Happy Telethon!
Here's my annual Telethon check in. We're in Hour 5 on our rundown, but we're running so long, we should be in Hour 6. We're about 41 minutes over. I could explain it but I don't think most of you care. Put it this way, we'd have to drop an entire hour worth of programming to get back on time, and then we'd still be about a minute over. You can thank a lot of people for this overage - a couple of performers, hosts and Jerry Lewis himself.
I'm not staying up all night this year because of The Boo-Boo's. As soon as we start Hour 7 and the Universal Cheerleaders are done with their performance, I'm going to sleep and will be back at 8AM. Of course, I'll probably get that break around 1AM. Still, better than being up for 30 hours total at this stage of the game.
Here are some photos I promised to post of C with Jerry Lewis when she gave him her tzedakah (charity) money. She saves her money and for the second year in a row, decorates a jar and gives her tzedakah savings to "Jerry Lewlis" to help his kids. This year, she saved $36 and then hit up a few people in the production office so the total she gave to JL was $53.04. So here are a few photos from the moment when C (and her parents who had to do the talking since someone got shy) spoke with Mr. Lewlis.
Trying to escape from the clutches of a crazy man.
And driving Grandpa's little cart. And believe me, she was doing all the driving.
If you don't feel that you want to pledge to MDA, I understand. We all get hit up for a lot of worthy charities. But just be sure to give your kids an extra kiss and hug and be grateful that we're all blessed with beautiful, healthy children.
And enjoy the day off!
I've been tagged...
I've done this before but you can never know too many random things about me. So here goes... 6 more random things about me.
1 - This is my 19th year working on the MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon.
2 - I have A LOT of cleaning and purging to do before these babies arrive in December.
3 - I *swore* I would never drive a mini-van and it looks like I'm going to have to eat my words.
4 - I worked on the DNC in Los Angeles in 2000.
5 - I can barely balance my checkbook but I can get a live show off the air at the exact second. Apparently, I count in Base 6.
6 - I felt my first big, definite kicks today (during the "Big Brother" dress rehearsal)
And hey, something to share. So for those of you who love Sweetwater products, they have a new line out of totes, tees, invites, etc.
SweetwaterStreet - check it out. Anyway, as the launch, they're doing giveaways at their blog.
sweetwater.typepad.com. And I won today's giveaway. YAY for me! I won a tote back and I'll put C's name on it which she'll be very excited about. Just a little something to give me a smile. Kicks from the Boo-Boo's and I won something. Happy Thursday. Now, back to Vegas.
Viva Las Vegas
So on the theory that we don't get out much in Vegas, we've managed to have a few excursions. Sunday night we went to the ever yummy Burger Bar at Mandalay Place. I highly recommend this restaurant if you're ever in town. Personally, I always enjoy my Kobe beef burger with whatever I put on it. Unlike your typical Mc'ers or Islands burger, when you have "real" lean beef like Kobe, it fills you up but you don't feel all bloated and weighed down afterwards. YUM!
On Monday, we treked over to the MGM Grand to see the Lion Habitat. It's SO darn cool. They have this plexi enclosure where you can walk through and under and see the lions that are on display. Apparently, they have something like 21 females and around 18 male lions and they bring them to the hotel 2 at a time for 6 hour shifts. They don't mix males and females in the habitat because of potential aggression issues. When we were there, they did have a male and a female who were brother and sister. They were 2.5 years old. The male, Dude, weighs 556 pounds. His sister, Marina, weighs 293. They were quite active and it was so cool to see them just laying right above us. The plexi is so thick so they can't hear the public so they're not bothered by all these people watching them and snapping away photos. It's really a cool thing to see if you're in Vegas with or without kids.
Last night's activity, we went bowling. Here at the South Pointe Hotel, they have a bowling alley so after dinner, we all went. Yes, even the pregnant lady bowled. Yeah, that might not have been the smartest thing I could've done but I had a light ball and I can tell you, with the form I was portraying, I won't be on the PBA Tour any time soon either. Here are a few other pics. Don't know why my new camera is so grainy but here you go.
And a quick cuddle picture of me, C and The Boo-Boo's in bed last night.
Coming up next, photos of C with Jerry Lewis giving him her tzedakah money. The photos came out great.
Yeah, yeah yeah, I am alive
I know you people hate me. Those blog stalkers that still acknowledge my existance anyway. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? I am here and have been meaning to do a "real" post for about 2 weeks now but the hours are just getting away from me.
We're here in Viva Las Vegas for the MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon. Can you believe that this will be my 19th Telethon? Not sure I can comprehend that either but I've been doing them since 1990. So far, everything is pretty much running as expected. Changes, usual stupidity, hey, even a thunderstorm today. C is here with K and they seem to be getting along great and having fun. They went to The Shark Tank at Mandalay Bay today which C loves. I really need to call her friend M who lives here and schedule at least one playdate. I've gotten through most of my music this year which is pretty good for me. I tend to procrastinate and dork around. And of course, I'm not doing all 20 hours this year so my load is a little lighter. At 20 weeks, it wasn't really the smartest or most advisable for me to be up for 30 hours straight so I'm taking off the overnight to sleep. G directs from midnight to 8AM which bums me that I won't be there to see the terrific job he'll do, but the Boo-Boo's and their mom need their rest.
Jerry Lewis came into the office today and was rather quiet all things considered. C is working on decorating her Tzedakah jar to then give him her savings for the year. I think we're around $33 which is more than last year. She's very excited to see "Jerry Lewlis".
Okay, so the one thing I've been needing to post are some photos. One of C's babysitters offered to flat iron C's hair when she was hanging with C a few weeks ago. So she did and oh my gosh, C's hair, totally straight is down to her tush. It actually looks really pretty (although who knows if I could recreate that for her) but she doesn't look like the same kid.
Update on the Boo-Boo's. We had our 20 week ultrasound last week (at 19 weeks) and it all went swimmingly. We brought with us so she could see them in action. We all saw the heartbeats, hand, foot, profile with the mouth, the doctors was saying "there's the kidney and liver" (as if we know what that looks like in an U/S), the brain, no extra fluids anywhere, etc. He was "thrilled" at all that he could see on both of them at 19 weeks. He didn't expect to see so much so clearly. No, he didn't see any other body parts and we don't want him to look - for those that are wondering. But he said "thrilled" more than once so it's all going great. I'm definitely getting bigger as expected. I feel big but some people say I'm not that big considering I've got 2 in there. I've gained about 18 pounds which is a little under what it probably should be (by like 3-5 pounds - believe me, I'm trying). I might make up a little here in Vegas with 3 meals a day. I think I'm starting to feel movement. It's not like the flutters I felt with C. It's more like specifically located muscle movements. The doctor says they're already about 11 inches long and weigh about .75 pound each. So as they gain some weight, I expect I'll feel those kicks soon enough. I don't have the latest ultrasound pix with me to post but I go back to my OB next week where I know I'll get more.
Oh, and one more thing. A hug to my sister who had one of her doggies go to doggie heaven two days ago. Scruffy was an older dog and a bit ornary, but he lived a good life once A adopted him. Well loved and certainly well fed. Poor little guy. So just wanted to send her some big doggie love when she's feeling a little sad.
That's the update for now. Thanks for hanging in there with me, if you're still there to begin with.
Which Big Brother Houseguest are you?
Post Roast & the Boo-Boo's
Post Roast - not to be confused with pot roast. So as expected the "Comedy Central Roast to Bob Saget" was quite the "Full House" reunion. At what ended up being the "FH" table, Dave Coulier, Jodie Sweetin and Lori Laughlin all sat together as well as Jeff Franklin who was the creator and Executive Producer of the show. He was the one I worked directly for when the show first started back when it was Jeff, his assistant and me. The show was very funny and very raunchy so for those who think they're seeing Danny Tanner, think again. Bob Saget is one of the dirtiest comics out there and that was pretty much the theme for the night. It'll be be a funny show when it airs in two weeks but definitely not for the faint of heart or those under 18, even with all the bleeps. John Stamos is still dreamy.
We got buried with changes about an hour before the show started so I couldn't attempt to sneak out to the stage to possibly say hi to Dave Coulier or Jeff Franklin, assuming they remembered me. But I did figure out how to contact Dave and I sent him a message yesterday just to say hi, that I was working the Roast so the extended "FH" reunion included me, even peripherally. When I got on my computer today, he had immediately responded. Of course he remembered me, wished I could've come out to say hi and all of that. That was my warm fuzzy for the day. That was cool for me that Dave remembered me and I haven't seen him in about 14 years.
On to other news, we went to the doctor today for another checkup. I'm about 17.5 weeks at this point and the Boo-Boo's are doing great. Dr. C put the ultrasound thing on my belly and Baby A was moving around like crazy. G, who says he never can figure out what he's looking at in the ultrasound, clearly saw the head and spine. We moved the wand to show Baby B and that one was all active too. I still can't feel them yet but any time now I should start to feel something. They're moving right as expected so it's all good. I go for my 20 week structural ultrasound in 2 weeks (yeah about a week early but I'll be out of town). C is going to come for that one because she's been asking to see the Boo-Boo's so she'll finally get to see them move in person. She'll love that. And hopefully, I'll have better ultrasound pix to post then. The ones we took today are fairly non-descript.
That's the update. A good day, oh and my two day headache seemed to go away. So good all around. (Thinking of you today Wendy. We miss you)
Full House Reunion
I worked on the first season (and part of the second) of "Full House". Back in 1987 when I started on the show, I was the "low man" on the writer's assistant food chain, making the least amount of money ($450 for a 60 hour week, plus OT), and yet I was the main person they relied on. I was hired first, I set up the script system, and we worked like dogs. I was living at home at the time, worked, on average, 80 hours/7 days a week and while I loved working on the show, the hours had us fondly referring to the show as the "sitcom from hell". The hours were so crazy that I never had time to spend my paychecks (good) so I managed to literally put into savings every other paycheck (also good) Then the Writers Guild strike happened towards the end of that first season, and it only got nuttier. But overall, I had a great time and have very fond memories of my year and change on Stage 24 at the now Sony lot.
Flash forward to this weekend where I'm working on the "Comedy Central Roast to Bob Saget." It was somehow bizarre for me to see Bob Saget and John Stamos on the stage at the same time. I know Dave Coulier, Jodie Sweetin and Lori Laughlin will be here as well. I was friends with Dave back in the day. We had the hockey bond and even went to a Kings game together once and then worked together on "America's Funniest People" in the early 90's. John, I ran into at Costco once (remember this was back in the day) and shockingly knew who I was. Bob Saget, I worked with on a special about 10 years ago and after the show, when we were all at the bar, saw me and knew exactly who I was. Didn't remember my name (nor would I expect him to) but recognized me and the connection from 10 years earlier. That was cool. So it's just a little strange to see all these guys together and feel like I have a connection (granted in my own mind) to these people from 21 years ago. Isn't that crazy? I should've worn my "Full House" jacket today for old times sake.
And, for what it's worth, John Stamos looks WAY better now than he did 21 years ago. He's a guy who's aged quite beautifully IMO.
Local Excitement
Okay, not really something I want to remember but apparently there was a shooting in my neighborhood yesterday. Lovely.
I was heading home from work, driving up the main street when I get to the stop sign and, not only is the entire street blocked off with police officers, I see TV news trucks. We never have that kind of activity in my area. So I drive around thinking I'll get in from the other way and it's blocked off with police tape on that side too. I speak to one of the police officers explaining that I live on the side street right over there, I don't want to know what's going on but how long until I can get home. He says show your ID to the officer over there (at the police tape) and he'll let me in. So I drive over there and the officer explains to me that was a shooting at a house along Burbank Blvd. (not my street) and that it was a drug money "collection" situation obviously gone bad with one guy killed. In spite of what was reported on the 11PM news, it was not a random situation (according to the detective I was speaking to) and that the suspects went to that house specifically. Apparently this all happened at about 2:45P. By the time I got home around 7:45P, it was obviously all calm, although they were looking for any tossed weapons possibly in the alley but the other two guys were considered long gone. The detective, who was quite chatty, said his wife grew up in the neighborhood, he lives nearby and there's *never* any trouble in this area. After about 5 minutes of getting the lowdown, he let me through and I was glad to be home. And glad I have two big (although not the smartest) dogs who have a big bark. The bark is all I need.
And hey, these were the first two police officers I spoke to. (photo courtesy of the LA Times)
Anyway, it was the lead story on the 11P news on two out of the three networks and the 2nd story on the 3rd. Hey, big happenings in the 'hood. Hopefully, there won't be any more posts like this.
