There's A Full Moon On The Rise

I am afraid of the dark. I don't like spiders, and I freely admit to often feeling claustraphobic in elevators and other rooms that lack essential elements -- like windows or clearly marked exits. And now I have to add one more fear to my list -- that my racing suit is going to split while I'm trying to qualify for the 2010 Olympics. Thank God, that the only Olympics that I can ever qualify for is in my rich imagination. I have seen several versions of this video on the Internet, including one that adds farting noise (seems a little too 'on the nose', doesn't it?) and one that includes the uncontrollable giggles of the people standing behind her. I decided this was the most tasteful of the bunch -- yes, I AM using the theory of relativity. This delightful video reminds me of my favorite video of Matt Lauer and Al Roker learning to luge. There should be a link to it here. I think it's because they giggle little little girls all the way down the hill that makes it so funny.

Like A Fine Wine....

And my favorite cheeses, some chicks do get better with age. Betty White falls into that category. Her acceptance speech at this weekend's SAG awards is certainly a treasure. My own personal countdown to the 2010 Olympics has begun. I'm also looking forward to the Superbowl and the Oscars. What fun! Someone who may also be looking forward to the spring might be Lily the Bear -- who is in a den hibernating for the winter. Here's a peek to what's going on in there -- I'd never make it. I'm way too claustraphobic for that kind of fun.

Say Goodbye To Hollywood

Triumph The Insult Comic Dog - Star Wars
by ZaraV
Tonight is the last night that Conan O'Brien will host the Tonight Show. I gotta admit I didn't watch his show that often, but that's only because I can't stay up that late. I try, but I have to get up pretty early and I'm usually sawing ZZZZZs by eleven every night. To be fair I should also admit that my all-time favorite host of the Tonight Show is Johnny Carson. After he left, I lost interest. I feel terrible for Conan that he's going to lose his job because someone else -- with a longer track record and obviously meaner representation -- has failed at their job. I'm sympathetic to his plight. I also feel bad for all of the crew members who moved west with Conan to do the job from Hollywood as tradition would dictate. (Check out the nice house Conan bought as his family's west coast base. I hope they don't get rid of it.) As if to add insult to injury, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog is one of the pieces of intellectual property that Conan created at NBC that he won't be allowed to take with him. Triumph's going to the television pound.

It's Raining Cats & Dogs

It's raining in Los Angeles. That's all I have time to tell. My socks are wet, my hair is bad and the power is out at my apartment. I was stumbling around this morning in the dark with a candle like Jane Friggin' Austen. (Although probably not as well dressed, but that's gonna need a post all its own.) Needless to say, there was very little I thought that could put me in a good mood -- until I stumbled across this story from a Japanese newspaper. Tama the stationmaster cat has received a promotion. I don't know enough Japanese to tell you if her new position comes with any sort of financial reward, I do know that it comes with a new hat. And that hat must be mighty uncomfortable. I may not understand Japanese, but I understand cat -- and that one doesn't like her hat. What cat would, really? I'm surprised that guy holding the cat hasn't been maimed.

Puppy power is back...

Live TV by Ustream Just when the world seems overwhelming -- the earthquake in Haiti is catastrophic -- the Senate race in Massachusetts is troubling -- the weather is cold and wet (which adds up to wet socks which is like real water torture to me) -- the Shiba Inus have another set of puppies for us to watch and fawn over. Ah, bliss!

It Never Rains in Southern California

Storm clouds are gathering over Los Angeles. We're due for some rain. I mean open all the faucets and let the bathtub overflow rain. I spent yesterday at several different stores looking for rubber boots. I didn't find any in my size. The only ones I found were at the Disney store and they had the Little Mermaid logo on them. Probably best that they didn't have my size. Ah, well. Time to curl up with a good television. Figure skating...football playoffs and the Golden Globes. This year the geniuses at the Hollywood Foreign Press association have hired Ricky Gervais to host. This adds an element of risk to the booze-fueled festivities. Gervais is likely to say anything and then gleefully giggle about it. And what happens when it rains on the red carpet? Inquiring minds want to know.

Best Darn Sports Weekend Ever

Oh yes, it's that time of year. Ya'll can have your NFL playoffs, I'll take the United States Figure Skating Championships. This year, coming to us live from Spokane, Washington. The winners are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious this year, because they'll be representing the United States at the 2010 Olympics next month in Vancouver. Woohoo! The marque events of the USFSA Championships will be broadcast on NBC this Saturday night -- there's also some events on other channels -- you'll have to go over your newspaper's television viewing guide with a microscope to find it. Some years I've found the ice dancing and pairs on ESPN, and some years I've found them on Oxygen and Lifetime. They don't make it easy, but it's worth a look. And here's some help from the USFSA's website. I won't be in touch during the Olympics -- because there is nothing better in my mind than the Winter Olys. The curling. The luge. The biathalon. The ski jumping. Every night is an ice and snow spectacle. Ah, Heaven!