Fake Celebrity Gossip

Celebrity gossip used to be my outlet…I visited people.com, perezhilton.com, tmz.com, and eonline.com multiple times each day.  I subscribed to US Weekly and always bought at least one Star, People or OK! at the grocery store every week.

Now, I go days without even thinking about checking out celebrity gossip.  Gabby and I were talking about this the other day, and I think there are two main reasons for both of us separating ourselves from the celebrity gossip bandwagon.

First, the majority of the tabloid news is about fake celebrities.  I do not care about Spencer, Heidi, some mother that has 14 kids, John and Kate, and every other non-celebrity out there who has somehow been making headlines.  Stephanie Pratt on last week’s cover of US Weekly?  Serisouly?  COME ON.

Yes, I do watch a few of the shows that these fake celebs spawn from…but believe me, I get enough details about their lives through TV.  Mentions about them in tabloids would be ok, but lately they are the cover, the focus, and the entire story.

And apparently there are a lot of people interested in these fake celebrities.  More than 10 million people watched John and Kate announce their divorce that everyone already knew was happening.  But does that story then have to consume all other celebrity gossip?  Aren’t the real celebs out there doing anything?  Don’t they have things to promote?

And second, I think it’s the gossip outlets fault.  They will do absolutely anything for a headline.  They’ll draw the Ben-Jen-Angelina triangle out every way they can think of…three times each.  They will claim anything to sell a few magazines  – how many times has Jennifer Aniston been pregnant so far?

It’s hard to beleive the magazines when they try to say something – one because they’re track record isn’t great, and another because the celebrities (fake and real) think they can fool us and issue statements denying true reports.  Everyone from Madonna to those John and Kate people are guilty of this.

So where does that leave celebrity gossip fans?  On Gabby’s tip, I now rely on Page 6 for “real” celebrity gossip.  They don’t usually mess around with those annoying fakes.  She reads the superficial.com because the writer is hilarious…I do need to check him out more bc it’s true regardless if he’s commenting on a real or fake celebrity.

The one site I have banned and refuse to even ever consider? Perez Hilton.  That man is disgusting.  He draws semen and penises on people and then expects to be treated like a respected human being.  He wants equality for him and the LGBT community, but doesn’t believe in true equality because no one is allowed to disagree with him on anything ever.  He doesn’t only gossip, he is mean and ruthless, and it’s really uncalled for.  He targets everyone – including babies. Frankly, I’m surprised he hasn’t been hit before.  Maybe he should hire an outstanding security team.

But back to my main point, if celebrity tabloids want to get me back as a fan and reader, they need to make some changes.

Was that a Hurricane in Pittsburgh Last Night?!

I don’t really trust weather reports.  Around here, they always seem to get it wrong – either the big snow they predict turns out to be flurries, or they say it’s going to rain, and the sun is out all day long.  But, when they warn about a snow storm or torrential downpours, I at least am prepared (mentally at least) for them to happen.

Yesterday, the only thing I was aware of was that it was probably going to rain.  So, when I left to pick Gabby up for an evening of poetry and the Pittsburgh Symphony, I brought my umbrella.  I stopped at the MAC machine first…and it was just starting to sprinkle.  By the time I drove from the South Side to Point Breeze – all of what 5 miles? – it was pouring.  Gabby raced to get into my car, and we were off to downtown.

That’s when it started getting interesting.  It was raining so hard I could barely see the car in front of me.  When we pulled up to the Church that was holding the performance, it was coming down hard…and the wind was racing making the rain come down in every direction.  We decided to sit it out in the car until it slowed down.  It usually rains hard for a few minutes and then drastically slows.  Well, it didn’t seem to slow, in fact it only seemed to rain harder.  And then the hail started coming down.

At that point the streets around downtown Pittsburgh were flooding and looking to get worse with every passing second.  So Gabby and I decided to go home.  An hour and a half later, we made it to her house – after trying to go about 5 different ways and definitely going through high rushing water that you’re advised to stay away from.  Gabby’s house didn’t have power, and her basement was flooded.  I waited the storm out there for a bit before trying to make it back to the South Side.

When I left around 8pm, it was still raining, but normal rain.  Fifth Avenue wasn’t flooded any more whn I got to it, so I relaxed a bit and kept driving.  And then the rain started coming down harder and harder.  And the roads started flooding all over again.

Somehow, I safely made it home.  I’m convinced it’s only because my car is somehow a land/water machine…kind of like those Ducky Tour Boats.

Gabby eventually got her power back and now gets to start drying out her basement.

The point:  where are the weather FORECASTERS?  By definition, they’re supposed to prepare us for weather BEFORE it happens.  Yes, all of the local news stations were more than happy to start covering the storm nonstop…but that’s not good enough.  They need to figure out how to know these things are going to happen ahead of time and to let people know.

Real Housewives of NJ – Over and Not a Moment Too Soon!

Thank you Bravo for making this season a short one.

I just watched last night’s finale, and oh dear GOD, I never want to see these women together again.  Like I’ve blogged before, I like Dina, Caroline and Teresa….they’re just boring.  Yeah, there was a lot of drama in the finale, but it was so not worth it.  Jacqueline…I can take or leave her.  She needs to grow a backbone and develop a personality, but she is harmless.  Ugliest dress of the year award goes to her for that navy and gold mess she wore to the dinner party.

A little note to Danielle Staub/Maher:

Danielle, I feel bad for your kids.  You are a narcissistic bitch, there’s really no other way to say it.  Sitting around showing them your modeling pictures…LAME.  Would you like to remind the audience of any other claims-to-fame in your life?!

And, it’s disgusting how you acted at the dinner party that a.) your kids were present at and b.) you were nicely invited to even though the majority doesn’t care for you.  Are you THAT jealous of other people when they’re happy and having fun?  Teresa was having a good time joking around and making everyone laugh, and then you go and plop the book on the table.  Do you really need to have center stage at all times, even if it’s “lies” about you?  Why would you even bring that to a party? You’re sick and twisted.

Who the heck cares who found out about it first and who told who.  What did you think was going to happen when you went on a reality show?  Did you think your past was not going to be uncovered?  Hello -do you live in the real world?!?  You knew it was going to, and I think you secretly enjoy all the attention it has brought you…which again leaves me absolutely disgusted with you.

Your poor, poor children.

Sincerely,

Modernista

P.S. Bravo, I will not even be able to stomach the reunion for this series.  Please don’t waste our time with this crap again.  Maybe without Danielle and with someone else more interesting NJ could work, but in its present form, it sucks.  Bring back my girls of NYC!!!

Loving Frank

Have you read Nancy Horan’s Loving Frank?  If not, go immediately to the bookstore or Amazon.com and buy it…then go home and start reading it.  I started reading about Mamah Cheney and Frank Lloyd Wright’s love affair two weeks ago.  But then with the job change and a million other things going on, I didn’t have much leisure reading time.  Well, thanks in part to my June cold and taking way too much daytime Aleve Cold & Sinus, I couldn’t sleep last night.  Instead, I finished the last 300 or so pages.  And it was unbelievable.  Horan writes so beautifully – with perfect attention to detail – she doesn’t go overboard.

That’s all I’m saying.  I’m giving the book to Gabby tomorrow so she can read it and then I’ll reveiw/discuss it.  I can’t wait…that book is seriously historical fiction at its best!

A Cold…In June?

I woke up yesterday morning with a sore throat.  Throughout the day, the sinus pressure, sneezing and general yucky feeling followed.  It doesn’t seem right to have a cold in June when the weather has been absolutely picture perfect.  Thank goodenss for Vicks vapor rub for getting me through the night.  I’m picking up some Aleve Cold & Sinus on my way to work and hoping they start working ASAP!

Gilmore Girls – it’s like brand new TV every day!

I got into Gilmore Girls about two years ago.  They had been off the air, but reruns were on ABC Family every evening.  I watched almost religiously…and after a few run-throughs, I thought I had sen the entire series.  In my mind, Lorelai gave Luke the ultimatum and ended up sleeping with Christopher while Logan left Rory to go to London.

A few weeks ago, I was watching something on ABC Family, and there was a promo for a new season of Gilmore Girls. I was confused…I read entertainment news quite regularly and follow Watch with Kristen on Twitter and had not heard about a reunion!

After a quick Google search, I discovered that the US never had syndication rights to the final season…so what I thought was the series finale was just a season cliffhanger!  I have the dvr set to record all of the episodes…and let me just say that I’m loving it.  I had read that the last season wasn’t as good b/c of the writer change or something, but 3.5 eps in, I don’t really have a problem with it.  And, it’s like a soap opera for me b/c I have something brand new to see every day!

I think I really am addicted to TV.  Oh well…at least I read a lot too…there’s a balance

The Best Part About Changing Jobs

Today was the first day in about two weeks that I had to buy my own lunch.  Ever since I gave my notice, it’s been a whirlwind of happy hours, lunches, breakfasts, coffee breaks, etc.  First with the old job, and then this week with my new colleagues.

There was the Adele-planned happy hour at the Union Grill.  Complete with champagne (and a margarita for me!), great apps, and really nice and thoughtful gifts.  Then there was a delicious lunch at Eleven, where I had the best burger I’ve had in awhile.  Both of these excursions were PC…they included some people I am less than fond of, so it started another wave of events for just people we like

On one of my last days, two of my most important and favorite internal customers took me to Lucca.  I hadn’t been there in awhile and never for lunch, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect.  I had the turkey club sandwich, and oh my God, was it good.  It was enormous and came with lots of chips and a really large side salad.  (Just a note, if you’re a club sandwich fan, check this cool new blog out:  http://clubsaretrump.blogspot.com/ – it’s really neat!)  I also had the tiramisu for desert, and well, that was just a disgrace to tiramisu everywhere.  Over all the lunch was excellent both in taste and company.

My very last day, two of my fav co-workers and I went to a restaurant off the beaten path so we could enjoy a few cocktails.  A couple of glasses of prosecco later, and I was feeling GREAT as I handed off my badge and everything to HR.

Then I started the new job.  Day one was a retreat, so even though it wasn’t all for me, I can pretend it was.  Breakfast, lunch, and ice cream sundaes!  Day two and three…more lunches with new, interesting and great people.  One place we went that I really liked was the cafe at Phipps.  I had a great chicken salad…it was a good size too.  Not overwhelmingly large, but I left full.

Today…a quick bagel at Einsteins.  Not that exciting, but filling.  It’s fun changing jobs

The Trainwrecks of New Jersey

Ok, so they’re not all total trainwrecks, so that may be a little unfair.  The series though, is a complete trainwreck.  And, I guess that’s why I made it a point to watch this week’s episode last night!

When I saw the previews for this season, I thought I would hate Dina.  Maybe that’s why she’s my fav because my impression from her promoted comment about being a bitch or something threw me off guard.  Her relationship with her daughter is actually touching…it seems like she’s a genuinely caring mother.  And when she claims to have nothing to do with spreading rumors about Danielle, I believe her.

I like Caroline more and more with each episode.  She seems like a bit of a hovering mother…something that would drive me insane especially at the ages her children at at, but they don’t seem to mind.  (Or, they just want to be on TV!)  And while she seems like a great family person and nice enough lady…she’s kind of boring.

I don’t really get Jacqueline.  She flip-flops siding with her family and Danielle which is ludicrous, if you ask me.  Danielle is a psycho path.  It’s generally a good life rule to stay away from those.  She seems to want to try to be a good parent and not spoil the crap out of Ashley, which is good because Ashley is a brat.  But honestly, Jacqueline doesn’t have much of a personality on this show and bores me.

Then there’s Teresa…who doesn’t seem to have a mean bone in her body (until next week, that is!) but her boob job storyline is beyond lame.  There’s just not much interesting going on there either.

You know how I feel about Danielle.  Someone commented on my post from last week that Kelly Bensimon should be happy Danielle came along to take the hate away from Kelly.  I disagree…it’s completely different.  Danielle is a fraud, a felon, a bitch, delusional and a psychopath.  Kelly Bensimon is clueless, spoiled and stupid.  I have no idea why Bravo would put a woman like Danielle on this show.  Yeah, I know they need controversy, but seriously…this is just insane and stupid.  Her “breakup” with Steve was pathetic…and then her telling her kids about it and how he would still be in their lives.  Did he really say that or did I miss something?  That also made me feel really bad for those kids.  Growing up with a self-absorbed psycho path mother can’t be easy…and then when you add bed hopping and multiple boyfriends into the mix, they’re going to have issues.

Oh, and I hope Teresa isn’t going to the same doctor for her new boobies as Danielle…they really looked lopsided!!

Next week looks completely staged but definitely entertaining.  These characters are too boring for a second season though…I don’t think I can stomach them too much longer.  Bring back my ladies of NYC

Thank Goodness For DVRs – I fell asleep during Burn Notice

It’s been a stressful week.  I’m wrapping things up at one job, and getting ready to start a new one on Monday (insert extreme happy face here!).  After a work happy hour last night (could Harris Grill’s frozen cosmos be any better?!), I was all ready to watch part of the Pens game, and then check out Burn Notice.  I think I saw about five minutes.  Fiona looked pregnant to me in the one scene I saw her….thank god that I set my DVR to record the series b/c now I can go home and catch up!  I love technology

The Shack by Wm. Paul Young

June Book Club isn’t until the end of the month, but I already finished the book…new record!  The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young isn’t like the books I typically read.

My family wasn’t very religious growing up.  I was raised to believe in God, and I do, but other than attending one week of bible camp each summer from kindergarten to fifth grade and going to church occasionally with friends, I never have really been exposed to structured religion.

The Shack starts out with the main character Mack facing a deep depression, the great sadness, over his youngest daughter Missy’s brutal kidnapping and murder.  It’s about three years after it happened, and him and his family (wife Nan who is deeply religious and their four other children) aren’t doing that well.  Then one snowy, icy day, Mack receives a note telling him to meet God in the Shack – which was the place the police found the evidence of Missy’s murder (her body had never been recovered).

Mack, not sure if it was a prank, the killer seeking him out, or somehow God himself, decides he has to go find out.  I won’t ruin the story that follow for you – but basically Mack meets God, Jeasus and the Holy Spirit and through a long process, finally comes to terms with what happened to Missy, his own bad relationship with his father and Missy’s killer himself.

This is written as a true story.  From the transformation of the forest into a magical and heavenly garden where God appears to Mack as a heavy-set black woman to walking on water across a lake with Jesus, it’s all supposed to be told exactly as Mack remembers it.

I’m not going to lie…I have a big problem beileive all of it.  It’s magical and fantasy-like…I guess maybe I’m more of a realist.  I do believe the underlying themes of the book:  God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit love you and area always with you and turning to them in a time of deep emotional need can really help – just like it can at any other point in time.

It did make me think some about my own life and especially how I judge people (there’s a whole chapter on how Mack meets a judge-type person who I’m not familiar with), and I should pobably work on that.  Overall the book was interesting…I couldn’t really put it down because I did want to find out how everything was resolved.  The book’s ending wraped up a little too neatly for me, and that may be adding to my speculation as to whether the whole story is true or not.

An interesting note about the book, it’s a NY Times best-seller with more than five million copies in print.  The book’s success stemmed primarily from word-of-mouth marketing – the book was launched with only a $200 marketing campaign.  And now, it seems, it’s become somewhat of a phenomenom.