Hair-itage and Memery

Hey - I'm still alive out here. I know, I've been absent. But, one of my most faithful and loyal and FANTASICALLY WONDERFUL blogger buddies tagged me a while ago, bringing me out of my blogging slump. So, a big THANK YOU to Kila, aka momto3cubs, for giving me an assignment and luring me out from under my rock. Love ya, babe.

Okay - here goes!

THE RULES

1.Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.
2.Go to the 6th Folder, then pick the 6th picture in that folder.
3.Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture.
4.Tag 6 other peoples that you know or don’t know to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them.Yeah, I'm gonna save you all some grief and NOT tag. You're welcome.

So, I did this, and had to laugh when I saw the photo...I received this quite a long time ago. In fact, those of you who have followed The Story will truly appreciate this. Back when I first discovered part of my heritage, I had an identity crisis. One of my blogger friends felt my pain and wanted to help me embrace my ethnicity, so she sent me this composite:
Can you guess the celebrity? Yeah - it made me feel better. And I feel HORRIBLY ROTTEN b/c I can't remember which of my blogger friends did this for me...and I'm running out of time to post, so I have no way to go back through archives and research. So, if it was YOU...many thanks! I remember how this picture lifted my spirits and made me identify less with the local illegal aliens.

AS a woman of "some" color...I am rediscovering my hair. I have kept it straight for so long, but it is naturally curly. I realize that the blessings of my heritage include hair that grows quickly, has fantastic body, and yet can be easily manipulated. So, which hair do you like best on your Tiggerlane? This is how I've been wearing it some lately - natural curl, with some gel thrown in. This was taken late, on my cell phone - not the best quality, but you get the idea: This is with a little bit of curl...a bit of body...and yeah, I took this last night after I had rubbed off most of my makeup. You're welcome. But you're supposed to be looking at the HAIR. And yeah, doesn't my nose look big here? Weird.
And this is how I've worn it over the last few years:
I've been having multiple-personality hair lately - wearing it all three ways several times in one week.

Think I should just keep changing it up?

Back from LA

So, I made it back from LA in one piece...though I'm not sure LA will be the same without me.

The worst part of the trip? The possibility of not getting out of Little Rock on time. We were all on the plane, ready to fly to Memphis, when the pilot mentioned a wee problem. Some light was on that shouldn't be on - a malfunction of sorts. We were already on the tarmac, so I figured someone could hit a button, get rid of the annoyance and we would be on our way. No such luck.

After idling for a while, we were sent back to the gate, b/c evidently this is a SPECIAL LIGHT that only the GROUND CREW can fix. Too bad they took away our hammers during the security screening, or I would have saved ground crew the trouble.

Those with connecting flights (yes, that's us) were told we might want to exit the aircraft. After dealing with a few people at the terminal who were NOT so gracious about rebooking our flight and/or getting us to LAX, I was about to lose it. Finally, we are back on the plane, with no way to make our connection from Memphis to LA. Can you believe that they couldn't even book a flight out of DFW to LAX? Not after 6PM? Yeah - they were just wielding their power. Luckily, the airline held our connection, since there were 14 of us they didn't want to buy hotels rooms for that night...and we made it to LAX, albeit a tad late.

It didn't matter to me at that point, b/c after our ordeal in Little Rock and we were FINALLY on a plane to LAX, I found some in flight therapy:

Yeah, that's four drinks. You know, the planes are LONG, and who knows when the flight attendant might be able to return with that magical cart of beverages? It could be an hour or more, and I was NOT going to run out of therapy.

One day, we made our way to Santa Monica Pier, and just HAPPENED to wander onto a movie set...and just HAPPENED to see Eddie Murphy:In all my trips to Southern California, I've NEVER been that close to a celebrity. I could have TOUCHED the man, if I had wanted to be escorted out of the area in handcuffs.

Oh, and yes, I got to hold hands with Matt Damon:And as an added bonus, I took a train from downtown LA to Laguna Beach to see my mom and dad on Father's Day:I'll have more to tell about my adventures in coming days...but now, I gotta catch up on work and REST!

Fun Monday Crushes

This was a TOUGH Fun Monday for me! Jo Beaufoix (who is rockin' a new web design - you GO, Girl!) wanted to know about our youthful celebrity crushes. Unlike most girls, my walls were NOT plastered with the hotties from Teen Beat, but with photos of hot cars. My dad and I used to go to car auctions on the weekends in the Houston Astrodome...and I fell in love with the automobile. So, my first REAL crush is a car. However, I did have to buy the albums of this cutie:Yes, Shaun Cassidy. Me and 1,000,000 other girls my age pined for him. Not the most talented singer, but can you imagine running your fingers thru that hair? Sigh.

Next, I had a crush on Tommy Shaw from Styx, mostly due to his photo in the inside of the "Paradise Theater" album (bottom left):I like his voice a lot, too - it was kinda lispy. Remember the song "Too Much Time on My Hands?" Or maybe you were a fan of "Renegade?" Well, my husband took me to a Styx concert in Fort Smith a few years ago...and I was shocked that Tommy now looks like this:Uh, yeah - he isn't a kid anymore? I was surprised, as I stood not ten feet from the man, that he had aged. NOT POSSIBLE! But, still a cool guy, who still rocks and sends people like me e-cards at Christmas.

My first REAL crush?The 1969 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Roadster Series. Yeah, baby. Something tells me it won't age a BIT!

Now go visit Jo and see the other participants!

Fun Monday Movie Quotations

You're almost ALWAYS guaranteed a post from me on Fun Monday - and this week's host is a relative newbie to our group, The IT Guy. New participants in this weekly tradition always bring new life to the game, and this week was no exception. He wanted five memorable lines from five different movies, tell who spoke them, and how we could have used them in our own lives. My all-time favorite movies? Easy - and the lines? Not so. But here goes!

From "Six Degrees of Separation," I love the line spoken by Ouisa Kittredge's character: "I am a collage of unaccounted for brush strokes. I am all random." I could have spoken this line to the many people I encountered during my last 3 years of college. It would have explained a lot and kept feelings from being bruised.

From "Gone With the Wind," the famous line of Scarlett's: "I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow." I tell myself this all the time - does that make me a procrastinator? Actually - I need to hear it more often, since it rarely works.

From "Parenthood," the wise (but daft at times) Grandma uttered these words of wisdom: "I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn't like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it." I need to repeat this to my husband, whenever he is frustrating by watching me juggle the full plates of my life.

And I couldn't pick just one line from "American Beauty." They both come from the ulikely character of Angela Hayes, played by Mena Suvari: "Everything that's meant to happen, does," and "I don't think that there's anything worse than being ordinary." Oddly enough, I would choose those quotes for The Offspring.

From "Titanic," as Rose spoke: "What? Do you think a first class girl can't drink?" I think I need to reserve this line for future use, don't you?

Now, go check out all the other participants lurking at the IT Guy's place!

Fun Monday Stardom

It's time for another Fun Monday assignment, and this week's hostess is Janet, from the Planet of Janet. She was curious about the movie trailer for our life story, and who we might choose to play in our feature film about our lives.

Given the recent discovery of my heritage, who better to play me than Penelope Cruz? However endearing her accent, she'd have to drop if for a CaliforniTexArkansan style - just to prove her acting chops. Of course, given the nature of my beginnings in this world as an abandoned baby, the movie would have to start off dark, and brooding, with the feeble cries of an infant echoing in a filthy gas station restroom. Destined for Hollywood GREATNESS! Of course, it would progress on to show my mistreatment in foster care, and resolve somewhat in the youth years as my adoptive parents molded me into a child prodigy. I think I would skip most of this stuff, since I lived thru a lot of this phase with buck-teeth.

Then the blur of college - which would basically show the true "formative" years of Tiggerlane. The time in my life when my eyes were opened, and I discovered more about myself than I thought possible.

Of course, a recurring theme of me struggling with my pursuit of perfection and my constant need to reach that "next" level of success must be included. After all, that is key to character development.

The birth of my only-known relative would be a plot crescendo, and then in later years? I would hope to be portrayed as such:A woman who is passionately committed to making the world a better place, without the passle of adopted kids, however.

Now go visit all the other participants lurking around Janet's Planet!

I Couldn't Resist

I know you're waiting for house photos, but I HAVE to post this. Several of you know I have a celebrity crush on Matt Damon, and kindly sent me this NSFW, naughty video that appeared on Jimmy Kimmel (please watch at your own discretion):

THEN, lo and behold, came Jimmy's response, complete with an all-star cast!

I think you'll agree, these are better than photos of my boring furniture, any day!

NaBloPoMo Day Fifteen - Where Swampy Makes Me Blush!

Wow...I am soooo honored, b/c Swampy is hosting a house-warming party for me and Julie from Another Chance Ranch! Julie and I are BOTH slugging thru the house-building process, so this fun little assignment is very welcome! THANK YOU, SWAMPWITCH!

Now, I'll bet Swampy will let you sign up a little late, if you must. This is almost like a Fun Monday assignment - only for FRIDAY! Here is Swampy's cute idea:

"On Friday, November 16, we are all going to post something that they would enjoy having in or around their new homes. Or, at least you think they might enjoy having it. Just pretend we are going to show up at JulieBug's and Tig's houses this Friday (November 16) with something for their new houses. Post whatever it is you would bring as a house-warming gift."

What ELSE makes me blush? And would be a good house-warming gift? People Magazine's 2007 Sexiest Man Alive. Just sayin'. I wonder if this will help me win the Battle of the Matts? Probably not. Sigh.

I Agree With Al

Sometimes, Tiggerlane just CAN'T keep her mouth shut about politics. I am forced to share this with you, because it shows a woman with a lot of class, going up against a woman who, IMHO, has very little. Ann Coulter makes a lot of money by being abrasive, hateful, and skinny. Whatever you feel about politics, please watch these clips, and let me know your thoughts:
Just another short tidbit, so you might understand more of what was referenced:

Surely you've heard the famous quote from Ann Coulter as such: "I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot.'" (You Grey's Anatomy fans will get that reference.)

As for Al Franken, he had a chapter in this book entitled "Ann Coulter; Nutcase," followed by another chapter entitled, "You Know Who I Don't Like? Ann Coulter."

For some reason, this song from the South Park movie is coming to mind, with a few name changes to identify the guilty. (WARNING, don't click if you are easily offended - but then, Coulter is somehow worse than the boys from South Park!)

Tagged, Because I'm the Slowest Runner

Many months ago, the lovely Desert Songbird tagged me in this post, and I got horribly busy and didn't respond in the time dictated by good blogger etiquette. Luckily, she is forgiving, so I'm just now completing my assignment. Better late than never!

It's been really hard to top my previous admissions of weirdness. However, the post is only supposed to be "five things about me that I haven't revealed in previous posts." If you know me, you know I'm the Queen of T.M.I. - making this assignment even more difficult. But, here goes:

1. I recently discovered that I tend to hold my breath while taking a shower. Most likely due to the fact that I had severe hydrophobia as a child, and still can't swim very well. I've been doing deep breathing in the shower now - so I'm not in danger of passing out and leaving a messy scene for Roger to explain to the authorities.

2. I took dance lessons all the way through college, and I still keep up with the latest moves. Wanna go clubbing?

3. I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue easily.

4. I can't stand the supercilious attitude of George W. Bush and his cronies. Seeing as I'll be in D.C. next week, it's probably not a good time to admit this - the FBI and CIA could nab me while I'm in town for making such an unpatriotic statement.

5. We have a collection of "If" books, which are books of questions - mostly fun in large party groups. The most challenging is Volume 3 - Questions in the Game of Love. These are VERY provocative queries, and I am selecting a tame answer and response, because some of my readers are a little sensitive. I was asked one time if I HAD to sleep with a celebrity of the same sex, who would I choose? There you see her, the lucky Miss Natalie Portman.

Not to change the subject, but WTF is going on with American Idol? Can anyone give me a rational explanation as to WHY this talentless child is still on the show? I enjoyed Idol last year, and had never watched before then - but if this year's idiocy continues, you can count this musician OUT.

Golden Globes - Tastefully Displayed!

I was pleased that this year's array of globes seemed well supported and well-covered, for the most part, unlike some of last year's droopers. And poor Prince! Stuck in traffic. That might teach him to show up a little earlier, unlike his usual "fashionably late" mode. At last year's American Idol competition, producers were unsure if he was going to be there at all - until he sauntered backstage only 30 seconds before his performance. At least Hugh Grant gave Prince his due. Wonder if he kicked Justin Timberlake's a$$ at the post-party for mocking him? Hey, Justin, GUESS WHO IS PLAYING THE SUPER BOWL this year? Huh? No more of that lame teenaged-boy-fumbling with a Jackson's boob and then acting all innocent later - the man who INVENTED sexy in the music world will show you how it's done!! Sexy never LEFT, little boy! But I digress.
I really thought most of the dresses were great - and Drew Barrymore propped the girls up, where they belong. However, Meryl Streep probably has more money in the bank than half the audience, and yet she chose to wear a burlap sack held together with twine? WTF? Gotta love Meryl, but she should have taken some lessons from Helen Mirren, who looked absolutely stunning. And, who made the decision to let Sacha Baron Cohen go on and on about his costar's wrinkly testicular globes (or as Tom Hanks reminded us all too often, balls = "artistic vision"), yet cut short the speech of the nameless guy who accepted the award for Dreamgirls?? Must be compensating for the ladies getting all modest about their own globes.

The worst dresses of the night were Beyonce's gold atrocity and Rinko Kikuchi's pink-balled disaster (keeping in the theme, perhaps). Seriously - this is a cute girl, with a tiny figure, and she chooses a dress that mimics a psychotic poodle owner's vision of the perfect Valentine doggie makeover? Puh-leez.

"Worst Display of Globes" award goes to Ali Larter of Heroes, who somehow made People.com's best dressed list. Prop them up, darlin', they are young and fresh and yet look old and tired in this dress:












Best Globes? Why, Salma Hayek, of course, seen here on the right of America Ferrera. You go, girl! Lest you think my criticisms are all out of jealousy, know that I only give these folks a hard time because they have all the money in the world to look absolutely FABULOUS. So when they make poor choices, they are fair game! Can't wait for the Oscars!

Blaine-Worthy Feat

Did you see David Blaine this week? Hottie in a bubble. Until you saw his gnarly hands. Too bad the stunt didn't pan out the way he wanted. He should have focused on the breath-holding attempt, instead of compromising his abilities by submerging himself for a week in water. You know how sleepy you get after you go swimming? Try it for seven days. No wonder he failed. I really enjoyed Blaine more when he performed amazing card tricks on the street, or pulled string out of his abdomen, or made someone's watch appear in a storefront window.
I found something yesterday to pacify you Blaine-addicts out there - a truly amazing feat! Stuff on my cat is a site I check out daily, b/c I enjoy seeing the arrogant feline subjected to a wee bit of humiliation. (Don't worry, no cats are harmed in the making of this site.) At any rate, someone please tell me how you can get a cat to hold still long enough to get THIS photo! Seriously, that takes talent. Toilet paper is THIN, folks.

I know, not as exciting as "cat in a bubble," but try to wrap a cat in toilet paper, and I'll promise you it's worth televising.

'Fess Up, Dearie - Past Your Prime?

I just cant imagine spending $1,000 per ticket to listen to Madonna Live . Honestly. Is it time for Madge to hang it up? Regardless of all the haters who say her butt is sagging (and judging from her latest CD cover, I just don't see it) - we listen for the music. And after listening to this clip, I have lost my desire to see or especially hear her live.

Incredibly sad, considering I've always been a fan. Granted, I grew up in the 80's (the "dark ages" of music, according to my 52-year old husband), so being a Madonna fan is not a huge confession. But I must admit, she doesn't sound that great live. I've had admiration for her willingness to be "out there" to make a buck, and she has a career that noone could sneeze at, but c'mon...the minimum ticket I could find was $370. Dontcha want some good singing to go with all that gyrating? I know some of the Madonna-faithful out there will chastise me for such disloyalty, but forgive me if I'd rather watch the American Idol group on tour.

Oscar Wrap-Up

Sigh...the last of the big award shows is over. What is a girl to do until football season begins again?

So, you know I can't pass up the opportunity to criticize some of the dresses, right? After all, even though this year's crop was one of the most fabulous and diva-stating ever, you KNOW there were flops. And I'm gonna point them out. (And btw, who was the genius who came up with POCKETS for formal gowns? I have to give them props for the strangest trend this year - yet the most useful!!)

Beautiful Charlize Theron. I have to give you credit for really getting nasty-looking in your last two films - that's what wins Oscars - but this is the night to SHINE, babe. Help Hollywood remember how gorgeous you really are! Don't hide half your face with a big, silly bow - then couple that with a dress that does NOTHING for your breasts!! Are you out of your mind? Or have you played so many ugly women lately that you just can't quite pull it together when need be?

Naomi Watts. Honey, we saw the big brutish Kong whip you around...but did you have a tussle at the Siegfried & Roy Ranch before the show? Seriously - this has to be the worst dress of the evening. I can't even see your waist, what with all that ratted material draped over it. Please don't tell me you paid good money to look so disheveled.

I won't even mention the atrocity on top of Helena Bonham Carter's head. I just pray that it wasn't her hair.
And once again, gotta love ya, Reese. But why did you wear a dress that weighs a ton? It was painful watching you lift it as you made your way up the steps to the podium - I honestly believe I saw you cringe with the effort. You are such a bright, light, funny little thing - and you chose to wear something that resembles curtains from the Titanic. I was waiting for the dress to pull you under the red carpet, drowning in a sea of fabric and beadery. My advice - try something fun next time. And light.

Lastly, what was up with all the montages? We could have cut those out, and saved an hour of show. Kudos for John Stewart for mentioning that! And I felt terribly sorry for Bobby Moresco, the OTHER winner of the original screenplay for "Crash." They shut out the lights and wouldn't even let him speak! Note to the Academy: cut the montages, and let the winners have their moment in the spotlight, uninterrupted.

Post Globes Observations

Ah...the Golden Globes did not disappoint!! Some of the dresses were FABU, including Kate Beckinsale, Natalie Portman, Kiera Knightley, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johannsson, Sarah Jessica Parker, and ALL the Housewives - every single one looked spectacular. Even a pregnant Gwyneth Paltrow looked wonderful. I'm still on the fence about Geena Davis. She's a seasoned actress, and has the courage to wear red head-to-toe. She's a big woman, but her guts to step out there in that ensemble score some points.

Now, Reese Witherspoon always looks great, IMHO; however, I have to give her bad marks for her dress. "Vintage Chanel?" Okay, I'll buy that. But she wore the same exact dress that Kirsten Dunst wore to the 2003 Golden Globes Focus Features party!!! The only thing worse is showing up at the same event in the same dress! Don't believe me? Well, here it is. Reese --- you have so much more class than the fugly Dunst. Shame on you. You should have done your homework. You do pull it off better than Kirsten - but two years does not vintage make.

Note to Drew Barrymore: wear a bra. Honey, you have nice large bazookas --- give them a little support.

Mariah Carey? Not one of my favorites. But HELLO?!? Side-boob AND armpit cleavage - all in the same dress! Not a flattering look.

And what with Mrs. Boobs? Pamela Anderson? They are a trademark! Wear them with pride! Bought and paid for! Don't hide them in a horrible-burial-shroud-black sheath. Please. It's one of the few reasons people look at you.

And Mrs. Johnny Depp SERIOUSLY needs to gain some weight.

No...I'm not jealous, thereby harping on the stars' clothes. I honestly believe that women with access to stylists, makeup artists, and the ability to afford ANY dress should certainly be expected to make good choices with those resources! So when they make bad ones, there really is no excuse for them.

As for the Housewives? Well, Felicity was the lone Globe-winner for her gender-bending role in a movie, and she looked anything but manly on this night. However, the show itself won --- notice anything familiar about this photo?
Yep - Ms. Sheridan is indeed holding the Globe again. Think they are intimidated by her? She did look smashing in her dress, and her date for the evening was a much-younger man. Kudos to her!

And, the poor Housewives lost the chance for an individual Globe to someone far more desperate. A housewife willing to do the unthinkable - sell marijuana! Mary-Louise Parker beat them all for her role on "Weeds." Maybe that will teach the Housewives to get a little more desperate next time!

Golden Globes - Pre Show Thoughts

Not a single football team I was rooting for won yesterday, so the only thing to do is move on to another favorite sporting event - AWARD SHOWS!!! Tonight it is Oscar-Lite, as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association gives us the Golden Globe Awards. Who will make an idiot out of themselves on the red carpet? Who will wear something more atrocious than Bjork? Who will get rip-roaring drunk and trip going up to the podium? Will Anna Nicole be there - and will she and Courtney Love have a contest to see who can be the most incoherent? I watch these things for the same reason I watch ice skating - the falls.

There aren't too many nominees I care much about. I think that has to do with the fact that I wait until many movies are out on DVD before I see them. Plus, this year we've got a gay cowboy movie (edgy! controversial!) and another musical life story (compelling! they do their own singing!), and well - it's almost a shoe-in as far as the winners. (Remember "Million Dollar Baby" and "Ray?") Not much suspense there. Hollywood loves that kinda stuff.

However, I DO watch the nominated show featuring these gals:
Funny thing - last year, the HFPA snubbed two of these ladies. The hottest one (Eva Longoria) and the bitchiest one (Nicolette Sheridan). This year, they've gone all out and only snubbed Nicolette. Notice who is holding the award in this photo from 2005? Nicolette. Maybe the others felt sorry for her. After all - she's not as prominently featured in the show, and the main purpose of her character seems to be aggravating the other housewives. Assuming they are all still getting along (who ever thought THAT would last?), I wonder - will the ladies let Nicolette hold the award if they win again this year? If one of the other four actresses wins an individual award, will we have one of those uncomfortable political speeches from the podium, denouncing the HFPA for discriminating against Nicolette?

And technically, only TWO of these ladies are housewives: Eva's character, Gabby; and Felicity's character, Lynette. Bree isn't technically a wife, since Rex's passing. Susan has always been an ex-wife. And then we're back to Nicolette's character, Edie, who has always been single. And Betty Applewhite (the new mysterious neighbor) doesn't have a husband that anyone knows about. So..."Desperate Women in Various Relationship Status'" might be a cumbersome, but much more accurate title!

More tomorrow - after the show! And don't worry, I'm still going to watch the playoffs next week. Just with less enthusiasm.