My instincts have been reinforced.  Ever since the very first, second and third time I laid eyes on one of those horrendous “Snuggies” (you know, the blanket with sleeves) my gut reaction has been ugly, uglier, ugliest.  Today’s newspaper included an article listing “the turkeys of fashion.”  The Snuggie was listed. 

Also on the list was a clothing item that I just saw on the clothing racks yesterday for the first time–liquid black patent leather, rubber or spandex tights.  They were so distressingly bizarre that I had to stop and look at them.  Felt like looking at a train wreck or an automobile accident–horrible, but unable to take my eyes off them as I passed. 

Nice to know there are others who think like me in the world.

Today, when I heard about this contest,  I was immediately taken with the idea.  I had visions of a series of silver dresses–a surreal space age look repeated in different shapes.  Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong.  These students conjured up some of the most smashing outfits out of the most mundane beginnings–rolls of duct tape.  Vote for your favorite in this year’s group before July 2, 2009 at:    http://www.stuckatprom.com/contests/prom/entries_finalist.asp

Congratulations to all entrants.  They deserve to be applauded for their imagination, hard work and “stick-to-it-iveness….”

Recently, Comcast started airing a selection of commercials that are very cute.  The musical diddy that cements the various sections of the ad is just the right kind of monotone that gets in your head. 

I have yet to memorize the various words that tweak the multiple versions, but the tune keeps repeating itself over and over in my head.  One of the few commercials that I have really noticed in a long time.  Very cute.

Cold and beautiful.  Those two adjectives could apply to many things–a physically beautiful person, an Arctic glacier, or even a tall drink of ice water on a stifling summer day.  In this instance, it applies to the shockingingly cold weather we are experiencing, and, the stunning blue skies that came along for the ride.   

The first order of business this morning was to clear the newest 3 inches of snow from the driveway.  Having already cleared an equal amount last evening, it would have been nice to have awakened to a view of the previous evening’s toil, but since the sun was shining on the puffy new accumulation, the best thing to do was to accept the inevitable, bundle up  and get to work.  

The actual work took only about 40-minutes.  What made the task stretch to the near 70-minute mark was the effect the temperature had on my hands, feet and relatively thinly-clad legs.  Fifteen minutes of plowing/shoveling had to be interspersed with 10-minutes of indoor time to thaw my extremities.  I like winter, just not zero-degrees with a breeze.

While working, the words and melody for “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” kept running through my head, matching the rhythm of the work at hand:

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

I really can’t stay – Baby it’s cold outside
I’ve got to go away – Baby it’s cold outside
This evening has been – Been hoping that you’d drop in
So very nice – I’ll hold your hands, they’re just like ice
My mother will start to worry – Beautiful, what’s your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor – Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I’d better scurry – Beautiful, please don’t hurry
Well maybe just a half a drink more – Put some music on while I pour

The neighbors might think – Baby, it’s bad out there
Say, what’s in this drink – No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how – Your eyes are like starlight
To break the spell – I’ll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir – Mind if I move closer
At least I’m gonna say that I tried – What’s the sense in hurting my pride?
I really can’t stay – Baby don’t hold out
Ahh, but it’s cold outside

C’mon baby

I simply must go – Baby, it’s cold outside
The answer is no – Ooh darling, it’s cold outside
This welcome has been – I’m lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm – Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious – Man, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door – Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt’s mind is vicious – Gosh your lips are delicious
Well maybe just a half a drink more – Never such a blizzard before

I’ve got to go home – Oh, baby, you’ll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat – It’s up to your knees out there
You’ve really been grand – I thrill when you touch my hand
But don’t you see – How can you do this thing to me?
There’s bound to be talk tomorrow – Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied – If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can’t stay – Get over that hold out
Ahh, but it’s cold outside

Baby it’s cold outside

Brr its cold?.
It’s cold out there
Cant you stay awhile longer baby
Well?..I really shouldn’t…alright

Make it worth your while baby
Ahh, do that again?.

There.  I said it.  Holding my tongue is no longer an option.  Rush Limbaugh has always been a particularly annoying part of the landscape that I have managed to edit from my life by simply turning the channel.  This time, though, I feel as if I have to speak out against his attitude and his place of prominence in our society.  The mean-spirited trash that spews from his mouth on a continuing basis panders to the lowest common denominator of ignorance and stupidity.  Rush Limbaugh is one and his audience is the other.  Take your pick.  Six of one and a half dozen of the other.

Now, one of the candidates for the RNC Chairmanship has included the hate song on a CD he sent to fellow Republicans as a way to promote his suitability to lead Republicans.  Had Limbaugh and his ilk been disciplined the first time around, this kind of  low-class behavior would not recur.  Not only because the powers that be failed to act, but also because not enough people like me raised a flag of outrage at this outrageously insulting behavior, the Barack Obama song is once again being used to reinforce the dual messages of hate and intolerance.  I couldn’t believe it when Limbaugh remained on the air after the first round.  Just in case my message has escaped you, Rush Limbaugh and his hatemongers should be removed from the public airwaves.

The check out line brought the best laugh of the day today.  Forget the Oscars and the Emmy’s.  One of the tabloid magazines has Cloris Leachman on the cover.  Dancing with the Stars has brought her a boat load of attention.  A talented actress who, the best one can say, has not been a major player for quite some time, has, at her stage in life, suddenly garnered a bubble of attention over her persona.  This has to feel like a wonderful and welcome surprise–a gift.  

The supreme compliment that was such a hoot is that the scandal sheet was touting past affairs and indiscretions in Cloris Leachman’s personal life.  She has to thrilled beyond belief.  At 82, she is the topic of the day in a smear magazine.  We should all be so lucky.

After having been inundated with phone calls from political candidates, their supporters and national polling organizations for the past two weeks, the end of this election could not come soon enough for me.  Last evening as I was once again muting the television during commercial breaks, (listening to one more diatribe about the supposed faults of a myriad of candidates has finally pushed me over the edge), I noticed that one of the commercials was not political.  Instead, it was a warm, fuzzy CHRISTMAS COMMERCIAL!!!!  Working earlier in the day, one of my calls took me into a retail environment.  CHRISTMAS MUSIC was playing.  Major suspicion here is that since the economy is expected to be a challenge this holiday, the deluge has just begun.   Sigh….

Day blends into night as the final push begins… 

to ignore the incessant political rhetoric.  All usual sources of refuge are filled with political ads, debates, and not-so-polite name calling and mud slinging.

The usual options are temporarily closed.  In a gesture of defiance, the radio and TV are turned off.  The newspapers have been quickly scanned.  Anything political has been selectively deleted as suitable reading material.  

To escape, as is my usual modus operandi, the beauty of nature has once again called my name.  Carving knife in hand, an hour-and-a-half of outdoor therapy will sustain my soul for the next few days until “it’s” all over.

The election rhetoric has reached the point where any sane individual turns the sound down (or off).  Fever pitch electioneering seems to have overtaken every conversation within earshot.  With that backdrop in mind, seeing this bumper sticker today seemed like the perfect antidote:

Introducing the gentleman owner:

Had to share the parting shot on the rear bumper….

October 13, 1983.  25 years ago today, the first commercial cell phone call was made.  The man who made the call was the president of the manufacturing company.  The recipient of the call was the grandson of Alexander Graham Bell. 

Only 25 years from a phone the size of your head to what we have today.  What a change both technically and culturally.  Cell phones are such a part of our life now, it is  a challenge to even remember the days when we really could get away from it all.  Pre cell phones, pre call-waiting, pre caller-i.d.  Pre everything connecting us in ways beyond our imaginations, both good and bad. 

Happy Birthday!