Doctor Daisy

Who knows when I’ll ever get to see this [considering my new Wisconsin town has yet to get Burn After Reading], but I know I’ll look as hard as I can to find it. May even drive to Milwaukee since this schedule says filmmakers will be there in November.

As Loki writes, “It is fortunate that Katrina hit us in an era when technology has made documentation like this possible. Camera phones and video cameras have allowed a much more intimate view of the disaster than any prior era could offer. This is an opportunity to be on the inside for a moment, to put yourself in the shoes of one of us.”

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BTW before the spoof came out I totally called it being one that used images of The Golden Girls!

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Not sure why it’s in video format when there is only audio of this amazing remix, but had to share what’s keeping me dancing around the house, writing quicker and typing faster.
The rest of the new Madonna album is growing on me, but this track stands out!

Ellen dancing to the song:

Here’s the official video but it’s no longer on YouTube so I can only share the link.

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I don’t know the answer to that question… if I knew I would tell you

Ala Clever Girl, although I don’t have anything to report this sunny Saturday other than once again heading to my library carrel, I thought I’d share a video. I’ve loved this song forever and I can’t help but laugh every time I hear the monologue near the end ever since my fav 80s music friend Theron pointed it out as the signature trait of a great pop song. Yet I’ve never seen the video until today, and, believe me, it’s one to see!

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Ever since Katrina hit, the fleur de lis has become a symbol of rebirth in NOLA and you can see them everywhere. In my previous blog post about the Katrina Warriors, I included their symbol which, in case you couldn’t figure it out, is a fleur de lis/heart/vagina hybrid created in time for the 10th anniversary of V-day.

That item aside, I seem to be finding more and more fleur de lis fashions outside of New Orleans, including bags by Gianni Bini and now Kimora Simmons for Baby Phat. We hardly ever go to the mall, but keep these fashions coming and I’ll talk my Visa for a walk!

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I’ve been wanting to learn more about the Writer’s Strike and what exactly the issues/terms/wants are and was just pointed to this blog by one of my students. It’s a frequently updated overview of what the impact of new media is upon the writers’ lives and an explanation as to why, in their words, they feel “a work stoppage lets the companies know how serious we are about getting a fair deal.”

Also, check out this short video to learn what it is the writers want and I think you’ll find that they aren’t asking for much!

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With the 2 year anniversary coming up, NOLA theatre writer David Cuthbert has written a great piece on all of the works written and performed by locals, those “creative voices… raised in response.” Here’s a snippit from the section that features my best friend, Rudy:

[In Fleeing Katrina there is] Rudy Rasmussen, a hotel concierge/actor and one of the funniest people you will ever meet in life or onstage. Rasmussen, a flip, glib live wire, proved to be the voice of reason at the American Can Apartments building where he still lives. “We have food and we have Scotch,” he told his neighbors, “everything’s OK.” His mother, Ione Rasmussen, the longtime band director at Ridgewood Preparatory School, was infirm and, as something of a local legend, wasn’t used to being told what to do. Rasmussen had to cajole, plead and bully her to safety via helicopter and two planes. Along the way they met Geraldo Rivera, Al Gore and his kids (”sweating and helping people at the airport, changing people’s diapers — he’s a hero to me”) and ended up flying to Houston on a private jet.

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At the beginning of the week I found out that Harvard Square was turning itself into Hogwarts Square in honor of the release of the 7th Harry Potter book. Since I am still in the midst of book 5, I knew I would not be hurrying to get a copy, but 1000s of people in Cambridge, MA certainly took to the streets in what I can only compare to a New Year’s celebration and rock concert all wrapped up as one!

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I have to admit, I’ve really gotten into So You Think You Can Dance this summer. I caught the last couple of episodes last summer and really didn’t like how short the solo routines were, but now that I’m watching it from the beginning [with my eye on the ballet and ballroom boys, Danny and Pasha], I love the longer paired numbers.

2 weeks ago I was upset that Pasha’s partner Jessi was sent home, especially after their hot cha-cha, but now he’s still showing how versatile he is with a new partner. This has got to be the best routine all summer [even if it was choreographed by that goofball Benji]!

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I noticed lots of my friends had MIKA songs on their MySpace profiles and when I finally took a listen, I became an instant fan. Think Freddy Mercury, Scissor Sisters, and maybe even a little Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Here’s the link to the MSN concert and below is the video for the song Grace Kelly.

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Having searched Netflix quite often for travel documentaries, I came across Long Way Round, which features my favorite Scot, Ewan McGregor, and his best mate Charley Boorman riding 20,000 miles on some fabulous BMW motorbikes. It’s a 2-disc set and I was glued to the tv for all 7 hours. If you aren’t familiar with the premise here it is:

Setting off in London in April 2004, Ewan and Charley travelled through some of the most beautiful, and at times dangerous, terrain the world has to offer. Crossing over into mainland Europe, they rode through France, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Siberia, Alaska, Canada before arriving 115 days later at their final destination, New York City, USA.

As I watched, their trip reminded me of all of my travel adventures with Komenka and how, no matter how unfamiliar a different culture may be, the people you meet quite often are just like you–willing to open their homes, share their customs and food, and celebrate life through music and dance–all without sharing the same language. I was lucky enough to travel to France 3 times, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Greece and each time I didn’t want to return to America, the land of strip malls and fast food. It’s nice being able to simplify your life and realize that you don’t really need much else besides good friends, food and shelter.

With that said, I looked up Ewan and Charley’s site because the DVD mentioned that they also produced a book. Well it turns out that the boys are off on another adventure this September called the Long Way Down, from Scotland to South Africa! I cannot wait!

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When AC and I got engaged, I bought us 3-day play passes to Disney to celebrate. Friday was our 6-month cutoff date to use them, so we drove over to Orlando and finally got to see a NOLA friend of mine AKA the Mad Hatter.

I also FINALLY caught a glimpse of my namesake–Daisy Duck. It makes me mad that she’s so underrepresented in terms of merchandise and making appearances [I’m serious about this!]. When AC told me he saw her leading the parade, I screamed like an 8-year-old girl and ran toward her. If a rope had not been between us, I would have tackled/hugged her!

And don’t you wonder how it is that both Donald and Daisy can get away with not wearing any pants?!

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God do I love Netflix! They have Jem and the Holograms! I watched this episode today and loved the song and choreography so much I had to see if it was on YouTube, and it was!

While I love the 80s glam rock cartoons, Andy is more a fan of the Gummi Bears, and again, Netflix came through for us. YouTube has the catchy theme song:

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another video from the film Music and Lyrics. I’m sure you all think I’m nuts, but the soundtrack is just too hilarious. Although maybe I am a little loopy from all the studying…

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Yes, life was simpler for me in the 80s and the music was fab-u-lous, so what could make a girl happier than the opening sequence to the Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore movie, Music and Lyrics.

If you must know, Andy and I were on our way to the Tampa Theatre to see Peter O’Toole in Venus, but missed the downtown exit. (We never go downtown AND construction around “malfunction junction” has actually gotten rid of the exit all together when driving south on I-275.) So knowing that the historic theatre was not likely to show tons of previews that would make up for our tardy arrivale, we opted for the movie theatre at the mall and “happened” to get there in time for Hugh’s big 80s hair and totally awesome dance moves.

Couldn’t you just watch this over and over???

P.S. The movie wasn’t all that great and I definitely won’t add the DVD to my collection when it comes out, but I did leave the movie theatre humming many of the songs. Broadway lyricist Stephen Sondheim has been known to rather “play alienating musical games with his audience then send them out of the theater humming a good, old-fashioned tune,” but something about the 80s genre calls for it, don’t you think?

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heehee

Well as my last post suggested, I had both tickets and an “in” to the Harry Connick Jr show this past Saturday night. Frankly, I didn’t think this would impress many people as I’ve been to several of his Orpheus Mardi Gras balls and run into him at the Ritz Carlton French Quarter bar a couple of times too, but I guess I can see how it is a bigger deal than usual in this post-Will and Grace world.

Seriously, the show was fantastic and is comprised mainly of New Orleans songs. My eyes welled up with tears a few times because it felt like I was home and just hearing Harry say “Yeah You Rite” made me realize even more how much I love and miss my New Orleans. I am literally counting the days til I can go back and don’t care how much it costs, I want to make more weekend trips than ever before. This urgency must stem from my self-imposed police state, but it had to be done all in the name of comprehensive exams. One more week!!

But back to Harry–he told lots of funny stories in between songs and Andy loved that. The finale song was my favorite “Mardi Gras in New Orleans,” although I didn’t even know that was its official title til I just looked it up. I always think of it as “Get your ticket in your hand…down on St. Claude and Dumaine…etc.” Anyway, this was the only song Harry shook his tailfeather to, so here’s my haphazard video capture of that:

After the show, Andy and I donned our backstage passes and got in line to meet the man himself. He was pretty subdued and only could chat with people for a few minutes, but I got my autographs, a quick pic and thanked him for all he’s doing for NOLA because, despite how silly he can be on talk shows, he does always bring up how much NOLA needs help and reminds us of Habitat for Humanity’s goals.

Here are the pics–enjoy and go see Harry if he comes to a city near you!

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I wasn’t all that in to the commercials this year, but I love Dave so here’s my choice:

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I loved him as a child, and he’s been given a 21-st century makeover here!

I searched long and hard for Encyclopedia Brown cover art [the Apple Paperback versions] to include in this post, but couldn’t find any. All my childhood books were lost in Katrina, so if anyone sees copies of those in used bookstores anywhere, let me know!

EDITED to include this find:

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So the Saints lost. Damn. But at least New Orleanians have Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest to focus on for the next few months. Lucky!

Nothing much going on here except reading for exams, teaching, and counting the days til NYC!

I’ve been on a Brit Flick kick [:)] and would like this moment to profess my adoration for Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren. Go girls!!!!

is my new fav, but

is a must see while it’s back in the theatres.

And go here to see how fabulous Helen looked with her 2 awards at the Golden Globes.

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I actually just bought the “real” video from I-Tunes the other day and cannot believe I’m coming across the live Superdome footage just now. Thanks Adrastos!

A longer video clip than most due to them singing 3 songs, but worth every minute of your time!

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Turns out one of my favorite actresses lives and loves New Orleans. Here’s her 60-second interview with Chris Rose.

People in L.A. would kill to be as eccentric as people in New Orleans are. And none of it is fabricated. There’s no pretense to it. It’s all authentic. This whole town is authentic. I love that you go into these bars and everyone has brought their dogs and there isn’t a curfew. In L.A., at 10 o’clock, everyone runs home because they’re all working on their films the next day; everything just sort of dies. But here, people who have a big morning the next day actually stay out late and ride the ride. There are no wimps here. It’s a very strong, tough, salty person who chooses to stay here.

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A human version of the Bass and Rankin 1974 classic comes on NBC tomorrow night. My friend Lara plays the mayor’s wife and is featured in the first pic of the slideshow on the official webpage. Go check it out! Also, the extended preview is a dance number “challenge” between Mr. Heat Miser and Mr. Snow Miser and is pretty silly

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I’m at the Pew Internet and American Life site right now and am finding all sorts of stuff on blogs and health care [click on the Powerpoint] and online searches for health-related issues.

I also came across a PDF on “Expressing Social Relationships on the Blog through Links and Comments”

Oh and Clancy blogged about this the other day, but I never linked to it: “What Has Blogging Really Accomplished?”

I’ve got to finish up my Katrina narrative for Dr. Ellis’s class tomorrow and rehearse the presentation, but go see Stranger Than Fiction as soon as humanly possible!

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Congrats to Joe Mauer, Major League Batting Champion!

Take that, Derek Jeter!!!!!

I would write more but we biked almost 20 miles today and spent the day at the beach yesterday and I think I’ve had a bit too much sun. I need to crash!

P.S. We saw this guy biking yesterday and now that we’ve seen his billboard, we can’t wait for the BICYCLE BASH!

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