Evan Lysacek and the Argentine Tango

Best dance I've seen since Gilles was on the show a couple of years ago...VERY hot!

My Girl Melissa on DWTS

This doesn't suck. Nuff said. :-)

Maks Dancing to Reba

This TOTALLY works for me! Maks with his shirt off dancing a 2 step type thing is just so hot...enjoy!



And this Paso Doble was pretty hot as well...I've already stated how much I love Derek in the past!

Crystal Bowersox....Very Good!

American Idol completely sucks rocks this year....except for 2 points of light: Crystal Bowersox and Casey James....without these 2 I think the season would be a total loss.

More "Why Dogs Bite People" Photos!!!

I do not take credit for these photos, but they are pretty great!

Denise:-)

Highlights from Haiti Concert

The buzz on this was that it was dark and depressing...To me this looked just like the 9-11 telethon, and I thought the same thing of that one. The only person who really exuded we were going to live was Faith Hill...her song she dared to smile and exude some sort of hope. I think that's important in a "concert for hope". So here's a retro look at my fav cut of the 9-11 Concert for Heroes telethon.



Now to the present and back to the Haiti concert...honestly I DVR'ed it and then fast forwarded through most of it, BUT, this version of Hallelujah and Matt Morris (I don't know who he is)is VERY good...the harmony is fantastic. I liked this:



Lastly, Bono penned this song but did very little performing in it...Rhianna and Jay Z did most of it (not really familiar with who they are either...other than I know Rhianna got the crap beat out of her awhile back by her ex). The more times I listened to this the better I like it...I'm seeing some Black Eyed Peas influence on my boys since they toured with them so much last Summer. Some will despair, I sort of like the ability to "mix it up". Very cool...

Notes from an 87 Year Old Horsewoman's Journal

A page from an 87 yr old. horsewoman's journal...I've proclaimed that Firenze is the last horse I will ever buy. When I'm 87 he would need to be 50. I'm thinking I'm not going to get that sort of longevity. I'll be stoked if I'm still riding at 70, so we shall see.

Enjoy...

Denise:-)

This is for all the women here who will no doubt shed a tear as they nod in agreement and for the men in the group who might just understand why we do what we do. I hope my fingers still work well enough that I may write something like this when I am 87.

I Ride

I ride. That seems like such a simple statement. However as many women who ride know it is really a complicated matter. It has to do with power and empowerment. Being able to do things you might have once considered out of reach or ability. I have considered this as I shovel manure, fill water barrels in the cold rain, wait for the vet/farrier/electrician/hay delivery, change a tire on a horse trailer by the side of the freeway, or cool a gelding out before getting down to the business of drinking a cold beer after a long ride.

The time, the money, the effort it takes to ride calls for dedication. At least I call it dedication. Both my ex-husbands call it 'the sickness'. It's a sickness I've had since I was a small girl bouncing my model horses and dreaming of the day I would ride a real horse. Most of the women I ride with understand the meaning of 'the sickness'. It's not a sport. It's not a hobby. It's what we do and, in some ways, who we are as women and human beings.

I ride. I hook up my trailer and load my gelding. I haul to some trail head somewhere, unload, saddle, whistle up my dog and I ride. I breathe in the air, watch the sunlight filter through the trees and savor the movement of my horse. My shoulders relax. A smile rides my sunscreen smeared face. I pull my ball cap down and let the real world fade into the tracks my horse leaves in the dust.

Time slows. Flying insects buzz loudly, looking like fairies. My gelding flicks his ears and moves down the trail. I can smell his sweat and it is perfume to my senses. Time slows. The rhythm of the walk and the movement of the leaves become my focus. My saddle creaks and the leather rein in my hand softens with the warmth.

I consider the simple statement; I ride. I think of all I do because I ride. Climb granite slabs, wade into a freezing lake, race a friend through the Manzanita all the while laughing and feeling my heart in my chest. Other days just the act of mounting and dismounting can be a real accomplishment. Still I ride, no matter how tired or how much my seat bones or any of the numerous horse related injuries hurt. I ride. And I feel better for doing so.

The beauty I've seen because I ride amazes me. I've ridden out to find lakes that remain for the most part, unseen. Caves, dark and cold beside rivers full and rolling are the scenes I see in my dreams. The Granite Stairway at Echo Summit, bald eagles on the wing and bobcats on the prowl add to the empowerment and joy in my heart.

I think of the people, mostly women, I've met. I consider how competent they all are. Not a weenie amongst the bunch.. We haul 40ft rigs, we back into tight spaces without clipping a tree. We set up camp. Tend the horses. We cook and keep safe. We understand and love our companions, the horse. We respect each other and those we encounter on the trail. We know that if you are out there riding, you also shovel, fill, wait and doctor. Your hands are a little rough and you travel with out makeup or hair gel. You do without to afford the 'sickness' and probably, when you were a small girl, you bounced a model horse while you dreamed of riding a real one.

"My treasures do not chink or glitter, They gleam in the sun and neigh in the night"

Pants on the Ground

Alright, this guy is THE MAN:




Then THIS GUY makes it just a little bit funnier:(it's actually Jimmy Fallon imitating Neil Young, but I bought it the first time). I GUARANTEE this guy will make it on the Idol Finale. LOL!

Rain: A Beatles Tribute

We went to this on New Year's Eve. Only 5 words necessary: Holy Shit that was awesome!!! If you get a chance to see these guys, go.

Rain: A Beatles Tribute

Martin Short's Christmas Song...

This is Beauuuuuutiful....LOL! Enjoy!

Induction Speeches...

Thought I'd go back in time and post this for folks who missed it. In 1999 Bono gave Bruce Springsteen's induction speech for the Hall of Fame. Then years later Bruce returned the favor for U2. These are both really great induction speeches showing a great deal of affection for each other. The speech Bono gives is a bit rough but you can get the point.





There is a Part 2 to this, which I can't find...sorry...The Hall of Fame disk is out now, so I'm sure it's on there.

Gimme Shelter at the RRHF...Outrageous!!!

This was FANTASTIC. My favorite live music moments are when it's NOT so slick and polished. This fit into all my criteria. And I'm going to have to re-think Fergie a bit. She actually manages to nail one of the most difficult female vocals ever recorded (in my opinion). Enjoy!

Defending the Twi-Hards

Okay, I went and saw New Moon for the second time last night...that's not bad for me, since I went to Twilight at least 9 times in the theater and caught much shit for it. I was trying to figure out what the label 40-somethings such as myself who like the series are called, and instead found a wonderful blog post that almost says what I wanted to say. This lady was replying to a movie review in the Savannah Morning News. The post read as follows:

I enjoyed reading your article, at last an article that doesn't refer to any fan of Twilight/New Moon as being only those lonely, lustful, teens, or totally incapable of thinking. While you may or may not be a fan of the series, I found your article more unbiased and insightful, giving just a hint of what transpires without spilling the whole movie. Also appreciated is your acknowledgment of the large audience of adult women (and some men) who love this story as well. I have been told outright by some family members (I do not live with them, thank goodness!) that I need professional help for my devotion to this series, but I love the overall feel-goodness of it and the "you can make it" theme through out the story. I think it helps all of us to realize we can overcome our weaknesses and even be accepted, maybe loved (?) in spite of our weaknesses and faults. Bella and Edward both believing they were unlovable because of their own weaknesses or traits. I also appreciated that even though they felt desire for one another, they abstained and followed Edward's "old-fashioned" belief in chastity before marriage. It was something new for Bella to hear from a guy, but she loved him and wanted what he wanted. It is a worthwhile message for all to hear. Thank you for your article. Judy Bradley

Now, I don't know about the whole "chastity before marriage" thing...I wasn't too good at that in my day, but then again I never dated anybody who would most likely kill me by accident if he got too excited. LOL! But there are points to it I agree with and was thinking about as I was watching the movie again last night. What is so intriguing about vampires? They somehow find their soul mate and mate for life. The movies haven't gotten to the whole imprinting amongst wolves thing, but that's coming in the next couple of movies. Wolves also mate for life...Humans are wonderful creatures, but we do treat each other as very interchangeable and disposable...ALL of us are capable of that. I know I've "disposed" of people several times during the course of my life because something about them made me uncomfortable. I never gave a lot of thought to what I may have done to that person as a result...hopefully I've never caused anybody any sort of lingering pain. If I have, I'm sorry.

Then there's love. Different folks are wired differently to handle that. Some people can date and date and date until they find the right fit. They can even get their hearts shredded and handed back to them in tatters and still find a way to continue to pursue love without worrying about being hurt again. I truly tip my hat to those folks. I'm more of a, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me" girl. I've been shredded, at least 3 times over the course of my life and I find that eventually something in your gut sort of snaps into place and it makes you a lot less capable of giving yourself to ANYBODY on that sort of level again. I don't think it's a conscious decision, it was a defense mechanism. It is what it is..

Anyway, the illusive point: The thing I loved about the Twilight book when I first read it was the absolute certainty of Bella and Edward's love. It's a little annoying that Bella won't believe him, but in her shoes it would take me a long time to believe him as well. As the readers we know what it is, but if you were living it, then it wouldn't be as cut and dried. That's what appeals to me when I watch the movie; the intensity and goodness of the relationship. It's everybody who's ever been kicked in the teeth's dream, and I find it soothing.

As for the whole vampire lifestyle? Not so sure I'd be big on the power trip angle of it, and the bloodlust...that's not any part of my attraction. Taking away the whole, "When am I going to die" part of being human wouldn't suck though...knowing your body wasn't going to slowly decompose and sag until one day you just ceased to function wouldn't be a bad thing either. I'm not terribly afraid of aging and death, but it is something in the back of my mind. I worry about LOTS of things, if I didn't have to worry about that, to quote Forrest Gump, "Well, that would be one less thing!" LOL!

So why do I love Twilight/New Moon? Because it makes me feel better...that's why. I keep it concealed, but I'm pretty prone to panic attacks and I worry a LOT. Since I quit smoking that's a little worse because I'm lacking that calming thing when I get that flutter in my gut. So if I love Twilight, New Moon, True Blood, Queen of the Damned, eventually Eclipse and I watch vampire movies all day long every day, well, leave me alone. It makes me happy dammit!!!

Funny People...Better Than It Was Made Out to Be.

I rarely grant the illusive "5 Star Rating" on Netflix...and I watch an average of 4 movies per week. I see a LOT of 3's. I was apprehensive when I saw this movie was over 2 hours long. A 2 hr and 20 minute Sandler/Rogan movie? Oh MAN. BUT, this was one of those rarest of surprises...I LOVED it.

Sandler is a big time comedian bachelor who finds out he has a leukemia-like disease. In realizing he's going to die he also realizes he has absolutely nobody in his life who isn't paid help. He randomly runs across Rogan, who is a young struggling stand up comedian who works at a deli by day and does improv at night. Rogan ends up having to follow Sandler's charactor onstage and a relationship ensues.

I've ALWAYS like Sandler, ever since Opera Man and Cajun Man were sporatic charactors on SNL...I was watching live the first time he did Red Hooded Sweatshirt. LOL! Seth Rogan is "okay". I'm not really a dick and fart joke movie person anymore...I've watched most of his stuff and it's been "okay". I can see the appeal to Seth Rogan, however I wouldn't say I'm a fan. In this movie Sandler does something we've seen him do in the past in other poorly reviewed films, and we see Rogan do it for the first time: They ACT. They both play charactors in this movie with depth, emotions and you actually give a shit about them; both of them. It's a really good movie, and I was never bored for the entire 2 hours and 20 minutes...at all.

The thought that came to mind is that I feel for these poor comedians who make a career and are noticed by dick and fart jokes (see Kevin Smith for reference...probably one of the smartest film makers out there, but he's too recognized for chronic and low brow humor to ever be taken seriously...that's too bad). Then these guys evolve and grow up, but are unable to gain any respect because nobody can see past what they were to what they are. I repeat, that's too bad. Sandler has had moments of brilliance in Punch Drunk Love and Spanglish. I think this movie took that one step further because it was actually easy to be entertained by this movie than the afforementioned. Anyway, loved it and wanted to give credit where credit was due.

New Moon Knocks It Out of the Park!!!

Admittedly, NOT my favorite book I am NOT team Jacob, I am Team Edward all the way...This book is a LOT of Jacob. But, the movie, the movie, the movie: They softened Jake's character up and made him MUCH more likable...either that or Taylor Lautner is a more likable guy than the Jacob Stephanie Meyer wrote. I'm thinking the latter may be true...

The FX are FANTASTIC. I knew with Chris Weitz (the Golden Compass) as the director that the wolves would be stunning. I was right...they are. The vampire's makeup is 10,000 times better, they no longer look like dead hookers from Hell! Carlisle is actually pretty hot in this one...I thought he was hideous in Twilight.

In this movie when the vampires are supposed to be doing something very fast, instead of the cheesy wire work they did a slo mo Matrix-like thing. MUCH better than the old system. This movie was just slick, polished and hi-tech...much, much better. And that said, Eclipse IS my favorite book and I can't WAIT for June and the release of that one.

Don't get me wrong, I love Twilight the book, and I actually have seen the movie more times than I can count...Catherine Hardwick did a GREAT job of casting and getting the first movie to the big screen on what I imagine was a limited budget. Kudos! But now that the franchise has pockets, I'm looking forward to the progression. Rumor has it that for Breaking Dawn the filming may be coming back to Portland and...wait for it....Gus VanZant may be the director! That will prove interesting, since Breaking Dawn has the sex scene AND a grisly c-section by Edward. Will take a certain director to pull that movie off and make it all work. To quote Victoria, "We shall see".

What I Am Thankful for in 2009

Everybody seems to be doing this on Facebook this year, and I'm starting to feel like an ingrate for not stating what I'm thankful for...Since it will take more room than FB allows, it's a blog post. Here it goes:

I am thankful for life seeming to "settle down". Things seem to be going okay for now....I'm grateful for Kendrick and Nicole taking such good care of my parents. Despite the fact I'm not very capable of having a relationship with them, I also wish the best for them. I believe Kendrick and Nicole have provided them with a better life in their later years than they may have had in their former. Now they have a "family" environment that was really never present in that house before, even when a family DID live there. Thanks Kendrick and Nicole!

Although I rarely see them, I am thankful for the rest of my family up North...things seem to be leveling out for them as well and they seem to be enjoying their lives. I realize we don't see each other often, but they are ALWAYS there for me when I need them...not sure I'll ever properly return the favor.

I am thankful for having the best pets in the world..I complain about Tiny Rosie, but she is actually a pretty cute and kind dog, and gives Hewson great joy. He's never lonely with Tiny Rosie to play with. Edgy is a pretty damned good cat who just likes to make biscuits and always seems to keep himself out of harms way when he's outside.

I am thankful for my wonderful horse Firenze. He is turning into exactly the horse I had imagined he would turn into later in life (and I DID have my doubts). Riding my horse is actually the thing I believe I enjoy the most in life...and the better Firenze behaves the less nervous that makes me and the more fun I have at it. In being thankful for Firenze I am also thankful to Allison and Terry Vankoll. They have been instrumental in helping me teach my horse to be a better cooperator and helping me increase my own self confidence. I don't think they will ever have any idea just HOW much of a fan of theirs I am! I'm also thankful for their boarding facility. It is the NICEST bunch of ladies (and gentlemen) EVER. Barns can be wrought with drama...this barn is NOT.

I am thankful for my job. That too has been wrought with bumpy times and has probably given me more than a few gray hairs...HOWEVER, the worst seems to be behind me and I am actually starting to enjoy my job. I have a GREAT staff, probably one of the best staffs in any Vet hospital in the greater PDX area. Greg makes me nuts from time to time, but truth be told I have learned more about numbers and business from him than from any other source in my life...I think I will learn much more from him in the future. It will be interesting to see what is possible in the future.

I am thankful for my friends. I'm very sloooooowww to warm up to people, but I'm actually starting to see some possibilities for friends who will still be there in 10 years...Basically my entire staff (Leah, Melissa and Amanda you know we have slogged through the trenches together over the last 6 months...and successfully!!!), Nicole, Cam, and Kimberly...Miss Kimmie, we don't get to see each other as much as I'd like, but the longer I know you the more I view you as one of the greatest treasures of my life. Good, true friends are rare in adult life, but you are TOP DRAWER.

Whew...that's a lot, huh? Guess I'm lucky! Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

Denise:-)

Michael Jackson VMA Tribute with Janet

I didn't see this firsthand, but in watching it later on YouTube, VERY cool and worth watching. I believe these dancers are the same ones who were supposed to go on tour with him in This Is It....Poor folks...

Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough – Future Paso Doble – Video

Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough Futuristic Paso Doble

Couldn't find this anywhere to embed yet, so click the link and go watch it...it's really great!

Michael Jackson's "This Is It". Surprisingly Good!!!

For once I'll write about something other than U2 and Twilight...Tonight I attended the posthumous Michael Jackson movie, This Is It. I was VERY surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The whole time I was watching it I was thinking, "Why didn't he release something like this while he was alive? Letting folks behind the curtain to the real man may have made some things turn out differently".

This movie is mostly about the dress rehearsals for his ill fated This Is It Tour. Alas MJ died 8 days before the tour could kick off. In these rehearsals it is fascinating to watch just how knowledgeable and precise Michael was. Yes, he was a musical genius. The effortless way he could bust out all those dance moves we grew up trying (in vain) to emulate, and the ease with which his lyrics flowed from his mouth. Since he was in rehearsal Michael repeatedly emphasized he was trying to "save his voice" so he wasn't putting a lot on it. Even at 1/2 speed and volume he was nevertheless very impressive. Most of all what impressed me about this is that Michael actually seemed "down to Earth" and just plain, well, "real".

I've been a fan (although I took about a 20 year break I must admit) since the Off the Wall album. "Down to Earth" Michael has not been really since that album...okay, he was in "pre weirdness stage" during the Thriller times and just jumped off the edge from Bad on...I really believe if he could have shown folks that he actually could be so not weird that maybe some things could have been different for him. Hindsight is 20/20, huh? If somebody had just checked Elvis, Chris Farley, Phil Hartman's wife and Marvin Gaye's dad into rehab or even just spoken honestly to them instead of killing them with "yes men", then maybe we would still be able to see what else they could have created...

Considering how rough it's been for Mike over the course of the last decade or so, I feel this small film is if nothing else a kind and fitting farewell to a man who despite many bumps in his road truly was a cultural icon for our time. Michael, you will be missed...

Denise Saxon

"Never Hurt You" New Moon TV Spot!!!

Wow, in this one you actually see the wolf kill Laurent. I am getting VERY excited for this. I doubt I'll make an appearance at the midnight show, but I'll damn skippy be there the next day!!!