the Title
In no particular order

Too Much Time on My Hands STYX

Entertained some friends lip-synching to this one on the way down the shore one time.

Favorie Waste of Time- Marshall Crenshaw

He’s from Fashionable Ferndale!

Sign O’ the Times-Prince

Good Times-Chic

Aawww yeah, she went there

Time (Clock of the Heart)- Culture Club

Ditto above

Time Is On My Side –The Rolling Stones

Time After Time- Cyndi Lauper

She was on "Gossip Girl" a few weeks ago, she’s still the bomb, times been good to her!

Fine Time-New Order

All This Time-Sting

Time for Letting Go & This Time it’s Us Jude Cole

An underrated artist who I was obsessed with many years ago, but still worth looking up.

And if you’re talkin’ Time have to give a shout out to that "other" band from Minny, who ask-
What Time is it!
Moris Day and the Time!



Bonus Holiday Time songs

Christmas Time is Here- Vince Guaraldi Trio (Charlie Brown Xmas !!!!) ☺

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year- Andy Williams