Elf Yourself

'Tis weeks before Christmas
And all over the world
People are giving
Elfing a whirl.
Watch these three nuts
Dance for you
Who will be next?
I haven't a clue.

Click here to watch.

Dancing With The Stars

There was speculation that Marie Osmond had staged her fainting spell in order to secure votes from devoted fans. Mel Brown, of the Spice Girls, was criticized for having prior dance training. She and her partner Maksim Chmerkovsky delivered flawless ball room dances time and again.
But, in the end, it was Helio Castroneves who waltzed away with the big tacky silver trophy ball.
There are now rumors of an off stage romance between Helio and his dance partner, Julianne Hough. Only hours after the finale aired, he confirmed his break up with fiancé, Alette Vazquez.

Tis The Season

It's that time of year again. I received my first official 'you've been hit by a snowball' email....so, let the games begin. As a little jump start on the Season....Rosie has been scrooged. Just click here to watch her dance. Looks kinda weird but still...funny.

Happy Thanksgiving

As we gather around the Thanksgiving table, let us all remember to be thankful for the little things in life.

New Look For Rosie's Blog

Change is inevitable. And so it is with Rosie's blog...a new look. There have been lots of people who have complained about the changes. Some say it's too hard to navigate. Others just plain don't like it. I think it suits Rosie. There are some new features....A 'Crafty U' section....Lots of blogger photos. It has the cutting edge design of a remote control on the right side. Everything is still there people. There's even a 'search' button...She's made it fun to take a look at whatever you want to look up. Give it a chance and see how you like it.
Sent out in her newsletter:
r blog
a place
where u can find me
and
i can find u
where i want 2 b

today
rosie.com
still me and u
on a nice nu canvas
more color
texture
and stuff

we heard u
yes u

more 2 c
art
picks
photos
videos
& crafts too

and don’t forget 2
visit the shop
nu merch
love tees finally
peace 4 all--even baby sizes
my art on a poster

so check out rosie.com
then share ur thoughts
we'll b here

peace

rosie

Rosie's Speech At Hunter College

Rosie's Next Book Signing

Will there be another book signing any time soon?
One of Rosie's fans asked this question in the Celebrity Detox section of her blog as posted below:

sharon writes:

do u have any more book signings lined up

after the holidays

I'm waiting for her to come a little closer to South Carolina to get mine signed. I heard a rumor that she might be coming to Atlanta. That's close enough for me.
Check back for more details. I'm sure there will be many more signings.

Nip / Tuck

On Tuesday November 20, 2007....Rosie O'Donnell will reprise her season 4 role as lottery winner 'Dawn Budge'. Be sure to tune in to FXNetwork for what is described as a series of unfortunate incidents for Dawn Budge....leaving her in need of cosmetic surgery to repair some 'facial disfigurements'. If you are a Rosie fan...this is a chance to see her amazing work on television again.

A Tribute To Martha Kostyra

Martha Kostyra

September 16th, 1914 - November 16th, 2007

As posted on her blog, Martha Stewart's mother, affectionately known as 'Big Martha', has passed at the age of 93. Our condolences to Martha and her family. Martha Kostyra was frequently seen on Martha's television program. Such a delightful lady, she often joked that she taught Martha everything she knows. She will truly be missed.

Rosie Wins Bloggers Choice Award

It's no surprise that she has been voted 'Best Celebrity Blogger'. She continues to be outspoken in her beliefs and challenges everyone to read, question and learn. One of her most famous lines is..."If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention." I couldn't agree more, Rosie.

As posted on her blog today:

Posted by ro on November 17th at 1:45pm

i have won the bloggers choice award
this thrills me 2 no end
ya see this blog thing
is the future

ya got something to say
to show
to give away
do it

its an amazing medium
2 work in
here and now
real not perfect

it is freedom
creating in cyberville
blast some music
move - make something

thanks 4 getting it
when the trophy arrives
i will do a talky acceptance speech
as if it were an oscar

2 me - it is
same same same
peace out peeps
off to find shady

only love

Animator vs. Animation

This is the neatest thing I have seen in a long time. An animator faces his own animation in deadly combat. The battlefield? The Flash interface itself.
A stick figure is created by an animator with the intent to torture. The stick figure drawn by the animator will be using everything he can find - the brush tool, the eraser tool - to get back at his tormentor. It's resourcefulness versus power. Who will win? You can find out yourself.
Check out the animation here.
Alan Becker, the creator, spent three months perfecting this.

Etch A Sketch

Brings back a lot of childhood memories. I remember being fascinated with my first Etch A Sketch. Spending many hours, meticulously creating my masterpiece was not unusual. Then, I encountered my first experience with 'delete'....I accidentally turned it over and all my hard work disappeared.

This online thing is cool as well... the lines are almost as hard to match up though.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

My Baby

She is a toy poodle. An old, faithful friend. She was 14 years old in July. I'm not really sure when her real birthday is but we celebrate it on July 4th. She was a rescue pet. My son adopted her when her owner wanted to have her put to sleep because her hind knee caps are inverted and therefore she was not 'show dog' material. How sad to know there are people in the world who would dispose of an animal as if it were yesterdays newspaper and never give it another thought. She is such a sweetheart. Temperamental and spoiled rotten. She gets upset when she smells 'people food' and you don't offer her a taste of whatever it is. Forget about any kind of doggie treats. Her favorite treats are Doritos, a slice of cheese or ice cream. I'm afraid she won't be around very much longer. She used to be solid black. Now she's beginning to show signs of aging. Her coat is turning gray and she's lost many of her teeth. I don't think she can see as well as she once did but her hearing is still very good. She has arthritis in her hind legs and sometimes she hops around on three legs. She used to like to go outside and run. Now, all she does is walk around for a few minutes and then wants to come back inside and lay in her bed. She needs to have her legs massaged daily and I do that for her. I tell myself that if/when something happens to her, I won't have another pet. That's probably not true. I love animals and this pet has been such a joy.

Rosie and Marion

What a shame that programs such as Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood only show snippets of 'their' spin on Rosie O'Donnell. This little video shows what a loving person she really is. Makes me smile too, Kelly.

Rachel Ray Overkill

Oprah Blunders of 2007

Hitting the #11 spot of Top Blunders is none other than Oprah's wonderkid, Rachel Ray.

You can't walk down the isle of your favorite supermarket without seeing Rachel Ray's face plastered on the side of cracker boxes....among other items.

But, with all the deals comes a lot of backlash. Most people can't tolerate the perky self proclaimed chef, who was called a "bobblehead" by Travel Channel personality Anthony Bouradin.

I, personally, like Rachael Ray. She is so full of energy and seems to be down to earth. Perhaps those who can't stand her are a tad jealous of her huge success.

My Kid Painted This

No, he wasn't 4 years old, he was 14. This was his first attempt at oil on canvas. I tried to encourage him to continue with his painting however, he found his niche in photography. It is his dream to become a professional photographer. I think he has talent in both areas. Had he devoted himself to the canvas, I believe he could have produced some great pieces. But, I'm his mother, so I suppose my opinion is biased. Encourage your children to pursue their passion....even when they take a decidedly different path than what you might hope for them.

Deal Or No Deal ?

As Rosie posted on her blog

msnbc
one hour
live
following keith olbermann

we were close to a deal
almost done
i let it slip in miami
causing panic on the studio end

well
what can u do

2day there is no deal
poof
my career as a pundit is over
b4 it began

just as well
i figure
everything happens for a reason
bashert - as we say

and on we go

Rumor has it that msnbc wanted Ms. O'Donnell to sign a two year contract. She only wanted a one year contract. It would seem that msnbc would have given her the opportunity to find out if the show was a good fit for her/them.

I can't say that I am happy about this. Even though Rosie is OK with it, her fans are just a tad bit disappointed. She has a huge fan base, many of whom travel great distances for a chance to meet her at a book signing and have their photo taken with her. She spreads yellow to all and Rosie...we send it back to you.

Tinnitus Habituation

Do you suffer from Tinnitus, the constant ringing in one or both of your ears?
I have found these suggestions helpful in dealing with the noise in my left ear.

1. Visit your ENT. Excluding Tinnitus caused by an acoustic neuroma at least
brings some peace of mind. When your ENT says "learn to live with it"
take him/her seriously.

2. Accept your situation and commit yourself to doing just what the ENT
has told you. You may need some help but the vast majority of those with Tinnitus
will successfully adjust. Yes, this may take a year or more but remember...
there is a strong likelihood you will succeed on your own.

3. Explain your situation to those with whom you live and work. It is
likely your Tinnitus will affect your ability to discriminate between multiple
sources of sound. This is not to say your ability to hear soft sounds has
been diminished but rather that your ability to hear one conversation
while another it taking place nearby may be. It sure helps if they are
patient with you as you try to understand them in a noisy environment.

4. You all know how important it is to avoid loud sounds. During the
habituation period, it is probably more important to avoid silence.

5. When you are interested in something else, and not concentrating on
your Tinnitus, notice that you are able to ignore it for that period. I think it
important that the noise level you choose to mask your tinnitus otherwise
distracts you.

6. Try using a sound machine. I have a Brookstone Tranquil Moments Sound Therapy System on my nightstand. It has 12 different relaxing sounds that will lull you to sleep. I prefer the sound of ocean waves. After about 10 minutes of listening to it I am in never-never land. Some people find the sound of a radio station, at a low volume, will help to take their mind off the Tinnitus.

Learn as much about your condition as you can, at least enough to know
that there is no cure. Since it won't kill you, it's important to learn to live with it.
Forget about herbal remedies, acupuncture, hypnosis, candles, massage and the rest of the crap out there. Avoid ototoxic drugs.
Just do the six simple things outlined above and be patient. You
will enjoy absolute silence again some day.
*Contributing Editor: Bill Gerrells

Abuse Scandal

After all the good Oprah Winfrey has done for the girls of Johannesburg, South Africa, it has been discovered that a dormitory parent (a person in a 'trusted position') has been accused of abuse. Ms. Winfrey calls it the most devastating experience of her life. What has the world come to? We can only hope that these girls will receive proper counseling and that justice will be served. Ms. Winfrey opened the school in January. Our thoughts and prayers are with the girls. Not only those who suffered abuse at the hands of the accused, but for all the girls.

My New Camera

I can't wait to start taking photos with my new camera. Now, if I can just figure out all the settings on it! For now, I suppose 'auto' will have to do. Too many settings....too confusing!

Child Prodigy....You Decide

Marla Olmstead

There has been much controversy over this tiny tot. She made her first abstract painting while still in diapers and not quite 2 years old. Her big break came when she was 3 and a family friend hung one of her paintings in a coffee shop. By the age of 4 she had her first solo art exhibit. A media feeding frenzy followed, referring to her as a "budding Picasso," a "pint-sized Pollock." In a very short time, this 5 year old has sky rocketed from total obscurity to international acclaim. Her paintings have garnered upwards of $300,000. Some selling for $25,000 each. Yet, the question on everyone's mind is, did she produce the paintings completely on her own or did her father help her? I truly hope she is the real deal. Can you imagine what her artistic talent will be like as she matures? She has already been likened to the great masters of art. A documentary, My Kid Could Paint That
has been released to dispel any doubts. What do you think? Is she talented beyond her years or has she been the victim of parents who want to capitalize on a con game?

Wake Up America

When will we say....Enough Already?
The United States needs a timetable for the withdrawal of the majority of its conventional combat troops from Iraq. For starters, Congress can hold the Bush administration accountable for its many failures on Iraq, from lack of knowledge of the country to its faulty plan to its denial of reality. We all hear about the number of casualties and yet we don't quite comprehend the magnitude of the deaths. What will it take? Perhaps this will open your eyes.

Celebrity Detox

My favorite read, Celebrity Detox, is quickly rising on the
best seller list. If you are a fan of Rosie O'Donnell, be sure
to check out her latest book. You can order it here.
It has been a long time dream of mine to connect with Rosie.
The closest I have come is having her respond to 2 of my posts on her blog. I won't give up. I believe in the theory of Six Degrees of Separation and the power of positive thinking.

SAW IV
Saw IV is nothing like it's prequel, Saw III. It doesn't have a lot of random and somewhat pointless violence like Saw III, it makes you think and had a good twist which Saw III also lacked. If you go to see Saw IV expecting an average, overly violent, torture porn horror film, I guarantee you will hate this movie. Much like the first "Saw" film, you will be pondering over the final twist for hours.
Overall, it's a decent horror flick. Entertaining, with a rather solid script. Keeps you in interested with the usual bloody 'SAW' special effects. I thought it was a little too far fetched in some areas.