Sunday, October 4, 2009

Yadda yadda

So I've been on Facebook way too much recently attempting to craft cutesy retorts, post family pics from here to timbucktoo, and play junior detective and locate colleagues from six jobs ago. The social networking phenomenon continues. One can only wonder what life will be like ten years from now? Maybe we will be keeping tallying of new friends we meet outside the Internet as opposed to old friends we find on The Net. This would be significantly more challenging......... especially for R.E. Dad.

OK, I'm wondering why on all these American reality talent shows is the British judge the only one who can be honest and tell it like it really is? Is this why we have TWO British judges on "America's Got Talent?" Can't Americans be critical of other Americans? To me this is a slap in the face of ALL Americans to have the Brits critique our national talent shows. The U.S. population is 5x that of the U.K. Would you find American judges on British, Chinese or Australian talent shows? Heck NO, mate.

So did President Obama really believe that a last minute flight across the pond to plead his case for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Olympics could sway the committee? I believe the Brazilian president had been campaigning, selling, pleading and begging the olympic committee to give Rio the nod for well over a year. Mr. President, please get back to more pressing issues like the economy or Iran.

Baseball playoffs are coming this week! I absolutely love this time of year. The cool crisp autumn air combined with the win or go home intensity being played out in eight major league cities is something to behold. In baseball and unlike the NBA, any team including a Wild Card can run the table and grab the glory. Go Cardinals!

Back to Facebook....has anyone ever been "de-friended?" I actually was and can't figure out why? I mean I have blocked a few people who wanted me to be their friend, but why why why did someone strike me off their list? Turns out after hours of analysis after realizing that my friend count had decreased, the person who de-friended me was someone I'd gone to high school with and knew for many years prior to this. Could it have been this blog, my political views, my cyber breath or was it an accident? I need to know. Yadda yadda. To be continued.....

Friday, October 2, 2009

Back from NYC, Letterman & stuff.

I've been away so long that I almost forgot my password to re-enter the blogosphere. Fortunately after a few tries I got it right. So where have I been the past 3 weeks? Well, last week I was in New York City doing everything tourist. I had been to NYC a couple times, but never for more than a few days.

We visited The MET, MoMA, The Guggenheim, and the American Museum of Natural History. Such incredible museums full of priceless collections! We were absolutely overwhelmed, but beyond thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to tour such American treasures.

We attended the Broadway musicals 'Billy Elliot' and 'Chicago.' Both were brilliant. Live shows on Broadway with the best of the best acting, dancing, singing, directing, choreography, acoustics, etc. in an intimate setting have no comparison in the world of entertainment. It is truly the major leagues without cavernous stadiums, expensive cheap beer and blaring music.

Speaking of MLB, we saw the Yanks vs. the BoSox at the new Yankee Stadium. Definitely, not the "House that Ruth Built".... but a beautiful sports stadium none-the-less. Unlike the new Cowboys Stadium the jumbo tron or whatever you call it wasn't located in the middle of the field, but was incredible to watch.

So, now back home to my reality. Mom MD is back to work, the triplets are in Kindergarten, and Brenna is trucking through 6Th Grade. Unfortunately, the bratty girl from last year is in her class this year and is still up to her 'old tricks', but we're addressing the issue with her teacher and hopefully can get her to leave Bren alone once and for all!

So what's this extortion attempt towards David Letterman? Even though I contend that this is the type of distraction that tends to turn Americans away from the really important issues of the day, I think it's fascinating. I can't believe that Letterman broached the whole enchilada in front of his studio audience, who by the way thought the story would be funny!!!

While in New York last week, Mom MD and I attended a Letterman taping. As a member of the audience you are instructed to laugh and applaud each and every joke (whether you understand what the heck was just said or not). Any other type of sound is frowned upon big time. After watching last night and knowing what I know about audience participation and expectations, the confession in which Letterman interjected humor felt beyond awkward and would have been very uncomfortable for the audience especially after they had been drawn in to laugh at everything Letterman says.......that's all I have to say 'bout that.