Sufjan Steven's Fun Holiday Video

from Stereogum

IT'S A BOY ( again )

Still No Room At The Inn.

To keep things short and sweet, I tried to book a room in Bethlehem.

And just as before, a room for two adults and one child (with a late arrival for the latter) were not available tonight. (Next Stop Bethlehem)

Might I suggest that if a Savior were to return he try Bethlehem, Illinois where a room can be booked for as low as $84. a night with a free continental breakfast.

Merry Christmas!

Tommy

Original Story: Next Stop Bethlehem

HBO's Extras' Final Episode

Last night Extras, the HBO series by The Office creator Ricky Gervais, went off the air with a huge punch.

While full of wild laughs poking at the absurd life of the entertainment industry and our fascination with celebrity life, Extras always found a way to build a serious under score to their comedy plot line over it's short three seasons.

The final one is no different and in fact, it really turns up the heat with its unflinching gaze at what we choose to celebrate as a culture.

As the final 90 minutes wind down Gervais takes us along on a wild ride with the pain of the choices we all make (or will not make) in our lives while in pursuit of measured success.

Without giving anything away, the final episode firmly catapults Extras into a group of one of the best modern television series.

With long winter nights upon us, I cannot think of a better way to pass the time all the while dreaming of what spring will mean in 2008.

The first two seasons are now on DVD.

Little Kim Jong-Il paintings

Meijer: Better Choice

If one has to choose between Meijer and Wal-Mart ....go with Meijer.

While I enjoy the personal service from the businesses of my neighborhood, I must admit I love Meijer's true commitment to all things local.

Let's just say they deliver more than just a feel good 30 second commercial.

One can only image my smile when I discovered the printed message on the bottom of my grocery bag.

Very nice touch!

Moving Past Yesterday

The anniversary of my accident has come and gone. And as I reflected this weekend, most of all I am so lucky for the support and love I have received over the past year.

Recently while at the park, I was inspired by my doggy, Spring. She is such a free spirit.

Much love,
Tommy

One Year Tomorrow

How I miss the old me.

Photo: Me in Palm Springs prior to the accident.

I think this headline says it all....

"Diet pill’s icky side effects keep users honest
Threat of embarrassment forces Alli users to eat healthy — or else" (Article Here)

I cannot go in to too much detail but I heard a story last night about what can happen if one shoots their limits. And finance charges are not part of the penalty for over extending one's grasp of the situation.

Thank "Name Withheld" for making me laugh so hard last night. If I had been on Alli I am sure the laughter would have produced a sequel.

If you take the pill, pass on the pie. Alli will not be your ally in this case.

Monterey Jazz Festival's Nifty Fifty!

Oh, to be able to attend and see Sonny Rollins.

Mitt Romney's People Trash Michigan's Fall Colored Roads

Before anyone accuses me of being a partisan hack, let me say, I deplore people who violate election sign rules.

I do not approve of stealing any party's signs, burning them on people's lawn or placing them in the public right of ways.

Mitt Romney's aggressive campaign people in Michigan have littered his signs all over the north bound US 131 and US 31.

For one to secure this many signs takes a coordinated and connected member with access to a truckload of signs.

It also shows Romney's inability to control his Michigan campaign if this many signs can depart his office and not be accounted for if ultimately questioned by the media.

To place signs on so many hundreds of miles of these two roads takes a lot of time. (Who knows how many other Michigan roads we tagged this weekend with what is the equivalent of political graffiti.)

These signs with their metal poles can become uprooted and end up in the road.

The no sign rules are to protect drivers while on the road. Kent County has many statistics of what happens when one becomes lodged in a car tire at high speeds. (And the results are not good.)

Michigan is beginning its beautiful fall season and should be free of partisan red, white and blue yard signs. We all win when safety is our goal.

So, Mitt, in the interest of keeping Michigan's roads free of unnecessary clutter, if you pass by these while campaigning in our great state, please take your signs down.




Citizen Action Alert
If anyone happens to have a accident because of any political sign, I would suggest forwarding any claims to their well-funded campaign state headquarters. I also would suggest anyone witnessing the placing of these signs on Michigan's highways to take their license and contact your local law enforcement.

Photo: just one of many along the many miles of Michigan highways.

They Are Killing People*

For once I am glad I did not jump on the bandwagon and buy a pet rock, a mood ring, a talking bass mailbox or a pair of those cute but not so innocent rubbery shoes.

I personally think rubbery things should be employed for covering for one's pee-pee from STD's, protection from fungal terrorist assault at the downtown Y's shower floor and an occasional fun lead-free flex toy.

It was reported that one only needs to Google "Crocs" to learn that not only are adults under assault from the fashion police for wearing these shapeless things (see Keep It Classy) but children are being eaten ALIVE by mall escalators.

The horror to be a parent at a J C Penny's White Sale one minute and then next on your way to fit your child for a prosthetic device.

I hate to say, but for once with all my problems, I am glad to be in my own shoes and not these Crocs.

Can you imagine the scene straight out of The Jerk with all the refund checks they may have to write if found at fault.

My check writing arm just hurts thinking about it. Not the money, "just all the Stuuuuuuuufffff."

Ok, back to PT.

*No one has died....yet. But in Singapore, a two-year-old girl had her big toe ripped off in an escalator.

Photo Credit: Flickr's stephenwong. No word on whether the child in this shot survived. Please refrain from sending Avatar Notes of Condolences until I hear more.

Calder Yahoo Maps

Little known fact... but there is a Calder painting on the roof of the County Buidling.

Now one can view it without having to use the heliopad on the new downtown Death Star ( J W Marriott).

What is it with these new buildings with neon? ( Hotels, Convention Center and Strip Clubs...Oh My! )

Third Time's A Charm

My Angels Trumpet plant is on its third round of blooms this season and it is an amazing round.

The scent is heady and can only be smelled in the evening hours. The blooms go from white to apricot.

If memory serves, this is the third year I have had this plant in my garden.

Michael will not be happy in a month since he has to perform the fall prep work (again) and it will involve digging up this huge plant. But it is worth it to see this beauty improve each year.

Enjoy the view.

Looking Around Town

Hello.

It has been a long time since I last posted a note here. Honestly, between therapy, work, and recovery, I feel I have little time left for me.

While Netflix has provide entertainment in the mail box, they made me laugh via their website today.

I decided to click on their Grand Rapids link to see what "members in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan are currently renting...."

Soylent Green!

I laughed at the top movie choice of my fellow G-Rappers.

And Netflix adds that this title is "much more than other Netflix members."

It was good to laugh.

Summer Blues and the Perfect Chaser

It has been a long rough summer but today I got a note that made me smile.

Back in the day a local cable hero had a show that was the perfect anti-show with the most original anti-pop star.

So here is a blast from that era to chase away the blues when the Amazing Daryl Nathan ruled the GRTV airwaves.

One More For The Cheap Seats

Blast From My Past

Hello.

It has been too long and boy, do I miss my pre-9/29 days.

Recently, I heard an NPR story about how low the water levels are this year for our Michigan Lakes and was reminded of a photo I created for a group - Healing Our Waters.

So in the interest of sharing a bit of my past, here is a link to the image and the site. (Click on the Image to go to the site.)

A big thanks to my friend Susan who made it look so great. The ad won a few awards but they slip my mind at the moment.

Be good to our lakes. And God Bless Peter Wege for keeping this issues in the media.

Xan-a-don't

In Sunday's New York Times was an ad for the new musical: Xanadu.





Anyone who has followed this blog knows how much I love this tacky film.

But a musical?


If you need tickets.......open your eyes and see. (LINK)




And one more for the cheap seats. (LINK)

( give pause )

Source Link

WTF: Today Show's Ann Curry?

I think the pictures here say it all.

Ann Curry conducted an interview with the folks from the new reality show Little People, Big World. (NBC Today Show, 4/9/07)

But her NBC stylist's choice of shoes has her looking less springy and more like Dorothy with those shiny, ruby red slippers from the Wizard of Oz.

I just found the shoe choice strange.

Bikini Clad Lad

Here in the midwest we have seen the return of a winter weather cold snap complete with snow fall, but this activity did not dampen Mason City firefighter Steven Cole's spirit as reported Good Friday in numerous TV and Newspapers reports.

It seems this volunteer firefighter is not making enough money at his day job, so he has had to take stuffing flesh colors balloons down his top, donning a blond wig, and filling his gut with Budweisers in the hopes of winning $10,000 in a bikini contest in nearby Dayton, Ohio.

While I have been feeling down over the return of the white stuff, Ohio's cold temps did not dampen his American Idol-like dreams of wearing a Santa Fe inspired colored bikini with designer flip flops. Problem is he decided to practice his runway routine in a city park on his way to the contest.

But Steven Cole crossed the line when he attempted to drive around the park in this get up while under the influence. He should have known better, the "Britney's" of this world all have drivers.

In my humble opinion, he should have been arrested by the Fashion Police even before he headed out the door.

So in the holiday Easter spirit, let's all sing together in honor of fireman, Steven Cole....

" 'tis The Season To Be Julie,
Fa La La La La, La La La La... "

Postcards with fashion advice should be sent to
City of Mason Fire Department
6000 Mason-Montgomery Rd.
Mason, Ohio 45040

News Link: Bikini Clad Lad
or
City of Mason Fire Department Website (NOW with MUSIC!)

WRITER'S NOTE: I am not making light of drinking and driving. One of the main purposes of my blog is to drive home interesting points by employing humor and satire. I sincerely hope people will send Steven Cole postcards.

Mr. P on RapidG

Spring Is Here!

Just outside my front window I am reminded that Spring is here in West Michigan.

Enjoy.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who has inquired about my recovery. I count myself lucky to have such good people around me.

Tommy

Winter Delight: 60 Second Viewpoint

Snowed In This Weekend?

Stranger Than Fiction is on DVD and it is one of the most beautiful films I have seen in a while. Will, Emma, Maggie and Dustin are all wonderfully created characters.

I am sorry I missed this one in the theatre...but I was spared a tear stained face in public as the credits rolled on my TV.

Rent This DVD.

Oscars, Lesbians and DeVos

I found this news item in the Grand Rapids Press on Monday after the Oscars.


Enjoy.

Just Outside My Window

This is what I see out my window almost everyday.

I just wanted to share how amazing Winter can be in Michigan.

Photo Credit: Downy Woodpecker and a Red-Bellied Woodpecker at feeder, 2007

That Sinking Feeling.

For some reason I have been missing my dog Madison a lot this week. (It was a rough week.)

I decided to share a few favorite photos of my old girl. She could melt my bad days away.

I miss her so much.

Pfleghaar Posts My 2000 Documentary

Michael has informed me that he has posted the 2000 documentary I directed about the creation of his large oil on canvas artwork, "Living Large"

Please enjoy and drop a note here if you enjoyed it. I guess due to You Tube guidelines he had to post it in two parts so be sure to catch the whole doc.

I am very proud of it.

Part One


Part Two


For info on Michael's art, visit:
www.pfleghaar.com

Thank You to the Unknown Sender

Ok, someone who reads this blog has been having fun over the past few months and I decided this is the best place to thank them.

When I was in the hospital a fun card arrived saying, "We almost got you" This was delivered by a cartoonish character of Geroge W dressed in a grim reaper outfit.

Since that time the cards keep coming and I still find myself puzzled over who to thank.

So today I offer up my sincere thanks to the one who is making me laugh during this time of pain and healing.

I am adding a photo of the recent card. Note that the typing of my name is the same for all the envelopes and so I am not able to track it by handwriting.

He or She is a clever person indeed....and Thank You.

Tommy

So Long '06

I can pretty much go out on a limb and say no one is happier than I to kick 2006 to the curb.

Over the new few weeks I hope to start to contribute a bit more to my blog.

Until then, Hello 07.