Blogging about Nora and her blogging-like style

Does Nora Ephron have a blog? Given her subtle mentions of distaste with technology in I Remember Nothing, I would guess that she does not. Which really is too bad, because I would eat that stuff up everyday.

25 Reasons why I love Oprah - Number 24: She loves her man

Reason 24: She loves her man

Oprah and Stedman have been together a long time. Especially in terms of show business relationship cycles. As busy and demanding as her job and lifestyle are (I'd imagine it's pretty hard to run a media empire) she's always valued her relationship. And he's a great man who has always supported her. Just like my Ryan. Best of all, they're a real life couple who laugh at and correct each other. I hope they have more opportunity to enjoy one another's company after the show wraps.

25 Reasons why I love Oprah - Number 25: She's a journalist

I've decided to create a countdown in honor of Oprah's exit at the end of the month. It would be literally impossible (logistically and emotionally) for me to encompass all that she is and what she has meant to me and millions of other viewers in a single post. With that said, I plan to post a small Oprah "aha moment" or tidbit each day leading up to the final show on May 25th. This is my tribute to the lady I've grown to know and admire, but wasn't able to ever physically see. I hope that fans and haters alike will browse through these posts and relish the experiences so many of us have shared through The Oprah Winfrey show over the past 25 years.



Reason 25: She's a journalist





I've always loved to write and learn new things. Though my career choice was undeniably influenced by Oprah's example I always imagined our common interest and ability in the field would bind us together. Yeah, I know, if that was the criteria it would also bind the two of us with two gazillion other wannabees. I'm different though. She had a radio job when she was 19, so did I. Our paths have been similar. Maybe one day they will cross. Until then, here's to the O.

25 Reasons why I love Oprah - Number 23: Nate Berkus

Reason 23: Nate Berkus



This post shouldn't need much explanation. Nate is adorable and uber talented. Yes, I wish that he could be my on call decorator and make every apartment (and one day house!) I live in a beautiful sanctuary, but we all know that's not gonna happen. What's better than having Nate at my fingertips is knowing that his appearances taught all of us how to make our homes more comfortable and reflective of our true selves in simple ways. He did more than decorate rooms. Like Oprah, Nate changed lives and managed to stay gorgeous through it all.

25 Reasons why I love Oprah - Number 21: "Everybody gets a car!"

Reason 21: "Everybody gets a car!"

I remember the premiere episode of season 19, the "Wildest dreams" season not only because it started with an instantly world renowned car give-a-way but because my little brother was in intensive care. Austin had just had steel rods placed in his back and was having a rough recovery. My parents were tired and worn, spending every moment at Austin's side and school had recently started for Jake and I. Regardless of what was going on in life, we were all worried.

I turned on Oprah that afternoon, like I had so many times before and since, not knowing how the show would touch me. I didn't mind that I wasn't one of the people that got to run from the studio out into the parking lot to claim their gift, I didn't want a car, I wanted to spread joy. While chaos ensued, when ever possible I looked for Oprah and literally saw the combination of joy and generosity radiate from her. If I was able I would share that kind of joy and excitement with anyone and everyone I could. In that moment I wanted to share that love, hope and generosity with my family who was in need of a supportive buoying spirit. Oprah taught me just what she intended to that day, that dreams do come true and that hope and generosity induced happiness still exists. I hope to one day be responsible for the generous impetus that begins a never-ending  joyful and thankful domino effect. 
(Feel free to stop the clip after once the rapping starts. Not everyone can be Will.i.am if you know what I mean.) 

25 Reasons why I love Oprah - Number 22: "Oprah's Big Give"

Reason 22: "Oprah's Big Give"

Remember this, anyone? Can we say, shades of OWN? We all should have noticed Oprah's extracurricular television activities with the debut of her own reality show, "Oprah's Big Give" in early 2008. It did what no other reality show has done, pitted people against one another in a competition to determine who could be the most generous of them all.

My favorite memory of the show is when a contestant bought out all the flowers a street vendor had and then handed them out to people as they were driving by. It still brings a smile to my heart. I plan to do that someday.
 
I think we could use more of that kind of insight in the world today. Which we can, through OWN, for now at least. "The Big Give" didn't garner great ratings and was canceled after just one season. I hope a similar fate doesn't await the network. So, give a little. If you have the channel please check it out and support the uplifting programming!

Five reasons why I love "Glee" and a special birthday wish...

Hey yo, I'm back. I know, I'm MIA for three weeks and now this is my second post this week, it's like I'm trying to show off or something. That or I got off work early and am house sitting for my parents and had nothing better to do. Your guess is as good as mine. Moving on, as promised I have a special countdown for you today.

I am not the first to write about this or even the one millionth, I'm rather behind the times on this subject. I've decided to share my feelings regardless of their timeliness due to the aura, the pervasive quality that surrounds this show and my initial stone cold denial and objection to it. It's not the best show out there. The acting is far from remarkable and the story lines lack complexity. Yet, the show as a whole is wholesome and reflective of real life on the level that everyone has their own weird quirks and we all make mistakes when our minds are clouded over by emotion and the stress of life happenings. Some are shallow and some are more complex and personal, forevermore these are the -

Five reasons I love

1. Celebration of Music 

I love music, pure and simple. Though I know there were days before I honed my auditory skills to notice any and every note played, it's difficult for me to recall those times because music has played such an immense role in my life. It sounds kind of cheesy for me to say that as someone who has never been able to read music, sing (except for dramatically in the car, alone) or play an instrument, though it hasn't been without want.  I even have a guitar that I would desperately love to learn to play to prove it. I guess my ignorance holds me back, though I don't plan to use that excuse forever. What I am trying to get at is this, this show is a realization of all my music dreams. Oh how I wish I would have been able to join a club where I could perform with no inhibitions. The show covers songs from different genres and decades, which relates to my taste from Sugarland and Jay-Z, to U2 and Bryan Adams. They don't allow music style to block the expression, they have a freedom to cover any song they want in any style or fashion they want and I love that. If Ryan ends up teaching at a middle or high school he will start a glee club, not necessarily of his own fruition, but because he will be tried of me begging him to offer the opportunity I didn't have, and may have been too cool to allow myself to have, to other kids. 

2. Nail polish line

The show has its own nail polish line! How cool is that? Not necessarily that cool, but since I quit getting my nails done almost two years ago I find myself excitable by nail decoration. I actually went to buy this at Sephora but couldn't find it, and as a self respecting 24 year old woman I didn't ask the attendant to help me find it. Maybe I'll order it online... 

3. Sue Sylvester

Oh Sue, where to start? Ryan recently asked me if I would be opposed to naming our first daughter Sue. We both despise the name. I think he's just dreaming of the fun he would have watching our child torment and push people around just because she see's them as subservient beings, and that's the way Sue sees it (if you are familiar with the show and did not laugh at that last line you are heartless and just might be related to Sue). Sue is drunk with power and even though she's ruthless to a level of harsh intensity, you just can't help but gawk and roll with laughter. She's the awesome rebel we all wish we could be some days and yet underneath her rough exterior is a person that wants to see everyone be happy and succeed. She just wants to take the credit for the whole thing.

4. Mash Ups

I have no idea why I never thought about the concept of combining to songs together before. It's a great way to juxtapose situations or moods, as in the video above, where the "Glee" girls mash Beyonce's sultry and resonant "Halo" with a long favorite of mine KC and The Sunshine Band's "Walking on Sunshine". Two songs about love and how the emotion and experience makes them feel, recorded decades apart, put together to form a hopping and feel good tune. Ryan and I have loosely tried our hand at a mash up of Taylor Swift's "Love Story" starting at the point when she's not sure if he's going to come back for her, our version doesn't have him coming back to propose. So instead of wallowing in what might have been we turn to Cee Lo Green's "Forget You". We'll keep working on it, watch out YouTube. And speaking of Taylor (lovely transition, right?) she's actually picked up on the mash up trend as well (probably something she picked up while she was spending time with Cory Monteith but not dating him, and definitely not writing "Mine" about him...). Remember her American Music Awards performance? If not, here it is...

5. Artie 

Last, but certainly not least, I love "Glee" because of Artie. It's not even the wheelchair that rouses memories of my bright and funny green-eyed baby brother, but those stand out glasses and his sweet personality that can turn feisty without a moments notice. I know, had this show been around before, Austin and I would have spent many hours laughing and singing. 

Having said all this, I understand the urge to fight against the bandwagon mentality. Believe me, I've been there. I heard the rants and the raves of "Glee" and wasn't interested. I actually began to loathe the show when it started winning awards that rightfully belonged to my staple television show, "30 Rock". All of this happened long before I finally settled in to try it. And although I won't be the fan that tweets about how they can't wait for the next season to start the night after the season finale, I will continue to watch and sing within the confines of my living room. 

Today is a very special day and in honor of my music dedicated post, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share a treasured memory with you. I don't remember the first day it started, but I can recall singing "Don't Worry, Be Happy" with my mom on the way to day care everyday when I was three or four. Ever since, the melody of that song and the words of the chorus has bonded us, only her and I in a special way. Thanks for those memories, mom and for your undying encouragement and support. Here's to us! Happy Birthday.