No, actually, I didn't know that Dolly Parton could play at least nine different instruments, without missing a beat for a solid two-and-a-half hour showcase.
Happy Birthday to ME!
Last night's Cedar Park Center concert, regardless of the tight seat rows and eleven dollar frozen corn syrup drinks, proved that age 65, Dolly isn't slowing down anytime soon.
Aside from the wonderful emotional turmoil she put me through, choosing to sing "Precious Memories" (a cappella) and "Coat of Many Colors" back-to-back, I honestly couldn't stop staring at her wonderfully petite knees and legs. She donned professional ballroom dancing six-inch tan-colored heels. In the middle of the second set to my humongous surprise, she busted right out in full shimmy, red sequins and fringe flying, covering the legendary Ike & Tina's "River Deep, Mountain High.''
Smokey Mountain anecdotes about her ''Mamma and Daddy'' allowed for some tear-shedding and reflection, followed by a quick preview of some of her upcoming releases on "Better Day'' and original soundtrack recordings for Warner Bros upcoming gospel comedy "Joyful Noise", which will feature a duet with Queen Latifah no doubt. Diva overload!
To wrap up the rhinestone-ladened evening, Dolly jokingly made no concessions in regards to Whitney Houston's enormously successful cover of Parton's Porter Wagner-days chart topper, "I Will Always Love You.'' The original proved to still reign supreme. She did, however, mention that she "loved Whitney Houston,'' for the record.
Dolly Performs ''Coat of Many Colors''
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Women's Flat Track Derby Assoc.
Time to pick this up again.
This Blogging thing.
Re-introducing myself here.
About 25 years ago when I was with my Dad at a drive-thru "slushee'-type place, because our favorite snoball stand was closed, I realized that I had to own one of those things. Little did I know that slushee place made adult-style slushees which i soon discovered at Mexican restaurants a few years later which fueled many more ideas! Including playing this thing called flat-track rollerderby. I am still playing, after giver-or-take 10 years of involvement, and I, too, own that snoball stand.
I love my little red trailer. My girlfriend and I launched in early 2010 and I am proud to say that we have become one of the trendiest and most popular sweets trailer eateries in East Austin. On any given day in the season, Miss Tre can make up a mad-delicious dill pickle and chile lime salt (with giant pickle hidden inside) treat, or a Nutter Butter with condensed milk. She is the true Ice Queen, for she operates and manages it daily while I work in graphic design at a sign shop up north, far, far away.
We work a lot. Too much in fact. One might call us both ''over-employed.'' True, in regards to time spent reporting elsewhere in order to earn money, but the monies pulled in are humble and honest. It is getting to be that time of year...the best time of year, in fact, October, to slow down and move onward. We are always looking for brighter avenues and serious challenges in our work, as we really do work extremely well together. I have met my match and my mate in all things.
"Killer Crouton" of the Rec-N-Rollerderby
Speaking of working together, I have to mention that I am so proud of my Rec-N-Rollerderby girls who braved ''New Girl Tryouts'' last night. Texas Rollergirls holds them but once a year, which makes for a night of bittersweet: sweet if you make the cut...bitter if you walk away without your number being called. Contests are strange, and are often reminiscent of job interviews. Your hole-filled resume might draw doubt but that ''winning personality'' might just sell the judges....or
vice versa.
Stay tuned for more October movie suggestions, Ice Queens news, rollerderby happenings and personal notes from Austin, TX.
31 Days of Double Features (Revisited + Updated)
October 1st
I want to post one of these a day for the rest of
the month in the event you'd like 62ish Halloween inspired/themed/seasonal
horror-interest film recommendations. In honor of the greatest month of
the year, I'd like to kick it off with:
THE BROOD (1979 David Cronenberg)
Seriously, mental institution experiments, faintly reminiscent of those in Robin Cook's Coma,
meet disgusting mutant-midget children that kill: what more do you
need? One of the grossest endings in a cheesy sci-fi/horror movie of all
time paired with a loose script yields big-time 70's Halloween fun.
Cronenberg
is a personal favorite. I love this movie. Maybe you missed it, so put
it on your Netflix...or is it Qwixter/Quickster? Kwixter? Actually, go
local and rent it from Vulcan Video or I <3 Video.
Awesome VHS cover.
CARRIE (1976 Brian De Palma)
Classic. Maybe I didn't remember how much
of a total jerk-fest a majority of this film was, but the first 5-6
minutes are chock-full of exploitative 70's shower scenes featuring some
of your favorite B-movie ladies including P.J. Soles (Halloween, Stripes), Amy Irving (The Fury, and Jessica Rabbit's singing voice), and Nancy Allen (Robocop). Robocop is one of the best films ever made, but I digress...
The
star of the film, Piper Laurie, gives an award-nominated performance
and scared the bejesus out of this evil-doer. John Travolta makes a
fledgling, lame-o appearance, which is appropriate for truly one of the
worst-written, yet acclaimed, horror films of all time.
I
guess I should mention that this movie is allegedly about telekinesis?
Poor Carrie. See, no one cares. She doesn't win whatsoever in the end.
Total spoiler, and double downer.
Reminds me of that quote in Donnie Darko regarding his take on his friends assessment of Smurfette...." It's so illogical...'':
ACT NOW and you can buy the "widescreen", low quality Carrie at Big Lots for three bucks! Do it, you elitist blu-ray bastards you!
October 2nd
Today is B-tastic. I should just forgo that statement, for the entire genre speaks that language.
Holy shit! Another teen summer camp movie and its sequel! Didn't see that coming!
A
poor little girl named Angela is sent to summer camp with her douche-y
little cousin where a series of nasty "accidents" befall several of the
campers and staff. This movie has a seriously awesome- hideous ending
surprise, and I won't give it away for those of you 80's kids that
were in a coma...it's hilarious. Everyone, bust out your merkins.
Its
sequel stars none-other than "The Boss's" sister, Pamela Springsteen, as little Angela all
growed-up. She was kinda hot, and possibly also totally mistaken for Joyce Heyser, much hotter star of Just One Of The Guys. Resemblance? Kinda?
I
can't mention too much more, but I'd consider this a "feel-good"
slasher movie. Kinda like Dexter, only the kids and counselors at Camp
Rolling Hills prooooobably don't deserve to be axed just because they're assholes.
Joyce Heyser
Pamela Springsteen
*Bonus Movie* if you're up later: THE BURNING (Tony Maylam 1981)
Tagline: "Gather around the campfire and DIE!"
Trivia: Holly Hunter's first film! Starring Jason Alexander, and written by a famous Weinstein.
October 3rd
I went ahead and skipped CHILD'S PLAY this go around because I know you'll probably watch
it on TBS on the next lazy Sunday, but I do need to mention: I love scary dolls!
DOLLS (Stuart Gordon. 1987)
Aside from this being one of the best VHS covers/movie posters in horror of all time, Dolls
is about a group of travelers land at a little old
man and woman's mansion...of course, where they make (killer) dolls. The
guy looks like he
came from Santa's workshop...unless of course Santa is about twelve
inches tall and
likes to kill people. Evil dolls are enjoyable, often pretty humorous.
Secret "twist" in the story line in the end is worth the Be nostalgic
and rent it! If you find it for sale, I'll take a copy, thanks :)
MAY (Lucky McKee 2002)
I love the characters in this film. May is a shy waif of a vet-tech who loves to sew and
initiate awkward situations and unbearable silence. It's desperately hard for her to make
friends outside of her one, true friend...the creepy little doll from
her childhood she has sitting in a glass case. Jeremy Sisto and lezbo
Anna Farris have great screen presence in this picture as supporting
characters.
Trivia: The lead character "May", played by Angela Bettis, is a Westlake High School alumna (circa
Looks like Scully...isn't Scully.
class of 1990). Type-cast in a 2002 televised remake of Carrie.
***Bonus Viewing: X-Files episode "Chinga" - Written by Stephen King***
A
Scully-heavy, off-the-conspiracy-path episode in which townspeople in
some northern city have clawed their own eyes out. Scully vacations
there, and obviously must get to the bottom of things. Enter, creepy
little girl with her goddamned creepy doll. Season 6 I believe....
October 4th
Did you know that Walt Disney Studios released two of the coolest scary movies of all time
that would end up haunting you as an adult? They did, and Bette Davis is in one of them!
Both are must-see's, if you can locate the DVDs.
WATCHER IN THE WOODS (John Hough 1980)
Bette is scary. Period.
I wore the VHS tape out by the time I entered sixth grade.
An
American family moves into an English cottage in the woods, owned and
managed by Bette Davis in one of the creepiest roles in her career,
which I realize doesn't mean much.
The two
daughters are somehow both blessed with psychic ability to sense
things, leading them to investigate a paranormal occurrence that
happened to Mrs. Aylwood's (Bette's character) daughter several years
before...seances...disappearances..I won't say anything else! A little trivia: One of the daughters is Kyle Richards, the little annoying Lindsey kid in Halloween and Escape to Witch Mountain...who is also currently featured on the ever-hideous reality show The Housewives of Beverly Hills.
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES (Jack Clayton 1983)
He has voodoo doll hands!
Maybe Jonathan Pryce's best character ever as mystical
circus ringleader, if you will. This cast is loaded with
Jason Robards, Diane Ladd, Royal Dano, and Pam Grier.
Two boys in a
little American town are mesmerized by Mr. Dark's backwards-spinning
carousel and sideshow wonders..that alter one's life forever. I love theme parks and thrill rides, but
I'm sorry, but if I ever saw a 50 mph backwards spinning carousel with
lightening shooting out of it, I'd get the fuck out.
Script and Book written by Ray Bradbury.
An interesting feature about these two films, being that they are both
made by Disney, is that there is no gore, serious violence, or
language, so hypothetically you can watch this with a 1-year- old and try to act
protective or manly.when you're secretly trembling.
I proudly rep now for a great company out of SoCal called Dolce Mia Designs. They make high-quality vintage/retro gifts, and all-natural soaps, and lotions. I will be placing these products within specific boutiques, lingerie, grocery, gift, and adult stores all over Texas, but namely Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas.
Please send my way any relevant retail referrals, hookups, etc. Do you have a friend who owns a boutique? Is a buyer for a store that sells gifts, stationery, kid stuff, or bath and body?
Wow, I have been away...or plugging away rather, at some business opportunities and personal health upgrades.
Let's see, since my last post in April I have:
Lost 35 pounds.
Decided to play roller derby again competitively.
Applied for 100 jobs with not much success until today.
Have written a twenty page business plan for my Sno-Ball and Sweets shop, appropriately called ICE QUEENS, which I hope to open in next Spring!
Have been appointed as the Texas Rollergirls Rec-N-Rollerderby Head Trainer.
Gotten in shape! Or, am soon on my way to a goal weight and fitness level that I've been desiring for many years now.
Received all available unemployment from the State, but recently was granted the federal extension, which is a lifesaver.
Made several wonderful friends and reignited old friendships.
I am truly grateful for what this odd year has given me, which has all-in-all turned out to be a good year. The best month of the year is finally here: October. It's already the 7th. Life is flashing by, at an alarming pace and I have perpetually been in a state of doing-everything-I-can-because-life-is-too-short mode, and do not intend to slow down. I cannot and will not, because it's true.
I miss writing and being creative as a daily habit, so perhaps this will suffice as my personal creative journal and news feed.
I have been beside myself since last Saturday the 28th.
I have finally met the woman of my dreams...since I was 5 years old.
Lily Tomlin had almost everything to do with the formation of my young to adult brain into understanding that indeed, I possessed the power to love women.
Her Paramount performance was wonderfully catered to the Austin audience. She paused for side stories, and even forgot some lines she was going to deliver. I laughed so hard that I did have real tears coming out of my eyes, but I know this to be true because the last time I saw Lily, I was 21 and cried like a little girl on the Ed Sullivan show watching the Beatles for the first time.
Lily is my biggest hero...of all time.
I have been in love with her during her and my different stages and coming-up-ness in my life,yet nothing is as powerful as her effect on me in The Incredible Shrinking Woman. I DID tell her I wished she could do something about the studios not (re)releasing the DVD to the public anytime soon, and how ridiculous that was. So she kindly just offered to send me a copy. ''Yeah no problem!'' *gasp*
I am stuck in this moment.
The hugs, the chit chat, the laughing, and the ease of gladly wanting to send me a copy of the most important movie of my life.
Lily's manager is Vivian Schneider, who is the reason I was able to have some semi-private time with her after the show. Vivian - I love you .
After all was said and done, I tied up my gratitude towards Vivian and Lily via email and immediately got a return response that said they'd be back in Texas soon and will have more time to relax and hang out!
I do not imagine that this moment will fade in memory anytime soon. I hope to see her again. I hope she doesn't retire before I can get my mom to see her with me one more time!
This was maybe the second greatest moment of my life.
