Box Wine Memoirs

Now I know where my long lost box of cash must have been accidently delivered...

Kathy Griffin just signed a deal with Ballantine, an imprint of Random House, to write her memoirs for an advance rumored to be worth more than $2 million.

I'm sure she'll pay me back once the book makes enough money.

Watch your step

JoeMyGod posted this amazing photo (not photoshopped) of a 3D street painting by 40 year old German artist Edgar Mueller. He has created a variety of mind-boggling interactive optical illusions over the years.

If you'd like to see more samples of his work (and a video of how one of them is created), click here.

Blog Anniversary

The traditional gift for a first year anniversary is paper, isn't it?

Hopefully the postman will deliver my box of cash today. It's been on back-order forever!

I can't believe it's been a year since I made my first post on this blog. Time really flies, doesn't it?





This time last year, I was preparing to head to Australia for their Mardi Gras on the Pink Flight with Kathy Griffin. I had just figured out (with the help of my friend Maggie) how to create a blog and upload photos, something I wanted to do throughout my trip in order to share my adventure with my friends while I was off traveling alone.



Blogging turned out to be one of my favorite parts of that trip...as it continues to be for me daily when I'm not traveling.

As I prepared to write this entry, I re-read many of my old posts over the past year. It really triggered a wide range of emotions that took me immediately back to some of those special days. Happy, sad, reflective, silly...like looking at a digital life-scrapbook.





Blogging, like keeping a personal journal, really has been a fun way to retain memories that, with my soggy declining brain matter, otherwise might have slipped away along with so many other special moments in my life.







Without the blog, I might have forgotten all about swearing Nana and "the Creeks", the mysterious world of creepy dolls in museums, disgruntled house plants, the spiders of Australia (well, I'll never forget those!), Frank passing away, my night with Marilyn Monroe, my trip to Hobbiton, the calm of Rarotonga, plus all of my friends and family here and in Atlanta, Asheville and Ohio.









The blog has also helped me to keep creative, continue writing on a daily basis and take a more focused interest in photography, something I always really enjoyed and have started to pursue professionally. Because of that, I have been fortunate enough to sell a couple of magazine articles and even headed back to school to learn more about how to take better pictures.







So, although this blog doesn't pay the bills...some of the creative energy put into it just might one day.

At least that is my hope.

But what's most important to me is that this blog has helped me stay in touch with the wide variety of people I've met along the way. Some of you for just a brief period of time and others I've known for many years...decades even.












I know that you all have busy lives and that you won't always have the time to drop what you're doing so that you can catch up on the randomness that is my life these days. But, do know that it means a lot to me when you do.









I hope that you've enjoyed it when you stopped by and that, if nothing else, it's brought a smile to your face on days when you've needed one.

If so...then, that makes it all worth it for me.

Thanks so much for stopping by, for your support and for your friendship.



It will be interesting to see what the next year brings...

Mirror, Mirror

What must that be like?

To walk through life looking like you just stepped off of Mount Olympus...

Regardless of what people may of may not like about Angelina Jolie, I really think that she is one of the most beautiful creatures on this planet.

And that Brad guy isn't hard on the eyes either.

I really need to update my Cybil Sherpard lighting...

Academy Awards

I actually have early commerical photos that look frighteningly similar to this image...

We had our usual Academy Awards gathering last night and there were several nice moments, like Sean Penn winning Best Actor, along the way (like these hilarious framed images that my friends Joel and Sheldon suprised a few of us with during the red carpet pre-show).

I thought Hugh Jackman did a suprisingly good job hosting the show and really enjoyed his opening number.

Who knew Wolverine could sing that well?



As you can see, Oscar was very suprised that Meryl Streep didn't win for Best Actress. However, she was her usual gracious self and really looked beautiful in her elegant gown.

She's a classy lady, that one.



Joel enjoyed Ben Stiller's Joaquin Phonenix impression at the podium. We're all hoping that Joaquin is just being a lunatic these days as a publicity stunt for his upcoming mockumentary.

If not...I hope he enjoys doing regional theater.



My friend John was disappointed that Jennifer Aniston didn't suddenly leap off the stage and start bitch-slapping Angelina Jolie, who sat there (looking stunning as always) smiling up at her while clinging to Jenn's ex-husband, Brad Pitt.

Angelina would have easily won, so Jenn made the right decision.



Sheldon cheered for all of the "Slumdog Millionaire" awards, mainly because it meant that we'd likely be seeing a lot more Bollywood dancing in the near future.

Sheldon always enjoys a good dance number with colorful costumes and lots of jazz hands.



It was also my friend Andrew's 40th birthday yesterday, so we celebrated that as well. Just like Benjamin Button, Andrew appears to be aging in reverse.

And we all continue to hate him for that daily...

Beauty and the Beast

First the beauty...



National Underwear Day in Brazil this week.



Then....the beast.



There must be a house up there somewhere just waiting to drop down on Ann...

Or an anvil...a piano...satellite debris...

Listen to Nanna

I'm not sure how I've missed the "Fruitcake Lady" over the years on the "Tonight Show", but she is very entertaining and does dish out some good not-your-average-grandmotherly advice to people...



If anyone deserves their own talk show...it's her.

Trilogy Meter

This blogger has rated his enjoyment of several popular movie trilogys (many of which, initially, had no plans to go past the first film).

I agree with most of them, however....

• I think the third "Indiana Jones" movie was not nearly as good as the second
• I think the third "X-Men" movie was, after a second viewing, as good as the second one

I do agree that several sequels were as good as or better than the original, like "Alien", "Star Trek" and "Mad Max" (thanks to a bigger budget and Tina Turner's wig).

What do you think?

Can you feel it?

This painting...not so much.

There is going to be a big auction of Michael Jackson crap in April, for anyone who has dreamed of having a piece of the King of Pop in their very own home.

If the above painting of historic figures (nice pose, Abe) donning the King's infamous glove and glasses don't do it for you ($1000-$2000), then moonwalk on over and pick yourself up a creepy "Grandmother Predictions" fortune-teller booth ($1500-$2500).



Looks like it provides hours of coin-operated granny-fun, with none of the mess.

And just how would you get all of your disturbing treasures home?

Well, why not buy his Rolls Royce ($140,000-$160,000) with an interior designed by Michael Jackson himself...



I'm car sick just from looking at the photo...

Some people should not be allowed to have disposable income.

Bart and Company

I can't believe "The Simpsons" has been on for 19 years...geez time flies! I remember when it was just a regular cartoon short on the "Tracey Ullman Show".

I'm old.

If you haven't seen it already, here is the new opening:



I like the couch running away and leaving little "couch prints" behind...

Valentine's Day suggestions

During this difficult economy, if you are trying to think of something fun and affordable to do this weekend with your husband, wife, partner, significant other, best friend or, possibly, your dog...I think I've found something that you both can do together that is FREE...and you don't even have to leave the comfort of your home to enjoy it.

Try doing this together between every commercial break as you watch TV this weekend.



Hours of fun and it probably burns off some calories too.

On the other hand, if you are single, bitter and just generally angry and are trying to find just the right word to express how you really feel about the whole Valentine's Day "scam" that the world is forcing upon you from all directions....perhaps you'll find this video helpful.

Someone with a lot of free time (and no, it wasn't me) decided to edit together EVERY F'ing F-Word from the entire run of the "Sopranos".

I doubt you'll get through the whole thing (it's 27 minutes long), but if this particular word seems to make you smile...then you can always just crank it up in the background while watching "When Harry Met Sally" with the sound off.



Those kids really did enjoy using that word...

Happy F'ing Valentines Day everyone!

Back in the day

I wonder what SuperCuts would have charged then?

There is this great page that showcases a lot of photographs taken during the great depression in New York City 1932. The photographer, Berenice Abbott, created this project to document the city and the challenging times for the Federal Art Project (a depression-era government program for artists).



Although I was commenting earlier in the week about how expensive it is to live in New York now, it was probably just as difficult (with the low wages and economy) to live there in the early 1900s too.



But, it sure would be nice if groceries were this affordable now.



And gas prices...



Even hotdogs and lemonade.

But, through all the tough times they had back then, it's amazing to me that people still did their best to dress well and look presentable.

It's difficult enough for me to convince myself to get out of my sweatpants and T-shirt when I'm going out to meet friends for a movie.



I mean, almost everyone in this street shot is wearing a hat and formal clothes.

And...there is not a pants-and-belt-hanging-below-the-ass idiot anywhere in sight.

I wonder, if the economy continues to get worse, if we'll soon be seeing a lot of stupid kids walking around with no pants at all (because they can't afford belts to hold them up under their ample cheekage)?

I hope not.

It's difficult enough not to jump the curb and run them over now...

Helping Hand

This Koala is bound to have her own series by the fall...

Besides the raging wildfires coverage across Australia's Victorian bushland the past few days, the world got to witness a special moment of humanity amongst the devastation when a firefighter, David Tree, found this Koala (now named Sam), wandering around in the burnt aftermath.

Mr Tree said he was in the middle of backburning at Mirboo North when he saw the stricken koala.

"I could see she had sore feet and was in trouble, so I pulled over the fire truck. She just plonked herself down, as if to say 'I'm beat'," he said. "I offered her a drink and she drank three bottles.

"The most amazing part was when she grabbed my hand. I will never forget that."



"She is lovely - very docile - and she has already got an admirer. A male koala keeps putting his arms around her," Ms Shaw said. "She will need regular attention and it will be a long road to recovery, but she should be able to be released back into the wild in about five months."

She's already got a boyfriend at the shelter?

Atta girl.

Here is the video of her encounter with the firefighter:

Ross attends Superbowl

Hilarity ensues...



That Darnell Dockett might want to consider "tackling" a sense of humor for the New Year.

Just a suggestion...

Price of apples

Well, the price of living in the Big Apple to be more specific...

A New Yorker would have to make $123,322 a year to have the same standard of living as someone making $50,000 in Houston.

In Manhattan, a $60,000 salary is equivalent to someone making $26,092 in Atlanta.

The average monthly rent in New York is $2,801, 53% higher than San Francisco, the second most expensive city in the country.

A couple of weeks ago, I saw an episode of "House Hunters" that took place in Michigan. The guy ended up buying a nice brick 3 bedroom, 2 bath, full basement home in a good neighborhood for $65,000.

If he got a 30 year mortgage (and why would you?), his monthly payment would be around $181/month. Even if he opted for a quicker 15 year mortgage, his payment would be around $362/month.

$2,801/month to rent a small walkup apartment OR $181/month to own a house?

Of course, you'd have to want to live in Michigan.