Bush TV

"Television! Teacher, mother, secret lover."

-Homer Simpson

Ut oh. This is really hard to admit. In fact, I can hardly believe it myself, but I think I am watching too many reality shows! LOL. I say too many, because I can remember the day when I wouldn't even consider wasting my time with the likes of Survivor: Where The Hell Are We Now? Or Fear Factor, or eeeegadddds... American Idol! LOL. Nope, won't do it, don't ask me. I had made my mind up that these shows were an intellectual waste of time. Well, apparently I am no intellectual, because I have succumbed to their mindless seduction. I am addicted. Among my guilty pleasures are...

1. Denise Richards... It's Complicated

2. The Bachelorette

3. America's Got Talent

4. She's Got The Look

5. Ghost Hunters

6. Hell's Kitchen

7. Last Comic Standing

Now ok, so it's only seven reality shows, but honestly, that is a lot for someone who almost never gave in to the genre. Well, I have watched one or two over the years. One of my favorite was, the Fox show, Murder in Small Town X. I really liked that one for it's puzzle/mystery format. I watched the sort of reality show that Ben Affleck produced, Push Nevada, it was an interesting mystery, and besides, it was giving away a million dollars to whoever could solve the mystery. Yeah... that turned out well! Anyway, after those two shows crashed and burned, I didn't watch another reality show... until... Ghost Hunters. But jeepers, how could a ghost enthusiast such as myself, not watch two hunky guys, Jason, and Grant, who are Rotor Rooter men by day, and ghost hunters by night? OMG... that show has it all, and now they have gone international!

See, it makes sense. In fact, I have a good reason for watching all the reality shows currently on my TiVO que. Let's start with Denise Richards... It's Complicated. I saw her on The View back in May, pimping her new show, and I thought at that time that she was just another bimbo, out on the circuit, filled with shameful self-promotion, then I heard how the critics panned her show, and I decided to have a look for myself. I don't usually listen to critics, I like to make up my own mind. What I found was a young woman, raising two little girls, and caring for a recently widowed father, while making some extraordinarily tough decisions. Like having to save time and money by giving herself bikini waxes, as opposed to going to an expensive, and time consuming, Beverly Hills Salon. She's saving money and time... that is just informative TV!

Now, about She's Got The Look. You know, I like seeing women over 35, proving that we cougars got it going on! It's a well done show, and it shows how hard it is to be a model. How rigid the whole world is, how you are not encouraged to be yourself, or to speak your mind. How really evil a scoop of ice-cream can be. How if you don't stop to think about every step you take, you will someday walk the wrong way right off the runway and out of competition with your peers. I like the show. I am a better person for having watched it. And for whatever reason, I can't seem to look away.

Hell's Kitchen. Well, it sometimes seems like Gordon Ramsey is simply another Simon Cowell knockoff, but all his screaming and throwing of plates and dishes is just his way of saying, "I want nothing but the best for you up and coming chefs." I don't know how well the kitchens of America would do, if we all turned into screaming idiots as we fixed our Sloppy Joes, but heck, I could give it try I suppose. "ALAN HURRY UP WITH THOSE BUNS!" To which he would have to reply, "YES CHEF!" Yeah, I like that idea! :) Hey Alan, want Sloppy Joes tonight?

When it comes to America's Got Talent, and Last Comic Standing, well I have actually been watching similar on TV since the days of Star Search. I liked America's Got Talent last year, there was some really talented folks on there who kept me entertained. My favorites where Butterscotch, and Terry Fator. In the end it was Terry Fator who went on to fame and fortune as the big winner. In fact, he has shattered the record for the biggest post production contract of any reality TV star. He recently signed a $100 million dollar contract. He really deserved it too. This year however, I am not seeing anyone nearly as entertaining as his puppetry and impersonations were.

What can I say about the Bachelorette? Deanna Pappas seems to be the smartest of the ladies they have shown so far. When she was dumped by former Bachelor Brad, she got her little heart broken by a guy who she felt kind of lead her on. Who hasn't got a guy like Brad in their past? I don't know, she just seemed like a sincere young lady, and since I hadn't actually watched a single episode of the show in the past, I decided to give it a look see. I have been enjoying her journey to love, but I still have to wonder about the route she has taken. I guess there is just something really nice about not having won Alan on a game show. But then this is a different world then the one I fell in love in. Maybe we need to just grab love wherever it is, even if it's in an alternate reality.

As summer TV goes, these shows aren't all that bad. It's just a little guilty pleasure. I can stop any time I want. No intervention is necessary. LOL.

So tell me, what do you think? Do I need an Intervention?Do you enjoy reality shows? Have you ever voted for someone on a reality show? If you had to do away with one reality show, which one would it be? If you could star on a reality show, which one would it be? If you could bring back a former reality show, which one would it be? Speak up. Tell me everything!


-OndineMonet

Elvis Update: Twisted Whiskers

"Attitude is the way you mentally look at the world around you. It is how you view your environment and your future. It is the focus you develop in life itself."

-Unknown

When I took this photo of Elvis back in May, I didn't realize it's strange and wonderful "Twisted Whiskers" quality. LOL. I love Twisted Whiskers, and now I have a pretty good photo of my boy posing as one! :)

Elvis has been having a hard time recently. I mentioned last week that Dr. B was unable to give him the dose of chemo that was scheduled for last Tuesday, because his blood level wasn't where it should be. It is a common thing with chemo, sometimes the doses come every 3 weeks, sometimes they come every four. There are some other things happening that have us worried, because no matter how you look at it, it isn't good news. The most striking is that Elvis has dropped 1/2 lb. in the last two weeks! That is a lot for a cat to lose.

He is such a trooper about taking his medicine. He never fusses much, but I know he hates it. Alan has been giving it to him every night before we go to bed, and often times it leads to some serious, silent crying from us. I know the medicine will help him feel better, and it does, he is a happy little fellow most of the time, but at the same time I know we will have to let go soon.

It's hard to tell when Dr. B will say the time is right. We have a strong verbal agreement between us that when the cancer starts to spread, or the chemo stops working, or Elvis's begins to be in pain, that will be the time. So far none of those things is happening. No pain to the touch, no tumors in other parts of his body, just the occasional bloody nose. When that happens he comes over to me, so I can wipe it with a soft tissue. LOL. It's so sweet. It didn't take me long to teach him that, he is such a smart little guy.

Sometimes, however, it's the things Dr. B doesn't say that worries me the most. Last week he looked a little bit sad as he weighed Elvis. I didn't ask why, I knew on some level that he was really concerned. Still, we have an appointment for this coming Tuesday. Elvis is outside playing right now. I can hear his bells as he walks across the yard in search of large yellow swallowtail butterflies. There have been a lot of them this year, and knowing him, he has already made a friend with one of them. LOL. Tuesday, will be a long day, so I am glad he is outside playing today.

Twisted Whiskers Website



-OndineMonet
"Twisted Whiskers Elvis"
Berkeley, California
May, 2008

It Wasn't Meant To Be...

"Let us go in; the fog is rising."

-Emily Dickinson

Well, Alan and I knew it would be iffy. The weatherman, and weather woman, said that there would be a low blanket of fog and clouds on the bay, and sure enough, as if ordered especially for the 4th of July holiday, it came rolling in as the afternoon moved toward the evening. It was completely encased around the marina by late afternoon, and then it moved over the Marin Headlands a little while later. That's just life in San Francisco. Fog is a part of life here, and often times it can be unpredictable, that's why we decided to head for Marin anyway, just in case it decided to give us a break. Alas, it was not to be. I did get some really nice photos of the area anyway, and I was lucky enough to be standing in the right place at Vista Point, to get a nice shot of the fireworks, that were being set off around the corner of the bay in Sausalito, at Richardson Bay.

Downtown San Francisco Broadway at Columbus

Approach to the Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge As The Fog Begins To Roll Through

About 1 hour later

Rock Formation Just To The San Francisco Side Of The bridge

Lime Point Lighthouse, which sits just below the Golden Gate Bridge on the north side of the bridge. Click on the link to learn more about it's rich history.

San Francisco Bay, facing the tip of Angel Island, and Emeryville, California in the background

The Fog Looming Over The Headlands

Fireworks From Richardson Bay In Sausalito, California

A spectacular 4th of July on the bay in 2007! Oh well, maybe next year!

:)

All in all it was a good time. We picked up a Round Table All Meat Pizza, with a skinny crust, and some root beer, and had ourselves a little car picnic until time to stand at the wall facing San Francisco. We saw a lot of pretty boats on the bay, all lit up for the holiday, and even caught a glimpse of the Bell of the Bay, and Hornblower yhacts. Someday, I would love to photograph the fireworks while on one of their dinner cruises. Yeah... that would be fun! :) Till next year...


-OndineMonet
"The Golden Gate Bridge In Fog"
Marin County Vista Point
Marin County, California
July 4th, 2008
Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Happy Independence Day 2008!

"If our country is worth dying for in time of war, let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in peace."

-Hamilton Fish

Happy Independence Day! I bet you probably knew that Elvis would have on his holiday hat! Yep, he asked to have me help him get dressed at a very early 6:30AM this morning. LOL. He is a sweetie during any holiday, always so curious about things, and always willing to be helpful. :) This morning he helped me make a fruit salad for dinner tonight. He was the official watcher of mommy work! LOL. Even with all his little health concerns, he still manages to find the energy to watch me cook. No one has ever had a better sui chef! I will have an Elvis update regarding his health later this weekend, but for now, we are just celebrating the day, and wearing our hats!



So tell me, do you have big plans for Independence Day? Does your community have a fireworks show planned? Are fireworks banned where you live? Are you ready with your camera to capture all the sparkle?

PS: If weather permits, I will be off to Marin to photograph the San Francisco Bay fireworks display. Right now, the forecast is for low clouds and fog, and the temperature right on the bay will be around 45 degrees, but I am crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. Drop by tomorrow afternoon to see the results!

-OndineMonet
"My Yankee Doodle Boy"
Berkeley, California
July 4th, 2008
Early Morning

New Monday Photo Shoot: #27: Strange And Silly Signs

"For business reasons, I must preserve the outward signs of sanity."

-Mark Twain

New Monday Photo Shoot #27: Show us a sign that's unusual in some way - even if you have to fake it!

-Karen Funk Blocher, of the blog, Outpost Mavarin

"It was ordained at the beginning of the world that certain signs should prefigure certain events."

-Marcus Tullius Cicero

I have showed you all these photos before at some point, but I think they are interesting, and amusing enough to be seen again. :) The photographed the first sign here in the East Bay, many years ago. At first glance it might appear like just another sign, but if you really look at it, you see the obvious problem. I titled the photo, "No Way Out" because if you drive up the hill of that one way street, you can't legally drive back down! LOL. Hysterical! It still makes me laugh to this day!




How many times have you been given a choice as to whether you want to venture down the road to HELL?!




.99 Cents Stores, Open 8AM to 9PM, 9 Days A Week! 9 Days A Week? Where do they get the extra 2 Days? LOL.



-OndineMonet
"No Way Out"
Hayward, California
2002

Mall Futures

"If the terriers and bariffs are torn down, this economy will grow."

-George W. Bush

I think what President Bush was going for with that statement was, barriers and tariffs, but then again, who can be sure? Maybe he really does think terriers have some control over the economy. I am no economics expert by any stretch of the imagination, but even I am aware that America's economy has gone to the dogs. It's worrisome. So, rather then bury my head in the sand about things, I have been doing a good bit of research lately, so I can fully understand what's happening with the economy and how will eventually effect our family. With a national election coming up in just 19 weeks, I am more interested then ever about how our next president plans to dig us out of this hole we are currently in.

Over the weekend, I saw a report on ABC's World News Tonight, about how we are on the brink of a Bear Market. Well, what the fresh hell is that? I didn't know, so I Googled it, and found some basic information on Wikipedia. Yep, based on what the news said, we are indeed sitting on the edge of a Bear Market. A Bear Market is marked by an overall 20% decline. We are currently at 19.9 percent. Our last Bear Market was in 2002 and lasted about two years. Our current trend toward the Bear Market is in direct relation to the price of oil, which rose by $3 since the close of trading on Friday. There are other factors affecting the market such as unemployment rates, and the housing market, the figures for both will be released later this week, and then the true situation will be known.

I also heard this past weekend that gas prices will more then likely hit $7 a gallon sometime in 2010. That seems like a long time away, but in reality it is just a 1 1/2 yrs. What will that do to my future? Well, there is a good possibility Alan will have to ask for a transfer to an office a little closer to where we live, as opposed to across the bay. We have all but given up the recreation we engaged in last year, which was short day trips to photograph sights around the Bay Area. With gas at $7 a gallon, we might have to consider going to one car and relying on the bikes for everything else in and around town. We might even have to reconsider having another pet, after we lose Elvis. As harsh as those possibilities feel to me, I know that it comes nowhere near the sacrifices which have had to be made by other couples, especially couples with children.

Recently, I visited a local mall here in the Bay Area. It was an odd feeling just walking into the shopping area, because I rarely do mall shopping anymore. A strange departure from the girl I was in the 80's who almost lived at the Fashion Island, and Stoneridge Malls. Oh my, if you are in your 40's right now, then like me, you may have been a part of the 80's mall craze. It was the place to meet your friends and hang out. Not to mention how much fun shopping used to be. Good times, good times. It was a bit of shock to walk into the mall the other day, and see it nearly empty. Sigh. I have been reading for months about different chain stores facing closures due to bankruptcies, but seeing it first hand gave me a chill.

I can see a day when little independent run stores will no longer exist... period. Just last year a great little store, that I enjoyed shopping at, closed it's doors after 29 years of business. It was a personal blow to those who had come to love the personal service you received there, and it was an even bigger blow the the city's economy and the loss of business to the businesses nearby. Sigh. It's happening everywhere. Cody's Books, in Berkeley, just closed it's doors after a little over half a century in business. Business on the small level is affecting us, and business on a grand scale is affecting us. If you make a purchase off the Internet to help save a little money, you are more then likely directly hurting a wonderful small business in your hometown. It's a dreadful spiral.

The absolute kicker for me this week, came from a report about how a lot of small communities in California are canceling their Independence Day celebrations due to cost saving measures. No fireworks, no picnics, no parades, no festivals. It's a bit like being a kid, and having to hear from your folks that there is no longer any money for cable or satellite TV, because mom and dad need to put gas in the car. But then again, as a matter of fact, a lot of households are having to do that as well. This might just be one of those times when parents and children totally understand the pain the other one is in.

So tell me, do you believe the dire predictions for our economy? What is the latest cost saving measure you have taken? What is your biggest financial sacrifice to date? Have you seen any small shops or stores closing in your area? What industry do you think will take the biggest hit before the economy recovers? Are any of your favorite mall stores currently facing bankruptcy? Do you shop most often on the Internet, in a mall, or at small independent stores? Where do you put the economy on your list of priorities when considering our next president?

Interesting Reading...

Economy Can Wait; Stimulate Your Savings (New York Times; Your Money)

-OndineMonet
"Empty Inside"
Hillsdale Mall
San Mateo, California
June, 2008