Special Delivery!

I'm so excited I can barely contain myself.  In a few short hours, my fabulous-in-every-way sister, Stacie, arrives from Florida. 

No resemblance whatsoever, right? Ha! Total doppelgänger!  She just graduated from Indiana University, and is preparing to enter the world of broadcast journalism. I couldn't be more proud of her. 

Also eagerly anticipating the Friday arrival of my big sis, Kelly. Instead of using words to describe how fab she is, I'll just share this pic. 

Need I say more? I think not. The gangsta roller girl, by the way, is my sassy niece, Ella. 

Several more guests arrive Friday, as well. My 40th birthday weekend is poised to be fall-on-the-floor fabulous. Naturally, I'll have loads of pics for you. Bear with me if I don't post very often over the next several days, as my agenda is jam-packed until the 31st. Such is the life, dahling... and I absolutely LOVE every precious minute of it. 

Cheers!

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Lisa Brown and filed under Birthdays, Fabulousness.

Happy Daveday

It's Dave Chapelle's 38th birthday. It's a celebration, bitches. Enjoy yourself. Have sex with Charlie Murphy. 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUrqy1Ec06c]

 

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Lisa Brown and filed under Birthdays.

R.I.P.

Nick Ashford passed away from throat cancer at a New York hospital last night. He was 69 years old. We will miss his fabulous mane and oh-so-smooth voice. Our condolences to Nick's partner in everything, Valerie Simpson, and their two daughters. 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEC04BfqMy0]

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Lisa Brown and filed under R-I-P-.

Double-Fab Birthday!

Today is a very special day, dahling. Two of my icons share the same birthday. Thus, I've no choice but to feature them both. 

Dorothy Parker: 118

My fave Parker poem:

The Whistling Girl

Back of my back, they talk of me, Gabble and honk and hiss; Let them batten, and let them be-- Me, I can sing them this:

Better to shiver beneath the stars, Head on a faithless breast, Than peer at the night through rusted bars, And share an irksome rest.

Better to see the dawn come up, Along of a trifling one, Than set a steady man's cloth and cup And pray the day be done.

Better be left by twenty dears Than lie in a loveless bed; Better a loaf that's wet with tears Than cold, unsalted bread.

Back of my back, they wag their chins, Whinny and bleat and sigh; But better a heart a-bloom with sins Than hearts gone yellow and dry!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDKcgyyTLs8]

Now, for our next birthday icon...

Claude Debussy: 149

His are the sounds that make my stomach flutter, cause ear-to-ear grins and move me to tears. For me, listening to Debussy, my friends, is church. 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIsQPdC9YnY]

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Lisa Brown and filed under Birthdays and tagged birthday claude debussy dorothy parker.

Credo

We would like you to reach the place where you're not willing to listen to people criticize one another… where you take no satisfaction from somebody being wrong… where it matters to you so much that you feel good, that you are only willing to think positive things about people… you are only willing to look for positive aspects; you are only willing to look for solutions, and you are not willing to beat the drum of all of the problems of the world.

--- Abraham

 

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Lisa Brown and filed under Credo.

Post-Breakfast Stuffing

DJB and I recently stopped by the taxidermy boutique (Boutique? 'Store' just sounds so drab.) because it's next door to the restaurant where we had breakfast. And, really, what better way to digest burritos and french toast than by staring at stuffed game? 

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Lisa Brown and filed under WTF?!?.

Mantis Message

A praying mantis appeared in my doorway yesterday. Five stars! 

This is a sign of good luck for yours truly, dahling. It's also a reminder to mediate and contemplate. 

Here's the message of the mantis, according to symbolism guru, Avia Venefica: 

The mantis comes to us when we need peace, quiet and calm in our lives. Usually the mantis makes an appearance when we've flooded our lives with so much business, activity, or chaos that we can no longer hear the still small voice within us because of the external din we've created.

After observing this creature for any length of time you can see why the symbolism of the praying mantis deals with stillness and patience. The mantis takes her time, and lives her life at her own silent pace.

These traits have lead the mantis to be a symbol of meditation and contemplation. In fact, in China, the mantis has long been honored for her mindful movements.

The mantis never makes a move unless she is 100% positive it is the right thing for her to do. This is a message to us to contemplate and be sure our minds and souls all agree together about the choices we are making in our lives.

Overwhelmingly in most cultures the mantis is a symbol of stillness. As such, she is an ambassador from the animal kingdom giving testimony to the benefits of meditation, and calming our minds.

An appearance from the mantis is a message to be still, go within, meditate, get quiet and reach a place of calm. It may also a sign for you to be more mindful of the choices you are making and confirm that these choices are congruent.

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Lisa Brown and filed under Fabulousness.

It's Shut Up Friday!

I just realized that my last two posts involved me instructing people to shut up. Hmmmm. Think perhaps I need to step back and be a bit more polite, as I certainly don't want to end up sounding like this jackass.  

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrNl6-j9x5w]

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Lisa Brown and filed under Rants/Raves.

Get the Barf Bag Ready

Michael Vick is complaining to the press that he misses his dogs. 

Yes, the same Michael Vick who was prosecuted a few years ago for financing extensive dog fighting activities and participating in the abuse, torture and execution of under-performing dogs. 

In a new GQ interview, Vick whines:

"I miss dogs, man. I always had a family pet, always had a dog growing up. It was almost equivalent to the prison sentence, having something taken away from me for three years. I want a dog just for the sake of my kids, but also me. I miss my companions.”

Sorry, Mike. I don't feel the least bit sorry for you, man. Your previous treatment of dogs is sickening. Yes, since your arrest and incarceration, you've made numerous public statements against animal abuse... but c'mon, we're not that stupid... that's the work of your PR pros. Please, do us all a favor: Shut the hell up and just play football. 

Vick’s probation is scheduled to end in 2012, at which time it’s expected he'll be able to legally own a dog. 

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Lisa Brown and filed under Rants/Raves, WTF?!?.

Whitest Sorority Girls of the Day

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znrpSAjh_4Y&feature=player_embedded#!] I made it through 48 seconds of this University of Alabama sorority recruitment video. I'll try for more later. I don't have high hopes, however. 

"What house should you pledge?" the Alabama girls sort of rap/sing.

My response: "Pledge the Shut the F**k Up and Never Attempt to Rap and/or Sing Again house. Just shut up and drink, WASPS!" 

Gotta give the girls props, however: Apparently, their aural assassination of a pledge promotion worked. The school's rush week has seen a record number of potential pledges... thus proliferating the minions to create more videos. Sororities. Ugh. 

My fave YouTube comment regarding this video: "This is f**king embarrassing. I love this school, but this is why people can't stand these s***heads." 

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Lisa Brown and filed under Faux Pas, Videos, WTF?!?.

Ginger Birthday

Ginger Baker----one of the most influential drummers our time and an all-around bad-ass----is 72 today.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbRtiy0Wauo]

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Lisa Brown and filed under Birthdays.

Giggle Fit of the Day

How fabulous is Anderson Cooper? I mean, really... the man can do no wrong in my eyes. Check out his analysis of Gerard Depardieu's now-infamous airplane urination incident. If you think the little giggles in the first two minutes are cute, just wait 'til you hit around the 2:35 mark.  [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MumI6KovUk]

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Lisa Brown and filed under Celebrities, Videos.