Spinnin' Wheels Gotta Go 'Round

The Handsomest Man Alive and I have agreed after much discussion and gnashing of teeth that we both need to involve ourselves in a diet and exercise regimen. The parameters of our individual diet and exercise programs have not been hammered out, but I'm hoping that it will not be this laugh out-loud funny to onlookers. I also hope that if I'm caught on videotape doing any sort of atheletic activity that the music is the theme to "Chariots of Fire" and not this crazy surfer guitar. Who can maintain their dignity with that soundtrack?

Midnight at the Oasis

Happy Fat Tuesday! Packzi is the reason that the best place to be in the world to celebrate Fat Tuesday is Detroit.

I have new job duties that are keeping me busy all day long. I haven't completely figured out how to blog on a daily basis and do everything that I need to do at the office. So I've just got a few links today to pass along until I figure it all out.

It was a starry, starry night at the Oscars. Only the stars were in the skies rather than the seats. Don't cry for Mickey Rourke, he's about to land a part in another film that will have a honey of a paycheck.

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel's attempt to catch up on Oscar bait before the Academy Awards was foiled. Don't forget, President Obama's telling us all what's on his mind tonight. Meanwhile, Mrs. O has been busy hosting dinner parties and flying on Air Force One.

Accidentally Live On The Red Carpet!

Yes, that is me on the red carpet with Oscar's golden buttocks in the background. I know what you're asking yourself...what is she doing at the Academy Awards without having her hair and make-up done professionally? I was wondering that same thing. On Friday morning, I took a commuter train to downtown Burbank and then caught a shuttle to my office. In the afternoon, I caught another shuttle to North Hollywood where I got on the subway going downtown. Usually, I get off at the Hollywood & Highlands complex and get on a bus to the Grove where I meet up with the Handsomest Man Alive for a little Happy Hour cocktail to celebrate the 'Yabba-dabba-do' arrival of the weekend. But this past Friday what I didn't realize was that Hollywood Blvd. had been completely shutdown for the Oscars ceremony pre-show set-up. So when I came up from the underground, instead of a bus stop -- it was a red carpet. What the...? After inquiring with a security guard, I walked east on Hollywood Blvd. to what he claimed was another bus stop...but after a mile, I turned around and limped back because I never found anything that looked remotely like a bus stop. I did find many Korean tourists, a few drug dealers, a hooker or two (or at least some women who need to rethink their fashion choices) and a homeless man who spits when he's not talking to himself. By the time I made it back to Hollywood & Highland, I was sweating and my feet were blistered. I was frustrated and upset. I called the Handsomest Man Alive who agreed to come rescue me. And once he arrived, magically my fortunes changed. We decided to explore the red carpet area. Let's face it! It's as close as we'll ever come. We've got an entire photo album featuring us -- looking joyous albeit unprofessionally styled -- on the Academy Award red carpet. Eat your heart out, Ryan Seacrest!

Just a couple of swells...

Since being introduced to them, I have been completely enamored of the comedy duo of Elaine May and Mike Nichols. So I was very excited to read May's answers to the Proust questionnaire in the Hollywood edition of Vanity Fair. Mike Nichols has long been one of my favorite directors. Can you believe he directed Working Girl, The Birdcage, and The Graduate? I know. It doesn't seem like those films have anything in common -- except for the Academy Awards. Which brings me to the exciting news that the Oscars are this weekend. Have you seen all of the Best Film nominees, yet? We're almost there...Right now, Slumdog Millionaire has my vote. Going to an Academy Award party? Don't forget to your Oscar ballot. I can hardly wait to see who walks the red carpet this year and what they're wearing. I wonder if the economic downturn will effect all the glamor and glitz. By the way, Turner Classic Movies has been showing Academy Award nominated films throughout the month of February in honor of the Oscars. I caught a triple-feature back-to-back-to-back of Double Indemnity, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Some Like It Hot on Monday. It just doesn't get much better than that. I also watched a bit of The King and I the other night in a wine bar. I couldn't hear the sound, but it looked fantastic! Made this glimpse of Jerome Robbins even more fun.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I have always loved Valentine's Day. When I was little, it was a family day. Mom would buy my Dad a couple of car magazines and a bag of his favorite candy orange slices. And there would always be a little heart-shaped box of chocolates next to my place at the dinner table. I've heard more than one person over the last week complain bitterly about Valentine's Day being a commercially-manufactured holiday...and I've heard more than one woman talk about it as if it were a national day of mourning because they didn't have a sweetheart. I think both complaints may have some merit, but it brightened my spirits tremendously yesterday when I saw a woman struggling to get on the train with a bouquet of red roses that was almost twice as big as she was. And I may be completely crazy (no comments, please! You know who you are.) but isn't it nice to have one day in a year set aside to remember that along with everything else that is going on in the world, there are kittens, baby animals and rainbows too. I think that's reason enough to celebrate.

When you're alone and life is making you lonely...

I spent last night in the waiting room of the local urgent care. It was filled with little kids who were coughing and wheezing with assorted kinds of creaping crud. If I don't come down with consumption after two hours breathing their germs, it will be a miracle.

• While I was there, the Westminster Kennel Club show got on without me. The WKC dog show is the bright light in every frigid February. And if you miss the first night, no worries, things really get going on the second night. It is not to be missed. And this year, a scottie won the terrier group, so things are going to be sweet in the final round. Her bloodline includes the Anstamm kennel -- and my first dog, Angus, was an Anstamm on his father's side. So I'll be cheering tonight for a family member. The top four finishers in the terrier group (seen clockwise above from left): Scottish Terrier: Ch Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot. Female born Apr. 2, 2005. Sealyham Terrier: Ch Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice. Male born May 19, 2004. Norwich Terrier: Ch Skyscot's Poker Chip. Male born June 17, 2006. Miniature Schnauzer: Ch Earthsong Remedy For The Blues. Male born Dec. 21, 2006.

• Last night was President Obama's first White House press conference. While his performance is getting mixed reviews -- I still can't get over the fact that we have a guy running the country who properly uses the word, 'bellicose.' Unbelievable! Gobama!

• Here's the antidote to Valentine's Day. What kind of crazy dude runs away from Sandra Dee?

• Have you seen Captain Cool on television? I love this guy. My favorite quote: "I was sure I could do it." I would kill for that kind of confidence.

THIS JUST IN: Betty, who currently cohabitates with a white Scottie named Primrose, checked in this morning with this information: "Sadie, the 'real name' of the little Scottie who won the best of the terrier group, is owned by the people who own the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. She is the granddaughter of Bardene Bingo, who was imported from England and won best of Westminster in 1967. Sadie wore the lead worn by her grandmother last night at the WKC. Our Angus was the grandson of the same dog, and I think most of the Scotties in Michigan have a little Bingo in their blood."

Cinderellavision

I'm under the weather on this Monday. Fortunately, I received this video from a reader in my emailbox this morning that is guaranteed to make you smile. Thanks Kay!