Random Friday Thoughts — March 29, 2024

March is almost behind us! It’s also Easter weekend!

“March Madness” is still going on, but it’s over for me. After a fourth place finish last year and just missing out on the money, Iowa State (and North Carolina) ended my run this year. Go Fighting Illini!

And, thank you for checking out my thoughts this week.

EASTER

We had our little photo shoot and pug Xanadu was not impressed. She wouldn’t make it to the next round to be the Cadbury bunny!

Happy Easter!

“CATCH AND KILL”

Ronan Farrow’s 2019 book subtitled, “Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators” was an incredible read about bringing down a rapist — Hollywood legendary producer Harvey Weinstein. 

This Pulitzer Prize-winning book expands on the fall 2017 stories Farrow wrote for “The New Yorker”.

He started his investigative reporting into the allegations against Weinstein for NBC News and the “Today” show.

But, the network brass decided against breaking the story. (In full disclosure: I work for an NBC affiliate and I’ve worked at other NBC affiliates across the country, but not at the time the network news department sadly iced the investigation and the story!)

If you’re a fan of crime or suspense novels, this is a great read. Sadly, it’s a true story.

After reading this book and the details of his heinous crimes, I hope 72-year-old Weinstein lives a very, very, very long life so that he serves out much of the 39 years he was sentenced (23 in New York and 16 in California).

THE FUNNIEST LINE…

In case you didn’t know, the “National Enquirer” not only seeks out scandal, but when it can’t find one, it just makes it up.

It and its parent company, American Media, Inc (AMI) were instrumental is reporting on and then hiding (“catch and kill”) several stories in 2015 and 2016 about then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. (This all came from an August 2014 meeting at Trump Tower).

It’s pertinent to the following funny line in Farrow’s “Catch And Kill” to know that AMI was headed by a man named David Pecker.

“(Aside from Bezos’s wife and mistress, Dylan Howard appeared to have more interest in the man’s penis than any other person on the planet.)” is the funny line that cracks me up!

And, to put a face to the name — Dylan Howard!

ONE MORE RONAN FARROW NOTE — WORDS NOT NEEDED!

Okay, maybe a few! Follow? “Yes, please. Where?”

“YOUNG ROYALS”

The Swedish series “Young Royals” just wrapped after three seasons and I enjoyed it.

It’s the story of a teenaged prince in Sweden that always seems to find trouble.

He becomes the “crown prince” — next in line to the throne. But, what the monarchy has a problem with is the fact that he’s gay. The country finds out after a sex video is illegally recorded and released and he publicly confesses it’s him.

His second cousin, August (Malte Gårdinger) is very sexy, but so naughty.

My biggest problem with the series is that several scenes hinted that August is battling with either an eating disorder and/or body dysmorphia.

However, it was never addressed which would’ve been great. Boys and young men deal with it, too.

GRADE: B

“FEUD: CAPOTE VS. THE SWANS”

I just finished the second season of “Feud”. This one has writer Truman Capote taking on his rich female socialite friends in New York City — “the swans”.

These “swans” include Babe Paley (wife of CBS founder head Bill Paley) and Lee Radziwell, sister of Jackie Kennedy.

The acting is superb and Calista Flockhart (as Lee Radziwell) is my favorite. I also love Chloe Sevigny as C.Z. Guest. Demi Moore also stars in a limited role, which I wish was bigger.

When Emmy nominations are announced in July, I expect Tom Hollander to be a sure bet. His flamboyant Capote is mesmerizing and makes me feel “very butch”!

I also expect a nomination for Naomi Watts as Babe Paley.

GRADE: B+

SPEAKING OF RYAN MURPHY

I’m bummed that a second season of “Ratched” is not going to happen (according to Sarah Paulson).

Also, at one time, in the “American Crime Story” series, a season on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was planned.

There’s now talk of a season on Studio 54, which I hope materializes because I know it’d be fun and naughty in Murphy’s hands!

The first two seasons of the series, “The People vs. O.J. Simpson” (2016) and “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” (2018), won Emmy Awards in the series and acting categories.

Well, hello Darren Criss!

And, in the last one, “Impeachment” (2020), Sarah Paulson was nominated and it won a Creative Arts Emmy.

FREDDIE MERCURY & QUEEN

I just read Lesley-Ann Jones’ 2011 book, “Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury”.

It was an enjoyable read, but it wasn’t my first choice to learn more about the late Queen lead singer. However, the library didn’t have (and couldn’t get) the book I wanted.

One thing I learned is that Freddie loved koi ponds just as I do and he had one at his last estate, Garden Lodge. (These were my happy koi back in the day since I couldn’t find a photo of Freddie’s koi!)

However, Freddie’s koi story had a sad ending in July 2002. The “Daily Mail” reports that a gardener cleaning the pond moved the koi to another pool and the air pump wasn’t left on and 84 of the 89 fish died. The rare koi were valued at almost £1 million (pounds) — that’s about $2.2 million US today!!!

It was interesting to learn that a Queen concert in Budapest, Hungary, in the summer of 1986 cost £2 ($7.17 in US money today)! WOW!

Freddie was strictly concerned with being an entertainer and not getting involved in political or public matters. He believed international superstars were better off “leaving politics to the chaps who are paid to do the job, dear.”

On his visits home, Freddie’s mother would regularly make his favorite meal, Dhansak, a time-intensive Indian dish popular in the Parsee community. It’s made of “vegetables and lentils, garlic, ginger, and spices, with meat — usually mutton — and pumpkin or gourd”. It sounds delicious.

Another food note: “His favorite food was caviar with mashed potato, and these little cheese crackers his mother used to send him. He liked Italian, Indian, and Chinese food, but he never ate much of it. He’d always wash everything down with Stolichnaya vodka.”

A FASCINATION ABOUT STAR’S LIVES

When I’m reading biographies or autobiographies, I love when stories about food are shared.

I know what I eat and I love hearing about what others love, especially stars that can afford anything.

That was one of the things I loved about Barbra Streisand’s 2023 biography. It was a running theme throughout the book!

MY FAVORITE QUEEN SONGS

#5  “RADIO GAGA” (#16, 1984)

#4  “I WANT TO BREAK FREE” (#45, 1984)

I can’t believe this one caused so much controversy in the U.S. because the band was in drag! Who says the Reagan years weren’t uptight?

#3  “UNDER PRESSURE” (with David Bowie) (#29, 1981)

#2  “ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST” (#1, 1980 — THREE WEEKS)

#1  “CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE” (#1, 1980 — FOUR WEEKS)

“BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY” MOVIE BONUS

While some hated it, I loved Rami Malek’s Oscar winning turn as Freddie Mercury in 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

It was my #4 movie of the year. It made almost a billion dollars worldwide ($910.8 million).

So, as a bonus, here’s Rami’s performance of Queen’s Live Aid portion of the concert in 1986.

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — March 22, 2024

I know it’s probably the fact that I’m older, but it’s incredible how fast times flies. We’re already approaching the end of March.

Thank you for checking out my thoughts today and Happy Spring!

ST. PATRICK’S DAY AFTERTHOUGHT FROM XANADU

Hopefully, the luck of the Irish will be with you for the rest of the year.

GRUMPY OLD (PRESIDENTIAL) MEN

In early February, I wrote “While I really like one of the frontrunners and really dislike the other, I wish neither were the likely candidates for their respective parties. While I’m not being ageist (since I’m no “spring chicken”), the prospect of the next president leaving office in 2029 at the age of 87 (Joe Biden) or 83 (Donald Trump) is crazy!”

Last week, at a rally in Dayton, Ohio, Trump said, “Joe Biden won against Barack Hussein Obama, has anyone ever heard of him?” He added, “every swing state, Biden beat Obama but in every other state, he got killed.”

This is not the first time he confused Obama and Biden.

Here’s how Biden responded, “One candidate is too old and mentally unfit to be president. The other one is me.”

For the record, President Biden has made several gaffes this election cycle, too.

PUTIN WINS IN LANDSLIDE

Russian President Vladimir Putin wins a fifth term for six more years with a record number of votes.

The U.S. and other Western leaders are basically calling the election a sham.

I mean, really, there’s nothing suspicious when a tyrant, oops, I mean, a candidate gets 87% of the vote! (I hope I don’t mysteriously end up dead!)

“KARMA”

Boy George’s 2023 autobiography, “Karma” was a great read and an interesting re-visiting of his life from another perspective — that of age.

Even Boy George pointed that out in the preface of the book about writing a book on your life at age 30 and another in your sixties.

I read his 1995 autobiography “Take It Like A Man” with Spencer Bright and it was an interesting read.

However, “Karma” was much more enjoyable. Maybe I’m showing my age, too.

In his first book, he talked about the drug use that wrecked his life in the 1980s and the troubles he had with drugs in the decades to come. He called it “utter madness” and with the stories he shared this time, I agree.

It was also interesting to hear that the relationship troubles Boy George had with Jon Moss in the 1980s (personal and sexual) are still going on now (professionally) — even though Moss is no longer a part of Culture club.

Full disclosure here: I love Madonna and her music, but I’d be afraid to meet her. It was funny hearing Boy George talk about her in the book.

He mentioned her many times, “I have a sense of humor, I don’t think Madonna does, despite some of the clothes she wears (LOL)”. Like Bette and Joan, he says they should have been friends and adds, “There’s still time.”

But, that won’t happen with Janet Jackson after their first meeting at a “Solid Gold” taping back in the 1980s. About a friendship with Janet, he says, “let’s wait a while”.

He also made comments about Donald Trump (it might not be what you’d expect) and Tina Turner (touching).

Boy, if you were here now, I’d give you a hug — just because.

Here’s what he said about his videos with the band: “I think video directors had a field day with Culture Club. Some of their ideas were terrible and I hated every single video we made.”

He called “Victims” their worst and “Church of the Poison Mind” was probably his “favourite”.

I’ll share my five favorite Culture Club and Boy George songs and share comments he made about the them thirty years ago!

One final note about “Karma” (a must-read book): I love that he is a huge John Waters’ fan of of Divine and their movie, “Female Trouble”. I love, love, love that naughty movie.

However, Boy George confused Divine movies.

The “dog poo” scene was in “Pink Flamingos” and Edith Massey was not Dawn Davenport’s mum in the movie, she was Aunt Ida Nelson. But, she did indeed throw the acid in Dawn’s face.

But, it’s Boy George and I love him. He can remember it any way he wants! And, I don’t want him to jokingly call me a C-word, even though that’d be fun! 🙂

MOULIN ROUGE

Let’s continue with the Boy George theme. Several years ago, I turned 50-years-old sipping champagne while sitting at the stage of the historic Moulin Rogue in Paris.

The 2001 movie with my “girl crush” Nicole Kidman is still one of my all-time favorites and I love that Kylie Minogue is the “Green Fairy”. I need to watch it again soon.

While I’d settle to see it live with a touring company, I’d give anything to see it now on Broadway.

Boy George is starring as Harold Zidler in the Tony Award-winning musical. His run is for 112 shows (February 6 to May 12).

KYLIE & “PADAM PADAM”

From reading “Karma”, you can tell Boy George loves Kylie Minogue. Who doesn’t!!!

In her book, Britney Spears says she can only refer to Mariah Carey as “Mariah Carey” and never just “Mariah”.

I love that Boy George only refers to Kylie by her first name. Well, she is a Queen and an Icon, so why not!

Boy George also spoke highly of her huge 2023 hit “Padam Padam” by saying “She’s nailed it.” And, I love that he called out BBC Radio as ageist about not playing Kylie and “Padam”!

THIS CRACKS ME UP!

Don’t let her shame you Becky! It’s Fireball-scented!

NEED TO TRY THIS

I drink a couple of cups of coffee each morning, but I disguise the flavor with a lot of artificial sweetener and some fun-flavored creamer.

With this new one, “Dirty Soda”, it’s suggested to drink with Dr. Pepper, but CoffeeMate is a coffee creamer.

I wonder what it’d taste like in coffee. I’ve had coconut coffee creamer before, but the “Lime” may give it an interesting tropical kick!

Last fall, I tried Walmart’s “Great Value Honey, Cinnamon & Vanilla” and it was one of my favorites.

“THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT”

In May 2021, I read Chris Bohjalian’s 2018 book “The Flight Attendant” and it’s incredible.

An alcoholic flight attendant wakes up in Dubai after hooking up with a hot man from first class on her flight.

The one night stand or doing the walk of shame would be the least of her problems. She wakes up and the bed is covered in blood! His throat has been slashed and she can’t remember what happened! Did she do it????

HBO Max made it in a series and it aired in late 2020. When I finally saw it in May 2022, here’s what I had to say: “I finally got the watch the first season and it was fantastic. While the book was very bleak, which was fitting with the subject matter, the series took a more comedic-dramatic approach. It worked perfectly.

Kaley Cuoco (“The Big Bang Theory”) was incredible as the alcoholic Cassie Bowden (she’s in denial about being a drunk). And, the men, (soon to be murdered) Alex (Michiel Huisman), Buckley (Colin Woodell), Max (Deniz Akdeniz), and Van (Nolan Gerard Funk) are all beautiful to look at. And, Zosia Mamet, as Cassie’s best friend and lawyer, was amazing.”

It was renewed for a second season, which is not based on the book, and that aired in the spring of 2022. I just watched it and loved it.

Of course, I have to point out the men. Deniz Akdeniz, as Max, was so much hotter this season.

And, much to my chagrin, Will (Kayvon Esmaili) didn’t last one episode! (Oh, spoiler alert)!

Sadly, “The Flight Attendant” was not renewed for a third season.

GREAT SEEING BANGKOK AGAIN!

While the pivotal murder scene in the “The Flight Attendant” book takes place in Dubai, it’s Bangkok, Thailand in the first season of the series.

I was in Bangkok in the spring of 2019 and it was absolutely stunning to see the Chao Phraya River and the city aglow in lights at night.

The top left photo above is “Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan” (try saying that!), also known as the “Temple of Dawn”, and in the bottom left is Iconsiam, a $1.5 billion mixed-use complex including a high end shopping mall, hotels, and residences.

“JURY DUTY” 

I finally watched the early 2023 sitcom (or “reality hoax sitcom”) and I absolutely loved it. I’d heard great things about it and it lived up to my expectations.

In the series, a jury is brought together for a “case”, including actor James Marsden.

But, what juror Ronald Gladden doesn’t know is that ALL of the other jurors are actors! He’s the only civilian trying the case.

Oh, Marsden has some “eye candy” competition because Gladden is pretty sexy! 🙂

GRADE: A-

MY FIVE FAVORITE CULTURE CLUB & BOY GEORGE SONGS

Here are my five favorite Culture Club and Boy George songs. Also, I’m sharing some things he said about the videos in his last book “Take It Like A Man”.

#5 “I’LL TUMBLE 4 YA”

Boy George in “Take It Like a Man”: “Jon, Roy, and Mikey took brief dancing lessons. It was hilarious. Mikey proved to the only black man with no rhythm.”

#4 “IT’S A MIRACLE”

#3 “MOVE AWAY”

Boy George in “Take It Like a Man” called the video shoot a “two-day catastrophe” and a “mess” with his make-up sweating off. He said, “I had no grip on time or reality.”

#2 “THE WAR SONG”

Boy George in “Take It Like a Man” called the video “epic”.

#1 “KARMA CHAMELEON”

Boy George in “Take It Like a Man”: “We all loathed the finished video, but wherever we traveled in the world, people said, ‘Ooh, the ‘Karma Chameleon’ video, you all look so happy.”

BOY GEORGE BONUS 

And, while I love several of Boy George’s solo hits and his dance tracks as a DJ, “The Crying Game” remains my favorite.

Boy George in “Take It Like a Man”: “My greatest satisfaction was securing a Top 20 U.S. hit with “The Crying Game” and going back to New York after a seven-year absence. It was great to see it through clear eyes.“

What are your favorites?

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — March 15, 2024

Happy Friday! Enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day weekend and may the luck of the Irish be with us all.

Thank you for checking out my random thoughts!

PI DAY

Thursday was “Pi Day”, you know 3.14159 and a million-plus numbers.

So, on March 14th (3/14), people celebrate with pie — pizza and dessert pies.

My favorite fruit pies are peach and cherry, but my favorite pie is Sawdust Pie — a specialty at Patti’s 1880’s in Grand Rivers, Kentucky.

That’s Patti’s above and mine is below. I’ve made it many times!

YUM!

OSCARS AFTERTHOUGHTS

My schedule doesn’t allow me to stay up late on work nights to watch television.

So, I learned of the Oscar winners and the highs and lows of the show from my social media feeds.

Clearly, Donald Trump didn’t like Jimmy Kimmel’s hosting: “Get rid of Kimmel and perhaps replace him with another washed up, but cheap, ABC ‘talent,’ George Slopanopoulos. He would make everybody on stage look bigger, stronger, and more glamorous.”

Kimmel read the rest of his online post and responded, “Blah, blah, blah.”

Asking if you could guess which former president just posted that, Kimmel added, “Anyone? No? Well thank you, President Trump. Thank you for watching. I’m surprised you’re still [watching] — isn’t it past your jail time?”

On a less controversial note, I loved the energy and the look of Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” performance.

“DADDY”

In late February, on New York City’s “Eyewitness News Morning at 10” weatherman Sam Champion responded to an upcoming delicious-looking food segment about a NYC restaurant, “Is there an adult beverage for Daddy?”. 

Well, this was funny enough or shocking enough for “Entertainment Weekly” to write a feature on it.

However, what made me laugh out loud was this line from the story: “EW has reached out to the local station and a representative for Champion for comment.”

What do they need a comment on? The definition of a “daddy”?

For the unenlightened: “daddy (n.) – an attractive (usually dominant, often older, often masculine) person“.

Sam clearly works hard to look good, so I’m not objectifying him. I wish I had his commitment!

Sam is happily married to Rubem Robierb and they’re such a cute couple! They were married in December 2012.

Now, Sam is three years older than me and he and I are from western Kentucky. He started his television news career at our local NBC station in Paducah, Kentucky, in the 1980s.

As a teenager, I had the biggest crush on him!

Last week, I reached out to Sam via X (formerly Twitter) and asked if he had any old photos from his Paducah days. His reply (yes, he replied) was very funny.

Well, not exactly “Wiped Clean”, Sam. My persistence paid off!

Now you can see why I had such a crush!

THIS IS ABOUT RIGHT! CHEERS!

I’m so team “Boxed Wine”. That’s too funny.

BACK TO THE OSCARS

Did Oscar winner (two-time Oscar winner now) Emma Stone call Jimmy Kimmel a “prick” after his comment about her movie “Poor Things”?

His first joke landed, “Emma, you were so unbelievably great in “Poor Things”. Emma played an adult woman with a brain of a child, like the lady who gave the rebuttal to the State of the Union on Thursday night.”

However, later on, he said of Stone’s movie, “Those were all the parts of ‘Poor Things’ we’re allowed to show on TV.”

It was at that point that Stone mouthed something that social media believes was “prick”! Who knows, since Stone is usually funny and sarcastic. She could have been mad or just playing along!

“POOR THINGS”

Speaking of Stone, she picked up her second Best Actress Oscar Sunday night for “Poor Things”. (Her first was for 2016’s “La La Land”.)

While I haven’t seen “Killers of the Flower Moon” yet (I loved the book), I picked Emma to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, especially after seeing the movie last weekend.

Now, about the movie — I never watched the trailer and I didn’t really pay attention to what it was about.

If you go into the movie because of the Oscar nominations pedigree, you just might be shocked.

It’s a very bizarre movie and I didn’t expect to see all of Emma Stone! And, while I’m definitely not a prude, I was surprised that the Oscar winner was exposed so much in the movie! Good for her comfort level there!

The acting is superb and Stone deserves the Oscar! Mark Ruffalo was great as was Willem Dafoe and Ramy Youssef.

GRADE: B

“THE WOMAN IN ME”

I just finished Britney Spears’ biography, the #1 best seller, “The Woman in Me” that came out last October.

Last fall, I wrote, “Trust me, with the stuff the pop superstar has been through, if she’s honest, this should be an interesting read.”

It was definitely an interesting and enlightening read.

Britney’s dislikes: Her parents, her sister Jamie Lynn (“total bitch”), Diane Sawyer and “Meredith fu**ing Viera”!

She loves Mariah Carey (never Mariah, always Mariah Carey), Jennifer Lopez, and Madonna.

Spears reportedly got $15 million from Simon & Schuster for telling her story!

“BODIES” 

This intelligent Netflix series is incredible. It’s a drama that’s creepy, thought-provoking, and sexy.

It takes place over four different time periods (1890, 1941, 2023 and 2053). In each, a man’s naked body is found with a gunshot wound to the eye. However, in the 2053 version, he’s not dead.

So, you follow the investigation in each time period and then realize there’s a connection to the time periods in the future. As Netflix states: “To save Britain’s future, they’ll [the four detectives] need to solve the murder that altered the course of history first.”

It’s definitely a smart show that you can’t be dozing off on or playing on your phone while watching.

GRADE: A-

HELLO SEXY KYLE SOLLER!

In “Bodies”, Kyle Soller played DI Alfred Hillinghead in the 1890 portion of the show.

40-year-old Soller is an award-winning actor that’s had much more success in theatre.

“THANKSGIVING”

This November 2023 release is now showing on Netflix. It was a box office success making $46.5 million (three times its budget) and a sequel is expected in 2025.

Acting in this slasher movie is horrible, but the worst offender is Patrick Dempsey — not his acting, but the accent he uses!

After several people are trampled to death at a store on Thanksgiving night, someone is seeking revenge on the kids responsible for inciting the riot that led to the rush of people into the store.

The highlight of the movie was the kills (and the gore). Usually, gore is something that usually turns me off in a movie. Gore doesn’t bother me, but I like suspense more (“Halloween”)!

In “Thanksgiving”, gore saves it from a “D” grade!

GRADE: C-

THIS MADE ME SMILE!

And, this is appropriate if you’ve seen “Thanksgiving”.

Well, back in the day when I ate beef, this is how I liked mine prepared.

However, unless I’m in a “Society of the Snow” scenario, I won’t be eating people!

MY FIVE FAVORITE BRITNEY SONGS

I’ve seen the legendary Britney Spears twice… once in July 2011 at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Nicki Minaj opening for her.

And, I saw her again in Las Vegas in March 2017.

Ahead of that concert, I posted my 20 favorite Britney songs. Today, I’ll share the Top 5!

#5 “WOMANIZER”

#4 “I WANNA GO”

#3 “TOXIC”

#2 “TILL THE WORLD ENDS”

#1 “EVERYTIME”

BRITNEY VEGAS EXTRA

While the “Everytime” video is incredible and my favorite, here’s part of her live version of the song from the 2017 concert I attended.

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — March 8, 2024

It’s Friday again and I have more random thoughts to share with you. Last week’s thoughts on John Schneider and Beyoncé were well received.

As always, I appreciate you taking the time to check out what’s on my mind and sharing your thoughts on mine.

THOUGHTS ABOUT PET PARENTING!

I know most people mean well when they give you advice. Well, actually, when they make comments on what you post. When they do, I respond kindly.

This is Keshia, the first dog I owned on my own (1987-1998).

And, this is ABBA, my golden retriever (2000-2012).

Keshia lived to be eleven and ABBA almost made it to twelve.

This image is from a short video I posted last week on Facebook of Xanadu taking a sip of my drink and her reaction.

Of course, that prompted some to let me know that alcohol is not good for dogs. A similar thing happened last summer when I posted a facial expression on her trying to lick a wine bottle.

For the record, Xanadu doesn’t get her own drink! It was just a taste.

I’m more concerned with the acorns she gobbles down in the summer and fall. Acorns are toxic and made her sick last year.

Or, the piece of chocolate she stole from the kitchen table a few weeks back or the leaves from my plants and trees she insists on stealing and eating when I can’t get them away from her.

My point: This is not my first rodeo. When parenting a 4-legged child, mistakes will be made.

We parent differently and it’s always a learning curve — like a dry pug nose in January that led to this. It was healed in a few days with ointment (Burt’s Bees for dogs paw & nose lotion — Rosemary & Olive Oil).

I want pug Xanadu to live a very long, healthy life. I’ll never do anything intentionally to harm her — she does enough of that on her own being a curious, bratty puppy!

KYLIE MINOGUE IN ONE WORD — I-C-O-N-I-C!

Last weekend, Kylie was honored with the 2024 Brit Awards Global Icon award and it’s well-deserved!

You know I love her and I’m obsessed (in a healthy way) with her.

While she’s only had modest success over the past 40 years here in the U.S. (sadly, it’s only modest), she’s an international megastar.

In the U.K., she’s had 35 Top Ten singles (seven went all the way to #1 and an incredible eleven of them stalled at #2).

Kylie’s seven-minute-plus show-closing performance was an electrifying medley of four of her biggest hits with three costume changes!

Watch this and tell me what you think? Am I right or wrong?

Again, I-C-O-N-I-C!

MADONNA

One final note: Amongst women, only Madonna has had more Top Ten U.K. hits (64). Of those, 13 reached #1 and 12 stopped at #2.

FACEBOOK MELTDOWN

Like many others, I was locked out of Facebook for almost 24 hours earlier this week.

While it was strange not being able to scroll the social media site, I was bummed when I still couldn’t get into my account the second day.

I’ve invested 15 years of posting photos of all my travels and building up work weather page and I thought it could all be lost.

Welcome back Facebook!

ANTHONY BOURDAIN 

I was aware of chef/television star Anthony Bourdain before he took his life in June 2018. 

This winter, I read his first book, 2000’s “Kitchen Confidential”. This book made him a literary star and with television shows to follow, a celebrity.

“Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly“ (2000) 

What an enjoyable book! 

Even if you’ve never worked in a restaurant (I did from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s before my television weather career took off), you would enjoy hearing about the crazy restaurant industry. 

Before he became a television star touring the world and eating all kids of crazy things, Chef Bourdain talked about life — growing up, heavy drug use, and why he never became a Michelin-starred chef (hint — he took jobs for money and not the craft!).

Bourdain was very honest in this book not only about his stumbles in life, but things restaurants probably don’t want you to know — re-using bread baskets, why you shouldn’t order fish on Monday and why you should never order Eggs Benedict (guilty)!

“In the Weeds: Around the World and Behind the Scenes with Anthony Bourdain” by Tom Vitale (2021)

Tom Vitale worked very closely for a long period of time directing and producing Bourdain’s television shows. This book was a great read.

At times, it painted Bourdain as caring and at other times, very insensitive to those working so hard around him to make the show a success.

Vitale wrote, “…making the show felt like going to war, without the guns… Is there such a thing as ‘vacation of a lifetime’ PTSD where your main tormentor is also your hero, mentor, and boss?” He also said working with Bourdain was “basically a giant mindfu*k”.

Hearing about all of the places Vitale and Bourdain visited and the behind the scenes drama was enlightening.

And, Vitale touched on Bourdain’s rocky relationship with Asia Argento, who many blamed for the chef’s decision to commit suicide.

Vitale talked about meeting her for drinks after Bourdain’s death and how that went.

“Down and Out in Paradise: The Life of Anthony Bourdain” by Charles Leerhsen (2022)

This was a very thorough book on Bourdain’s life. It wasn’t all unicorns and roses.

It touched on Bourdain’s demons and his life with his last girlfriend, Argento.

“Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook” by Anthony Bourdain (2010).

This book came ten years after his best seller, “Kitchen Confidential”. 

It definitely showed much more maturity than the first book, but there was still an edge to Bourdain. 

He apologized to some for being such a dick in his first book (Food Network stars) and stressed he didn’t hate certain people.

He also shared more about his life — the highs and the lows — and some great stories about other chefs (heroes and villains) and I’m thrilled he put my idol chef, Grant Achatz, in the hero category. 

My favorite story was the one he told was about Justo Thomas, the fish man at Le Bernardin in New York City. On a typical day, Thomas preps at least 700 to 1,000 pounds of fish. However, he never got to sample the finished product until Bourdain took him out to dinner at the restaurant. 

And, whether you liked or disliked Bourdain, he summed things up perfectly in this book with an example. 

He talked about a writer that had a beef with him. He theorized that if he called you an “asshole”, you might call him one back or maybe a “f**king asshole” . 

He then said you may really get personal by saying something that I honestly think was how Bourdain saw himself less than ten years before he took his own life, “A loud, egotistical, one-note asshole who’s been cruising on the reputation of one obnoxious, over-testosteroned book for way too long and who should just shut the f*ck up.”

ANTHONY BOURDAIN: FINAL THOUGHTS (FOR NOW) 

I watched the first episode of “A Cook’s Tour” (2002) and will likely check out more of the series and some of the other travel episodes and shows he did later.

THOUGHTS OF DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE

If you’re down and feeling that you can’t or don’t want to go on, here are two support numbers if you need to talk.

The Trevor Project is geared to those in the LGBTQ community.

And, this one is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

“HUNGER”

While it’s no “The Menu”, my favorite movie I watched in 2023, the Thai film “Hunger” was enjoyable. 

The movie, about the fine-dining industry is definitely twisted, especially Chef Paul.

You can watch it on Netflix.

GRADE: B

A TASTY TREAT

Lay’s is bringing new flavors to store shelves.

In a partnership with IHOP, there’s Rooty Tooty Fresh ’N Fruity. These pancake-flavored chips have the sweet taste of strawberries. And, that’s not all, there’s maple syrup and BACON!

These are available only at Walmart for a limited time. 

My sister Tammy brought me a small bag last week and I love them! YUMMY!

You can also get the Sweet & Spicy Honey flavored chips now.

Would you try either of them?

PITBULL & DOLLY PARTON, REALLY?

We all know Pitbull accompanies so many artists on their songs. He’s “Mr. Worldwide”, of course.

Last month, he released “Trackhouse (Daytona 500 Edition), an EP of seven songs (six of them under three minutes.

The one I’ve heard is rather interesting.

It’s an update of Dolly Parton’s #1 crossover hit, “9 to 5” from 1981. This one called “Powerful Women” featuring Dolly rapping!

Full disclosure here: I’ve seen Pitbull in concert twice — with Kesha (in 2013)…

and with fantasy husband, Enrique Iglesias (in 2014).

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — March 1, 2024

I’m back with some thoughts this week.

Late last week, Miss Xanadu and I skipped out of town for a couple of days to celebrate her “Gotcha Date” early.

Have a fantastic weekend and thank you for checking out my random thoughts.

“GOTCHA DATE” CELEBRATION

I’ve now had silly pug a year now. It’s been fun and challenging.

It’s so different raising a puppy at my age and alone compared to more than two decades ago when I got ABBA, my golden retriever, and raised her with an ex.

Hi ABBA!

Miss Xanadu definitely knows right from wrong, but she intentionally chooses wrong and then looks at me like, “Whatcha goin’ to do about it?”!

Here’s she’s probably thinking, “What? I didn’t… but, I thought about it!”

On our getaway, Miss Xanadu thoroughly enjoyed walking along the Mississippi River.

Here’s to a fun and long life together (with another “Dad” in the picture one day)!

“ALL OF US STRANGERS”

After anticipating “All of Us Strangers” for most of 2023 (it was released at Christmas), I finally got to see it.

It was beautiful, touching, inspiring, and heartbreaking!

Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal were incredible in the lead roles and Jamie Bell and Claire Foy were amazing, as always.

If you’re not familiar with this award-winning movie, it’s about a developing love between Adam and Harry and Adam getting a second chance to “re-connect” with his parents (Foy and Bell) even though they died when he was a kid.

And, the conclusion, wow! I didn’t see that coming!

So, I watched it again to catch the clues and several scenes played differently once I knew how the movie ended.

And, I was bawling ten minutes into it and for the last ten minutes of the movie, which I didn’t do the first time!

GRADE: A

And, because the movie was so haunting, I absolutely love this picture of the four actors on set lightening the mood!

I PITY JOHN SCHNEIDER NOW

As a teenager, I had the biggest crush on Bo Duke (John Schneider) of “The Dukes of Hazzard”!

Well, that was then and this is now. Don’t get me wrong. John is still sexy, but boy is he rather ignorant.

It’s okay if we disagree on things. We don’t have to be on the same side of the aisle, but you can be respectful. He’s now being called “racist” and “hurtful”.

Speaking with a conservative cable news channel earlier this month, Schneider was ticked that Beyonce recorded country music.

The host of the show set Schneider up by saying, “The lefties in the entertainment industry just won’t leave any area alone, right? They just have to seize control over every aspect, don’t they?”

Schneider replied with a smug smile, “They’ve got to make their mark, just like a dog in a dog walk park… You know, every dog has to mark every tree, right?”

And, this comes just months after he posted a comment on X (formerly Twitter) calling for the prosecution and public hanging of President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, for treason. Good riddance John!

Back in the 1980s, Schneider scored 13 country hits with ten of them making the Top Ten and four reaching #1.

MORE ABOUT BEYONCE & BLACK COUNTRY ARTISTS

Beyonce’s latest single, “Texas Hold ‘Em”, released on Super Bowl Sunday debuted at #1 on the Billboard country chart making her the first Black woman to do that! It’s now spending its second week at #1 on the country chart and it’s #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

What an accomplishment! However, it’s sad that it took someone of Beyonce’s stature in the music industry to do it.

While the song debuted at #1, it’s only at #35 on the country airplay chart, which is up 371 plays over last week at 263 stations (out of almost 340).

FINAL COUNTRY MUSIC THOUGHTS

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, so read each word so I don’t think you’re in the same club as John Schneider… while there are many great people that listen to and program country radio, it’s blatantly a sexist, ageist, racist and homophobic genre.

Let’s talk sexism first — if that wasn’t the case, why doesn’t new songs from Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis, Tanya Tucker and Patty Loveless show up on the Top Ten airplay lists?

Reba’s last two studio albums, “Love Somebody” (2015) and “Stronger Than The Truth” (2019) were basically ignored by country radio and “Stronger” was even Grammy nominated.

There was an amazing gospel album, “Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope” in 2017.

Reba started 2011 at #1 with “Turn on the Radio” and she hasn’t been back to the Top Ten since!

Ageism is to play with those women I just mentioned and it happened to Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette before them. And, where is George Strait, Ronnie Dunn, and others older men in the Top Ten?

There have been many Black artists releasing great country music, but they haven’t been welcomed to country music genre. You can list successful Black artists in country music on one hand!

Why didn’t Mickey Guyton make it big in country music? Only her first single, “Better Than You Left Me” made the Top 40 country airplay list and it only reached #35 in 2015. That was it for her!

And, homophobic — once the rumors started spreading about Chely Wright and she came out, her hits stopped.

HOW ABOUT A TASTY TREAT?

Two new flavors of Oreo cookies are hitting store shelves March 4th!

Dirt Cake — chocolate cookies with dirt cake-flavored creme — will be a limited time only treat.

Yes, please!

Tiramisu — chocolate cookie sandwich with Tiramisu-flavored creme will be a permanent flavor.

“THIS IS ME… NOW: A LOVE STORY”

2024 is going to be a big year for Jennifer Lopez.

She released her latest album, “This is Me Now” in February and announced a summer tour.

She also spent $20 million of her own money for a movie and documentary to accompany that album and tour.

I watched “This Is Me… Now: A Love Story” on Prime Video and it was very enjoyable.

While there’s a story line like a movie, there are several music videos incorporated into the story to promote the album.

The movie features appearances from Jane Fonda, Keke Palmer, Post Malone, Trevor Noah and many more.

GRADE: B

MY FAVORITE J LO SONG

I really like J Lo’s new song, “Can’t Get Enough” and her “new husband” in the video is so hot…

… however, my favorite J. Lo song is “On The Floor”, which features Pitbull (of course it does).

It was a #1 smash in the dance clubs and reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

TED BUNDY IS STILL DEAD!

While serial killer Ted Bundy was executed 35 years ago, he recently had a resurgent of popularity with a Netflix movie with Zac Efron and a series of new books and documentaries. 

My recent fascination kicked off with Jessica Knoll’s fiction book based on Bundy’s Chi Omega sorority killing spree in January 1978 in Tallahassee, Florida called “Bright Young Women: A Novel”.

After that, I read Ann Rule’s “The Stranger Beside Me” (1980). Rule worked with Bundy at a telephone crisis center, while his unknown — at the time — killing spree was getting underway in the Pacific Northwest.

I finished my Bundy reading with “Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer” (2000) by Stephen Michaud and Hugh Aynesworth, which I got bored with very quickly. 

Bundy was so evasive about all of the murders he committed even though he pretty much knew he was going to die by execution one day!

As for the Netflix movie with Efron, “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” (2019), it was okay. It was mostly color by numbers and didn’t really show how savage and evil Bundy really was. It felt more glorifying.

GRADE: C+

REMEMBER THIS ONE?

Let’s brighten the mood before I close out today’s blog.

Let’s flash back to 1990. How many of you remember this one?

Unless you were in the clubs, you probably don’t remember Pat & Mick’s “Use It Up and Wear It Out”. (It reached #22 in the UK and #81 in the US!)

It wasn’t even a big hit in the clubs, but Rumors (Paducah, Kentucky’s gay bar) played it all the time.

And, the fashion statement of these two English disc jockeys cracks me up!

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony