Amazing Race

Before I forget, congratulations to the South Carolina Gamecock baseball team, reigning national champions in case anyone forgot, for their season opening sweep of Santa Clara.  Three games down...

It was another beautiful day here in Charleston.  I broke for lunch for a quick run in the park.  I saw a black snake, which was good incentive to keep running!  I hope this weather stays warm so I can continue enjoying the physical activity.  I took another 30 minute neighborhood stroll before dinner tonight.  An promptly undid my good work by grilling out steaks.  So worth it though.

Last night's "Amazing Race" was good enough to get me hooked.  All of my old favorites - the Cowboys, Dating Goths, Globetrotters, and NFL cheerleaders - are all back to make a run for the million dollars.  Sounds like professional wrestling tag teams, eh?

The first major stop was Sydney, my old stomping grounds.  Unfortunately, unless there is a major surprise, it's not looking good for the Cowboys.

My productive Sunday made it impossible to watch the second part of the reunion show for my Atlanta housewives.  I'm tired of them anyway.

What a great Monday.

Monday

It's Monday again.  Just like clockwork, ruined a perfectly good weekend.

The weekend was pretty awesome here, nice and warm, but I don't think it's going to last very long.  Fortunately, that cute little groundhog is scheduled to make his appearance this week.

"Jerseylicious" ended its season last night.  Don't laugh, but our favorite stylists were all competing in-wait for it-New Jersey Fashion Week.  In the end, the team from the Gatsby won best hair and makeup.  It had to have been rigged, Olivia and Anthony rocked it out.

Like I know anything about hair and makeup.  I just wish someone would show me how to conceal these purple bags under my eyes.

Tracy got a new boyfriend.  Sweet, but already displaying signs of control-freakage.

My Atlanta Housewives also had their last episode.  In the end, Cynthia walked down the aisle, or more specifically, the stairs at the Fernbank.  The reunion show should provide lots of good drama.

Tomorrow is February first.  Don't forget to say "rabbit" for good luck.  I really think I need to think about planning some vacation.

G'day 8

OK, it was a boring day at the Open.  Rafa continues to roll.  The matches from here on out should be pretty good.

Crap , I almost forgot.  I need to fill out my FCC application.  Only 67 days left.

I really don't have anything else exciting to report.  "Jerseylicious" was pretty tame last night.  My Atlanta housewives were even more trifling.  NeNe is being a total bitch, even by Real Housewife standards.  Take that, NeNe.

Monday.  Ugh.

Rainy Tuesday

I hope no one is overly tired on this Tuesday evening because I'm about to put you to sleep.

I have absolutely nothing of interest to report.  No witty observations regarding the world, real or televised.

I fell asleep so early last night after chatting with Tonya, I completely missed my Housewife repeat.  I feel so out of touch with NeNe.  And I had to hear second-hand that Kim Is preggers with one of the Atlanta Falcon football player's bastard child.  Bless her heart.

Today was another trying day at work.  It was pretty dreary.  I think cold weather is on the way, so bye bye 70 degree days.  I think winter may finally set in.

On the bright side, tomorrow is Hump Day.  If I can only make it past my tortuous mid-morning conference call...

Daylight Saving Time Ends...

I'm happy to report that I had a very restful sleep last night and do not have any disturbing dreams to share.  I attribute this to the extra hour gained from the end of Daylight Saving Time.  What a wonderful gift concocted by our forefathers.  Too bad that extra hour will be spent trying to remember how to reset the clocks in my kitchen, car, living room, etc.  Maybe I will just leave them until spring and perform the mathematical conversion in my head.

Wacky dreams aside, I did run across the following disturbing headline in the Post and Courier yesterday:

Palin gets high approval rating - The overwhelming majority of South Carolina Republicans approve of Sarah Palin, and to a lesser degree Mitt Romney.

WTF?  Does everyone understand why I have a love/hate relationship with my state?  What if this starts to spread across the country, in the manner of a sweeping influenza pandemic?  Honestly, I think I might have to leave.  Does this qualify as a good reason to seek political asylum?  If anyone knows if their country will accept me as a refugee, please email me.  I would like to make my plans well in advance of 2012.

In other South Carolina news, the Gamecocks really stunk it up versus Arkansas last night.  The joke is on the Razorbacks though, as they still have to go back and live in Arkansas.  Where I'm sure Sarah Palin is even more popular.

Overall, I'm very disappointed with how the football season is winding down for my team.  The SEC East is coming down to next weekend's showdown with Florida.  And honestly, things are looking good for the Gators.  I'll refrain from any further discussion so as not to jinx South Carolina.  Damned Chicken Curse.

To make matters worse, Clemson came back and beat North Carolina State.

So no more football for another week.  I do have "Dexter" to look forward to tonight, along with "The Real Housewives of Atlanta", which is moving from Monday night.  I can hardly contain my excitement.

That's about the only thing to be excited about---I'm not feeling very upbeat about the upcoming work week.  Can last week's chaos and never-ending stream of conference calls continue?  Can I make it 5 days until my Friday evening meal at Long Point Grill?  Stay tuned...

Rock the Vote!

I hope everyone exercised their RIGHT to vote today.  Now for the results to start rolling in.

Don't forget---if you somehow missed your chance, or are ineligible to vote in this country, there's still time to vote in my poll located to the right.  Your opinion counts.

Speaking of voting being a right and a privilege, I'm reminded of my time in Australia, and how voting there is compulsory.  They find it absurd that U.S. citizens would NOT vote.  Of course, that's an easy opinion to hold when your local officials would fine or imprison you for non-participation.  I still do not know what my opinion is regarding that policy.  I do think people should exercise their right (or shut the fuck up), but at the same time, it is a choice.  It's just a shame when that choice made due to laziness, and not out of conscious civic-mindedness, protest, or similar.

Readers from around the world, I'm interested to know your thoughts and opinions on this.

The Housewives were a Hotlanta mess last night.  NeNe and her Titties are still recovering from her surgery.  Last night, they went bra shopping.  I could have gone months without seeing that much NeNe.

Speaking of TMI, there was a whole lot of frank sex talk last night, most of it instigated by my favorite, Kandi.  Apparently, celibacy makes you want to about sex all the more.  Honestly though, the talk of vaginal insertion of sugar was a bit much.  Sounds sticky, and not sympathetic to the diabetic diet.

The only other interesting moment came when Kim took her youngest daughter furniture shopping.  In an attempt to determine what might best suit the daughter's decor (via hobbies, interests, etc), the sales clerk asked her what she likes.  The reply?  Fried chicken. 

Bless her heart.

Back to the Housewives

Today began with a rather rude realization.  The cast of "Back to the Future" reunited on the "Today" show this morning.  To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film.  WTF?  Has it really been that long?

To add to the insult, the original "Halloween" was on TV last night.  Although nearly as old as moi, that film still creates a fierce fright.  I remember hearing that the little girl Jamie Lee Curtis was babysitting in the movie is Kyle from the new "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills".  My, how quickly they grow up.  At least I'm younger than her.

Speaking of housewives, last night's "Real Housewives of Atlanta" was pretty entertaining.  NeNe decided to get plastic surgery---on her nose, pooch, and "titties".  Love hearing her say the word "titties" in her ghetto-fabulous Southern drawl!  I thought it pretty ironic that she had all of her work done by Dr. Whiteman.  I'm just saying.

Bless her heart, the really great footage was from her rambling high as a kite as a result of anesthesia and post-op drugs.  I sympathize with her, as many embarrassing phone calls and voice mails have originated from my Ambien-induced stupors.

In other parts of the ATL, Sheree is still a heartless shrew who thinks she's above everyone.  Phaedra had her Southern-themed baby shower, complete with ballerinas and a waltzing Dwight.  I cannot explain it any better than that.  Wouldn't it have been funny if NeNe's surgery resulted in her having Dwight's Michael Jackson-esque nose?

And last, but not slut, I mean least, is Kim, who is planning for her sophomore single.  A classic like "Tardy For the Party" will be hard to top, but I'm sure Kandi can come up with something.

Playa

Another Atlanta Housewife observation I caught during a repeat episode last night...

NeNe has a new puppy.  She named it Playa.  I find this hilarious.

For those of you not fluent in ghetto, here is the phonetic example.
Does not sound like: I cannot wait to go back to Playa del Carmen for vacation.  Me gusto mucho.
Sounds like: Sup, Playa?  Whatchoo be lookin' at yo?

The Reaper Only Rings Once

Hollywood blue-hairs over the age of 70 should definitely check before opening the door, as the Grim Reaper has paid a visit to yet another icon.

Tom Bosley, better known as Howard Cunningham on the long-running 70's sitcom "Happy Days", has passed away at the age of 83.  I have very fond childhood memories of that show, not to mention his numerous guest appearances on The Love Boat.  Lucky fella.

So this brings the recent death toll to two (Barbara Billingsley/June Cleaver).  These things always happen in three's.  Who's next?

In "Real Housewives" drama, Vicki from the Orange County posse has filed for divorce from her long-suffering, whipped partner Donn.  I guess last year's renewal of the vows in a tropical locale was not what the doctor ordered.  Hmph.

Last night's "Real Housewives of Atlanta" put me to sleep.  The only note-worthy event was Kim's live "performance" of her mega-hit "Tardy for the Party".  The person responsible for attempting to cram her into that little black dress should be shot.  Did you really think those things would stay in?  Seriously, what a laughable scene it was.  It just goes to show that true talent is no longer needed in the entertainment industry.  Any bimbo with a gimmick can stretch 15 minutes of fame into a bona fide profession.  Maybe I should record a song...

Real Housewives of Atlanta

Things were a little ho-hum in Atlanta last night, with an emphasis on the Ho.

Sheree went on a blind date.  Why anyone would ever want to risk going out with that jackal is beyond me.  Clearly, nothing would ever be good enough, from choice of venue to the offered flowers.  No wonder her husband divorced her.

We were finally introduced to Cynthia, the newest housewife.  She is/was a supermodel who has never been married.  If the fact that her S.O. is trying to put a ring on her finger turns out to be her major storyline, then she's going to bore me to tears.

As usual, all attention was centered on NeNe.  Her son Brice decided he wants to move back home, but NeNe had to put him through the wringer first.  They decided on a 90 day period, during which he could get a job, save some money, and then be out for good on day 91.  That hardly seems worth the moving boxes and tape if you ask me.

Kandi performed a mini-concert at Cynthia and partner's ?club?restaurant?.  Of course NeNe used that as the stage to have a confrontation with Dwight.

Cause girl STILL wanted some answers.

Ok, here's the deal.  I lived in Atlanta.  The city is huge, and there are plenty of things going on.  Why must these people show up at the same events if they know there will be drama.  Bravo TV and Andy Cohen, that's why!

In the end, both parties actually remained calm for a change, talked like human beings, and hugged it out.  It was truly a Hallmark moment.

Oh, and Kim's wig was a hot mess.  Can't wait for next week's episode, when she performs "Tardy For the Party" in a tutu.  She honestly believes all of her hype.

Close Your Legs To Married Men

..and other words of wisdom from Nene.

Five minutes until the trashtastic "Real Housewives of Atlanta"!!!

Real Housewives of Atlanta

Last night was the premiere of the new season of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta".  Finally, after a boring season of D.C. housewives, we're back to the trash that has made this franchise so successful for Bravo.

If the first episode and upcoming season teaser is a good indicator, this should be a wild ride.

Highlights to note:

• Kim and NeNe are miraculously back on speaking terms.  Doesn't look like it's going to last long though.
• About the only thing everyone agrees on now is that Dwight is a turd.  Boo be playin everyone.  I love how we're less than an hour into the season, and boo is already being checked.  Translator, please.
• The new girl, Photon, or whatever her name is, looks just like Sherri Shepherd.  She also has that annoying Southern attitude.  The attitude that geography and a floppy hat make a lady, unlike anywhere else in the world.  PuhLEAZE.  I don't care what anyone says, Southern belles disappeared when Sherman burned the city down.  Anyone who thinks otherwise is a throwback wannabe.  And by the way, you're mispronouncing foie gras, so check the 'tude, boo.
• NeNe has serious anger management issues.  I have a bad temper too, but in this day and age, it's not a good idea do get in someone's face the way she does.  I'm surprised that Dwight didn't claw at her, just shows what a wuss he is.
• Can someone please get Kim a better wig?  It's a good thing lesbians aren't known for being picky about hair.  Did I mention that Kim had had a girlfriend?  During a break from Big Poppa.
• I still love Kandi.  She's the most personable one of the bunch.  I just hope she doesn't do anything to ruin that assessment.
• Sheree was on pretty good behavior last night.  Kind of boring.
• Everyone still thinks they are so "fabulous".  Heard the term fabulosity used for the first time.  Not to be confused with travelocity.

So that was the evening in a nutshell.  Made me just a little homesick for Atlanta.  Just a little.  Not sure if I can take this AND the Housevives of Beverly Hills when they start next week.  A little housewife goes a long way...