Jimmy Kimmel is a funny, funny man!

So, I don't watch the Jimmy Kimmel show because I'm usually asleep at that time of night. However, you must live under a rock if you haven't seen or even heard the the following. The first one is hysterical, the second one.....I peed! Watch in order and enjoy!!

PARENTAL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CLIPS.


PART ONE





PART TWO

Relaxing Weeked........

I was off early on Friday due to the snow that blanketed the tri-state area. It was beautiful, but a bitch to drive in so kudos to the boss for letting me go home early! Craig had to work Friday night so it was me & Serena (I added a picture of her majesty) vegging and relaxing. After I prepared homemade salsa - complete with green chili peppers and cilantro (more on that later) I sat down and enjoyed the movie "Much Ado About Nothing." I'm not a huge Shakespeare fan, but this movie, with that talented cast was a perfect ending to a quiet night.

Saturday morning we slept in which was nice for a change. Then I was up to work in the kitchen. Work isn't really a fair word since I enjoy cooking so much. We were invited to a freind's house with other couples and making food for the party is my specialty! To go with the homemade salsa I made homemade tortilla chips complete with lime and taco seasoning - they were delicious! Then it was on to the asparagus wrapped in phyllo dough - a Paula Deen recipe I had been dying to try out! Again - magnificent!! Last but not least - and I thank my friend Russ for the idea from the Superbowl party I had when I lived in Florida - open faced mini rueben sandwiches complete with sauerkraut and homemade thousand island dressing and mini open faced roastbeef sandwiches with sauteed onions, rosemary, mozzarella cheese and homemade garlic mayonaise. They were a hit!! It's nice to prepare food for other people besides myself and the husband who is a picky eater!! We went to said party, had drinks, laughs, and played Singstar & Rockband! It was a fun night!!

Sunday, again, very relaxing. We went to church, met up with some friends and had breakfast afterwards. Then we went to Bed Bath & Beyond, purchased two things from our neverending registry, and went home. Between napping, the Academy Awards Red Carpet Show & Cycle 6 of America's Next Top Model - it was a great night! Dinner consisted of gnocchi with marinara and mozzarella cheese sauce, peas and green beans! It was truly a yummy and relaxing weekend! We needed it because the next few are going to be stressful & bumpy!!!

The Perfect Dinner

So Craig and I went to Charlie Brown's Steakhouse for our Valentine's Day Dinner. We had made reservations for 5:30 - which was perfect for us because we wanted to get home in time to watch LOST. When we were seated, we were probably one of the youngest, if not the youngest couples in the restaurant. I felt like I was in Florida again with the "early bird specials" sitting around us with their white, and blue hair and their glasses of lemon-water. Honestly, it didn't really matter because we were sitting down to what was going to be a nice dinner and shared some "Lani & Craig Time."

Charlie Brown's is a Steakhouse as I mentioned before, so I was ready to devour some prime rib - however the sight of Lobster Tail & Prime Rib caught my eye and I was sucked in! I haven't had lobster in ages and I was really looking forward to it. I'd like to mention that I only order lobster tail from Library IV Restaurant in Williamstown, so I was somewhat skeptical. Often times, lobster tail is cooked too long and gets a rubbery texture to it - but knowing that I had the prime rib coming as well eased me somewhat - so I figured......why not? I ordered my mini-feast with a side of garlic green beans - prime rib medium-rare please!

While waiting for our main course, I had ordered a "Blue Mojito" which is basically a mojito with Blue Pucker in it - YUM-O! It was awesome!! I then made my way over to the salad bar - which, again, was amazing! Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, red cabbage, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, some croutons & hard boiled egg with an herbed vinagrette - It was great!!!

Our main course arrived and I was pleasantly suprised!! The lobster tickled my tastebuds and was so sweet and tender!! The prime rib was cooked perfectly and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire meal! It was complete with a piece of cappucino ice cream cake with oreo crust.....YUM! My tummy was full, I spent quality time with the hubby, and we were home in time to watch LOST. We exchanged our "gifts" the night before. I gave Craig a Phillies Scoreboard Wall Clock and he got me a Shane Victorino Bobble Figurine. I think this is the first Valentine's Day that I actually enjoyed!!!

Happy Pitchers & Catchers Day!!

Ok, I know that February 14th is usually a day celebrated of love, companionship, hearts, flowers & candy. As nice and romantic as it all is, Valentine's Day this year has a different meaning to me - it's the first day of full workouts for the Pitchers & Catchers of the Philadelphia Phillies and the "official start" of Spring Training!!! WOO HOO!

The countdown has begun, and tickets are purchased for my husband and I to enjoy some games at Brighthouse Networks Field in Clearwater, FL. Our plane leaves the frozen tundra of the north (aka Philadelphia) on March 14th and we will return March 23rd. I can't wait to sit by the tiki bar in outfield on St. Patrick's Day with my beer in one hand and sign in the other. (Yes, I will have a sign and it will say "Happy SHANE Patrick's Day!" - Shane Victorino's middle name is Patrick - how fitting!!??) The sunshine state is calling and I can hear the faint chants of "Phillies, Phillies!" and, of course, "MVP!" I am getting "Goosebumps" just thinking about it!

We have even ordered our official Phillies Jerseys to wear in support of the Fightin' Phils! Shane Victorino for me, of course, and Chase Utley for the hubby! Our guys are healthy (knock on wood) and we're ready to fight our way to the World Series! I find it quite fitting the Phillies colors are scarlet on such a day as today!! Happy Pitchers & Catchers Day!

Whistling Down the Wind and Blocking

Last evening I went to the Merriam Theatre in Philly to see Whistle Down the Wind, a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. I absolutely LOVE the music from this show, although it really didn't make it when it debuted in Washington DC in 1996. After last night, I fully understand why.

I am NOT a "directing connoisseur" by any means, however, I've learned alot about blocking and direction through my many experiences on stage. For those of you who do not know what I mean by blocking here's a fun meaning: The art of moving actors on the stage in such a manner as not to collide with the walls, the furniture, the orchestra pit or each other. Basically your movement thoughout the show! Well, there was basically NONE! The show had such a lack of movement that it made everything uninteresting. It's a shame because the set, lighting, costumes, and voices were OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! I'm not knocking the show, I just felt so uninterested due to the lack of movement and emotion.

Swallow, the lead female, was basically dead pan the entire show. She had an amazing voice! The story is one of an emotional roller coaster dealing with the loss of a loved one, to finding love and hope, being scared and brave, having faith; all of which if it were real - would show a ton of emotion and physicality. There were about 15 children in the show who acted like zombies. I'm sorry, but eveyone knows that children do not sit still. It's as if the director didn't spend any time with them teaching character development - and this was the National Tour!

The Man - who is a "Jesus-like" character had the most amazing voice I've heard in a VERY long time. I'd say he, Candy, and Frank (I'll get to that point in a minute) were the only ones who had any physical aspect to them. What a shame! This show could have been absolutely fantastic!

Now back to Frank.......a long time ago, back in 2000, I believe, I auditioned for my first show Oklahoma! I was a lost, young 20 year old who had no idea what I was doing on stage - and they cast me as the lead, Lauri. The only thing I had going for me was my voice. My Curly, played by Tom Rainey, helped me tremendously in getting through the show, and I learned so much from him in terms of acting. So, I'm watching the show and Frank is on stage - I do a double take! Low and behold, after all those year, it's Tom! He's still an amazing and inspiring actor and it was nice to see him again and catch up after the show.

My thanks to Tom, for helping my first theatrical experience become something that I truly love, and will continue to do as long as I can.

Special thanks to all the directors I've had who taught character development, painted the picture on stage, and blocked shows that were absolutely amazing! It's directors like YOU, who should be getting the big bucks!!!

My Superbowl Review

Well, the Pats choked!! I can't actually say they choked, but they sure as hell got caught with their pants down. I love it when cocky, undefeated teams are beat by the underdog. It makes the little guy feel a bit more appreciated! I was pulling for the Giants all along. Why? I am an Eagles fan, isn't that blasphemous? It is, but NOT in this situation.

1. I am still bitter about the Pats beating the Eagles in the Superbowl a few years back in Jacksonville. GO GIANTS!
2. Perfect Season my Ass! Let's tarnish that by winning the big game. Again, GO GIANTS!
3. Eli Manning getting MVP and winning the Superbowl the year after his brother, Peyton Manning got MVP and also won the Superbowl. PRETTY COOL in my eyes!
4. Plaxico Burress - I like his name! It's funny and it sounds like the name of a gas station.
5. After last week's game, the Giants Head coach NEEDED this win, just like he needed to have his face protected against the elements last week. It was worth the frost bite! GOOD FOR HIM!

I am sure there are several other meaningless reasons why I was routing for the Giants, so YAY for them!

Tom Petty was pretty good! Wish he would have sung "Last Dance with Mary Jane," but I seem to be the only person who loves that song......oh well! At least there were no wardrobe malfunctions!!

Now for the Superbowl disappointment.....
I like to consider myself somewhat of a "Commercial Connseiur." I am a freak like that and have always enjoyed commercials since I can remember. I can honestly watch a commercial once and re-enact or sing along with it the next time it comes on. Drives the hubby nuts, but he still loves me! The Superbowl commercials this year absolutely SUCKED! They were awful. I can say maybe one or two were funny, but mainly because Will Ferrell was in one of them and he's just funny no matter what the situation is. Knowing how much these companies paid for said commercials, I was highly disappointed!

Thank God Eli Manning scrambled himself out of an almost sack and won the game with 35 seconds left! Without that, we would have been completely bored! What a game!

Now - can we focus on the best sport ever.....BASEBALL!!!!

It's Raining......but it's a good day!!

It's raining like crazy today. They're even saying we're going to get some rare January thunderstorms. I think it's cool because I love storms, but not so cool to drive with a TON of traffic. Thank God this is the last Friday I'll be trekking down to Williamstown for Seussical. It's closing weekend, so hopefully the rain won't keep the patrons away!!

LOST Season 4 premiered last night. All I have to say is that JJ Abrams is the MAN! It was worth waiting since May 2006, and even with the crazy writer's strike, this season is going to be one worth watching. I bought a LOST t-shirt earlier this week, and wore it with pride last night to our friend's house for our LOST party. We kicked it off by playing a bit of Rockband before it started. Forget singing, I was destined to be a drummer! Then we ordered dinner, and watched the second half of Season 3 Finale before the Season 4 premiere. AMAZING!! If you don't watch it - you should. I've never been so fanatical about a TV show before. I even went to www.find815.com and went through 90% of the website/games before last night's episode. Can you say DORK?

In other news - we're gearing up for the Superbowl! I will be making 2 pepperoni strombolis, 1 steak & cheese stromboli and 1 broccoli & cheese stromboli. YUM-O! We'll be heading down to our friend's home in Woodbury (Kerri & Mike Flynn) for the festivities. It's sure to be fun, and I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing day!!

It's raining, but it's definitely a good day!!