Rock and Roll Night on DWTS

Ok, the best thing about this show has been the top ten favorite dances voted on by the viewers.  I didn't expect them to show each dance in its entirety.  I've never seen Julianne Hough  dance but I really enjoyed watching her.  My favorite dance was Derek and Nicole's 50's Paso Doble, but I was late getting into DWTS.  Apollo Ono made more than one appearance, and I was surprised to see how well he danced.  You should Youtube it if you've never seen it.  Cheryl and Drew Lachey's freestyle dance to "Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy" was the number one pick by viewers.  I would have put Apollo Ono's Samba to "I Like to Move It" as the best dance, but whatever.

Ok, just in case you didn't know, Rock and Roll night equals Butt Ugly Costume night.  No, seriously--butt ugly.  Even Cheryl Burke's dress is feeling bipolar tonight.

Mark took Audrina to learn how to box so that she could tap into her aggressive side.  It was hilarious--Audrina couldn't beat up a kitten.  Former Hills star or not, I like her.  They're Paso was rock-tastic.  Len got all over her about lack of commitment to the character, but I thought she did better tonight.  And Bruno didn't help.  Carrie Anne was the only person who gave her any useful feedback.  I don't usually like Carrie Anne, but in this case I thought she was the only judge who had anything useful to say.  They got a 24 / 30.  Eights all the way across.

Yay, Kyle and Lacey are next.  The judges were awful last week.  Kyle is my favorite and he is second from the bottom!  They need to rock this Tango!!!  They always end their dances with some kind of kissey embrace and it kinda gives me the willies.  Bruno is excited.  Even Len said it was much better.  I think he just wanted them to stop being all cutesie and innovative and just do the dance, ya know.  The crowd loved the dance.  23 / 30

Jennifer and Derek apparently did a "bad" Fox Trot last week, and this week their Paso was a little out of control.  They got a 20 / 30.   Geese!  Those are the scores heard round the world.  The dance was a little scary and Jennifer got a little dizzy there at the end.

Rick and Cheryl are dancing the Tango.  They definitely get the trophy for best costumes of the night--hair and all.  Rick is wearing eye liner.  I thought their dance was awesome.  Crazy eights-- 24 / 30

Martha Stewart is in the audience.  Terrel poses an interesting question:  would we want to see Martha on DWTS?  and how would she do?

Here comes Bristol with Tony.  They're dressed like they're dancing to "76 Trombones."  Bristol wants to play air guitar during the Tango--we'll see how that works out.  Holy moly.  Who is this!?  I think she's doing way better.  And I liked the air guitar.  Len dropped her a point for breaking the hold, whatever that means.  Oh, when they did the air guitar thing.  Apparently, when you start the tango, you can't let go until the dance is over.  Whatever, Len.  Whatever.  I thought she rocked (no pun intended).  23 / 30, their best scores yet.

NEXT WEEK IS DWTS 500th EPISODE.  The former winners are coming back to dance on the show.

Kurt and Anna had Brett Michaels in their rehearsal and it was hilarious.   I don't know how much he'sgonna help with a Rock Paso Doble, but it does beg the question:  How would Brett do on the show? Dude!  Is Anna in a thong?  Watch the frying pans, Kurt!  I think in his effort to fix the frying pan hands, Kurt has moved on to flippers.  The judges thought it was awkward and Bruno thought he was more Jackie Chan than Antonio Banderas.  Ah...a nugget of wisdom from Brett Michaels:  Being a rock star is all about how you feel inside.  18 / 30  Did Cheryl Burke just call Kurt Rick?

This has been a very boo-ey audience.  Angry rock mob.

Brandy is back on the diva train, whining to Maks about the Tango.  I love it...but I don't like my Maks getting so friendly with Brandy.  Much as I hat to admit it, I think theirs was easily the best dance of the night.  They fumbled a couple of steps, and I think Maks almost fell over once, but they did a good job.  26  / 30 --the highest score of the night.

While they get ready for the dance marathon, is anyone else wondering why Brandy is near tears about wanting this trophy?  I mean, I get it being important and all, but "it's everything to me," seems a little intense.  But, I'm not there in the heat of the competition, so who knows how I'd feel if I were in her shoes.

Brandy and Maks won the dance marathon, with Derek and Jennifer following close behind.  And Derek and his partners have won it for the last two years.  My favorites, Kyle and Lacey, made it to the final four, but were eliminated shortly afterwards.

Recap:  Cheryl gets the best dance ever when saves a horse by riding cowboy, Drew Lachey;  Everybody's wearing ugly rock and roll costumes, even Cheryl Burke;  Audrina's Paso had more character, but not enough;  Kyle rocked the Tango and will hopefully move back up the leader board;  Jennifer got a little crazy and spiraled out of control during her Paso; Rick gets a mohawk and wears guy liner for his Tango;  Martha Stewart?;  Bristol's Tango--complete with air guitar--is  her best dance yet;  next week is DWTS 500th episode; Brett Michaels fails to help Kurt get better scores with his rock Paso--making this dance, possibly, his "Final Countdown";  Brandy and Maks had a bang-up night with the best scores and winning the dance marathon.  And that's all, folks.

Castle's on...gotta go.

TV Theme Week on DWTS

This past week has been crazy.  I feel like anything and everything that could happen has happened.  Some kind of drama has touched every aspect of my life.  But everyone is healthy and happy, despite all drama, and for that I'm thankful.  AND...It's Monday, which means DWTS is on, and then Castle!

Maks and Brandy dance first:  the Quickstep to the Friends theme.  You've just gotta love Maks's Ross hair!  Len said that it was her best dance yet and Bruno broke his pen counting on Brandy to mess up.  Carrie anne had to get all goo goo eyed and emote-isophical on us about how what doesn't break us only makes us stronger.  She kinda aggravates me some times.  She's just cheesy.  Brandy and Maks got nines across the board.

OMG!*  Has anyone seen the Target commercial where the mom makes a homemade iron man costume with the round touch light taped to the kid's shirt?  I thought I'd never stop laughing.

Florence and Corky are, of course, dancing the Tango to the Brady Bunch theme.  "Greg" stopped by the studio and made us all feel awkward.  Am i the only person who notices that Florence has not frame whatsoever?  Did anyone get the rag doll head action?  She's trying to be funny, I guess.  Honestly, I just don't get it.  The judges seem to like her, but I don't see anything to write home about, or rather, blog about.  Seven's across the board.

Kurt and Anna are dancing the Quickstep to the Bewitched theme.  i thought the dance was super cute.  If you didn't see it, Kurt started out fumbling around and she twitched her nose and he started dancing like Gene Kelley.  The judges were happy with the improvement.  Can anyone explain Anna's dress to me?  I just don't get it.  The bodice looks like something off of say yes to the dress (one of the top designers on the show likes to do the see through bustier bodice) mixed with something Ginger Rodgers would wear.  Straight eights.

Audrina and Tony are dancing the Rumba to the Hills theme.  Dude Audrina ate onions during the rehearsals to lessen the tension.  I thought this was a lackluster dance.  I'm not really sure how the dance is supposed to relate to the music.  She needs to move her hips more.  She seems wooden.  This was not a very sensual dance, but maybe it wasn't supposed to be.  Bruno dropped a gem of wisdom on us, "Don't be plastic, be fantastic."  Carrie Anne freaked out over a possible lift and Bruno made fun of her.  It was awesome.  I think they got straight eights.  

Kyle and Lacey were so ridiculously cute dancing the Fox Trot to the Charlie's Angels theme.  Bruno knocked it for being too much disco and not enough fox trot.  Len is a killjoy, but Carrie Anne liked it.  Their dances are so much fun.  Their scores were 8-5-7.  Lacey laughed it off.  Still, I don't see how she kept those pants on because they were super low riders.  SUPER LOW.  I think she should get points for staying in her costume.

Rick and Cheryl danced the Rhumba to the Hill Street Blues theme.  This one made me feel kind of sad and sentimental.  I can remember that theme from when my dad watched it when I was a little girl.  That's a LONG time ago.  But that had nothing to do with the dance.  Rick did a good job, but Len didn't approve.  He thought that it looked like a couple that was staying together for the kids, not a couple falling in love.  Whatever.  They did a good job, but I prefer the more bedroom-y costumes.  They just make more sense.  Straight eights.

Bristol and mark are dancing the jive to the Monkeys theme.  Mark made Bristol take clown lessons.  Dude!  I'm creeped out.  They're dancing in gorilla costumes.  But I think Bristol was a little confused.  Her personality was better but her dancing wasn't as good.  Bristol hates the jive.  Does anyone else think Mark looks teeny tiny next to Bristol.  I'm not saying that she's big, I'm saying that he just looks teeny tiny.  They got sixes from all of the judges.

Yay!  Jennifer and Derek are next!  Bring on the drama.  They've been teasing it all night.  Don't let me down!  She has really staked her entire career comeback on this show.  She's also guest starring on House this week.  Aw, that's nothing I don't do.  Sometimes you just take things personally and you need to take a minute to get over it.  Jennifer and Derek did a great job dancing the Fox Trot to the theme from Married With Children.  Len was negative, as always, but Bruno and Carrie Anne liked it.  Jennifer is just so good, and when I watch her learning the dance, I get Dirty Dancing flashbacks.  It's hard to see "Baby" in Jennifer's face now, but every so often you can catch it in her expressions.  The judges gave them two eights and nine.

So, Brandy and Maks sit at the top of the leader board with a 27, and Bristol and Mark are at the bottom with 19.  Castle's on, gotta go.

* Oh My Goodness

DWTS: Acoustic Night

I'm sorry that Cho Cho won't be back this week, but she did make me mad last week and I think her little political coming out parade backfired a little.  I was enjoying Margaret's metamorphosis though, and I am sorry that we won't see her dance tonight.  But, the show must go on.  Tonight is acoustic night on a raised round floor...with boring music.

Kurt and Anna's Rumba was really good.  And I really liked that Kurt felt a little uncomfortable gettin' freaky on the dance floor with a woman other than his wife.  The more I see the more I like him as a dancer.  Bruno's right, he does swing his hands around like great big frying pans.  The scores were really low:  24 / 60.  I thought they did better than that.  P.S.  Happy Anniversary Kurt and whatever-his-wife's-name-is.

Maks and Brandy are dancing the Rumba as well, and Brandy is having a hard time with it...and so he takes her on a date with some thang on his head.  I really did like this dance...my heart went a little pitter pat there for a second.  But I loooooove Maks.  We almost got Maks to take his shirt of there at the end, but it was all just a tease! ;)  48 / 60.  It was a good dance, but I still can't like Brandy.

Rick and Cheryl bring us the Argentine Tango.  Rick looked nervous but I thought he did a good job.  What's with the stache?  Carrie Anne was right, that the dance was a little one dimentional and it did lose energy--I actually got a little bored.  The lifts were cool, though.  39 / 60.  The judges have been brutal tonight.

Kyle and Lacey are dancing the Rumba.  I love watching Kyle in the behind-the-scenes footage.  He and Lacey are hilarious together.  I don't care what Len, Lynn, whatever...I don't care what he says.  I LOVED IT.  Kyle's player attitude and face are classic.  I just love him.  Whatever the case, theirs was the first dance tonight where I wasn't bored.  Dude!  40 / 60.  The judges are brutal.  Nasty judges.  They all complained about his arm movements being smooth, then sharp, but I thought that was just a little added attitude to go along with the spirit and feeling of the song.  Kind of rumba meets hip hop.  I loved it.  So there.

The Situation and Karina are dancing the Argentine Tango and it's really a little painful.  The lifts are cool, but he's like a muscle man lifting weights and he doesn't know what to do with his feet.  She just dances around him for a minute and then he throws her in the air.  I side with Bruno that it was really really terrible.  I haven't seen awkwardness like that since Kate Goslin last season.  Dude, I just caught a glimpse of Karina's hair--what's up with that mess? 28 / 60.  Lowest score of the night so far.

Florence and Corky are dancing the Rumba:  the vertical expression of a horizontal desire.  The behind the scenes footage was hilarious, but the dance was kinda horrible.  Tom just declared it the season eleven get a room dance.  It is kind of weird to see Carol Brady gettin' inappropriate on the dance floor. P.S.  Did anyone else miss the fact that Mark is Corky's son?  By the way, I thought his name was Tony, so I don't know what I called him in last week's post. 35 / 60

Jennifer and Derek are dancing the Argentine Tango.  Jennifer is being a little of a diva.  I really kind of a have a crush on Derek, too.  He's kind of hot.  I love watching Jennifer dance.  She can kick, stretch, and kick!  She's fifty!  The piano playing bit at the beginning of the dance was cute.  Bruno really liked her dance and made her squeal with his usual flamboyant comments.  56 / 60.  Theirs was an awesome dance.

I'm going to take a time out and say that I'm predicting Kyle and Jennifer in the finale with, maybe, Brandy.  I think they'll go top three.  Kyle's personality will carry him to the finals, so let it be written.

Bristol and Mark are doing the Rumba.  I think theirs would be a cute showmance.  Wait a minute, I just got a little creeped out.  She yanked his shirt off and then he got all weird and nuzzly at the end of the song.  It was one of those, "Uh, are we still acting?" moments.  Seriously, I blushed.  I knew Len would hate the shirt off stuff.  I do like Bristol and I think she has potential.  I just wish she'd let lose a little bit.  I can attest to the fact that being a mom does make a girl feel not-so-sexy.  Dude, I think Mark might be puttin' the moves on Bristol right in front of her mom.  32 / 60 was pretty stinky.

Audrina and Tony are next with the Argentine Tango.  Can't wait to see what kind of skinnamax outfit she's got on tonight.  She never disappoints.  Ok, I have to be honest, I was bored during the dance.  There just isn't any energy, no saucy power.  I like Audrina and I think she's a good dancer, and maybe it could be either her or Brandy in the finals, but I still think it will definitely be Jennifer and most likely Kyle.  46 / 60

Let's review:  Kurt and Anna got permission from his wife to get freaky on the dance floor on her anniversary; Maks took Brandy on a date to make her feel romantic and said, "here's all the romantic stuff:  candles, chocalte, roses, wine," like he was checking off a list;   Rick and Cheryl danced a boring Tango; Lacey coached Kyle through is burgeoning sexuality (a little awkward, but an awesome dance--the dance so nice I watched it twice); The Situation tossed Karina around the dance floor; Corky and Florence made us all feel like we just walked in on our parents, if you know what I mean;  Jennifer and Derek proved that he will most likely win the Mirror Ball Trophy two years in a row; Mark shows Bristol the difference between sensual and trashy (if you missed it, google it or watch it on youtube.  It's worth it.); Audrina and Tony just do ok with the Argentine Tango.

That's all I gotta say for tonight.  I'm predicting the either Bristol or The Situation will go home tomorrow night.  Maybe Florence.  Most likely The Situation.  What do you think?

Ooo!  Castle.

A Blast From the Past

For the past few weeks I've been reading the diary of Sarah Morgan, a girl who lived through the civil war in Baton Rouge and wrote down all that she experienced during that time.  It's really cool to read about real people and real places through a young girl's eyes.  The introduction said that before she died she sat down and read them all (there were six volumes), editing and expanding on her memories.  Her original intent had been to destroy them, but her son convinced her that they were too important to burn.  Now her diary is considered one of the best sources for civil war history buffs.  

I started wondering about things I've written along the way and how I would feel reading them now.  I kept another blog back in 205 and 2006, but I figured it was long gone, deleted.  But it's still out there.  I wanted to merge it with this account, but couldn't because the old email address is gone.  So, I've added it to my links section.  Check it out if you want to.  If you're one of my old Blogger friends, you can also link to your old blogs from the Sarah's Soapbox page, in case your looking.  Reading Sarah Morgan's diary has made me think about how we all have a history to report.  I really enjoyed looking back and reading my own.  :)

Panty-Waist Football

I'm gonna start another twitter account:  @$%! My Dad Says About Les Miles.  Dad can't stand Les Miles.  And after tonight's game, neither can I.  Yes, I'm one of those unreasonably disgruntled Tiger Fans, mad because our coach isn't winning the way I want him to.  Anyway, watching the game with Dad is always a hoot.  The running topic tonight was Miles' preference for Jefferson over Lee and the fact that he only seems to want to run the ball.  Tonight was full of classics, but my favorite was "I think it's against his religion to score a touchdown by passing the ball."

Look, I'm just a little ole girl, but it just seems that with LSU's defense and a Lee-led offense, they could turn themselves into serious contenders.  Jefferson just doesn't impress me.  Lee passes better, moves the ball faster, and just gets it done.  And it seems that his successful drives end in touchdowns, while Jefferson's end in field goals.  I mean, I'm no Michelle Beadle, but that's just what I think.

And when did all football players become panty-waists?  It seems like every time you turn around there's some mamby pamby penalty for something like pass interference.  DUDE?  Why don't we just stand back and clap while they catch the ball.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm no idiot.  My hubby has explained the logistical problems.  The game would get pretty boring if the receivers were down as soon as the ball was snapped.  For the sake of making the game more interesting, I've decided that maybe we can leave that one alone...but it still seems like, "Hey, that big, bad winebacker pushed me down before I could catch the bawl in the inzone fow a touchdown."  (Sniff sniff)  As for the rest of it:

Holding?  For it.
Roughing the Passer?  For it.
Clipping?  For it.
Personal Foul?  For it.
Face Mask?  For it.
Unnecessary Roughness?  For it.
Tripping?  For it.
Eye Poking?  For it.
Clotheslining?  For it.
Givin'em the business?  For it.

No more Panty-Waist Football.

Addendum:  #$@! My Dad Says About tonight's Football Coverage:  We almost missed a play because they cut to one of the announcers cutting a pizza, then they cut away from coverage again to the guy eating the pizza.  Dad got frustrated because they seemed to have the camera on everything but the game.  When they cut back to the two commentators talking about the pizza, Dad said, "Why can't we just watch the game?  Why don't y'all do a cooking show!?"

Addendum to the Addendum:  Jefferson just passed the ball in the 4th quarter of the Florida game and actually completed the pass.  In his shock dad shouted, "Well, whaddaya know!  The blind hog found an acern."  (acorn)

SUPER PURSE!

Here lately, I feel more like a pack mule than a mom.  With every week that passes I find I'm carrying another bag around.  This working mom had to consolidate.  Finding a purse big enough wasn't the problem.  I was having trouble finding one sturdy enough to withstand the weight of school books, computer, emergency make-up, ginormous wallet (empty, by the way), note pad, bills, spilt coffee, blah blah blah.  The straps always wear out.  Whether they're leather or whatever the straps always wear out.  Not anymore!  I think I may have found my super purse.

It's a Merona Casual Work Tote packed with pockets and a computer cover, phone cover, zippers, clips, you name it.  It's a nylon tote, so I can wipe the spilt coffee off, and the straps are made out of that thick nylon stuff they use to jump out of airplanes and strap heavy things down with big metal buckles with teeth.  And I don't have to feel bad about the not-so-fahsionista fabric because I saw a very similar bag suggested in the recent Style Watch issue of People.

Ok, so they're nothing alike, but I like mine better anyhow.  I do wish mine had some hard core stud detail on it, but it is what it is.  They do both have big round rings connecting the straps to the bag.  Maybe I could bedazzle my super purse to make it more of a bull dog?  Nah.

Tomorrow is my super purse's maiden voyage and there's nothing like a new, freshly organized bag to make going to work in the morning a little more exciting.  

Yay, Super Purse!

Story Night on Dancing

Ok, so I'm a little behind, but I was on the quest for a binky when Dancing started.  Warning:  I give my opinion freely about some rather sensitive issues, so if you can't handle it, stop here. :)

Jennifer Grey is dancing the Samba...and cursing about it...IN THE UGLIEST PANTS EVER!  Oooo a Samba roll--they're eating sushi?  But what a cute dance.  I'm officially hot for teacher.  I loved that they proved that they could do the moves that they messed up on.  Am I the only one who thinks Jennifer is just a little on the loopy side?

Florence is dancing the Venetian waltz...and making us all cry with her story about her husband.  She's really sweet when she's not being dirty.  I did not know that she'd gotten her start on Broadway.  She played Maria Von Trapp in front of Maria Von Trapp.  Gross!  Did they just kiss?  The waltz was a little clunky.  Carrie Anne is always so mushy and touchy feely.  She kind of gives me the heebie jeebies.

Dude!  What is it with these divas!?  First it was Bolton, now Susan Boyle has a throat infection.  Drama, drama, drama.

Kurt Warner is right--he does look like a big tree funning around the dance floor...and Gene Kelly now that he has the umbrella.  The fact that he wore a tiara while having a tea party with his daughters is awesome.  I don't think that Len is going to like the pantomiming in the beginning of the dance.  he usually wants them to just get to the dancing.  But, it is story night, so maybe he'll feel differently.   Bruno kills me with the "frying pan" hands bit!  I didn't like their waltz as much as the judges did.

Cho Cho's dancing the Samba.  Here we go.  Forgive me, but Louis always has to do some relatively controversial and somehow make it all about him and his sexual persuasion.  Look, I'll shoot strait with you--I DON'T CARE.  Last season it was him and Nissi and mixed gender relationships and somehow that got back to him and gay marriage, sniff sniff, tear tear.  I really don't like to have gay pride thrown in my face.  What are the hetero pride colors and how would the community at large feel if we started celebrating that?  Is heterosexuality still cool?  When are we going to see that dance?  Guess what, heterosexual teenagers commit suicide too.  No offense to anyone out there.  I could care less about sexual persuasion and I don't want yours thrown in my face.  And the dance wasn't even good.

Dude.  Audrina's dance actually made me a little teary.  Then, Tom ruined it by calling Tony the smoke monster from Lost.  I really liked the dance and I'm impressed with Audrina.  Why can't we clap as loudly for for the troops as we did for the previous demonstration?  Tony waxed his legs--that's awesome

I'm proud of Bristol for promoting abstinence as a real option for teenage girls.  The fox trot was sweet, but lackluster.  The story didn't come through.  I think she needs to get more into her character.  But she is doing well for someone who has never danced before.  Did you see Bruno nearly smack Len in the head when he rolled his?

Brandy...still don't like her.  Maks slaps her on the bottom a lot.  The Bodygaurd?  Really?  Brandy, Whitney Houston you ain't.  Whatever.  I thought the dance was cute.  Brandy loves the body roll.  Len didn't like the bottom slapping and Bruno practically redanced the dance for us.  Don't call Brandy a Diva--her head is big enough already.  Oooo Carrie Anne was looking for some Maks "Tush" and got DENIED!  However, Maks got some Tom tush.  I thought the dance was good.  But just in case you missed it--I don't like Brandy.

Here comes Kyle!  That is the first time I've ever heard the words "meet cute" outside of the movie Holiday.  I love kyle for making out with himself.  Why is she a waitress with a bare midrift?  His dancing was so much better this week.  Seriously, Carrie Anne embarrasses me.  Len didn't like the footwork.  Pbbbbbbbt! :(

Extra:  I should start a Twitter account called "@#$! My Dad Says About Dancing With the Stars."  Last week he said Lacey was built like a Russian female wrastler (yes that's an a, not an e) that she has a rear end about like this (holding hands out wide).  I love her--she's not a waif and I can identify with that.

The Situation tries to dance ballroom to hip hop.  He cannot stop thinking about sex!  Awesome, she's wearing a GTD shirt (gym, tan, dance).  Awe, he doesn't want an elimination situation.  Now we're going to time travel fox trot.  Ok, so his carriage is better, but his clunkiness is sad.  Did anyone notice the horrible accent when the band was singing the Boom Boom Pow lyrics?  I thought he tried hard and I can respect that.  Yes, I put "respect" and "The Situation" in the same thought.  One point twenty one gigawats!?  (I just wanted to say it.)

Rick is going to dance the Samba, but he looks like a sasquatch.  Big Foot like Cheryl.  Big Foot trust Cheryl.  Eiw!  Old man chest.  Did you catch The Situation checking his own abs to reassure himself that his abs were better?  I thought it was a good dance.  There were some dancing tree moments for Rick.  Maybe I'm just not used to seeing a tall guy dance ballroom.  Cheryl's hot.  I'm a girl, so I can say that.

Recap:  Jennifer Grey does a Samba roll, which sounds delicious, Florence kisses Corky this week, Kurt goes pinkies out and wears a tiara, Cho Cho and Louis put on a gay pride parade,  Audrina dances with the smoke monster from Lost, Bristol is sweet but lackluster, Brandy and Maks slap people around, Kyle is just adorable but Len doesn't like it, The Situation and Karina coin a new catch phrase--GTD--and dance a freaky futuristic Foxtrot, and Rick Fox had to prove to Cheryl that he could be sexy.

Gotta Go!  Castle's on.