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.

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!

Mike Tyson on The Oprah Show

Mike Tyson lost his 4 year old daughter Exodus last year after she accidentally strangled herself on a treadmill cord at her mother’s house.  He was devastated and broke down about it on Oprah yesterday.  I thought he was amazingly open and real about the whole thing.  It has been a struggle for him.  It is truly heartbreaking and the thought of losing a child is, of course, unimaginable.

Here is the clip from Oprah.

Open Letter to Kate Gosselin

Dear Kate,

Please quit the show.

Quit the show that involves you and your eight adorable children.  We’ve watched them grow up on TV and it has been a fun and joyful ride, but now it’s enough.  Cara and Mady especially need to move on without cameras.  I heard you say on The Today Show this morning that your children LOVE the show and that they were “wailing and sobbing” when they found out their Daddy had temporarily pulled the plug.  That may be true but I know kids and YOU know kids, Kate.  Give it a week and they will be glad the cameras are gone. You have given them an amazing life and that will continue on.

We all understand you need the money.  You have eight kids! But I think YOU should do a show. You can do a talk show or a lifestyle show about raising eight kids. Take us back to when we first loved Jon & Kate Plus 8. We loved YOU and were in awe of how well you organized your house and your life.  You had fun holiday ideas and interesting outings.  You can take all that and put it into a talk show about being a single mom.

That’s the other thing Kate.  You and Jon are over.  O-V-E-R. We all know it.  Jon nailed that door shut when he showed up in the tabloids a week later with his new girlfriend.  I wrote here that I thought maybe you both could (or should) still work it out.  I still believe that marriage is sacred and you should try and save it.  But based on Jon’s antics and all this back and forth press that continues on and on and on, it is time for you both to MOVE ON.  Sign the divorce papers.  Take off your ring.

You are a strong woman, Kate.  You can do it on your own.  But be sure to get some really supportive people around you. I felt sick when I saw this interview with your brother and sister-in-law.  They may have been trying to protect your children, but they are just as bad as the papparazi when they run their mouths to an online tabloid magazine.

You can absolutely do a  television show that does not have your kids in it.  You are a star.  You are a celebrity.  And that is what will make you money.  Write more books.  Write your cookbook.  People will buy it.

There’s a small window of opportunity here.  This whole thing is tuning into a really bad he said/she said eight-ring circus. You’ve said that you will take the high road.  We all appreciate that. So end Jon & Kate plus 8 (or Kate plus 8) NOW.  Do it before you lose all your fans.  Do it now with dignity.  Do it before we do it for you.

Take some time off to be with your kids in this new transition.  When you are ready, come back.

We will be here.

-Pam

Random Thoughts

It’s Friday!  Yahoo!  But we are all still sick.  Boo.  The kiddies have not stopped coughing and their poor noses are red and runny.  They spent the entire day inside the house playing with trains, cars, and trucks.  Yes, both of them.  Annabel is quickly turning into an adorable little tomboy thanks to her older brother.  We also read tons of books, played stickers and, of course, ran around in circles.  I’m hoping we can all get of the house tomorrow even if it’s just to run a few errands and breathe some fresh air.

This will be a quick entry because I desperately need to get under the covers with my peach “sick” tea (it has rum in it…thank goodness) and read my magazines.  But before I do, just some random Friday thoughts:

• Here is yet another reason why I dislike Kara DioGuardi.  (Because he wants YOU to clear it all up Kara. Thanks.)
• I heart Taylor Swift.  Thank you for being a great role model for teens.  She performed LIVE on The Today Show this morning and there is a one hour Dateline NBC special about her on Sunday.
• Something is clearly wrong with Tori Spelling’s mother.  Stay strong Tori.  I heart you too!
• Melissa Joan Hart is totally motivating me. I’ve been wanting to shed these extra baby lbs. FOREVER.   My goal is to be on the cover of PEOPLE magazine.  Ha. (IF ONLY that could happen.  That would be truly motivating.)
• Can you imagine your child winning the National Spelling Bee?  I can’t decide if it’s awesome or a little dysfunctional.

Finally, I hate that we can’t give our kids any type of cough or cold medicine.  My husband and I created an equal parts lemon and honey drink that we spoon to them throughout the day but it doesn’t seem to be working.  Is there anything worse than listening to two little ones cough and hack and you can’t really do anything about it?  Ugh.  I’m going to chug some of my tea.  Happy Friday.