Overdressed

Kat posted her "life plans" as laid out in the book Living Out Loud. Author Keri Smith recommends answering the following questions to help you envision what you want. It seems like a productive exercise, so I thought I'd try it, too. The idea is to imagine your ideal life.

1. Where do you live? Describe what your home looks like.
Big Daddy & I live in a loft apartment downtown in the South Main district. Our Kid moves out to go to college and makes such a success of his life that he never lives at home again. I still have my car but most days it remains parked while I walk or take the trolley where I need to go. Our loft is minimalist, easy to clean; we've gotten rid of a lot of our "stuff." It has a lot of light and highly polished wood floors. We feel very contemporary and cosmopolitan here.
2. What kind of people have you surrounded yourself with?
Strong, talented, funny, supportive women
3. Who are your best friends? What makes these relationships work?
My husband (love, mutual respect, selflessness); my AA friends (understanding, love, care for one another); friends from work (mutual respect, desire to see each other succeed, experiences in the trenches together)
4. What do you do on a daily basis that fulfills your emotional, spiritual, and physical needs?
Pray, mediate, read, practice yoga, talk to friends & members of my support system, spend time with my husband, email My Kid or talk to him on the phone.
5. Look at the clothes you are wearing. What do they say about you?
They say that I am professional, stylish and rich.
6. How would you describe your chosen profession?
I'm a PR Professional. I am personally invested in the goals and objectives of my clients and committed to creating solutions for them through communication strategies.
7. Describe your work setting.
Our agency is creative, fun, hardworking, dedicated to our clients and our craft. I hope to contribute to it's continued development and growth in both clients and staff.
8. Whom do you work with?
People that I can learn from and people that I can mentor.
9. Describe your ideal client and your ideal working relationship.
Mid-sized firms who know the value of what we can give them and give us the space to create. They are responsive but not pestering. Decisive but not overbearing.
10. What do you enjoy most about your career?
I enjoy fighting for and winning a piece of business. I enjoy producing work that makes a client say, "wow." I enjoy meeting with clients and presenting ideas and selling them on what I know will be the best option for their business. I enjoy securing a really big media hit.
11. How much money do you make?
A lot. I'm paid what I'm worth.
12. What do you spend your money on?
Travel, clothes, coffee, My Kid's education, treating my friends.
13. Have you acquired any awards and honors?
It's not necessary but entirely possible.
14. Describe how you think your peers view you.
They hate me because I win all the good business and then live up to the hype.
15. How do you view yourself?
Smart, clever, successful; also humble, grateful, giving
16. What do your admirers say about you and your work?
They say I'm the best in the business. They also say I'm honest, sincere and genuine.
17. What would you like to contribute to your field?
I'd like to contribute to bringing PR to the table in companies that currently don't see the value. People who think we're spin doctors and bullshitters will discover respect for our work and our contributions.
18. What would you like to contribute to your community?
I'm politically active. I sit on non-profit boards and donate my talents to their efforts. I take on pro-bono work. I work with other alcoholics and share what I've learned about living sober.
19. How do you enjoy your spare time?
Reading, spending time with friends, traveling

Posted by Kalisa at 8:52 PM | Permalink | Comments

I have a new pet peeve.

I find that I simply can not stand when people SLAM THE MICROWAVE DOOR.

What is it about this particular appliance that encourages people to slap it closed? Why can they not grab the handle and close the door softly?

This has driven me crazy at home for years. In fact, I can't think of any one phrase I use more often than, "Quit slamming that door!" But now I've discovered that people at work do it too. It's a national craze. Of epidemic proportions. Please do your part to help Save the Microwaves: Zap it, don't slap it!

Posted by Kalisa at 2:22 PM | Permalink | Comments

This afternoon I had the joyous pleasure of taking my teenage son shopping for clothes at the mall. It is an experience I hope to never repeat. Ever again. For as long as I live.

A little history: For as long as I've known My Kid, he's never worn jeans. When he was younger, he hated the hassle of the button/snap and zipper. He would only wear sweat pants with elastic waists. When he got a little older, he would wear cargo pants IF they were the right color AND there weren't TOO many pockets AND the pockets weren't too baggy. Cargo pants and short-sleeved t-shirts have made up the entirety of his wardrobe for about five years.

Now, his girlfriend bought him American Eagle jeans and polo shirt for Christmas because she, who will have many, many years of misery ahead of her, apparently thinks that she can change her man. And apparently she can, because he wears that outfit once a week as well as to every party he's attended.

Well, I don't want the boy to be embarrassed about wearing the same outfit all the time, so I offered today to take him to the mall and buy him a couple more collared shirts and pairs of jeans.

Who knew it would be such an ORDEAL?

And who knew there were only THREE polo shirts in the ENTIRE MALL that meet his approval?

And who knew that he would want to saunter around the mall, dragging his feet as he walks as if he has days and days to complete his task? Oh, me. I knew that.

And who knew that the actual Polo shirts now cost $75?? SEVEN. TEE. FIVE. It's a travesty.

(I did not buy him an actual Polo, but, believe me, I would have if he could have found even one in a color he liked. Because how much is my sanity worth, after all?)

Also? WHAT IS UP with that Abercrombie store? There are more palm fronds in that place than there are lights. And the music was thumping so loud I couldn't hear the cashier when he was talking to me. I've never felt so old in my life.

I seriously never knew buying clothes could be such a miserable experience. From now on, when he needs clothes, I'm dropping him and his girlfriend off at the mall with $200 cash and about six hours. Because it will certainly take him that long to walk from one end of the mall to the other.

Posted by Kalisa at 7:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

We were without internet for an entire 24-hour period this week. It was Comcastic. Big Daddy spent hours and hours on the phone with them, trying to straighten it out. In the end, the customer service guy told him they couldn't send out a tech unless we went to their web site to request it. I have no words to describe the absurdity of that. I do have this, though, which I find to be a rather accurate description of my Comcast experience.

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My Kid has been to a party every weekend for the past three weeks. I still don't know what 13-year-olds do from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Apparently they do not: 1) bring presents; 2) have cake; 3) sing 'Happy Birthday'; or 4) dance. I suggested that he should share with me what they do at these parties to prepare me for what sort of party we'll throw when he turns 14. He snorted and informed me that we couldn't possibly have a party in our house. I had no idea our lives were so shabby. Ah, the things you can learn from your 13-year-old.

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Oscar Movies I Want to See But Will Probably Rent on DVD (in no particular order):
1. The Queen
2. Dreamgirls
3. Babel
4. Sherrybaby
5. Last King of Scotland
6. Half Nelson
7. Notes on a Scandal
8. Little Children (I enjoyed the book+ you know how I love Kate Winslet+ I also ADORE that guy from Angels in America+ 'Kelly' from Bad News Bears as the child molester?? Sweet.)

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While I've seen hardly any of the Oscar-nominated films, I did watch the documentary "Mad Hot Ballroom" last night and I can't believe it didn't win a trophy. Do they give Oscars for documentaries? Anyway, it was charming and heartwarming and I had no idea I would get as sucked into it as I did. I wish I was ethnic and lived in the City. Their lives are so colorful compared to my white suburban one. Four Stars=You Should Watch It.

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Every Sunday when I get my newspaper, they've assembled the sections so that the page with the crossword puzzle - the one page that people want to write on - is on the outside, wrinkled and torn and unable to be used as intended. I've started a writing campaign to the paper to get them to either 1) assemble the sections in a different order, or 2) lay out the features section so that the crossword puzzle is on an inside page. We'll see if they listen to me.

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Posted by Kalisa at 2:36 PM | Permalink | Comments

Ta-Da! All done!

Posted by Kalisa at 7:24 PM | Permalink | Comments

Bangs.

So let's recap, shall we?

Forward-thinking people with bangs who are on the cutting edge of fashion (in order of the appearance of said bangs):
1. Andy Sachs
2. Rory Gilmore
3. Me
4. Reese Witherspoon
5. Salma

Labels: fashion and style, hair

Posted by Kalisa at 2:19 PM | Permalink | Comments

That's Showbiz
OK first? The fact that the American Idol judges are making mean and demeaning comments to the entrants IS NOT NEWS. How does this rate first hour on the Today show?? Sheesh. Anyone who's watched a television show for any length of time knows what happens: the characters become extreme caricatures of themselves. Think about it: Monica was no where near that neurotic in Season 1. It's a very, very fine line to keep the personality of a character without going overboard into excessive. Even in unscripted shows, apparently.

The heartbreaker is, these kids are totally set up for failure. I worked with a young girl who sings jazz in a local group. She went to tryout here in Memphis. They brought in all 18,000 of these kids and sat them down in the FedEx Forum, and said, "We are not looking for good singers. We're looking for good TV." Then they had the kids onstage in groups, and they hand-picked the singers that would go in front of Randy, Paula & Simon.

So what you're seeing on TV is FAKE. There are literally thousands of really, really good singers in every city they go to who never get in to sing for the judges. Instead, they purposely select a few good ones and a whole lot of ridiculous ones. For good TV. And these kids, who are being selected to go in for the judges...they really think they have a chance! They go in, and they think they might be on their way to a dream career, and instead they're ripped to shreds. IT'S GOOD TV, PEOPLE!! YOU SHOULD WATCH IT!! REALLY!! MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF YOU SHOULD WATCH IT!!!!

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Little Boxes Made of Ticky-Tacky
Does anyone know when the new season of Weeds is coming on? That's the problem with getting hooked on these cable shows - I can't seem to follow their calendar. Season 2 ended with one of the best season finales ever on TV:

1. The DEA agent/husband had been shot dead. Which is actually a good thing for Nancy, except that...
2. Nancy and Conrad were being jacked in the kitchen of their grow house with several automatic weapons pointed at their face...and no weed, because...
3. Her older son, Silas, had stolen it to force her to let him in on the action. Instead, Celia and the cops were just arriving to question him about stealing her surveillance cameras. Also...
4. Nancy's younger son, Shane, was headed on a road trip to Central America with Andy's crazy ex-girlfriend, after delivering one of the funniest graduation speeches in the history of elementary school. ("I'm here to tell you: THERE ARE SNAKES ON THIS MOTHERFUCKING PLANE.")

Seriously. Does television GET any better than this??

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The New F-Word
Anyone want to take a stand on this whole Isaiah Washington/gay slur/lying about it later thing? Do you think he should be fired? Do you think if the tables were turned, and McDreamy had used the n-word, that HE would have been fired? Do you think the Grey's Anatomy feud has more substance than the O'Donnell-Trump one did?

Here's what I think: I think the man needs to shut the fuck up. And get some professional help. And start updating his resume because he is SO about to be fired.

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And in Sports...
Prediction: Biggest. Super. Bowl. Yet. How much do we love Peyton Manning? Also, I wonder when the Bears will put out The Super Bowl Shuffle 2: Electric Bugaloo.

Posted by Kalisa at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Comments

1. Gruesome movies about brutally torturing people
2. People famous for doing nothing (Yes, Britney, I'm talking to YOU. As well as Paris, Nicole, Brandon Davis and anyone inheriting a Greek shipping fortune.)
3. Flashing one's genitals to the paparazzi
4. I'm also pretty much ready for the wave of American Idol's popularity to go ahead and crest.
5. Super skinniness among Hollywood youth
6. Donald Trump as celebrity
7. Ankle boots
8. Tights as pants

Posted by Kalisa at 5:43 PM | Permalink | Comments

I have actually talked about this here before.

I used to do that - give a fake name at Starbucks. You know, it's just easier than trying to spell my name for them & then have them fuck it all up anyway. Sometimes when they ask me my name, if I'm feeling especially ornery, I just say, "Kalisah, with a 'K'." and I leave them at that. They still don't get it right, but it's sometimes fun to see how they try.

I actually still do give a fake name if I'm not in my regular Starbucks. They know me there so it's rather pointless. Some of the names I've given include: Kate, Katie, Drew, Emmy, Emma, Rachel, Carrie, Evan and Evie. My best Starbucks name though, was "Brando."

The article mentions that some people like to use Star Wars names, which seems a little over the top for me.

Do you give fake names? What do you use?

Posted by Kalisa at 3:54 PM | Permalink | Comments

"Look, I've got like 15 new clients that I inherited from Dwight, and each file is password-protected with a different mythical creature, so, I'm sorry...I can't."

Posted by Kalisa at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments

We have one of those new radio stations in town marketed toward me. Well, not me, exactly. But women. My age. You may have read about this trend. No DJs, just music, mostly from the 70s and 80s. And they give the station a woman's name as its call letters (ours is KIM-FM). I'm forever hearing songs on there when I'm driving (like Journey, "Stone in Love") that I then run home and download on iTunes.

Today, I heard that Bonnie Tyler song "It's a Heartache." You might have thought it was Kim Carnes, but I was pretty sure it was Bonnie Tyler. You know the song; it goes like this:

It's a heartache,
Nothin' but a heartache:
Hits you when it's too late,
Hits you when you're down.

It's a fool's game,
Nothin' but a fool's game:
Standing in the cold rain,
Feeling like a clown.

It ain't right with love to share,
When you find he doesn't care for you.
It ain't wise to need someone,
As much as I depended on you.

It's a heartache,
Nothin' but a heartache:
Love him till your arms break,
Then he lets you down.

So I think to myself, "Man, this would be a great song for my 'Karaoke' playlist on my iPod!" And I came home and did a search for it on iTunes.

And do you even want to GUESS how many people have recorded this song? Holy shit! Who knew it was that popular! Guess I'm not the only person who thought, "This is fun to sing." (Although I am, apparently, the only person to have had thought that and then not laid it down on vinyl. Or whatever they use these days.) Complete list to follow:

1. Gene Pitney
2. Bonnie Tyler (Live) (which, OMG. Words that come to mind: rocks, Marlboro Reds, whiskey, gravel...)
3. Leilah Safka
4. Billie Jo Spears
5. Wanda Jackson
6. Pete Tex (saxophone instrumental)
7. Juice Newton
8 Jeannie Seely (banjo accompaniment)
9. Trick Pony
10. Ricky Dandell & Friends (who, I'm guessing, is a woman. Unless it's one of the Friends singing.)
11. Rod Stewart
12. Steven MacLachlan (New Version) (not sure what that means or what's new about it exactly)
13. Dana Winner
14. Laura Vinson (although the link appears to be to a male country singer singing "Good Love" so I can't actually confirm that Laura Vinson recorded this song.)
15. Bonnie Tyler (when she, apparently, still had a few vocal chords left)

I'm still deciding which one to download.

Posted by Kalisa at 7:12 PM | Permalink | Comments

Maybe we'll share a sobriety date.

I'm not a huge fan of Lindsey, and yeah - she's fucked up. But if this is indeed true, I hope the media will cut her some slack. It's hard enough for a regular girl to sober up; I can't imagine doing it with Perez Hilton talking smack about you.

Posted by Kalisa at 6:08 PM | Permalink | Comments

Bangs!

They say Ugly is the new Betty. Stacy London would be proud of this dress. And speaking of which:

Now that I know she gets to go to the Globes, I'm even MORE envious of Stacy's job.

Now, before you get too bored, let's get on with the mean and nasty:

Sneer. (Who poses for a camera like that??)

Barbie doll dress.

I love Mary Louise Parker, but she has devil eyes here. Someone should call Phoebe, Piper and Paige and let them know that we think we've discovered the new Source.

OK, Cameron Diaz. Two words:

Drag.

Queen.

Before I left for my meeting last night, I was watching some of the red carpet coverage on E! even though god, how I loathe their correspondents. Anyway, I saw some footage of Beyonce on the carpet (no interviews though) and she was posing in the most absurd ways. Like this:

Which is a little on the dramatic side, wouldn't you say? But wait, it gets better. There's also this:

Which??? WTF is she doing? BUT WAIT! Like those TV ads....THERE'S MORE:

OK, now you just look silly. (And I actually saw her pose this; she wasn't just fixing her hair or checking her earrings. She posed this.) You're a pretty girl; you have a beautiful singing voice. Take the ego down a notch or two and people might start liking you again.

Moving on...

I know, I know, I know. King & Queen of the Prom and all. But is that a back tattoo? Because, maybe it's just me, but the sexy quotient bumps down a notch or two WHEN YOU HAVE AN ENTIRE CHINESE NOVEL TATTOOED ACROSS YOUR BACK.

Favorite dress of the night:

Emily Blunt from Devil Wears Prada. I thought she looked stunning.

And, J.Lo in old form:

Very pretty. Well played, Mrs. Anthony.

And lastly, the not-so-deperate housewife:

I rather liked this look for her.

What looks did you like and which ones drove you over the edge? Let me know & we'll try to find photos of them.

Labels: celebs, fashion and style

Posted by Kalisa at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jennifer Hudson - TOLD YOU
(Look at Beyonce! She's tearing up! Maybe she's not a shitty actor after all!)
Why are they cashing in on JT's popularity? Not like he's really in TV or movies (yet).
At least they had the decency not to put the camera on Cameron like they put the camera on Justin when Britney kissed Madonna at that one award show.
Still, funny imitiation of Prince!
Now, is it really fair to put a regular old TV actor up against someone like Jeremy Irons?? (Loved him in that, BTW)
Isn't Evangeline Lily engaged to that little Hobbit guy from her show? I would've expected more than courteous applause from him when they named her nomination.
And a little pat on the shoulder or something when she LOST would've been nice. Geddit? LOST??
Kira - YES! *pumps fist*
Why does Renee Zellweger always have that smirk on her face?
I've never heard of that movie "Gideon's Daughter" but if Emily Blunt was half as good in it as she was Devil, then I figure she probably deserves this award.
She's one to watch, I tell ya.
And I really like her dress!!
(Wonder if it's Prada?)
OK, before they give the award for Male Actor in a TV Drama, I just want to remind you again that I will be very happy with any of these as winners.
But WOOT! HUGH! Takes it again!
And shows his comedic side, which we Americans forget he has.
Along with his English accent.
I totally love this man.
Let's hope the Emmy's are paying attention this year.
(cough*snubbed*cough)
...fastforwarding over Nancy O'Dell's side interview with Hillary Skank...who, let's face it, we really haven't loved since she tamed Steve Sanders.
How does NBC make any money off this show? They obviously haven't sold any advertising since all the commercials are for THEIR OWN SHOWS.
....fastforwarding over Cars animation acceptance speech....we don't care. We don't even know who you are....
Best Actress Musical or Comedy - pleasedon'tbeBeyonce pleasedon'tbeBeyonce pleasedon'tbeBeyonce. Meryl Streep. Soooo not Beyonce.
And look! Not dressed like an old hag this year.
How refreshing.
Nice to see her looking like the icon that she is.
Salma could've done a lot better than a dress that resembles a torn-up t-shirt.
She's so beautiful and has such a fab body.
Elizabeth I - another win for me!
I hope to be as cool as Helen Mirren some day. She's fab.
Smirk. I'm not kidding - every time they show Renee Zellweger. Does she hate everyone? Is that is?
OK, did you notice when they put the camera on Eddie Murphy who is sitting behind him? PRINCE. Uh-huh.
No wonder JT waited so long to accept the songwriting award on his behalf.
He must've been all, "Dude, why aren't you coming up on stage?"
Eddie Murphy - another sure thing, really.
But what kind of crazy world are we living in when EDDIE FREAKING MURPHY is winning acting awards?? Never thought I'd see that day.
Ya'll, you know who looks really, really pretty tonight? Reese Witherspoon. I think I'll wear my hair like that tomorrow.
I'm confused why she's sitting with Jack Nicholson though.
And a little frightened.
Are they saying Bill Nye? Like, The Science Guy?
Oh, sorry. Bill Nighy.
Although he kind of looks like the Science Guy with those horn-rimmed glasses on.
Cameron, Cameron, Cameron. This is no way to try to show up your ex. You look haggard, my dear.
And your dress is horrid. Too much. It's all too much.
Dang. Alec Baldwin? Well, they say he's pretty funny on that show.
Blah blah. Well his speech certainly isn't very entertaining.
So meanwhile, here's some other people that I thought looked great: Drew Barrymore (very flattering dress; pretty pastel make-up), America Ferrara (ditto on the dress. And great color, too.), Eva Longoria (great dress), Emily Blunt (ditto), Jennifer Lopez (understated make-up, 60s-style hair)
WOW! Ugly Betty beat out The Office AND Weeds! That's pretty impressive.
And look how fab they all look!!
People who I do not think looked great: Beyonce (just, ick. She's got that plastic Barbie chest thing going on. And that dress was completely ridiculous.), Vanessa Williams (that horrible hair), Cate Blanchett (weird dress; looked good from the neck up though), Nicholette Sheridan (that looks like a Barbie doll dress)
How is that Iwo Jima movie a foreign language film? I'm confused.
And when did Clint Eastwood join the priesthood?
Oh nevermind. That's just his tie.
Heh. Prince was stuck in traffic.
How much does that suck to win a Golden Globe and miss it b/c you were stuck in traffic.
America Ferrera is so beautiful and amazing. And she's crying walking up to the stage. How sweet and charming is she??
....fastforwarding through the Warren Beaty tribute....
Adding a few more names to the not great list: Kate Winslet (and you know I have a same-sex crush on her. But her dress was too pale and her lipstick was too dark. Didn't like it.), Jennifer Love Hewitt (what is this weird big hair she's wearing these days?), Chloe Sevigny (WHAT were those shoes??), Patricia Arquette (please tell me you didn't pay someone to recommend that dress. Not your finest hour.)
Marty gets a win.
Think he'll finally get his Oscar?
Some more people who looked great: Everyone from Ugly Betty, Ali Larter (I'm not even sure who she is but her dress looked great. As did her hair. Is she dating that Milo kid now?)
Reese, why are you standing like you have to pee?
Sasha Baron Cohen. Go me.
Umm, he has an accent? Where is he from?
I've never seen him out of character. Any character.
Funny, funny stuff.
Gross, but funny.
Which is why I don't think I could sit through the movie.
Dream Girls
Feh. Gray's. I like it. I watch it. It's not the cream of the crop anymore.
Big Daddy just commented that Phillip Seymour Hoffman is "starting to look like Wilford Brimley."
Well this is pretty cool: Helen Mirren won one Globe for playing Elizabeth I and another one for playing Elizabeth II.
Oooh, big upset. Forrest Whitaker.
Looking like half the man he used to be.
I do want to see that movie.
Great speech.
I love when people get all emotional.
OK, I didn't PICK-pick Babel, but I'm taking credit for it anyway, since I did say I thought it might pull the upset, did I not??

Tomorrow: PHOTOS!

Posted by Kalisa at 10:16 PM | Permalink | Comments

If you're not tuned in to the second half of 24, you may want to see what sort of inappropriate fashion is going on at the Beverly Hilton.

My picks:

Best TV Drama Series
24
Big Love
Grey's Anatomy
Heroes
Lost
Even though I think 24 or Heroes has a better chance, I like Big Love by far.

Best Actress in a TV Drama
Patricia Arquette (Medium)
Edie Falco (The Sopranos)
Evangeline Lilly (Lost)
Ellen Pompeo (Grey's Anatomy)
Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)
I love Kyra on this show, and I'm not really even that into detective shows. I don't think Ellen Pompeo is even that good on Grey's.

Best Actor in a TV Drama
Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy)
Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
Hugh Laurie (House)
Bill Paxton (Big Love)
Kiefer Sutherland (24)
This has to be the most competitive category; they all deserve this award. But I have to go with my favorite, Greg House.

Best TV Comedy
Desperate Housewives
Entourage
The Office
Ugly Betty
Weeds
Oooh, another tough one. This was a toss-up between The Office and Weeds. Ugly Betty deserves some recognition as well, but I don't think it quite reaches the standards of Office & Weeds. Based strictly on comedy value, I'll have to go w/ Office. Even though Weeds is probably my favorite show on TV.

Best Actress in a TV Comedy
Marcia Cross (Desperate Housewives)
Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives)
America Ferrera (Ugly Betty)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine)
Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds)
I would love, love, love to see America take this one. She is so awesome as Ugly Betty. Plus, I just want the world to see how beautiful she really is w/out the wig and fake eyebrows.

Best Actor in a TV Comedy
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Zach Braff (Scrubs)
Steve Carell (The Office)
Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl)
Tony Shalhoub (Monk)
Although I understand Alec Baldwin is pretty good on 30 Rock, I've not seen that show. Still, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better weekly comedy performance than Steve Carell's. Excuse me one moment while I go to YouTube and try to find a clip of last year's speech.

Best TV Miniseries or Movie
Bleak House
Broken Trail
Elizabeth I
Mrs. Harris
Prime Suspect: The Final Act
Just throwing this one in to let you know that I ADORED Helen Mirren as Elizabeth I. Also, please notice that she's also the star of Prime Suspect. She is a goddess.

Best Supporting Actress in a TV Miniseries, Movie or Series
Emily Blunt (Gideon's Daughter)
Toni Collette (Tsunami: The Aftermath)
Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy)
Sarah Paulson (Studio 60)
Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds)
I didn't see the Tsunami movie, but I think Toni Collette is a pretty fabulous actress, so I imagine she was pretty great in it. Still, does it get any better than Weeds' Celia Hodes?

Best Supporting Actor in a TV Miniseries, Movie or Series
Thomas Haden Church (Broken Trail)
Jeremy Irons (Elizabeth I)
Justin Kirk (Weeds)
Masi Oka (Heroes)
Jeremy Piven (Entourage)
Even though everyone's drinking the Heroes Kool-aid, and you never stop hearing about Jeremy Piven on Entourage, Justin Kirk has created one of the greatest characters ever on TV on Weeds. I *heart* him.

Best Motion Picture - Drama
Babel
Bobby
The Departed
Little Children
The Queen
Disclaimer: I've not seen any of these movies. My pick is based entirely on the fact that there is so much buzz about The Departed. Still, I wouldn't be surprized to see Babel pull a Crash and come out a winner.

Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Drama
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
The Devil Wears Prada
Dreamgirls
Little Miss Sunshine
Thank You for Smoking
OK, first of all? Devil wasn't all THAT great of a movie. Meryl Streep was good, but the movie itself? Ehh. I'm going with Dreamgirls, because I think it's the kind of film that awards judges go for.

Best Director - Motion Picture
Clint Eastwood (Flags of Our Fathers)
Clint Eastwood (Letters from Iwo Jima)
Stephen Frears (The Queen)
Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel)
Martin Scorsese (The Departed)
They almost have to, don't you think? Plus, those are two DIFFERENT Eastwood films? Are you sure?

Actress - Motion Picture - Drama
Penélope Cruz (Volver)
Judi Dench (Notes on a Scandal)
Maggie Gyllenhaal (SherryBaby)
Helen Mirren (The Queen)
Kate Winslet (Little Children)
This is probably wishful thinking b/c all the buzz seems to be about Penelope Cruz.

Actress - Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Annette Bening (Running with Scissors)
Toni Collette (Little Miss Sunshine)
Beyoncé Knowles (Dreamgirls)
Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada)
Renée Zellweger (Miss Potter)
This is my way of saying "Anybody But Beyonce"

Actor - Motion Picture - Drama
Leonardo DiCaprio (Blood Diamond)
Leonardo DiCaprio (The Departed)
Peter O'Toole (Venus)
Will Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness)
Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland)
Just because it seems the obvious choice.

Actor - Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat)
Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest)
Aaron Eckhart (Thank You for Smoking)
Chiwetel Ejiofor (Kinky Boots)
Will Ferrell (Stranger than Fiction)
I think they might give him this one. Although personally, I thought Aaron Eckhart was pretty damn good in Thank You.

Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Adriana Barraza (Babel)
Cate Blanchett (Notes on a Scandal)
Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada)
Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)
Rinko Kikuchi (Babel)
I'm pretty sure there's your one sure thing. Although Emily Blunt may have been the very best thing about Devil.

Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Ben Affleck (Hollywoodland)
Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)
Jack Nicholson (The Departed)
Brad Pitt (Babel)
Mark Wahlberg (The Departed)
Does anyone else think it's weird to see so many leading men in the Supporting Actor category?

Leave your picks in the comments section. We'll be Live Blogging the Globes later, so come back this evening.

UPDATE: I will NOT be live-blogging the awards tonight because I totally forgot it was Monday (and not Sunday) b/c I did not have to work today - and I have somewhere to be this evening. But I will DVR the show.

Posted by Kalisa at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

So.

The baptismal service was held in the Relief Society room. On the wall was posted:
1. A laminated poster of a clown holding a big bunch of balloons, on each of which was written a Relief Society member's name with a birthday that month. It was obviously made for an elementary school classroom.
2. The Relief Society Declaration. I believe it was a creed dedicating themselves to supporting their men and baking their own bread.
3. This notice:

Relief Society Activity Thursday
6 p.m. - Pot Luck Appetizers
7 p.m. - Wheat Class and/or Temple Craft

Uhh...wheat class?

We were a little late getting started because my brother-in-law forget to bring a dry pair of Temple Underwear to the church. So after he baptized Mother he wouldn't be able to get dressed in dry clothes. My sister had to run back to mom's and pick up an extra pair. Because god forbid clothing that wasn't blessed by the Prophet should touch his genital areas.

The service itself included a capella singing of Primary songs by my 12-year-old niece, an opening prayer by my 10-year-old nephew, a talk on baptism by my sister and the complete dunking of my mother by my brother-in-law. Then one of the missionaries gave a talk on the Gift Of The Holy Ghost and several of the priesthood holders gathered around mother and laid their hands upon her wet head and bestowed upon her the Gift Of The Holy Ghost. And just like that, she's in like Flynn.

It's hard to tell the difference between the prayers and the talks in the Mormon church because they end everything with "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." It's very confusing for the newcomer because you're constantly asking yourself, "Wait, were we just praying?"

Afterwards, everyone (including at least 16 pairs of missionaries) came over to Mother's house for food and fellowship. The neighbors probably thought there'd been a funeral what with all the men in dark suits arriving. Inside, the church members would ask me, "So, you're Sister P.'s daughter?" And I would say, "Yes, I'm the one who lives here in town." even though I was thinking - as were the great Brothers and Sisters, I'm sure - "Yes, I'm the one who is NOT a church member."

Several clean-cut, 19-year-old boys (all of whom go by the first name "Elder") kept asking me, "Now, do you go to church somewhere?" Here I was in a skirt much, much too short to wear temple underwear with, and all they wanted to prey on was my SOUL.

At one point, my niece tried to proselytize me, saying that she highly recommended that I return to church as soon as possible, since someone (I'm not sure who she said - maybe her mother? Maybe herself?) would be going to do my Temple Work for me and then I would be baptized whether I liked it or not. Or something. I simply thumped her on the head in response.

Later, my nephew tried to goad me into a political discussion - this child who's been raised on US Army bases - by saying that of course Bush should have entered into a war in Iraq. What would you do if someone crashed a plane in YOUR backyard?? But I responded with a half-ass smile. And a thump on the head. I refuse to engage in a political discussion with a TEN-YEAR-OLD.

Posted by Kalisa at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments

My mother is being re-baptized into the Mormon church today.

It's like some really big deal. Our old family friends (from before I was born even) have come in from Salt Lake for the occasion. They made us late for dinner last night because they insisted on going to a "session" at the Memphis Temple while they were here. Which, hello? You live in Salt Lake City. There's like 40 Mormon Temples out there. What can you possibly need to go to this tiny little Memphis one for?

My sister and her family are driving in from Virginia. They're the only practicing Mormons left in our family (since my dad passed). My brother-in-law, being the only priesthood-holder in the family, is going to baptize my mom this afternoon.

Last night I met my mom and the Utah representation for dinner. Somehow the conversation took a turn towards my liberal political leanings. But I was able to keep in light and (hopefully) inoffensive. For the most part. I didn't whip out my photo of me and The President or anything.

After dinner, I came home and watched "BIG LOVE" on the DVR. I felt much better after that. Then I went to bed and had a dream that my sister is actually the SECOND wife of her priesthood-holding husband and they were secret polygomists. Heh.

I don't believe the reason I've been getting mail from the LDS church has anything to do w/ my mom joining up -- mainly b/c it's been addressed to my maiden name. If she had turned me in, she would've told them my married name at least. Still, I should maybe wear a "Hillary 2008" button when I go there today. Just to make sure I don't get any 19-year-old missionaries knocking on my door.

Posted by Kalisa at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

I don't know how I missed this really since it's happening right here in my own city and all. AND since I just had a conference call today with the wife of one of the moderators who probably could have gotten me some passes or something.

Luckily, freepress.net will be streaming live video of some of the sessions, so tune in to the web site and maybe you'll get to see Helen Thomas, Bill Moyers or Danny Glover talking about the de-democratization of cyberspace.

Read the Memphis Flyer story here.

Posted by Kalisa at 8:44 PM | Permalink | Comments

"It's like we're touring Willie Wonka's chocolate factory and dropping off one by one."

Posted by Kalisa at 8:15 PM | Permalink | Comments

Or, You know you're desperate for awards season when....

Queen looks....errm...like she spent more on hair extensions than she did on her dress.
That is one big ass rock on Eva Longoria's finger.
See does Halle have a baby bump.
Uhh, sorry Perez. No way. Not in that dress.
Just so you know, not everyone from Memphis talks like Emily Proctor.
Who puts this list together anyway? How can there be a Favorite Male Singer and JT's not even a nominee? Come on, three country singers??
Well you knew Jennifer Aniston was going to win that one. I feel a little sorry for her b/c it's like she wants to talk about the personal stuff, but she doesn't really want to mention it, so she just kind of hints around about it. Awkward.
Is it me, or is Johnny Depp developing a bit of a British accent?
Is it bad that I haven't even seen any of the nominees for Favorite Movie Comedy?
I'm probably not one to speak to this, but I just do not think Cameron Diaz looks good with dark hair. It doesn't look natural on her.
Prediction: Favorite Talk Show Host: Ellen DeGeneres
BING! I'm right.
Oh look, she's got those girls form her audience w/ her. (She told them if she went onstage she'd take them w/ her. )
Jason Ritter looks like Jim Carey to me. Don't you think that's weird? And highly improbable?
You can tell how much makeup these women are wearing b/c their face is one color and their decolletage is another.
I wonder if The People who voted for Cameron for Favorite Leading Lady would change their vote now that she & JT are broken up and she's no longer the chosen one.
Hmm...please notice the pink face and yellow chest.
This performance by the ex-Mr. Zellweger makes me wish I was watching this on the DVR so I could FAST FORWARD. Why does he always look like he's wearing long johns? Hey Kenny, Pa Ingalls called...he wants his shirt back!
Who is this loudmouth girl trying to get us to go to the website to vote? And why is she wearing so many necklaces?
Who's that girl Charlie Sheen kissed when his show won?
I must say, he's aging well for a hard-partying, sex addict drug user. Maybe he's had a little work done.
Prediction: Favorite Male TV Star: McDreamy
BING BING! Right again.
And for the record, me & Keiffer - same age. And did you see those huge deep crow's feet around his eyes in his clip?
Ya'll Halle is BARELY wearing that dress. I liked her better when her hair was short and she wore a bra.
And when she didn't solicit work from the studio audience.
Oh gawd. I could've gone all day without having to see the offspring of Achy Breaky Heart guy. Can't he afford to buy the girl braces?
Prediction: Favorite R&B Song: SexyBack
BING! BING! BING! That JT is one funny guy. He acted like he was winning for his Dick in a Box song.
Look, here's Keiffer live. Let's check out how he's aging for reals: Yikes. Crow's feet AND bags.
Eva Longoria is seriously the size of a 12-year-old.
Once again, I've not seen any of the nominees for Favorite New TV Comedy. Not really my year for comedies I guess.
It goes without saying on this show that you know in advance who the winners are b/c they're the ones who are actually at the show.
You know, I don't really get the appeal of Vince Vaughn. He looks like a zombie to me.

Annnd...we're out.

Posted by Kalisa at 6:31 PM | Permalink | Comments

That is one cute baby.

Posted by Kalisa at 4:09 PM | Permalink | Comments

Just to get you up to speed on where things are today:

August 1997 - June 2005
Worked in communications for national nonprofit organization. Left to run the PR department of a local ad agency.

June 2005 - January 2006
Ran the PR division of an ad agency. It was just me & one other girl (who was awesome). When we lost a big account, they laid off three people - an art director, the media director and me. Since then, another art director and the creative director have left. Maybe it wasn't such a great career move afterall.

January 2006 - present
A woman I used to work with (but never actually worked for) at Nonprofit calls me to offer me some freelance work. She opened her own PR firm about two-and-a-half years ago. I telecommute on a few accounts and run the PR for the DA's re-election campaign. (He won.)

August 2006
Nonprofit calls new firm. Woman who replaced me lasted about five months before she ran screaming from the building (and from the city). Nonprofit wants to contract with new firm to have me come back in and do my old job through the end of the year. New boss & I decide we've got them next to that proverbial rock and charge an ungodly hourly rate for our services. Heh. They set me up in their offices with a laptop, direct phone line and email account. It's almost like I work there again.

January 8, 2007
Friday was my last day working at the Nonprofit's offices. I'm still logging a few hours for them wrapping some things up, but I'm now working out of the PR firm's offices. While I was at Nonprofit, the Firm moved into a hip new loft space in the South Main district. It's very cool (Big Daddy & I are going to move down here when the Kid goes to college.) and I now have my own work space. And time to blog. Heh.

Posted by Kalisa at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments

Update sidebar.

Posted by Kalisa at 2:38 PM | Permalink | Comments

I got my hair cut over the holidays. Here are some photos:

OK, so yeah....that's not me. But that is my haircut. In fact, I took these exact photos to Grant the Amazing Hairdresser and said, "Give me bangs!" and now I have Annie's hair cut. The cool one from Devil. The one after she got hip. I figure if it's good enough for Runway magazine, it's good enough for me.

Labels: fashion and style, hair

Posted by Kalisa at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments

Whenever someone new starts working in this department, one of the managers sends out a little getting-to-know-you email with a photo and some fun facts! about the new person. I personally believe that you can tell a lot about a person by the answers they give on these initial surveys.

For instance, here is the email we received on a new girl today:

Hometown: West Palm Beach
Previous job: Universal Cheerleaders Association
Three words to describe yourself: Passionate, Energetic, Committed
Favorite hobby: Working Out
Last book that you read: Winning by Jack Welch
Pet peeve: Not trying your hardest
What motivates you? Success
What are you most proud of? My two children

I am not making any of this up. I know - if I had, it'd be HILARIOUS, right? Instead it's just sad. Sad, sad. Honey, you got the job already. You can knock off the rehearsed answers now.

Posted by Kalisa at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments