Great new indie band: Barcelona

I, and apparently everyone else, posted that cool aquarium video on my blog this week.

Now I find I can't get enough of the song used in that video, "Please Don't Go" which came from the new indie band, "Barcelona."



And how cool is it that the reason they were cast into the spotlight was because some random, creative blogger posted a video clip that featured their music? You gotta respect the internet.

Here's what Barcelona has to say about "the aquarium" experience:




So, hey, I say support the dudes. Go to iTunes and buy their great music so they can make more of it.

Hee Haw -- Yoga style!

This really is billed as "Hippie Weirdo Yoga Farmers."

Need I say more?


Hippie Weirdo Yoga Farmers - Watch more Funny Videos

I suppose I should ask "are you breathing?????"

Tonight on "Life on the D List" -- Meet "Norma Gay!"

I was asked to do a guest blog post on the very cool LGBTQ website The Bilerico Experiment, about Kathy Griffin, in her endless quest to become an A-lister ending up becoming an activist – which is clearly an entirely different A-list – fighting alongside her many gay fans against California Proposition 8.


And, so I'm hoping you visit me on Bilerico to read all about how much I love Kathy Griffin and how amazing I think it is that she's gotten behind (so to speak) our battle to repeal Prop 8 along side so many others who know Prop 8 is both antiquated and unconstitutional which should be repealed, "like, yesterday." -- As my twelve-year-old would put it.

Check out my post, "Kathy Griffin: Comedian and Activist" here.

Given that you’re reading this on a site billed as "Louise on the Left," I’m guessing you’re well-versed in the history of California as a gay battleground state, but gays and lesbians aren’t the only Californians pissed off about this. Many of us straight people are – I’ve been writing about this for months – and now Kathy Griffin is in the fight too.

So, tonight's episode (Episode 8, Season 5) of her show “My Life On The D-List” which airs this Monday, July 27th, on Bravo, Griffin takes on a more serious tone than usual, starting off with a declaration of war, more or less, on the eve of the California Supreme Court’s decision on the constitutionality of Prop 8.

Having been a longtime Kathy Griffin fan, learning about her new leaf as a political activist really made me sit up and take notice.

Her show very moving show about this airs tonight, on Bravo so set your Tivo's folks!

You can read about my (wayward) actions to fight Prop 8 in my own way either by blogging, or...redecorating the neighborhood: The California Yard Sign Wars, here.

Or you can read some of my former posts fighting Prop 8 from last fall here:

One California voter's opinion about Prop 8

or here:

Totally disgusted with Pro-Prop 8, California

Spike Jonze, Where The Wild Things Are, and other cool stuff

As anyone knows who's read some of my past posts, I cannot wait for Spike Jonze's release of Where The Wild Things Are, but luckily for me, Mr. Jonze has posted a cool site with all sorts of exciting, interesting other links to work which has caught his attention.


We Love You So:
Spike Jonze website link with links to great films soon to open

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world - (song is Please don't go by Barcelona) from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.

"We Love You" suggests that one download the above first so it plays smooth and watch it full screen.

Coldplay convert in the OC

During "Yellow" hundreds of huge yellow orbs began bouncing over us. Light, fluffy glowing orbs all over the audience.

Yes. I did mean to use that word, "Convert."

Prior to last night I'd been a fan of the band, just not a super freak for Coldplay.

But, that was prior to about 9:05 pm last night. Because, I am now.

Mind you, I'd been very excited to learn we had tickets for an A-list event like this. But, I have to admit, I really had no idea what I was in for going to a Coldplay concert.




The Coldplay concert last Sunday was massive in the true meaning of the word. It was multi-sensory experience, and larger than life and an event that clearly a great deal of thought and planning and expense had gone into.

I should have known things would be massive given just the size of the tickets. This event was so huge even the tickets were airplane-ticket sized.

The visual effects were extraordinary. These glowing orbs were always moving and changing colors and patterns. Loved it.

Amadou & Mariam is a West African group opening for Coldplay and they so rocked the place. Their music was infectious and had us up and dancing in our seats well before sundown or before Coldplay's limos even arrived in Irvine. I would have been happy to hear them again -- I loved Talking Heads and it's clear to hear the influence of West African music has had on their music. Great stuff. Also, they had these two gorgeous women dancers who were, maybe, two of the best dancers I've ever seen. Serious dancing going on w/ the Amidou girls...Hot, hot, hot.

Amadou & Mariam

The seats were filling up. The sky was still light.

Pete and I invented a game called "spot the cougar couples." There seemed to have been a sale on young men at South Coast Plaza this weekend. Either that, or the moms in the OC are way cool. And, I think we know what's really going on, here.

Okay, back to Coldplay.

The evening was perfect. The air not too hot, not too cool. As the light faded from the sky things just got better and better.

Coldplay was spectacular. It got me on every level: Audibly, visually, spiritually -- you just had to move the entire night. We had amazing seats, but never sat once. We were up moving, dancing, watching and trying to soak up very morsel of the evening. Didn't want to miss one thing. I was carried away on a magic carpet of music and thought and looking at things in ways I hadn't expected to -- I adored it all.

Hard to pick a favorite moment from the lovely, flow of music and light and sound, but "Haiku" in particular, about blew my mind. I loved the entire production of that number. It was heavenly.





It started out with a back drop of clips from black and white movies running fast speed into a montage of interesting clips that increased speed and more and more included footage of some 1950's videos of cherry blossoms blooming and some history of haikus, I think, and then, without warning suddenly the once open, starry night sky was suddenly flooded and raining down tiny paper butterflies all over the audience.

Just like a snow storm fluttering down around our heads. At first the butterfly snow was in primary colors. Thousands of fragile paper butterflies everywhere. Everywhere. Like snow. I put my hand out, palm up and just opened my hand and a tiny blue butterfly softly landed in it. Then I put out my other hand and a little red paper butterfly landed in that one, too. As if someone had deliberately, gently placed them there. I was astonished.



Then, I peered up again into the night sky I saw, yet one more cloud of more paper butterflies falling like snow, again, and these were even more vibrant - these were fluttering down in neon colors. And after that there were more explosions of butterflies falling from the stars twinkling and shimmery rainbow colored butterflies. Tiny explosions of color softly falling around us. It was extraordinary. I felt like I was a child of two, again. My eyes welled up with emotion at the sheer beauty and epic scope of it all. I was overwhelmed by what Martin and Coldplay were giving back to us all of us. Call it corny, but it was very moving. With any other performer this kind of deliberate "giving back to the audience" would have seemed completely contrived or empty...But, not with them. We all felt the love and joy and it was pure and childlike and profound and, frankly, a whole lot of fun.

They were determined to connect with all of us, not just us fools in the pricey, front section, but way, way back. So, several songs were done surprisingly once from the middle of the second section and then even, way, way, way up high in the nosebleed section.

Coldplay was bending backwards to connect with everyone there that night and not have that predictable fourth wall up that most big rock groups have. It was a socialist performance, I guess. Good seats for everyone.

Here's my husband's Coldplay concert review for The Orange County Register, and also proof of how we burb-shleppers managed to find ourselves at such an A list concert as this: Peter Larsen's review




More memorable moments from Louise on the Left...

During "Fix You" the camera panned back into the audience and I noticed one black and white face seemed very familiar singing along with the lead singer: It was Paltrow. The look of love on her face was evident and moving and adorable, I have to admit.

At one point, Coldplay broke into an accoustic version of "Billy Jean." Which was unexpected and moving and carried not a hint of gratuitous explanation about why it was necessary. It was a graceful nod to Jackson's legacy.




The entire night took my breath away -- I'm still gobsmacked by it all.

Anyhow, here' are some photos of us from Sunday.

geeks and, now, life-long Coldplay fans

Space is the place, baby. Space is the place.

Driving home tonight. It's around 6 pm Saturday night, and the sun is in my eyes, cars bumper to bumper. I wondering if I applied enough sunblock to make it through this traffic jam, tonight, our dinner groceries melting in the trunk.

So, I flip on KCRW (89.9) to hear THE WEIRDEST SONG, EVER.

Then, another. Then, another. ( Clearly, I did not inherit the "rock music critic" gene.)

And that was all part of the intro of what was, apparently, an entire show devoted to Sun Ra.




Get home.

Tell Pete, "Hey, I heard the strangest thing on KCRW, tonight. It really surprised me, because it wasn't like the other stuff you usually hear this early in the day. It wasn't even midnight, or anything. It was more like bizarre college radio."

I'm unloading groceries and trying to explain who the announcer was and how trippy the sounds were -- and Pete interrupts me.

"Wait, this is Henry Rollins? He's doing a whole show about Sun Ra? Too funny. That's great. His brain just goes a mile a minute and he can barely keep up with himself. Seriously, I love him. He's been one of my favorites for a long, long time. I'm sorry I missed his show tonight. So, he's doing it, I guess, because of the moon walk?"

This is the kind of thing that happens a lot around here. I say "Weird stuff happened today" and Pete is able to just rattle off precisely what that meant, where it happened, why, and the annotation in the encyclopedia edition which references it.

I was working on "Oh, all this time on the 405 and the ice cream bars didn't melt?" However, I do not complain, for this is precisely the kind of balance we have that makes our marriage work, too. I throw random things into the mix; Pete makes sense of it. True love.


However, flash forward, now, it's been a few hours and, yet, I still can't get the funky sound of June Tyson's voice in the Sun Ra song "Space is the place" out of my head. It all reminds me of something and I feel I need to explore what that is...

So, I turn to the magic "Sea of Holes," that is the internet, to explore my curiosity about this further.

Here's what I found.

Link to a site where you can hear June Tyson sing the title song from Space Is The Place (Original Soundtrack) by Sun Ra

Perhaps Beck wasn't the first musical genius to think we arrived from outer space?

Behold the video below: Sun Ra, who is clearly a Brother From Another Planet with Big Talent & even Bigger Shoes.



And, of course, below's a link to Rollin's on his show tonight when I first heard Sun Ra while being blinded by the sun.

KCRW Broadcast 20 - Henry Rollins on KCRW

And, hey, if you're a big Rollins fan, like my husband is, you gotta read my husband's profile on the dude.


Henry Rollins: Punk Rock Renaissance Man, by Peter Larsen
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/sections/life/life/article_337177.php


....And then there's that other song I can't quite get out of my head...The one "Space is the place" reminded me of:

Andy Kaufman singing "I trusted you" on The Midnight Special.



-- The seventies. A great time for music.

"I Can't Believe I'm Still Single" ~ Louise's "Summer Book Club" Pick

So, it's summer.

You know what that means, don't you?

It means long, lazy days spent outdoors, hanging out by the pool, or at the beach.


Long days during which you occasionally have to remind the kids to reapply sunscreen before turning the page of something you don't mind getting bumped about and warped from the moisture of wet bathing suits, after being carted around for days at the bottom of a sandy beach bag.

Truly, I have a righteous stack of things I not only want to read, but need to read. Manuscripts by people I know. Critical novels I once rushed to buy. And, yet, this summer these stacks of books just seem to look at me from my bedside like sad puppies in "Precious Moments" illustrations. They have sad eyes which seem to plead, "Don't you really want to read me? We've waited for you for so long..."

Some of the neglected books still sitting unread by Louise's bed.

Book #1

"Read me, first! A friend of yours wrote me. She's coming out to CA in September. You promised!"


Book #2
"No, no! Read ME!!! -- I was reviewed on NPR (last year) and you begged your husband to buy me for you for Christmas."

Book #3

"I'll be so sad if you don't read me. *sniff* I might have to crap in your shoe if you don't read me soon."


Magazines
"We're those magazines bought to help your kid's school raise money!
It's summer, you moron, if you can't read us by now, then put us up for adoption at your doctor's waiting room."


Book #5
I'm a Martin Amis book! I could give rat's ass if you ever read me.

*I sigh* "Yes, I do still want to read you, my wee books, just not at this very moment," I respond, reassuringly to my dusty stack of quality book reads. I want them to know that they are not forgotten, just as alluring as perhaps another title at this moment in time. But, the guilt...the guilt...

And then there are all those magazines that arrive every single darn month which I imagine I'll get to eventually. If I put them in the john.

But, in spite of all my numerous options for my summer reading, which are obviously a considerable challenge to my guilt quota, there's also this other little nagging book related fact which I think I need to reconcile soon:

I still have not read Eric Schaeffer's semi-autobiographical book, "I Can't Believe I'm Still Single," even though I've written an un-review for almost every single episode of his cable series, based on the very same title.

How'd that happen?

I suppose that this little omission should be remedied at some point. I mean, how could I have possibly judged this man's show until now if I haven't read the actual book that started the craze? Right?

So, I went out to the bookstores to purchase it, but in the end, decided against that and checked it out at the local library.

Now, all I have to do is start reading it. Or, will it join that pile of books I know would be entertaining, but haven't managed to finish, yet? Luckily, this title has a due date. That might help.

Given that I could use a little nudge to get going, I'm going to create a "Book Club" for myself. This way I can challenge myself to consume a few chapters at a time and chew them slowly to see how they taste in small doses.

Therefore, I am announcing that this summer I commence "Louise's Summer Book Club" starting with Eric Schaeffer's book, "I Can't Believe I'm Still Single."

Tune in later for updates.

And, clearly, since this is a "book CLUB pick," I encourage others to read along with me. That means, you are invited to leave a comments.

Also, I'd better get started soon, because I think some of his book takes place in Vermont where, interestingly, my family and I plan to spend some time this summer.

Okay, so I've given myself a time frame. That's will be useful, people like me require deadlines.

So, ready, set, go.

And where can you get a copy? Try your local library. Or, someone's local library. Perhaps.




Link to where it can be purchased new, or "Used" for so much less.



Book club update July 23: I've read up to chapter 4 and I hit a wall. Somebody needs to give me a very good reason to finish this book -- other than than the obvious, which is to garner blogsite hits.

If, and only if, I can be convinced that this is something I should do then maybe I'll pick the book up again. Otherwise, the library due date is next week and do not anticipate paying any overdue fines. Sorry, to flake out on the club idea, but if you don't like that then, what can I say? Motivate me.

Ten years.

Never saw this before, but wish I had.

Bruno in the burbs of OC

So, last night I could stand the suspense no more and went to "Bruno."

Why, some may ask, would a married mother of two want to see a movie about a crazy gay guy? Well, because actually I just wanted to see a funny movie, that's why. And I did. And it was.

True, there were some stunned silences, and one or two couples, like the one to my left, who up and left after the first penis-spinning and talking bit.

Let it be said, this movie is not for the faint of heart. Or for those who lack, well, I can't call it maturity, because that's not what I mean. I guess what I mean is it's not for those who lack "perspective," for lack of a better word.

When purchasing a ticket to this film one needs to realize two important things:

One: "Bruno" no more speaks for all gay men, than Tyler Perry's "Medea" speaks for all African-American women.

And, Two: It ain't for the kids. Seriously, there were kids there, last night. Wrong. Not. What are those parents thinking? Bad choice, under any circumstances. Trust me on this. It's not for the faint-hearted. It's almost too much for us grown ups.

And, just don't go unless you know you are certain to enjoy "in-your-face," "over-the-top," " bathroom humor." You know, the kind of funny that Brits made famous with exports like Monty Python and Benny Hill? If you didn't like those guys, you'll hate anything by Sacha Baron Cohen.

For the record, I found it to be a wicked, hilarious romp of a film. My husband said he actually thought "Borat" was funnier, but I have to say, I liked this one as much, if not more so. Unfortunately, his first film starring "Ali G" really was forgettable, which is a shame, because the cable show of the same title was terrific. (Rent the show. It's very funny.)

I still happen to think Sacha Baron Cohen is a comic wizard. And I'm both bewildered and mesmerized by his ability to utterly and totally commit to what he does. You have to hand it to him about that.

Sure, sometimes he goes too far, but name one comic who made a difference on this planet and I'll show you a comic who upset people from time to time. (I might remind some of us of Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy's concert films.) Satire can be very edgy, and quite subjective. That's the nature of the beast. Don't like it? Don't go.

Look, for the most part, I'm a hopelessly vanilla, stay-at-home mom who also happens to love art that pushes the envelope. Sometimes, I wince, but I know when something is genuinely funny. And I felt that "Bruno" was genuinely entertaining.

However, two questions remain a pretty hot topic as of tonight:

Topic One: This is a summer comedy. Which usually means, it's summer and as a parent I'd like to think that for the money I can go to this movie with my kid and we'll both find it funny together, so is this okay? NO. Don't do it. You'll hate yourself in the morning if you do.

In the case of this movie, pretty much none of it is acceptable for minors. And, as much as I loved it, I'd have rated it "NC-17." But, what do I know? I'm just a mom in the OC.

I get that comics who satirize what's uncomfortable in human nature are always seeking new ways to make us laugh at the darkness, but, homosexuality is still a subject we as a nation still have some deep issues with.

So, I'm not surprised to learn that "Bruno" is already rocking some boats out there.

"Bruno" with his adopted baby. "O.J."

Other topic: What is this film really saying about homosexuality?

Uh, I could be very wrong about this, but after seeing it, I kind of think the movie is not really saying anything in particular about gays. As far as I can tell, other than some people (characters) are funny, and some people are dumb. And some people are dumb and funny. And in this movie, Cohen's havin' a laugh at both. A laugh. Nothing more, nothing less. (To Cohen.)

Is it okay if that's all the movie is saying? Well, I'm all about artistic freedom, so I'm inclined to say "it's okay." But, still, maybe, it isn't.

Perhaps, given that I'm a straight chick, I wonder if I really even have permission to have the last word on this subject. Not sure that I do, really.

I mean, since I do not identify with being gay I don't really know if should speak on this, other than"Bruno" made me laugh.

Actually after viewing it (not while viewing it, because I was laughing too hard, then) that I thought, "Hmmm. This maybe isn't going to be something useful to people in middle school, or high school."

I mean, sure, I accept people for who the are, regardless of their sexual identity, but not everyone is capable of this. What worries me, especially after the last election with the Prop 8 insanity, is that not everyone is ready to be so open and tolerant of homosexuality that they can laugh about all aspects of it, even the crazy Bruno side of it, which, Lord knows, is hardly the way everyone should view gays and lesbians.

I do worry about some people may see this and not feel anything but anger and disgust. And I do wonder if this film may make life that much harder for young people struggling with their identities to be accepted for who they are.

I have seen the depth of homophobia here in the 'burbs. And, it's sadly alive and well. And, so, it does concern me that kids are seeing this and can't process the satire in a healthy way. Or, their bigoted parents are seeing this and twisting the message "Bruno" to their kids which may fuel more homophobia in the world.

But, do you censor genuinely funny films just because some people are too ignorant to watch it? Do you "dumb down" comedy for those too immature to "get it?"

No. No, you don't. But, you do talk about it. Which is, I guess, what I'm doing here. I'm a big believer in talking. Talking is good.

Like I said, I adored Monty Python, and wore out their comedy albums listening to them in my bedroom growing up, but I do worry about the Matthew Shepherds and Harvey Milks in this world.

I mean, somebody has to. So, what to do with a movie like "Bruno?" You know it will get into the mainstream of pop culture. What then? God help me, if I know.

Except maybe this: Talk about it?

Look, I love raw comedy. I love Chris Rock, Andy Kaufman, Lenny Bruce...etc, But, I do think it needs to be stressed that kids probably shouldn't be at this movie. It isn't just sexual, it's freakishly sexual. And I think it has to be stated again, that this film in no way should speak for all gay people. And I don't think it is for everyone. Especially kids.

So, for whatever it's worth, this married, vanilla, mom went to see "Bruno" last night in Huntington Beach, and, for better or worse, I have to admit that nobody in the theater was laughing as hard as I was.

Even though I cringed, I loved every minute.

For a far more eloquent exploration the movie and the issues it brings up, why not read what writer Prince Gomolvilas, say in his wonderful blog Bamboo Nation, Bruno: Gayer Than the Average Gay,

Or, read what was in the Op Ed in this weekend's Los Angeles Times, 'Bruno' doesn't help gays By Rashad Robinson.

Go see the movie, and if you care, you can read a few different perspectives about how others feel about the film.

But, if you are curious. Go.

I've always found it helpful to see things for myself and make up my own mind.

Speeding virginity restored!

It's official. I beat my traffic ticket!

Perhaps some of you may remember my former post (rant) from earlier this year titled Speeding Virgin No More.

Well, it took a while, but today in the mail was a tidy letter from the county and a check for the ticket I paid way back when.

Now, the news of my having successfully resorted to using my wit and righteous zeal in order to clear my name should be cause for celebration at La Casa de Larsen, but apparently it isn't for the four of us.

Truthfully, husband's been rather cool to this development. I'm not entirely convinced that he feels this act of mercy toward me is entirely...justified.

I would pop the cork, but I'm thinking that celebration of this order would be in poor taste for a variety of reasons.

First and foremost, I would never want any harm to come to anyone from reckless drivers and do not advocate dodging the system as such.

Besides, it would be very dicey karma, too.

Also, the other reason is that I don't want to "rub it in." You see, my spouse and I have something of a running "debate" about who is the better driver. Let's just say, I have had less tickets in my life, for whatever that's worth.

(For the record Pete insists I add this paragraph that none of his tickets were from speeding. He says one of them was "for running a stop sign at 16." and the only other one was for "tinted windows you made me get, so that should have been your ticket." But the truth is, I think he's rather gilding the lily. Clearly, this entire subject is still one of great debate.)

I digress.

Pete: (legs propped up on coffee table watching Chuck.) "You got a piece of mail today. It's on the table."

Louise opening an envelope with a little window she ignored earlier because anything with little windows depresses her, and depressing mail should only be opened in the morning, not right before bed.)

Louise: "What, this? "

Pete: (Glancing up and then back to Chuck. He knows what it is. She'll figure it out.)
Louise triumphantly holding up one page of computer print out of check from City of Orange.

Louise: "Wow! It's official, I beat my traffic ticket! Wow. Sometimes BS pays! Oh, I promise to drive so, so slowly, now. And I'm going to be so nice to the traffic police."

Pete: (hasn't taken his eyes off Chuck.) "Yep."

Louise: "So, this means...Let's see...If I did a blog post titled "Speeding Virgin No More," but then I'm refunded for that ticket, then what kind of virgin does this make me? Am I a 'Traffic Infraction Virgin?'

Pete: (flatly) "Uh, nope. It just means you had hymen reconstruction surgery. You're still a virgin."

Louise: "That's it?"

Pete: "Yeah, that's it."

-----------------------------------------------------------

If you would care to know how I did this, I could tell you it was the long, detailed and heartfelt letter I wrote to the County defending my driving honor.

Or , I could scan and post my very embarrassing, messy map I drew of the "scene of the crime." (I tried to make it so detailed and confusing that any fool would just give up.)

Or, I could surmise that the officer in question was simply out of town when this form landed on his desk to sign, and the truth is: I'll never know what it was that earned me this small act of mercy.

But, I will take it as a good omen that sometimes, bullshit pays. Which, for all of us bloggers out there, is pretty encouraging news.

The Shining: A new kind of romantic comedy

I suppose this has been out there for a while, but I just stumbled across it & think it's hilarious.

"The Invention of Lying" A potentially very funny Ricki Gervais movie "on vacation" till Sept. 25

September 25th?

As in fall September 25th???

So, wait -- hold on.

It's summer. Right now. And there's a Ricki Gervais movie available, but just, not yet?

Oh, come on!

Yeah, okay, so here's another one of my favorite funny people doing a movie which looks quite entertaining, but is APPARENTLY ON VACATION TILL SEPTEMBER 25TH.



-- It looks good, doesn't it?

*Sigh*
------------------------------------------------------


Here's what it said on the website about it.

"The Invention of Lying" is set in a contemporary world where no one has ever lied. Gervais will play a performer who tells the first lie and harnesses its power for personal gain.
Release Date: September 25, 2009
For more visit : http://www.The-Invention-of-Lying.com

Summer TV doldrums nuked by Kathy Griffin & Life on the D List

I'm not proud.

I'll admit it.

One of the worst things about summer is that there is nothing on TV, anymore.

I mean, it was bad enough when we started all that "Staycation!" B.S., but now, apparently we're still on that same tired "Staycation" and it's obvious that it's gonna be a long one.

So, where the hell is the good stuff on TV? Oh, wait a minute, the shows are on "hiatus," too? No way.

You gotta be kidding. Great. Thank you.

So, this means, that even though there's no homework right now, or any of the usual distractions (including employment, for many.) to stand in the way of our love affair with the tube, suddenly there's also no more "quality" TV to watch? No Breaking Bad? No Survivor? Wife Swap? No more Mad Men? Californication?! - No more...(gulp.) I can't believe I'm going to say this, but...no more of that that "other" show? You know, the one I said was wretched? ("I Can't Believe...")

No more of my steady stream of addictive crap TV?!

What. The. Hell?!

Are TV execs so delusional that they actually think we're somewhere on vacation, too, like they are?

Hello? We're home. We are NOT at sleepaway camp, right now. We're not even at day camp. We are at Camp Home.

If I were a TV executive, which clearly, I'm not, I would totally capitalize on having this much attention from an audience at this moment. The last thing I'd do is send shows "on hiatus" for summer vacation. That's just stupid.

Do they not get that almost all of us are actually stuck home on the range just like everyone was in post WWII 1950s?

And I don't mean the shows with the big tires on trucks or Cops. Give us something good, please.

Okay, all cranky old man ranting aside, there is one bright spot on the magic box horizon, and her name is -- Kathy Griffin!

Yes!


I'm so, so happy to report that at least my TV BFF, Kathy Griffin, is finally back with her Season 5 of Life On the D List.

So, thank you, Jesus, for that! At least they threw us that bone at us for the summer.

Kathy Griffin's still terrific. Funnier than ever, and she's even got a new vibe going on with a focus on sending out some love to her mom in this season's show.

It's touching and yet, it totally works. It's still all very Kathy Griffin.

Here's a hilarious clip of Kathy shopping with her new shopping BFF, Paris Hilton.

The final part of it is the best part, though when Paris Hilton lectures Kathy Griffin that "only ugly girls need to go down on their knees."

So, set your DVR's for Life on the D List, because it really is one of the only shows, this summer, actually worth recording and watching.




Let me tell you, her clips of fulfilling her mother's "bucket list" moments by producing surprise cameo visits with Betty White and Don Rickles are also comic genius, and very moving, as well. I love how she pays homage to the comic greats this way.

So, anyhow, this is one bright spot in yet another long summer of TV shows "on hiatus"

My wild July garden

The best thing about a summer garden is that sometimes it's left alone, untended for awhile, and things just expand and fill space without human intervention.

Before you know it, it's become wilder, woolier and far larger than I ever anticipated.

Here's some images from our long, oddly shaped backyard. Some from my bedroom, some from behind our home.

My favorite photos is the one with Juliet's back to the camera in front of the ten foot sunflowers. It's sort-of the essence of how it all seems to me, today.

This is how our garden grows: Lush and wild in some spots, perhaps a bit parched in others, but all the direct result of what we could accomplish right here, right now.

Karl Malden: The one and only "Mitch" in A Streetcar Named Desire.

In a summer shaping up to bear more than it's expected share of celebrity deaths, when someone Karl Malden's age passes on it shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Still, his caught me off guard, just the same.

Malden was a member of that small handful of actors that helped shape American cinema as we know it today.

True, most of them are gone, but their brand of passionate realism really changed what it meant to be a film actor, leaving behind a legacy of work still as strong and memorable today as it was years ago.

He infused his characters with integrity, strength and a unique "every man's" vulnerability which drew the audience in whenever he was on screen.

It's impossible not to think of Malden's trademark voice and intensity in the legendary American films, A Streetcar Named Desire, or On The Waterfront.

Below is a scene with Malden as "Mitch" and Vivian Leigh as "Blanche" from A Streetcar Named Desire.

It's really "Blanche's" scene, but Malden is a smoldering presence, equally as riveting and intense as Leigh's Blanche. Perhaps, even more so.

It exemplifies his talent for scene stealing simply by listening to actors up there with him.


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A great American actor. RIP.