Got to hand it to the celebrity gossip blogger extraordinaire. The man who puts the "Ooooo-la-la" in the 2008 Olympics is smacking his lips over a sight poised to get plenty of attention in Beijing. Less than three more days and counting. A bit of levity to lighten up ominous vibes, no doubt.
Want to guess the identity of the mystery competitor?
Brazen PerezHilton had a few choice words for the tattoo peeking out over America's favorite speedo. Him likee what lookee be the University of Maryland insignia. Wonder if a fearsome terrapin stands at attention inside.
Oh, Perez, you bring out the worst in me. And to think, that speedo works out in my own backyard.
Sometimes, it’s hard to know which hat to wear. A leather cowboy or Hawaiian straw. A green beret or corduroy newsboy. A political analyst or celebrity sleaze. Let the brouhaha begin.
Every day, we straddle the thin line between politics and celebrities because it is there. We dare to go where nary another blog has ventured before. Some have tried, but most have thrown their hands up in humiliating defeat. Their failure will be our triumph. We’re focused on the brass ring, the holy grail of niches. We’re determined to bring it home.
Hope you enjoyed that slaphappy soliloquy because it’s an earnest attempt at humor. In my humble opinion, even bad humor is better than no humor at all.
We know most of our visitors drop by for the latest celebrity smut. Our problem is we sometimes like to be taken seriously, so we post semi-intellectual musings about matters of practical concern. When we pen about politics, we probably alienate the bulk of our visitors, and vice-versa, when we post a column about celebrities, our politically minded readers probably take a hike. It’s the price we pay for trying to combine the two, but that’s who we are. It’s also who we hope our readers will eventually come to love and embrace.
I just had to get that off my chest before attacking today’s topic, however, I am now so nauseated by my own attempt at wittiness, I must forage ahead.
If you haven’t already guessed, I'm feeling consumed by politics. Had could I not? The political postulating is so thick you could spread it on a bagel. It’s Iowa caucuses time, baby. Can you say "Eyes of America"?
I love how this election finally shaped up to be a horse race. Today, the average woman/man on the street isn’t quite certain how his/her vote will be cast. All eyes are on Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
I look back fondly to November when the conventional wisdom of fellow BlogWorld participants resignedly reaffirmed a Clinton coronation. Hardly anyone agreed Mrs. Clinton is presidential material, mind you, they simply bowed to the collective conjecture of the talking heads. In fact, some who attended BlogWorld are the talking heads. Talking heads "you’d like to engage in amiable conversation but are too busy to be bothered because they think you’re a nobody" talking heads.
How I'd relish looking them in the eye right this very moment. I'd chuckle, saying, “Told you so. Told you so. Nah nah nah nah boo boo.” Immature, certainly, but highly gratifying.
Collective wisdom is a precarious commodity. It can change on a dime. If enough people say something long enough, loud enough, and strong enough, they have a shot at making it so. Through the power of the Internet, I took my shot. I’d like to think I played a bit part in knocking Hillary off her high perch, although, one never knows, does one? Only time will tell.
Yes, I dislike Hillary as a person and for her politics. I live in a state that’s the model for Hillary’s America, the model for most if not all of the Democratic candidates, really. It’s the model for my own choice in the primaries, Chris Dodd, which I suppose makes me look like a hypocrite, but the alternatives are just as bad or worse. I rationalize by saying he comes packaged with some enviable foreign policy and economic expertise. Hillary, on the other hand, would be a complete and utter disaster. My hope is, if nominated, Dodd will gravitate to the center as most savvy presidential candidates do. If so, I believe he will be a formidable contender in the general election.
Democrats have been fooled before. Governor Martin O’Malley is in the process of turning Maryland into a welfare state. Business and industry are on the decline, the population is leaving in droves, and the middle class is about to be taxed out of existence. Soon, there won’t be enough of a tax base to fund Martin's grandiose welfare plans. Schools are suffering. Crime has gotten worse. Do I sound fatalistic? Remember, I’m only the messenger.
What? Too sobering?
(cut to commercial)
(back to my Maryland lament)
A Johnny-come-lately Republican challenge to the biggest tax increase in state history is now wending its way through the courts. These antics are a futile waste of time. Those pansies had their chance to stop the madness during Martin’s special session. A pox on them and the entrenched Democratic leadership. The whole lot of them should be thrown out of the General Assembly on their ears.
I don't want America to suffer the same fate as Maryland. Increased taxes, pork projects, government funded assistance, and big government are the harbingers of demise. Tax and spend does not work in a capitalist society. Never has. Never will.
Capitalism thrives when people have the incentive, motivation, and dedication to become the best. With sweat equity, ingenuity, and ability, anyone can become an American success story. That’s the promise, the dream, and the reason America is the envy and disgust of the free world. Yes, they hate us. Is anyone surprised?
Strip those ingredients away, tax the middle class until they become the nouveau poor, increase government handouts, and what you’ll have left is a recipe for socialism. Slowly, slowly, life as Americans live now will crumble away. The wealthy will park their money elsewhere, maybe visit from time to time, but they will slowly fade away. Knowing more than half their income will fund government, future generations will have little incentive to produce wealth. All that will be left is the mediocre and barely palatable. That may be good enough for some, but not for me.
Besides, if certain Americans want to live in socialist republics, why not move to England or France? I hear the citizenry is quite happy with their regimes. In return, their regimes are quite happy to change diapers, no questions asked.
Have not been on Facebook in such a long time. Decided it was time for an update. Sent out many responses to e-mails, application requests, group requests, and initiated some requests of my own. These included updating contacts made back in November at BlogWorld. So many interesting bloggers and developers criss-crossing the globe, making their marks, reaching out to audiences across the world. Some with greater successes than others, certainly, but all with a story to tell and goals to accomplish.
A chance meeting with Evan Sayet at the Hard Rock Hotel stands out as a highlight. Evan is a political pundit with an emerging following. He likes to intersperse humor with politics, having been on the Hollywood and New York scenes for a number of years. Surprisingly, he doesn't appear to have his own Facebook, and at this time of the morning, investigating whether he does in fact maintain one will have to wait for another time. What struck me as unusual is the presence of a 50 member (at this time) group devoted solely to Evan entitled "The Next Great Conservative Thinker."
Evan did not strike as particularly conservative when we sat down to shoot the breeze at the Hard Rock. In fact, he projected an almost liberal vibe, or at the very least, a moderate point of view. His Facebook group features a Heritage Foundation appearance which literally blew me away, mostly because he seems so different in person. It's true we mostly discussed family and personal matters, but we also touched upon the 2008 election and merits of the different candidates.
Evan's years in Hollywood have served him well. Unless you already know you're sitting down with the "next great conservative thinker," you'd swear you happened upon another liberal New York ethnic minority. The dichotomy was so compelling that after digesting the entire 40-some minute presentation, I couldn't go to bed without penning some thoughts and impressions.
Don't feel compelled to view the entire video, although Evan does have a fascinating take on the modern liberal mindset. According to him, liberals are not evil or stupid, they merely subscribe to something he calls "the cult of indiscriminateness." By subscribing to utopian ideals embeded in their psyches by the age of five, liberals reject conservative rational thought because they've been told their liberal belief system is the one true hope for mankind. Discriminate thought, thought that distinguishes between behaviors, choices, lifestyles, etc., is the equivalent of bigotry. Since bigotry is bad, liberals adhere to a philosophy where everything and everyone is equal, sharing, and essentially playing on the same field. Evan throws in some references to Hollywood, television programs, and John Lennon, all the essential cultural markers of the 60's, but the basic idea is the same espoused by most other conservatives.
He also makes a point of mentioning liberals are virulently antagonistic to political positions other than their own. I would be inclined to agree, however, I've come across my share of antagonistic thinking from conservatives. A certain radio pundit comes to mind.
Why are politically minded people always trying to convince each other that their opinion is the rationally right one and everyone else is irrationally wrong? Wouldn't it be better to simply air our opinions, discuss their merits or lack thereof, and agree to disagree?
I'm not necessarily disagreeing with Evan. His take on the mindset of liberals borders on sheer genius. But by saying the things he does in the manner in which he says them, Evan alienates every person with a liberal agenda. Wouldn't it be better to try to bridge these gaps rather than continue to increase the divide?
Actually, I am not one to preach. I live next door to one of the biggest liberal hippie throwbacks from the counter revolution era. This gentleman never outgrew the commune and utopia mindset and continues to espouse liberal loftiness wherever and whenever the mood strikes. About a year ago, after jokingly criticizing his ability to remain so liberal well into adulthood as a byproduct of working for the government, we can no longer discuss politics. Not only did he not appreciate the humorous nature of this good-natured jab, but to this day, he purposefully lobs nasty comments my way as if intentionally seeking a rise. I've steered clear of engaging the antagonism to date, but it's getting to the point where I can barely maintain civility.
One more mention -- and I am NOT joking -- one more zinger about my pronounced Baltimore accent, and it's POW, straight to the moon Alice, right to the kisser.
Las Vegas continues to amaze and delight this small town girl. It's probably one of the few places on the planet where odds of randomly encountering a celebrity increase exponentially relative to the amount of time spent in public gatherings. The caliber and quality of random celebrity encounter, however, is a completely separate matter.
For example, anyone signed up for the Executive and Entrepeneur session of BlogWorld had the option of attending a private screening of The Kite Runner on Wednesday night. Not many did. Don't get me wrong, the event was well attended. It just wasn't a theatre filler. Too bad for the ones who missed out. Celebrity film critic, radio talk show host, political blogger, and all around media entrepeneur Michael Medved acted as master of ceremonies. The organizers didn't publicize Mr. Medved's participation, nor did they dangle the possibility of meeting the film's lead actor, Khalid Abdallah. To say I had my socks knocked off not only by the movie, but also the opportunity to press flesh with these celebs is an understatement. Afterward, Mr. Abdallah and I spoke briefly outside. Very impressive actor who really knows his craft. He's waiting for the next good project to come along. This is a guy who can afford to be choosy.
Last night, BlogWorld hosted a happening party at the Hard Rock Hotel. My chance meeting with celebrity satirist, comedian, Letterman guest, political commentator, and all around funny guy Evan Sayet was definitely a highlight. I'm not too proud to admit, Evan did not immediately register on my celebrity radar. Something about the way he looked me in the eye and said, "Don't you know me?" made me think if I didn't know him, then I certainly should.
We chatted for a while over at the slot machines. When I told Evan I liked to make fun of celebrities, he was a little reluctant to spill about himself. Luckily, I managed to steer the conversation over to politics and family. That's where he began to open up and show his more meaningful side. I don't have enough time this morning to reveal every nook and cranny. Suffice it to say, Evan is a charmer who understands the error of his youth. To sum it up in one sentence, self-indulged Americans of his era refused to acknowledge the tried and true maxim of actions have consequences. I'd say that maxim continues to hold true today, wouldn't you?
Then, there's the mysterious red bus "from Mexico" with continuously running video parked outside the Hard Rock at about 12:30 a.m. I use the quotations because who knows the true origination of this vehicle. A slew of black suited men piled out as I left the casino, leaving the impression of an impending celebrity appearance. I asked one of them who remained inside, but couldn't get a straight answer.
"Just someone from Mehico," was all he would venture in a charming Spanish accent.
"Who?" I anxiously replied. The guy stayed mum and walked away.
Must be someone really big, I imagined. With nothing better to do and no one prodding me along, I decided to stand there and wait -- all night if that's what it took -- to glimpse the big name celeb inside. Needless to say, after 15- 20 minutes, no big name celebrity debarked. In fact, the bus eventually packed up and pulled away. Either the person inside is of such high caliber celebrity they can afford to be completely full of themselves, or I'd just randomly encountered some Mexican show girl too shy to show off her ill-fitting cheap red dress and spiked heels. Either way, the experience left me feeling slightly unfulfilled, like I had just been robbed of some exciting story to tell my eventual grandchildren. Or not.
Hey, I hear O.J. is in town for the second day of hearings on his armed robbery charges. Hmmmmm. Courthouse or BlogWorld? BlogWorld or the courthouse? Where should I go? For someone as fascinated with all things celebrity, is there really any question?
O.J.'s a hack. Everyone who's anyone is going to BlogWorld. See you people over at the Convention Center.
What day is it today? Tuesday? Friday? I have no idea. That's because I'm in VEGAS, baby. Can anyone say highroller?
No, really, I'm here at the BlogWorld convention in Las Vegas -- my third day in the "City That Never Sleeps." At first it was very surreal, like landing in The Valley of the Giants or something. I had never been to Vegas before. I have to say, the place definitely lives up to its reputation. As an example, Tuesday night, I decided to explore the fabled strip. You know, the area with all the fancy hotel casinos, shopping, and other attractions. Disneyland for adults, complete with loudspeakers
My first encounter with said strip was a trip. The sheer magnitude of people criss-crossing the terrain stopped me dead in my tracks. There directly across the street stood Caesars Palace, a grand edifice and stunning shrine to all things Roman. As I stood there admiring the view, I realized others were hanging out on this particular corner as well. So I did what any self-respecting solo woman who didn't want to stand out as a gaping tourist screwball would do. I blended in. Seamlessly so, I thought.
So, apparently, did a lot of others. No one gave me a second glance. I had the vantage point of being able to mentally record all manner of human behavior virtually undetected. Much of it was quite normal and benign. People taking in the sites and moving along to their next destination. Ocassionally, some drunk person would weave by, and a chick in a strapless wedding gown with bridal party in tow sauntered down, but other than that, nothing so much out of the ordinary.
This post has become unintentionally long and I'm going to have to cut it short. I could continue in more detail, but the convention's keynote speaker is supposed to take the stage at 8:45 a.m. and it's already 8:05 a.m. Vegas time.
To make a long story short, as I stood there blending in with the waiting crowd (they were waiting for tables inside the restaurant), along came a very inebriated man from Kentucky, his wife on his arm. They greeted the people standing next to me, laughing and joking, relating stories of their adventures. Then, the guy starts doing this solo dance in the middle of the sidewalk. I just lost it. The dude had no idea how ridiculous he looked.
I couldn't resist. "You crack me up," I said out loud, a big smile spread across my face.
"Well come on, darl'n, join me," he beckoned, but of course I declined, glancing over at his wife. She was doing her utter best to play the part of a good sport.
Ahhhh, I'll just wrap this one up. Sorry, really, about the quality of this post, but I figured I had to post something soon or people might get the impression I dropped off the face of the earth.
As you can probably imagine, the drunk dude from Kentucky didn't want to take no for an answer. He started cozying up to me, right there is front of his friends and poor wife. Clearly, the woman was not amused.
Yeah, I could have been a real bee-yotch and taken advantage of an opportunity to get crazy. Afterall, this is Vegas where practically anything goes. But being a loyal and loving wife (I love you, honey, if you're reading or ever read this), I continued to demur. Luckily so because I think if I had taken the guy up on his proposal, the wife would have popped me. All the while I kept staring into her face, hoping he would get the message and do the same. When he finally let go of me, I breathed a smile sigh of relief.
Visions of cat fights danced away in my head.
Oh, what we women put up with to stay married. Vegas or no Vegas, that lady from Kentucky has my sincere sympathies.
