Work Hard. Be Kind.

I’ve been so busy packing boxes for our move to a new house this weekend that I forgot to comment about Conan O’Brien’s final broadcast of “The Tonight Show.”  When I lived in New York City over 15 years ago, I saw a taping of “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.”  I went alone because, at the time, Conan’s show had only been on the air for a year and he had a much smaller following. No one in my circle of friends was interested in showing up early to get a ticket to a 4 PM taping. But I was able to leave work early to do just that.  It wasn’t hard to get a ticket but the theater did fill up with loyal fans.  I don’t even remember who the guests were that day because I just remember Conan being, well, awesome.  He was vibrant and funny and really, really tall. He was dancing around the room and in the aisles before the show.  He would dance with everyone who asked.  This was all before Ellen made it popular.  I had fun and I felt like I was a part of something cool.  It didn’t matter that I went alone.  I wasn’t alone in that room.  It was a blast.

It really stinks that Conan only held the reins of the lengedary ”Tonight Show” for a short seven months.  He stepped down last Friday, January 22nd. I almost thought he wouldn’t step down after the amazing amount of support everyone was showing him on blogs, on Facebook, on Twitter, and even in an impromptu Los Angeles rally. 

What I really love about Conan is epitomized in his final words.  He was sincere and honest.  He was so passionate about his job.  And he left us all with a great message.  “If you work really hard and you’re kind…amazing things will happen.”  Work Hard.  Be Kind.  I’m adding that to my list of inspirational mantras.  Thanks, Conan.  See you soon.

Hoarders

I was fascinated when Oprah featured a show about hoarders a few months back.  There was one woman who lived in a house full of so much stuff that, once emptied, it filled two giant warehouses.  Not only were these items filling every room of her house from floor to (almost) ceiling, it was costing her thousands upon thousands of dollars.  Completely unbelievable.

I decided to check out the season premiere of Hoarders on A&E this week and, again, I was shocked.  This time the woman lived in utter filth and decay.  I don’t even like to think about it.  Underneath the piles in her living room, they found two dead cat carcases.  Yes, UNBELIEVABLE.  So I decided to TIVO some more episodes.  I was hooked.

Why can’t these people just THROW THINGS AWAY?  They have disgusting, rotting food in piles on their kitchen table and they can not bring themselves to toss it into the garbage can.  The organizers who visit these hoarders sometimes need to wear “space looking” suits and masks because of the awful smell and potential danger.  These hoarders don’t notice ANY OF IT.  Plus, many of these hoarders have obsessive buying habits too. They can’t resist a sale or things on the clearance rack, so they keep bringing home more stuff to add to the piles. 

I am really fascinated because I am pretty obsessed with being neat and organized.  Sure, my master bedroom closet is in disarray right now, but I basically spend the day making the kiddies put back their toys. And I’m always Clorox Wiping something.  I never hold onto anything we don’t need.  I love to donate to Goodwill or toss things out.  I just don’t have room for clutter in my house.  Clutter would make me feel claustrophobic and just, plain yucky.

One compulsive hoarder said she used to be completely neat and organized.  She said she would stay up until 3 AM every night just to straighten her house.  But the stress of keeping everything clean and orderly threw her out of whack and she did a complete 180.  She is now a hoarder. 

It is a true mental illness.  These hoarders can’t tackle the mess.  It’s too overwhelming and debilitating for them.  One woman tried to clean up, but she spent the entire day trying to clean ONE bathroom.  She had to touch and look at every old shampoo bottle or piece of paper.  One couple lost their children because of the unsafe environment and they STILL could not clean it up.  It really is eye popping television.

After watching a Hoarders marathon the other night, I had to run back to my master bedroom closet to start cleaning and organizing my piles.  I could not get all those Hoarders images out of my head.

And I probably should be keeping my eye on Annabel too.  (Hee.)

Oprah

I can believe, but I also CAN’T believe, that after 25 YEARS Oprah Winfrey will be ending her super-popular talk show.  She made the big announcement on her show Friday and I was crying right along with her.  I CAN believe it because she is probably ready for some much needed time away.  I just personally CAN’T imagine not spending time with Oprah every day.  She is part of my daily, much-needed “me time.”   I TIVO her show and I watch it after the kiddies go to bed.  I always end up smiling, laughing, thinking, or tearing up.  I have bought a lot of books because of her.  The Oprah Winfrey Show makes me want to live a better life.  She, and her multitude of guests and experts, teach me how to be healthy, live for the moment, be a kinder human being, and be a better mom.   I always count on Oprah to interview every cool celebrity. She also introduces me to amazing people living extraordinary lives.  I will miss her.  At least I have until September 2011.  I’m sure there are going to be some amazing and memorable final shows.  I’ve already told the hubbie I want tickets to one of the final tapings as my 40th birthday present.  I will be crossing my fingers.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

The Real Housewives of Orange County are back for Season Five!   This was the original “Real Housewives” series on Bravo TV and it is still the best one.  I love Vicki and Tamra for being so outspoken and feisty.  I love Jeana for being the Mama Bear although it looks like she needs some serious financial help this season.  We already learned that Vicki turned down Jeana’s request to borrow money, so THAT’S gonna get tense. Lynne is just so entertaining because she really is the definition of a ditsy girl. And then there’s Gretchen.  She is just so over the top gorgeous and flawed.  I can’t stop watching her.  And now she’s dating Slade!  Slade has already dated two other OC Housewives! 

We also get introduced to Alexis, the brand new OC housewife, who’s already starting some new drama. 

I can’t wait to watch all the crazy stuff unfold again this season.  Welcome Back Ladies!

My Husband Met Bethenny Frankel From “Real Housewives” and All I Got Was This Autographed Photo

My husband is a morning radio host so he gets to do lots of cool things. Like broadcast from car dealership grand openings and giveaway concert tickets.  Well, this weekend he hosted a meet-and-greet at the Southern Women’s Show…with Bethenny Frankel from The Real Housewives of New York City!

My husband has never seen ONE episode of this Bravo TV reality hit.  I’ve watched EVERY episode!  I can tell you Alex lived in a complete mess while her brownstone in Brooklyn was being renovated and her husband wears Speedos. I can tell you LuAnn makes limo drivers call her “Countess.”  I can tell you Ramona sells religious jewelry and always puts her foot in her mouth.  I can tell you Kelly is CRAZY.  I can tell you Jill has the most outlandish NYC apartment I have ever seen and it’s filled with over-the-top fabric from the store she owns with her husband.  AND I can tell you Bethenny is the COOLEST and most REAL of all the housewives. 

But I didn’t meet her.  My husband did.

Yes, I was at home hanging with my kiddies while my husband was talking to Bethenny Frankel and learning all about her recent engagement (and that six caret ring!), her book and her Skinnygirl Margaritas.

But he DID bring me the photo. 

And look!  It says that she wishes she could meet me!  Maybe next time Bethenny. 

For now I’ll just have to tune into the next season of The Real Houswives of New York City and your brand new reality show Skinny & The City.  Can’t wait!

Fall TV Returns!

Okay.  I was going to talk all about the premiere episode of Glee last night on FOX.  It was awesome.  It had the same charm as the pilot episode.  I’m definitely a huge fan of this new show.  My husband is a morning radio host so he always gets lots of cool promotional stuff in the mail. Check out what he brought home from work yesterday:

It’s a Glee cardboard high school locker.  My kiddies have been playing with it all day.  They don’t know yet that I plan to steal it for my PopMommy office.

Then, I was going to talk all about Ellen being picked as the new judge for American Idol.  I was a little sad to hear it because it now means Paula is definitely out.  Plus, I really don’t think Ellen is a great fit.  This article explains it best.

But now, I HAVE to talk about the 24th season premiere of Oprah!  OMG.  The Black Eyed Peas opened the show with one of my favorite songs of the summer, “I Gotta Feeling.”  I was a little bummed out at first because the 20,000 people who came to downtown Chicago to watch the kick-off party were just STANDING there.  They weren’t dancing or clapping or anything.  Then, I saw one crazy chick in the front row going nuts.  I giggled.  Then, I saw more people dancing.  Then, it all..happened.  Check it out below.  The largest Flash Mob Dance ever! 

Laugh Out Loud TV

I can think of only a few television shows that make (or made) me LAUGH OUT LOUD: Friends, Seinfeld, The Office, How I Met Your Mother and now, one of my new favorites, The Soup on E!  It really took me by surprise.  The Soup is so HILARIOUS.  It’s basically a talk show that recaps the best television and pop culture moments of the week.  What makes the show so funny is really the host, Joel McHale.  He’s super likable and sarcastic. He’s also starring in a brand new Fall sitcom, Community.  It’s a single-camera comedy that also stars Chevy Chase. I’m really excited to see it, but also a little sad.  Could this be the end of Joel on The Soup?  I hope not.  But this show looks really funny too.  Hopefully I can add it to my “Laugh Out Loud” TV list.

Jon & Kate Plus 8: The Next Chapter

I just saw this promo for the new August episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8.  Which is worse: that they are continuing with this reality show or that I will continue to watch this reality show?  Hmmmm….

Where’s my “Team Kate” T-shirt?

I wrote about the deterioration of Jon & Kate (Plus Eight) Gosselin’s marriage here.  I wished, back then, that they would have worked on their marriage a little more before calling it quits.  But I think I may have spoken too soon. 

Here is a list of headlines from the popular entertainment and tabloid magazines that feature “Jon Gosselin.” 

(And these are JUST from the month of JULY):

Jon Gosselin Gets an N.Y.C. Bachelor Pad

Jon Gosselin Holds Hands With New Girlfriend in France!

EXCLUSIVE: See Mugshot of Jon Gosselin’s New Girlfriend

Pal: Hailey Glassman Dating Jon Gosselin “to Get Famous”

Jon Gosselin Brags He’s Bringing Back “Good Ol’ High School Days!”

Jon Gosselin and 22-Year-Old Girlfriend Enjoy PDA-Filled Day in the Park

Jon Gosselin Hits the Hamptons - with Lindsay Lohan’s Dad

Jon Gosselin’s New Girlfriend Shocked He’s Out with Another Woman

Jon Gosselin’s Double Date with a New Kate - and Real Housewive’sJill Zarin!

Tabloid Reporter Resigns Over New Boyfriend Jon Gosselin

Need I say more??

Goodbye MJ

Today was Michael Jackson’s Memorial Service.  It was broadcast on all the major TV networks.  A billion people watched the service from their television sets around the world. Thousands of people attended the service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  The broadcasters said that Michael Jackson’s Memorial Service will now be the biggest one in history. 

It’s so surreal because I’m sitting here watching it all unfold while my kiddies are napping.  Will I always remember this day?  Will I always remember eating this turkey and cheese on rye and drinking this Coke Zero while my dog laid at my feet?  I definitely feel mixed emotions.  I have not thought about Michael Jackson at all over the past several years.  He really was out of the limelight for awhile.  I now CHOOSE to remember only the good things, my fondest memories of Michael Jackson.  Those memories that make me smile and reminisce about my childhood.  The memories that make me realize how fast time flies and how weird it is to have such an important icon in your life pass on.

My favorite highlights from today’s King of Pop Memorial Service include:

* Mariah Carey singing “I’ll Be There.”  I remember when she first performed this on MTV Unplugged.

*Stevie Wonder’s whole performance.  I just cried.

*Jennifer Hudson singing “Will You Be There.”  She is eight months pregnant and looked gorgeous in a white dress.  I keep forgetting what an INCREDIBLE SINGER she is.

*John Mayer playing “Human Nature” on the guitar.  SWOON.

*Brooke Shields was really touching and shared some fun memories when she was friends with, and dated, Michael.

*Michael Jackson’s backup singers performing “We Are The World.”  I sometimes forget what a powerful, iconic song that was and still is today.

*Finally, when MJ’s daughter Paris spoke at the end and said “Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine.”  Heartbreaking.

Goodbye Michael Jackson.  Rest in peace.

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