fenwaydav's Blog

I don't like TMZ.   I don't like Harvey Levin.  Each night his harem of cute young boys  read of the list of celebs. they have harassed.   This to me was the straw that broke the camels back.  Nancy Reagan our former first lady was coming out of the beauty salon.  She just had her nails done.  In the back ground you hear someone saying Hi Nancy.   She moves so slow,  I got a good chance to ask some questions.  "what do you think about the Governor admitting to smoking pot?"    I don't know., she says.   As she heads towards her car, she stumbles.  Her Secret Service agent should have been closer to her.  What stupid questions, not just to Nancy but anyone they try to catch on film.  I think this borders on Harassment.  She was the First Lady of the United States and deserves more respect than that.  At minimum the courtesy of calling her Mrs. Reagan.  She is not there buddy.  Harvey Levin your show sucks.  I don't care if you are a Lawyer...

Paul Newman one of the greatest actors of our time passed away from complications of cancer.   He and his wife,  Joanne Woodward  had one of those rare Hollywood marriages that lasted some 45 years.   She is also a great actress in her own means.  They met on the set while filming, got married and were together at his death.  Their family owned food business has become a staple in alot of our homes.  God Bless you Mr. Newman and to the Mrs too.....

It just blew me away, when I read the news that Bernie Mac died at the age of 50 from complications to  Pneumonia.  He was in many movies, but I think I'll remember him best for  "The Bernie Mac Show". Controversy sometimes followed Mac, but none the less he was a very funny guy.   In this day and age for anyone to die so young is just shocking.  R.I.P.   Mr. Mac......

After 33 years first as Siskel & Ebert and now as Ebert & Roeper, the show that introduced us to the phase Two Thumbs Up, will no longer grace the aire.   I can't believe it's been on so long.  Richard Roeper has been doing the show with a guest host since Roger Ebert's 2006 surgery that made it impossible to appear on air.  He stayed active behind the scenes.  Gene Siskel died in  at the age of 53 after succumbing to a brain tumor.  Disney could not come to terms with Roeper over a new contract and Ebert did not like the direction they wanted to take the show.   I will miss the show that I would base the movies I see or not see. 

Mama Mia!  Did they destroy a movie.  I'll be the first to admit,  I alike Abba.   Sorry.... The show Mama Mia on Broadway was a cute little mindless live action musical with Abba's songs.

Now they come along and the movie Mama Mia with Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan.   Up till now I couldn't see Meryl Streep do no wrong.  Lucky for her this isn't her first movie, cause it might be a career ender.  A year ago when I heard they were working in Greece on this movie I had my doubts.  I don't understand, with all the great musical talent out there why they chose the cast they did.  Pierce Brosnan singing, sounds like he is having a prostrate exam.  I saw Meryl Streep on David Letterman not to long ago.  She was promoting this piece of trash.  She didn't sound very convincing about her love for this movie.   If you have seen a live version of Mama Mia, don't go thinking that is what you will be seeing.  If you have not seen the live version, don't let this keep you from seeing it.

I walked into my apartment after a morning at the dentist and a brief stop at Shaw's.   My apt was like a meat locker just the way I like it.  You could almost see frost on my windows. The steam and humidity was left behind me.   Funny the first thing I noticed upon entering was Daisy wasn't at the door to greet me.  In the back of my head, I always think someone (like maintenance men) were in my apt. and let her out.  I knew that was a stupid idea cause #1 they would never let this happen, and #2 as brave as she thinks she is she is a scaredy kat and would just sit in front of the door till I got home.  Not to mention I'm on the 4th floor. 

I went about my business and unpacked the few things I got at the grocery.   As I made a sandwich of ham salad and Swiss and a few Pringles I was surprised I still hadn't seen her.  I looked over to her dish and it was completely empty.   I said the poor dear is under my bed sleeping it off.  I decided to lunch in front of the computer and look at some mail.   All the while I just couldn't get Daisy out of my head.  It is a rare day when I am eating that she is not by my side begging and meowing like I starve the poor thing to death.  For a brief moment I thought that maybe she was lying dead under the bed or in the closet.  It was at this time I started calling out to her.  "Where's my little butter pecan cookie?"  DAISSSSSY...... I figured after I finish with lunch I would take a look for her.  (Why ruin my sandwich)

Well, well, well look who's here.  Where were you?  She hardly payed me glance.  What's going on?  Just then she spit out a daddy long leg.   She was showing me her prize.  The thing was still alive.  Poor thing was missing a leg or two but as it tried to hobble away with one swipe of her paw Daisy was in control again.  I hate spiders and she once ate one and threw up.  I wasn't going to let that happen.  Quickly I ran and got a piece of toilet paper and fought with her to let it free.  She wasn't to happy with me and if I could speak cat talk I think she was saying BLEEP you !   She watched me take the neat little package of squished daddy long leg and flush it down the toilet.   So I turned around to her and said "so that's where you were"  And there she sat on top of my desk eating the rest of my ham salad sandwich.

Easy Wing Ding Recipe for the 4th and a crowd.....

18 wings

1 envelope onion soup

1/3 cup honey

2 tbs spicy brown mustard

Mix the soup with honey and mustard/set aside

Cut tip of wings off (freeze them for when you want to make a stock)

Cut in half at the joint (piece of cake if you use cooking shears)

wash!!!!  I do it after they are cut up

Toss in soup mixture  I wear gloves and just dig in....

Arrange on cookie sheet and bake at 400 for 45 min or till done, turning once.  Can be done on a gas grill, just keep an eye.   These babies are delicious Hot Warm or Cold.  with Aunt Megs baked beans and Dotties potato salad.

enjoy!!!!

Fredric J. Baur  died at the age of 89.  Mr. Baur was the designer of the can that would hold those tastee curved stacked chips.  It was by his own request that his cremated remains be placed in and buried in a Pringles can that he was so proud of.   Mr. Baur worked as a organic package designer for Proctor & Gamble.  He designed the can in 1966 and awarded a Pat. in 1970.  Luckily that can wasn't sitting around my house.  If I had seen the can and gave it a shake, hearing something was inside I would have blindly poured it into my mouth which I often do with an almost empty can of Pringles.  No word of what flavor he was in, my guess original.  Personally I would have preferred th low fat BBQ.  Rest in Peace Mr. Baur.  Thanks for a design that didn't need a chip clip. 

The talk today on Fox 25 News is how it was a fixed deal for David Cook to win.  People wrote in and felt Simon's criticism  acted like reverse psychology.   I also believe it's been a done deal for a while now.  If you read my blog of April 30, you will see where I wrote that Paula the night before said she was looking at the next American Idol ( when speaking to David Cook).  I've written several blogs on the show and I swear to God and hope to die if this isn't my very last one.  Last night it took me about 20 min to watch the 2 hour show.   There were a few good things that kept my finger off the fast forward button.  I thought the Gladys Knight and the Pips number was great.  David A. doing a take off of the Tom Cruise bit in a commercial was cute.   One thing I kept mumbling over and over was Paula sit down.   Simon's straw like hair needs a make over.  Those 12 finalist are very lucky people.  The benefits that go with losing, aren't to scabby. I would like to think they get to keep the clothes, if nothing else.  They must get paid quite well and travel has to be fun.  The lives they have now, have to be a step above from what they left. 

Next season this is the plan.  I will watch the auditions and only the auditions.  Those are fun.  When it starts in from Hollywood, I will just rely on the following day comments from the reporters and the viewer mail.   I have a horrible memory and hardly remember the raspy voice of last seasons  winner.   Don't get me wrong, I'm not a music maven.   Most of them had wonderful voices, but not enough for me to run out and buy a whole album of their work.  Even the stars I love, certain cuts suck.   Well that's enough from me.   I have an appointment with the dentist and frankly I prefer to go there than to go on about American Idol anymore.   KISSES AND FAREWELL....fenwaydav signing off.....

When it gets down to two like it is now the judges should keep there mouths shut.  Paula all puffy with her sparkles and gems a gahgah for David C.  and almost starts crying for David A.   She tells one they a the best while the next she says almost the same just phased differently. She's looks like the mother of the Bar-Mitzvah boy.  Simon told David C. weeks ago he was going to win and it seems now David A is his Fav.  His smile is so forced and what do you say about his hair.  Picture this, the Simpson's in church and look at Bart.  That's Simon's hair.  And Randy, what can you say about Randy.  Nothing......Do the judges influence how people vote?  I think for the very young and the very old they do.  I think for all of us in between at this stage they are a distraction.  I am the advertisers worst nightmare.  I tape the show and watch it about an hour later.  I zoom through a 1 hour show in about 15 min.   David A.  is going to win. 

The fights between Paula and Simon seemed mild this season.   Randy's stomach by-pass has lasted as long as last seasons Sanjaya.   He was looking good for a while but the stress of the show has plumped him up again.  4 to go and tonight someone goes home.  I see in other blogs someone seems to think David A. (don't want to take the time to look up the spelling of his name) should get the boot.  I think he's pretty good and will be here till the end.  Tonight without a doubt Jason Castro will pack his bags.  Yes I dread his locks won't be able to save him.   In addition to the fact he literary stunk last night, forgetting the words won't help. 

I was sitting back last night watching American Idol and and couple of things came to mind.  I finally relized where I saw that hair cut David Cook sports.  When looking at the morning news this morning Kim Carrigan has the same do.  Now I know Kim has been wearing that look longer than David, so that means he stole it from her. 

As far as I'm concerned, last night should have been the last show.  Don't get me wrong I love the show and all, but Paula made one of the biggest mistakes a judge should ever do.  While reviewing David Cook's first song, she said "I AM LOOKING AT THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOL".  How unfair to the other's.  What must she have been thinking.  Then again we have seen from past seasons, Paula sometimes just doesn't think.  Over and over again she proves herself to be a twit. 

On a personal note, I find the singing and the instrument playing a distraction.    It's hard enough for them as "amateur's"  just to sing in front of a live audience,  throw in a guitar or piano in, and well some can't walk and chew gum at the same time.  I am glad the show is coming to a season's end.   I need a rest from Ryan and the three judges.

On April 1, 1989 I walked into the Concord, Ma. Post Office and played my last April Fools joke.  By now I was a Window Clerk, so gone were the days I had to report at 4AM.  In those days I now worked from 8:15AM to 5:30PM.   When I walked in the office via the back door, the clerks were busy sorting the mail.  In those days, 99% of the mail had to be hand sorted.  These days, 99% of the mail comes in sorted and goes right to the carrier (that's what we call a Mailman).  

As I made my way into the office, I had told everyone I had just heard on the news, Lucille Ball Had died.   We all averaged around the same age (give or take 10 years) and the moans and groans of  sadness sounded through out.  Here I was telling everyone the first lady of comedy was gone.  I went about my business and forgot what I had said.  About an hour later,  I remembered and went to the floor to tell everyone APRIL FOOLS...... Well now I was being called every name in the book, most not able to be written.  People really took it bad, and I guess of all the people I should not have fooled with Lucy.  

Well time had past and 25 days later Lucille Ball really did die.  I was blamed for Lucy's death.   It now became word around the office and in deed all of Concord, David put a hex on Lucy.   Whenever I would have words with anyone from that point on they would always back off  with worry I would put a hex on them.   I didn't mean to kill Lucy.  "I LOVED LUCY" So now till the end of time I will always think of Lucy on April 1st.  I get calls from old friends from the Post Office and remind me of the faithful day.  "REMEMBER WHEN YOU KILLED LUCY"

When you have some free time I have something fun for you to try.  I saw this on Nova and I think some of the bloggers out here might do.  Go out into your back yard  (or any empty lot) and dig a hole to the other side of the Earth. When you are done jump in.  Forget for a moment that you will vaporize as you approach the 11,000 degree core.  Forget also that the spin of the Earth will have you bouncing from one side to another.  Please make sure you wear a helmet. 

You will find yourself gaining speed as you are pulled towards the center.  It will take you about 21 minutes at a speed between 15,000 and 21,000 MPH to reach the core.  In  42 minutes you will slow to a full stop on the other end.   If no one is there to stop you, you will fall back into the hole and be pulled back towards the center and the other side.  You will do this forever, so make sure you have someone to pull you away when you reach the other end. 

I love watching Nova, for some of the amazing facts I find out.   Like now, it helps me to engage in a intelligent conversation of "Did You Know That".  I will be the first to admit (as some out here have often said)  I am an absolute dummy.   I just don't understand how someone knows this.   Who has figured out the speed you will fall and the amount of time it will take.  Yes granted they did say forget about frying your butt as you approach the center.  I guess I'm happy to know that there are really smart people out here.  If  I was that smart, I wouldn't waste my time to dig a hole. 

The Secret Life of Bees, is a novel by Sue Monk Kidd.  It's a great little book that's been around a little while.   To date I have read it twice and before long will read it again.  The story takes place in 1964 on a peach farm in South Carolina.  Racism is at it's peak.  I have written to Oprah and told her to try to get this book into a movie.  There are several very strong black women characters and I felt Oprah was the only one that could gather a cast like this.

In 2009 The Secret Life of Bees is coming to the screen.  I am a BUZZZZZ.   14 year old Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) runs away with her nanny Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson).  She is trying to find out the truth about her mothers death 10 years earlier.   Her encounter with a trio of beekeeping sister's will prove to hold many answers to her past.  The sister's August (Queen Latifah) June  (Alicia Keys)  and May (?) give Lily insight to her past. 

One of the Producers of the film is Will Smith.  I guess Oprah never took my advice.  She seldom does.   If the movie is 1/10 the greatness of the book, not only will it be great, but it will carry with it several awards.  Please if you do nothing else go and get this book.  You will read it cover to cover in record time.   You will only put it down to get a little sleep.  You also have something I didn't, a face for a few of the main characters.  Forget Oprah's book club and join mine........