I want my kidney or 1.5 million dollars. That's what Dr. Richard Batista wants from his wife whom he gave a kidney to in 2001. She's filed for divorce, he wants it back. US Man Wants Value of Kidney In Divorce Settlement.
I thought it was illegal to sell human organs. Isn't it? I mean, if it isn't then don't we run the risk of healthy patients suspiciously dying like in the thriller Coma? Personally, I had nightmares for weeks after seeing that movie.
This guy and his attorney need to be thrown out of the courthouse on their behinds.
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tag, I'm It
Joey at Bloggin' Mama has tagged me, and meme’d me at the same time… I've never been tagged or meme'd before, I'm not sure how I feel about this.
The tagging - I’m supposed to go to my picture files, choose folder #6, choose the 6th picture, then post it on my blog, and give you all a very very intriguing explanation of said picture… You're in for a treat, this is from Halloween. This is Anastasia's grand niece in her adorable kitty kat kostume.
I just barely made it to meet Anastasia over at her niece's house with the camera. I had dropped my son off to trick-or-treat with his friends and then drove 120 miles roundtrip to have my daughter admitted to the hospital and I was racing to meet Anastasia so I could take this great photo.
Now on to the MeMe… I've never had to MeMe before, is it painful?…
So here I go… 7 random facts about me: (Ouchie…)
Just for snicks and grins, and because I want to (and the rules don’t say that I can’t), I’m doing this in reverse order (ala Letterman’s Top 10, only this is top 7):
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
The tagging - I’m supposed to go to my picture files, choose folder #6, choose the 6th picture, then post it on my blog, and give you all a very very intriguing explanation of said picture… You're in for a treat, this is from Halloween. This is Anastasia's grand niece in her adorable kitty kat kostume.
I just barely made it to meet Anastasia over at her niece's house with the camera. I had dropped my son off to trick-or-treat with his friends and then drove 120 miles roundtrip to have my daughter admitted to the hospital and I was racing to meet Anastasia so I could take this great photo.Now on to the MeMe… I've never had to MeMe before, is it painful?…
So here I go… 7 random facts about me: (Ouchie…)
Just for snicks and grins, and because I want to (and the rules don’t say that I can’t), I’m doing this in reverse order (ala Letterman’s Top 10, only this is top 7):
7. Anastasia and I were rabid Cubs fans, but we are still in mourning, please… respect our privacy, we don’t want to talk about.The Rules say I have to pass both of these on to 5 people, so here are the lucky people:
6. In my freshman year of high school I flunked gym one quarter, so the next quarter I had to take gym twice a day. And no, they were not kind and did not schedule gym classes back to back. I swear all I did that quarter was change clothes.
5. Much to my children’s chagrin, I am not a gamer, so Anastasia (aka "the fun Mom") plays video games with them. I have my DS and I’ll play puzzle type games – Sudoku, Crosswords, but that’s the extent of it. I fear if I start getting involved in it, I will become obsessed. Kind of like with the computer. Nuff said.
4. I wore horn-rimmed glasses in kindergarten.
3. I used to be incredibly, terribly, painfully shy. Now I am only terribly shy.
2. I grew up in a suburb of Milwaukee, WI.
1. Twenty years ago, on a whim, not knowing a single solitary person, I moved, lock stock and barrel to Chicago, IL. This was my first move away from home on my own.
I Am Harriet
Definitely Maybe
Shaunispeaks
I Do Things So You Don't Have To
Havoc and Mahem
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
Men Charged in CA Gang Rape/How to help the victim
A quick update to my earlier post, My 2nd Conversation - 10 Month 10 Lives Challenge regarding the brutal gang rape of a lesbian in California. (California Authorities Investigate Lesbian's Brutal Gang Rape). 2 Men, Teen Charged in Gang Rape of California Lesbian.
©2008-2009
Fundraisers and where to contribute to help pay the victim's medical bills, moving fees and other costs associated with her recovery:Lola's Diner
If you live near Oakland, California and would like to attend one of the fundraisers for the victim, referred to as "Richmond Jane Doe" the information is available via this link Richmond Jane Doe - Upcoming Benefit - Oakland 1/9, 1/29.
If you would like to send a card, please mail it to:
Richmond Police Department
Attn: Sgt. Brian Dickerson
1701 Regatta Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94804
If you can send a financial contribution (even a few dollars) , please mail a check payable to Community Violence Solutions to:
Community Violence Solutions
Attn: Mrs. Joanne Douglas
2101 Van Ness Ave.,
San Pablo, CA 94806
In the memo section of the check please write: Richmond Jane Doe
For credit card donations are being accepted via the Community Violence Solutions and Rape Crisis Center of Marin & Contra Costa Counties. Be sure to note on the donation page that this is for "Richmond Jane Doe"
©2008-2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Leave Lindsay Lohan & Samantha Ronson Alone Already
Why can’t the crack media outlets (and by crack I don’t mean hard investigative) leave Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson the hell alone? Those fine crack media outlets like Access Hollywood, E! Online, Extra, ET, TMZ and Perez Hilton Online are among probably hundreds of other gossipy newsy sites that have picked up on this “alleged break-up”.
First there was the “Is she or isn’t she”, now they are reporting that Lindsay has “broken up” with Samantha.
Reports of a fight at a New Year’s Eve party in Miami and a shoving altercation in a seedy alley. A shoving match at the couple’s hotel room and home allegedly resulting in broken mirrors. A fight at Miami International’s American Airlines Admirals Club lounge. And then the story that Lohan was so inconsolable that flight attendants allegedly asked Lindsay if she wanted to disembark the plane.
Leave them the hell alone.
Don’t you have anything better to do? Really? Isn’t there any other 'legitimate' celebrity news out there that isn’t trying to force a wedge between a couple, take advantage of a celebrity’s grief or take advantage of a celebrity’s illness? There has to be something else out there that is celebrity newsworthy.
Do you all get your rocks off by breaking up celebrity couples, bringing grieving celebrities to tears and exploiting an ill celebrity for your your personal gain? Yes I am talking to you Barbara Walters! You should be ashamed of yourself for exploiting, yes EXPLOITING Patrick Swayze and his lovely wife.
You know what I hope? I hope that Lindsay and Samantha are messing with the media. I hope they are blissfully happy, sitting around their house, having dinner or a few cocktails and making up scenarios to mess with the media.
Did I just write a post asking the media to leave Lindsay and Samantha the hell alone and telling off Barbara Walters? Maybe I'm getting feverish, but I still meant every word of it.
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
First there was the “Is she or isn’t she”, now they are reporting that Lindsay has “broken up” with Samantha.
Reports of a fight at a New Year’s Eve party in Miami and a shoving altercation in a seedy alley. A shoving match at the couple’s hotel room and home allegedly resulting in broken mirrors. A fight at Miami International’s American Airlines Admirals Club lounge. And then the story that Lohan was so inconsolable that flight attendants allegedly asked Lindsay if she wanted to disembark the plane.
Leave them the hell alone.
Don’t you have anything better to do? Really? Isn’t there any other 'legitimate' celebrity news out there that isn’t trying to force a wedge between a couple, take advantage of a celebrity’s grief or take advantage of a celebrity’s illness? There has to be something else out there that is celebrity newsworthy.
Do you all get your rocks off by breaking up celebrity couples, bringing grieving celebrities to tears and exploiting an ill celebrity for your your personal gain? Yes I am talking to you Barbara Walters! You should be ashamed of yourself for exploiting, yes EXPLOITING Patrick Swayze and his lovely wife.
You know what I hope? I hope that Lindsay and Samantha are messing with the media. I hope they are blissfully happy, sitting around their house, having dinner or a few cocktails and making up scenarios to mess with the media.
Lindsay: Hey Sam, what say we stage a big argument at that New Year’s Eve bash in Miami?Ok, that’s what’s in my head. (That and some skimpy outfits, but shhhh, don’t tell Anastasia that part.) I hope I'm right. About the making up the scenarios just for the benefit of the media. (Well, the skimpy outfits part would be ok too.)
Sam: Sounds good. Why don’t we get into a loud shoving match in the alley afterward?
Lindsay: I’m in. We could have a fight at the airport too. Make them think we’re breaking up. Damn! This is going to be good!
Sam: On the plane you could be like crying inconsolably, like you’re really upset about the whole thing. That’ll make it seem totally real. This is going to be fun!
Lindsay: They’ll totally fall for it. Sam, you’re the best!
Sam: Linds you’re the best!
Did I just write a post asking the media to leave Lindsay and Samantha the hell alone and telling off Barbara Walters? Maybe I'm getting feverish, but I still meant every word of it.
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
STAND UP! Nationwide DOMA Protest January 10, 2009
The author of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act)agrees that DOMA has to go No Defending the Defense of Marriage Act from The Los Angeles Times
From Join The Impact's website:
"On Saturday January 10th, 2009Lola's Diner
We ask you to join us in making the LARGEST IMPACT YET! Let's take our message all the way up the ladder to President Elect Barack Obama himself!
On January 10th, we will come together as one UNITED FRONT asking the LGBTQ community to join us in signing an Open Letter to President Barack Obama, during a NATIONAL DOMA PROTEST.
This letter will remind President Elect Barack Obama of the promises he made to us.
It will also serve as a pledge from our community that we will hold him to his promises and help him achieve them.
We can’t just put a letter online and ask that people sign it.
We need to take to the streets. As we all know…
VISIBILITY IS THE KEY TO EQUALITY!
Outreach & Education Will End Discrimination.
We MUST Infiltrate, to Educate, and Stop Hate!
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO:
* Find out who is organizing a DOMA Protest in your area. (Quick Link to State Page)
* Download the Open Letter and take to the streets to gain signatures.
* Get one million signatures (in total across the nation) by the end of the day on January 10th.
* Mail the collected signatures to the JTI clearinghouse address BY DEADLINE: Join The Impact, PO Box 141491, Columbus, OH 43214
NOTE:
If you can't organize a protest or one is not organized in your city (understandable with the holidays and all), then don't worry, you can still participate:
o Sign up to organize a carpool in your area that gets everyone to the closest protest
o Get a group of friends together to canvas your neighborhood to get signatures for the open letter.
The Point of this event...
... to gather at least one million signatures on an Open Letter to President Barack Obama to be delivered to him on his first day in office.
The event itself will vary by location depending on organizers availability and local sense of how to best do it. Please make posts below to discuss ideas...
Join Us on January 10th for 1 Million Signatures to Repeal DOMA!
If there isn't one, then volunteer to organize an event, or organize to collect signatures!"
©2008-2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Are The Eagles Bidding Farewell...Again?
Apparently hell has frozen over again. The Eagles are touring again. What’s that you say, didn’t the Eagles do a “Farewell Tour” in 1994 to promote their new album “Hell Freezes Over”? They are now promoting their 2007 Album “Long Road Out Of Eden” and have Concert Dates January thru July 2009.
I don’t know about you, but I had my fill of “Hotel Calfornia” back in 1976 when it came out. For me, hearing it is worse than nails on a chalkboard. Nuff said. Just in case you like nails on a chalkboard, enjoy:
As I recall the ticket prices for the 1994 tour were outrageous. Ticket prices for the current tour range from $75-$201. Ticket brokers are selling premium seats for well over $600.00.
I have no need to see a bunch of geriatrics trying to rekindle their youth from the 70’s. Maybe now that I’m in my 40’s I’m ‘over’ wanting to see my favorite bands live. I don’t think that’s really true. I would accompany my kids to a concert, provided they weren’t going to see The Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus. I would go see Third Eye Blind, The Killers, Coldplay, Nickelback, All American Rejects. I would definitely go to see one of 'todays' bands.
What I think IS true is that I wouldn’t go to a concert for a group that I enjoyed ‘back in the day’. I want to remember them in their glory. Not gray haired, wrinkled, sagging jowls, pudgy, off key and unable to remember the lyrics to their old hits.
Know what I mean?
Whatever happened to old rockers and stars becoming recluses? Ahh, the good old days.
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
I don’t know about you, but I had my fill of “Hotel Calfornia” back in 1976 when it came out. For me, hearing it is worse than nails on a chalkboard. Nuff said. Just in case you like nails on a chalkboard, enjoy:
As I recall the ticket prices for the 1994 tour were outrageous. Ticket prices for the current tour range from $75-$201. Ticket brokers are selling premium seats for well over $600.00.
I have no need to see a bunch of geriatrics trying to rekindle their youth from the 70’s. Maybe now that I’m in my 40’s I’m ‘over’ wanting to see my favorite bands live. I don’t think that’s really true. I would accompany my kids to a concert, provided they weren’t going to see The Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus. I would go see Third Eye Blind, The Killers, Coldplay, Nickelback, All American Rejects. I would definitely go to see one of 'todays' bands.
What I think IS true is that I wouldn’t go to a concert for a group that I enjoyed ‘back in the day’. I want to remember them in their glory. Not gray haired, wrinkled, sagging jowls, pudgy, off key and unable to remember the lyrics to their old hits.
Know what I mean?
Whatever happened to old rockers and stars becoming recluses? Ahh, the good old days.
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Oprah's Touch/I Shook Hands With Oprah
Oprah is in the news again. It seems another of her book club selections is a fraud. Is Oprah’s Golden Touch Tarnished? This is the third time she's been duped. Doesn't she have staffers to check on these books? What I don’t understand about these authors is, why is it necessary to be fraudulent? Can’t you tell a compelling story in a novel? Does it really have to be a memoir/biography in order to be inspirational and noteworthy? I don’t get it.
Anyway, this made me think of my Oprah story. And it is completely true. I was at a taping in October 1994 when Paul Reiser was promoting his book “Couplehood”. I was 7 months pregnant and bigger than a house and not terribly thrilled to be attending the taping. My husband (now ex-husband) had “surprised” me with tickets. Apparently my ex-husband had numerous conversations with one of Oprah’s assistant producers and somehow charmed her into the “Full Oprah Treatment”. What is the “Full Oprah Treatment” you ask? A limousine picks you up at the crack of dawn and drives you to Harpo Studios (and gives you a ride home after the taping). Did I mention I was 7 months pregnant and bigger than a house and he sprung this on me 10 minutes before the limo driver arrived? I had nothing to wear. Absolutely nothing. I think I ended up wearing the only blouse I had that fit and sweatpants. Sweatpants! I was mortified.
We arrived at Harpo Studios, went through the security line and were ushered into a large room with tables of fruits, bagels, bakery items, coffee and juice. The room was full of other couples. Cute perky couples, perfectly coiffed. Oprah staffers ran around the room with headsets on and clipboards in hand. The assistant producer assigned to us coached us and told us what to expect and told us to watch for our queue to go to the microphone and tell our story. Let’s just say I was less than thrilled that she was implying that I was going to talk ON CAMERA and tell some cockamamie story that apparently my ex-husband had used to get the “Full Oprah Treatment”. I was ready to kill him at that point.
After what seemed like an eternity, all of us were ushered into the studio and seated. More instructions were given.
I shook hands with Oprah.
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
Anyway, this made me think of my Oprah story. And it is completely true. I was at a taping in October 1994 when Paul Reiser was promoting his book “Couplehood”. I was 7 months pregnant and bigger than a house and not terribly thrilled to be attending the taping. My husband (now ex-husband) had “surprised” me with tickets. Apparently my ex-husband had numerous conversations with one of Oprah’s assistant producers and somehow charmed her into the “Full Oprah Treatment”. What is the “Full Oprah Treatment” you ask? A limousine picks you up at the crack of dawn and drives you to Harpo Studios (and gives you a ride home after the taping). Did I mention I was 7 months pregnant and bigger than a house and he sprung this on me 10 minutes before the limo driver arrived? I had nothing to wear. Absolutely nothing. I think I ended up wearing the only blouse I had that fit and sweatpants. Sweatpants! I was mortified.
We arrived at Harpo Studios, went through the security line and were ushered into a large room with tables of fruits, bagels, bakery items, coffee and juice. The room was full of other couples. Cute perky couples, perfectly coiffed. Oprah staffers ran around the room with headsets on and clipboards in hand. The assistant producer assigned to us coached us and told us what to expect and told us to watch for our queue to go to the microphone and tell our story. Let’s just say I was less than thrilled that she was implying that I was going to talk ON CAMERA and tell some cockamamie story that apparently my ex-husband had used to get the “Full Oprah Treatment”. I was ready to kill him at that point.
After what seemed like an eternity, all of us were ushered into the studio and seated. More instructions were given.
Queue Oprah, she introduces Paul Reiser.Oprah finished up, the taping ended and the audience filed out just past the stage area to shake hands with Oprah on camera. People in line were whispering that she did that so that no one could say that she promised them anything. Whatever. No big deal.
Queue cute perky couples with silly stories.
Queue more cute perky couples with silly stories.
Queue us!
Oh SHIT!
I get my pregnant ass out of my seat and walk over to the microphone, wondering what the HELL I am doing there. (Also wondering if I will be able to speak because the last time I was on a stage was in 4-H in a play in junior high and when I opened my mouth, nothing came out. All I can think of is that and the fact that I should have passed on the orange juice earlier, because now my pregnant ass had to use the bathroom.)
Queue commercial break.
Queue Oprah.
Oprah introduces a couple who were married for like 50 years.
Oprah closes the show.
They skipped us!
Hallelujah!
I shook hands with Oprah.
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
No kids this afternoon, what will we do?
This afternoon Anastasia and I got a break from the kids for the first time in a long time. Their father and his girlfriend came to town and took the kids out to lunch and dinner and his girlfriend treated to a shopping spree. (I only hope his girlfriend has better taste than he does.) This is the first break we have had, other when the kids freakishly made plans with friends at the same time. (I think that has happened twice in the last 6 months.)
So what did we do with our childless (read quiet) afternoon? Watched real life murder mysteries on TruTv. How romantic! Isn’t that what you would do?
Hey, I’m not complaining! To watch anything more exciting than ABC Family channel is a thrill for me. I’ve had more than my fair share of Hannah Montana, Drake & Josh and that one show with the twin boys (who live in a hotel) that just makes me wanna hurl from the cuteness of them all. It was a pleasure, truly, to watch a show with “adult content”. Because of my daughter's illness we cannot watch anything remotely scary, no police shows, nothing with violence. So that means no CSI, Criminal Minds or any other similar type show. (See, I don't even know the names, because I haven't been able to watch them.) Today we saw a classic murder story where the father comes home to find his wife and daughter missing. Anastasia and I look at each other and go “he did it”. We were right. But we did have a disagreement that maybe you can help us with. Let me ask this hypothetical question:
I’m thinking we need to have a better plan for the next kid’s visit with their father and his girlfriend. Anastasia is not a planner, but I am, so I guess I have some work to do. We still want to see "Milk", but it is still only playing in Lombard and that's just too far when we know we have to be home for the kid's return after dinner.
Oh, and our other entertainment for the afternoon? Whenever Anastasia comes home the kids are literally in her face wanting her immediate attention. My daughter, more so than my son. We’ll hear “Anastasia, Anastasia, Anastasia.” So we had a good laugh saying “dad, dad, dad” and “Christina, Christina, Christina”. We did that during commercials. We were rolling on the floor laughing. I’m sure you all don’t find it that funny, but we enjoyed ourselves. And that's what's important!
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
So what did we do with our childless (read quiet) afternoon? Watched real life murder mysteries on TruTv. How romantic! Isn’t that what you would do?
Hey, I’m not complaining! To watch anything more exciting than ABC Family channel is a thrill for me. I’ve had more than my fair share of Hannah Montana, Drake & Josh and that one show with the twin boys (who live in a hotel) that just makes me wanna hurl from the cuteness of them all. It was a pleasure, truly, to watch a show with “adult content”. Because of my daughter's illness we cannot watch anything remotely scary, no police shows, nothing with violence. So that means no CSI, Criminal Minds or any other similar type show. (See, I don't even know the names, because I haven't been able to watch them.) Today we saw a classic murder story where the father comes home to find his wife and daughter missing. Anastasia and I look at each other and go “he did it”. We were right. But we did have a disagreement that maybe you can help us with. Let me ask this hypothetical question:
You arrive home to a quiet house, you head to the master bedroom and find a large amount of blood on the bed and the floor.The perp, in this case the husband, dials 911 from that bedroom and reports his wife and daughter missing, before looking anywhere else in the house or on the property. How did he “know” they were missing? He didn’t look for them beyond the bedroom. He didn’t look for them until the 911 operator told him to walk through the house to look.
A.) Would you dial 911 immediately upon finding the blood?
B.) Or would you run through the house and garage looking for your missing spouse and child in the hopes of finding them and perhaps stopping the bleeding or performing CPR? (Of course having your cell phone or cordless phone in hand, perhaps even calling as you ran through the house.)
I’m thinking we need to have a better plan for the next kid’s visit with their father and his girlfriend. Anastasia is not a planner, but I am, so I guess I have some work to do. We still want to see "Milk", but it is still only playing in Lombard and that's just too far when we know we have to be home for the kid's return after dinner.
Oh, and our other entertainment for the afternoon? Whenever Anastasia comes home the kids are literally in her face wanting her immediate attention. My daughter, more so than my son. We’ll hear “Anastasia, Anastasia, Anastasia.” So we had a good laugh saying “dad, dad, dad” and “Christina, Christina, Christina”. We did that during commercials. We were rolling on the floor laughing. I’m sure you all don’t find it that funny, but we enjoyed ourselves. And that's what's important!
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
My Picks for the Inaugural Celebrations
Today I am guest blogging at I Am Harriet. I’ve been reading Harriet’s blog for quite a while now and I always enjoy it. Please be sure to check out her wonderful blog. To guests from I Am Harriet…welcome.
There are Inaugural Balls and Inaugural Galas, concerts, breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, etc. I went on Experience - DC Presidential Inauguration Balls and Events and found more than 70 events. If you plan on attending the inauguration, or any of the events, please post in the comments section and let us know. We’d love to hear about it. Here are my picks and jabs at some of the events:
Two events for “the people”:
01/16/09 The People's Inaugural Premier – Historical Society of Washington, DC. Tickets: $75; $250 Host Committee VIP Pass. For the “people” and only $75, a bargain.
01/17/09 The People's Inaugural Ball – The Historical Society of Washington, DC. Tickets: $75; $250 for Host Committee VIP Pass. Another ball for the peeps, yeah!
01/17/09 - International Inaugural Ball – L’Enfant Plaza Hotel. Tickets: $12, a real bargain. A ball featuring Project Runway’s Korto Momulu presented by WHUR 96.3FM, Inner Caucus Entertainment Inc, HiddenBeach Recordings & KnockBoyz Productions. Sure to be a high-brow event.
01/17/09 The Green Inaugural Ball: Maximum Celebration, Minimum Impact – Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Tickets: $500 gets you organic food and earth-friendly linens and serviceware. (Does that mean rental dishes and serviceware and not paper plates and plastic serviceware?)
01/17/09 H.O.P.E. Inaugural Youth Ball – The Trinity Center at Trinity University. Tickets: $77.50 (because $77 wasn’t enough to cover costs and $78 was price gouging.)
01/17/09 Obamarama Pre-Inaugural Party – DC Blues Society. Tickets: Members $10, Nonmembers $12, $15 at the door. Called "OBAMARAMA" because it so evokes the blues-y jazz, Rhythm & Blues and Soul music to be featured at the event.
01/18/09 "2 Degrees of Separation" Champagne Brunch –Fairmont Washington Hotel Georgetown. Tickets: $85. Will Kevin Bacon be there?
01/18/09 Aloha Inaugural Ball –Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Tickets: $300. Former Obama campaign workers, island entertainers and hula dancers? I’m there!
01/18/09 The Inaugural Soiree – The Hudson Restaurant and Lounge. Tickets: $150. Soiree, is that fancy pants for highfalutin ball?
01/18/09 The People's Inaugural LGBT Gayla – The Historical Society of Washington, DC. Tickets: $75; $250 for Host Committee VIP Pass. An Inaugural Gayla for MY peeps. We can’t just call it an “Inaugural Ball”, it’s got to be an “Inaugural Gayla”.
Two events with Chuck Brown, Godfather of Go-Go:
01/18/09 Welcome to DC Inaugural Celebration – The Historic Bohemian Caverns. Tickets: $60-75. All-star musical tribute to Marvin Gaye hosted by “The Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown.” I did not know “GO-GO” had a Godfather.
01/20/09 Inaugural DC Ball – The Old Post Office Pavilion. “Inaugural DC Ball is brought to you by the producers of the Barbecue Battle event, held annually in DC. Benefiting the Metropolitan Police Boys & Girls Clubs, the Inaugural DC Ball will feature DC's very own Chuck Brown, Godfather of Go-Go, along with guest DJs and a special guest host.” Again with the Godfather of “GO-GO”. What is “GO-GO” anyway?
01/19/09 Land of Lincoln Inaugural Gala (Illinois State Society) –Renaissance Washington DC Hotel. Tickets: $400 for reception/dinner/gala, $200 for gala only. The theme is “Illinois Heroes”. Somehow I don't think they'll be mentioning Blagojevich.
01/19/09 Pearl Gala –Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC Hotel. Tickets: SOLD OUT. “Guests are also invited to attend a morning conference about voting results, the political appointment process and the legislative issues for the next Congress.” Because as we all know, none of the guests will know anything about “voting results” and “the political appointment process” and “legislative issues”.
01/19/09 Yes We Did! Celebration –Washington Plaza Hotel. Tickets: $150. Which begs the question, are the Republicans planning a “No, We Di’int! Celebration”?
01/19/09 Young and Powerful Black Tie Gala and Awards Ceremony – L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. Tickets: $125, includes open bar from 8pm - 9pm, heavy Hors D'oeuvres and live music. What exactly are “heavy Hors D’oeuvres”?
01/20/09 MTV's Be the Change Inaugural Ball – Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center. An Inaugural Ball for a Democrat at the Ronald Reagan Building, I guess MTV pulled some strings.
01/20/09 Human Rights Campaign Equality Ball – Renaissance M Street Hotel. Guests to include Melissa Etheridge, Rufus Wainwright and Cyndi Lauper. Another event for MY peeps.
01/20/09 Inaugural Purple Ball (Eracism Foundation) – The Fairmont Washington, DC Hotel. “Guests will enjoy fine champagne and cuisine served in a purple velvet-draped ballroom; the host committee includes notable names like Amy Brenneman, Ashley Judd, Brad Silberling, Josh Lucas, Kate Walsh and Patricia Arquette.” As opposed to ‘not fine’ champagne? Purple velvet-draped ballroom? Will Prince
be there?
01/20/09 Inaugural Peace Ball – Smithsonian Postal Museum. Tickets: SOLD OUT. Harry Belafonte guest hosts the ball, which will be “the largest gathering of peace activists in Washington on Inauguration Day without a protest.” A gathering of peace activists without a protest?
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
There are Inaugural Balls and Inaugural Galas, concerts, breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, etc. I went on Experience - DC Presidential Inauguration Balls and Events and found more than 70 events. If you plan on attending the inauguration, or any of the events, please post in the comments section and let us know. We’d love to hear about it. Here are my picks and jabs at some of the events:
Two events for “the people”:
01/16/09 The People's Inaugural Premier – Historical Society of Washington, DC. Tickets: $75; $250 Host Committee VIP Pass. For the “people” and only $75, a bargain.
01/17/09 The People's Inaugural Ball – The Historical Society of Washington, DC. Tickets: $75; $250 for Host Committee VIP Pass. Another ball for the peeps, yeah!
01/17/09 - International Inaugural Ball – L’Enfant Plaza Hotel. Tickets: $12, a real bargain. A ball featuring Project Runway’s Korto Momulu presented by WHUR 96.3FM, Inner Caucus Entertainment Inc, HiddenBeach Recordings & KnockBoyz Productions. Sure to be a high-brow event.
01/17/09 The Green Inaugural Ball: Maximum Celebration, Minimum Impact – Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Tickets: $500 gets you organic food and earth-friendly linens and serviceware. (Does that mean rental dishes and serviceware and not paper plates and plastic serviceware?)
01/17/09 H.O.P.E. Inaugural Youth Ball – The Trinity Center at Trinity University. Tickets: $77.50 (because $77 wasn’t enough to cover costs and $78 was price gouging.)
01/17/09 Obamarama Pre-Inaugural Party – DC Blues Society. Tickets: Members $10, Nonmembers $12, $15 at the door. Called "OBAMARAMA" because it so evokes the blues-y jazz, Rhythm & Blues and Soul music to be featured at the event.
01/18/09 "2 Degrees of Separation" Champagne Brunch –Fairmont Washington Hotel Georgetown. Tickets: $85. Will Kevin Bacon be there?
01/18/09 Aloha Inaugural Ball –Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Tickets: $300. Former Obama campaign workers, island entertainers and hula dancers? I’m there!
01/18/09 The Inaugural Soiree – The Hudson Restaurant and Lounge. Tickets: $150. Soiree, is that fancy pants for highfalutin ball?
01/18/09 The People's Inaugural LGBT Gayla – The Historical Society of Washington, DC. Tickets: $75; $250 for Host Committee VIP Pass. An Inaugural Gayla for MY peeps. We can’t just call it an “Inaugural Ball”, it’s got to be an “Inaugural Gayla”.
Two events with Chuck Brown, Godfather of Go-Go:
01/18/09 Welcome to DC Inaugural Celebration – The Historic Bohemian Caverns. Tickets: $60-75. All-star musical tribute to Marvin Gaye hosted by “The Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown.” I did not know “GO-GO” had a Godfather.
01/20/09 Inaugural DC Ball – The Old Post Office Pavilion. “Inaugural DC Ball is brought to you by the producers of the Barbecue Battle event, held annually in DC. Benefiting the Metropolitan Police Boys & Girls Clubs, the Inaugural DC Ball will feature DC's very own Chuck Brown, Godfather of Go-Go, along with guest DJs and a special guest host.” Again with the Godfather of “GO-GO”. What is “GO-GO” anyway?
01/19/09 Land of Lincoln Inaugural Gala (Illinois State Society) –Renaissance Washington DC Hotel. Tickets: $400 for reception/dinner/gala, $200 for gala only. The theme is “Illinois Heroes”. Somehow I don't think they'll be mentioning Blagojevich.
01/19/09 Pearl Gala –Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC Hotel. Tickets: SOLD OUT. “Guests are also invited to attend a morning conference about voting results, the political appointment process and the legislative issues for the next Congress.” Because as we all know, none of the guests will know anything about “voting results” and “the political appointment process” and “legislative issues”.
01/19/09 Yes We Did! Celebration –Washington Plaza Hotel. Tickets: $150. Which begs the question, are the Republicans planning a “No, We Di’int! Celebration”?
01/19/09 Young and Powerful Black Tie Gala and Awards Ceremony – L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. Tickets: $125, includes open bar from 8pm - 9pm, heavy Hors D'oeuvres and live music. What exactly are “heavy Hors D’oeuvres”?
01/20/09 MTV's Be the Change Inaugural Ball – Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center. An Inaugural Ball for a Democrat at the Ronald Reagan Building, I guess MTV pulled some strings.
01/20/09 Human Rights Campaign Equality Ball – Renaissance M Street Hotel. Guests to include Melissa Etheridge, Rufus Wainwright and Cyndi Lauper. Another event for MY peeps.
01/20/09 Inaugural Purple Ball (Eracism Foundation) – The Fairmont Washington, DC Hotel. “Guests will enjoy fine champagne and cuisine served in a purple velvet-draped ballroom; the host committee includes notable names like Amy Brenneman, Ashley Judd, Brad Silberling, Josh Lucas, Kate Walsh and Patricia Arquette.” As opposed to ‘not fine’ champagne? Purple velvet-draped ballroom? Will Prince
be there?01/20/09 Inaugural Peace Ball – Smithsonian Postal Museum. Tickets: SOLD OUT. Harry Belafonte guest hosts the ball, which will be “the largest gathering of peace activists in Washington on Inauguration Day without a protest.” A gathering of peace activists without a protest?
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
New Year's Resolutions
This will be my shortest post yet.
I don't do them. I don't believe in them. Besides, Ninety-Two Percent of New Year's Resolutions Won't Be Kept. "Forty-five percent fail by the end of January".
Why set yourself up for almost guaranteed failure?
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
I don't do them. I don't believe in them. Besides, Ninety-Two Percent of New Year's Resolutions Won't Be Kept. "Forty-five percent fail by the end of January".
Why set yourself up for almost guaranteed failure?
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
I hope everyone had a Happy and Safe New Year's
I have to say that for someone who has always lived a quiet, sedate (read 'boring') life, I could not wait to tell my New Year's Eve story from the 80's. I am glad everyone enjoyed it.
My family spent the evening channel surfing the television, trying to find something tolerable on. We watched America's Funniest Videos for awhile, and then I remembered (too late) Kathy Griffith was on with Anderson Cooper for a New Year's Eve countdown. I LOVE Kathy Griffith. Looked like she was pummeling Anderson pretty good. I'll bet he's got black and blue marks today.
Be forewarned, in the clip below Kathy uttered a bleepable word for a part of the male anatomy, but it was not bleeped. If you don't care for coarse language, skip this clip.
Around 11:45pm we HAD to turn on Chicago ABC Channel 7 and watch the drunken local anchors. Janet Davies is always entertaining to watch on the New Year's Eve show. Here she is "dancing" at some point (seems like fairly late in the evening). (I put dancing in quotes, because, well, when you see it, you'll know why.) Have another cocktail Ms. Davies!
Many thanks to NewsFan2 who posted that video on Youtube for all my guests to enjoy!
My 15 year old daughter wanted to go have a nap at 8:30pm so she could get up to celebrate with us at midnight with sparkling cranberry juice. It was no surprise that she completely slept through the night.
I have to say, living in the suburbs there is one thing that I don't miss. That is the midnight gunshots. I don't understand the logic in it, but no matter where I lived in Chicago, there were gunshots at midnight. Don't these people know that when you fire a gun into the air that the bullet HAS to come down somewhere?
There were some illegal fireworks last night, but thankfully, it was nothing like the 4th of July when we had some neighbors who had almost professional displays in their backyards.
We just finished some Hoppin John and cabbage. Everyone snickered when they found out I was serving cabbage, but I told them they HAD to eat some. Black eyed peas (which Hoppin John is made with) and cabbage are both supposed to bring good luck. Since we could use all the good luck we can get, I made sure everyone ate some. Last year we only had the Hoppin John, could that have been our mistake? Not taking any chances this year. The Hoppin John was delicious. I used Fresh Polska Kielbasa that I got from Jewel at the unheard of price of $0.99 a pound (just that location). If I had a freezer, I would have bought everyone they had. I have to say again, it was delicious! My son has already made several trips back to the pot on the stove.
I hope everyone had a fun and safe New Year's and I look forward to you all stopping by in the New Year.
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
My family spent the evening channel surfing the television, trying to find something tolerable on. We watched America's Funniest Videos for awhile, and then I remembered (too late) Kathy Griffith was on with Anderson Cooper for a New Year's Eve countdown. I LOVE Kathy Griffith. Looked like she was pummeling Anderson pretty good. I'll bet he's got black and blue marks today.
Be forewarned, in the clip below Kathy uttered a bleepable word for a part of the male anatomy, but it was not bleeped. If you don't care for coarse language, skip this clip.
Around 11:45pm we HAD to turn on Chicago ABC Channel 7 and watch the drunken local anchors. Janet Davies is always entertaining to watch on the New Year's Eve show. Here she is "dancing" at some point (seems like fairly late in the evening). (I put dancing in quotes, because, well, when you see it, you'll know why.) Have another cocktail Ms. Davies!
Many thanks to NewsFan2 who posted that video on Youtube for all my guests to enjoy!
My 15 year old daughter wanted to go have a nap at 8:30pm so she could get up to celebrate with us at midnight with sparkling cranberry juice. It was no surprise that she completely slept through the night.
I have to say, living in the suburbs there is one thing that I don't miss. That is the midnight gunshots. I don't understand the logic in it, but no matter where I lived in Chicago, there were gunshots at midnight. Don't these people know that when you fire a gun into the air that the bullet HAS to come down somewhere?
There were some illegal fireworks last night, but thankfully, it was nothing like the 4th of July when we had some neighbors who had almost professional displays in their backyards.
We just finished some Hoppin John and cabbage. Everyone snickered when they found out I was serving cabbage, but I told them they HAD to eat some. Black eyed peas (which Hoppin John is made with) and cabbage are both supposed to bring good luck. Since we could use all the good luck we can get, I made sure everyone ate some. Last year we only had the Hoppin John, could that have been our mistake? Not taking any chances this year. The Hoppin John was delicious. I used Fresh Polska Kielbasa that I got from Jewel at the unheard of price of $0.99 a pound (just that location). If I had a freezer, I would have bought everyone they had. I have to say again, it was delicious! My son has already made several trips back to the pot on the stove.
I hope everyone had a fun and safe New Year's and I look forward to you all stopping by in the New Year.
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
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