Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Is The Bachelor going to the dogs?
Is this freaky, or what? Yesterday I blogged about Alison Pace and her new novel Pug Hill. Today I find out that the next Bachelor has been announced for the ninth edition next Fall -- and he has his own company selling high end grooming products for dogs!
According to the ABC press release, the new Bachelor, Prince Lorenzo Borghese, is "a handsome 33-year-old cosmetics entrepreneur" who is grandson to Princess Marcella Borghese of the Princess Marcella Borghese Cosmetics Line. Cosmetics, I repeat, FOR DOGS.
This time the show is going to be set in Rome.
In his words: "I followed my ancestor's tradition of formulating the finest natural products in the world when I created Royal Treatment's bath and body line. However, this skin care line is for pets, not people! I created this line out of necessity as I came up empty-handed when searching for effective safe products to use on Belle, my eleven-year-old black lab as the products I used simply didn't work. They left her skin dry and itchy, her coat became dull and I had to wash her constantly because, well because....she smelled like a dog."
A man whose mission in life is to get dogs to not smell like dogs. Hmmm.... the next batch of women on the show better use their deodorant or, well, I'd have to say they will be barking up the wrong tree.
Prince Lorenzo Borghese
The Bachelor
dogs
According to the ABC press release, the new Bachelor, Prince Lorenzo Borghese, is "a handsome 33-year-old cosmetics entrepreneur" who is grandson to Princess Marcella Borghese of the Princess Marcella Borghese Cosmetics Line. Cosmetics, I repeat, FOR DOGS.
This time the show is going to be set in Rome.
In his words: "I followed my ancestor's tradition of formulating the finest natural products in the world when I created Royal Treatment's bath and body line. However, this skin care line is for pets, not people! I created this line out of necessity as I came up empty-handed when searching for effective safe products to use on Belle, my eleven-year-old black lab as the products I used simply didn't work. They left her skin dry and itchy, her coat became dull and I had to wash her constantly because, well because....she smelled like a dog."
A man whose mission in life is to get dogs to not smell like dogs. Hmmm.... the next batch of women on the show better use their deodorant or, well, I'd have to say they will be barking up the wrong tree.
Prince Lorenzo Borghese
The Bachelor
dogs
Monday, May 15, 2006
Alison Pace is a fan of Grey's Anatomy and Pugs
Alison Pace is the author of the novels IF ANDY WARHOL HAD A GIRLFRIEND and PUG HILL. She doesn't actually own a pug, but she has had twelve dogs over her lifetime, including: a St. Bernard, an English mastiff, a Scottish terrier, a Corgi, and three Chinese shar-peis.
I did have a dachshund when I was, like, ten, and have never quite gotten over my parents making me give it away because my brother was allergic. Now that I'm old enough to get my own dog (and I do love dogs) I still can't have one because my husband is against the idea of having a dog in a city apartment. One day, though, when I'm old and gray, I will get a dog. I will get a dog, and I will watch all the TV I want, and no one will be able to stop me.
To be honest, I'm not completely sure how pugs enter into Alison's novel -- we will need to read it to find out! But I'm quite intrigued by the main character, who works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and has a fear of public speaking. When she finds out she has to make a speech at her parents' fortieth wedding anniversary party, she signs up for a public speaking class. But will it work?
Isn't it so much easier just to avoid all public appearances, stay home and watch TV? I asked Alison about her television watching proclivities...
Are you a TV watcher?
I am, yes. Less so than I used to be, but
that's more because nothing good is ever on and less because I've taken
up more intellectual pursuits.
What's your favorite show ever?
Ever? Oh, I don't know about ever, but right now it's Grey's Anatomy. I was quite fond of Beverly Hills
90210 in my youth.
What TV character (past or present) do you identify with most?
Pam on
The Office
Does your main character watch any TV in the novel?
Yes, she watches a
recording of a Zoloft commercial.
Check out Alison's website and blog. Oh, man, now I just realized what I should've asked Alison. What's your favorite dog in television history? Alison?
dogs
chicklit
I did have a dachshund when I was, like, ten, and have never quite gotten over my parents making me give it away because my brother was allergic. Now that I'm old enough to get my own dog (and I do love dogs) I still can't have one because my husband is against the idea of having a dog in a city apartment. One day, though, when I'm old and gray, I will get a dog. I will get a dog, and I will watch all the TV I want, and no one will be able to stop me.
To be honest, I'm not completely sure how pugs enter into Alison's novel -- we will need to read it to find out! But I'm quite intrigued by the main character, who works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and has a fear of public speaking. When she finds out she has to make a speech at her parents' fortieth wedding anniversary party, she signs up for a public speaking class. But will it work?
Isn't it so much easier just to avoid all public appearances, stay home and watch TV? I asked Alison about her television watching proclivities...
Are you a TV watcher?
I am, yes. Less so than I used to be, but
that's more because nothing good is ever on and less because I've taken
up more intellectual pursuits.
What's your favorite show ever?
Ever? Oh, I don't know about ever, but right now it's Grey's Anatomy. I was quite fond of Beverly Hills
90210 in my youth.
What TV character (past or present) do you identify with most?
Pam on
The Office
Does your main character watch any TV in the novel?
Yes, she watches a
recording of a Zoloft commercial.
Check out Alison's website and blog. Oh, man, now I just realized what I should've asked Alison. What's your favorite dog in television history? Alison?
dogs
chicklit
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
David Blaine's Real Triumph
Because he was just a couple blocks from where I live and work, I went to check on David Blaine a few times last week. I saw him sleeping at the bottom of his bubble. Talking through the glass to fans who lined up to have their pictures taken with him. Handing his bag of pee to one of his helpers. I appreciated his suffering -- both for the entertainment value of seeing if he would die while on display, and also because he made me feel happy everytime I could dwell on the fact that I was not in a bubble of water. Though did anyone actually check to see if he was in there from 3:00 AM to 6:00 AM when the rest of us were sleeping? Okay, I know, I know, he had people there, medical supervision etc...
So I saw him on TV, tolerating endless commercial breaks and annoying magic tricks (can I see a rerun of him taking the teeth out of that girl's mouth?)so I could see him holding his breath at the end -- on the edge of my seat to see if disaster would happen. The final stunt was disappointing, yes. He did not break the record, and he didn't even die a shocking death. But let me just say he did not fail. Because he succeeded in doing something that no one has even acknowledged. David Blaine went all week without watching TV. Well done, David.
David Blaine
So I saw him on TV, tolerating endless commercial breaks and annoying magic tricks (can I see a rerun of him taking the teeth out of that girl's mouth?)so I could see him holding his breath at the end -- on the edge of my seat to see if disaster would happen. The final stunt was disappointing, yes. He did not break the record, and he didn't even die a shocking death. But let me just say he did not fail. Because he succeeded in doing something that no one has even acknowledged. David Blaine went all week without watching TV. Well done, David.
David Blaine
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Don't be a Supermom -- find time to watch SVU
Alana Morales wrote a non-fiction book called Domestically Challenged. It's for Stay at Home Moms who want to get over the myth of needing to be the Super Mom. Considering my daughter is now telling me that when she has kids she's going to discipline them much more than I did (can you believe it?), I'm all for saying "no" to the Super Mom thing. Especially when it comes time to insist that I get dibs on the TV.
Alana writes on how to deal with the emotional aspects of being a mom, including boredom (watch TV while relating to child -- that's my advice, not hers) and every mom's favorite - guilt. (Should I be more strict? Maybe I should tell them they can't watch TV until homework is done. That will I can watch what I want... I mean, that means they will have a more meaningful educational experience.)
She also encourages moms to find time for themselves. I can honestly say that this is one aspect of mothering at which I have succeeded.
I asked Alana about her television viewing habits.
Are you a TV watcher?
Not very much, I don't have a lot of time to watch.
What's your favorite show ever?
This is a tough one. I would have to say LOST. There are a lot of shows I loved to watch that are older (Mad About You, Sex and the City) but when they added a kid to the show, it went downhill. I also love SVU - this is the other show I make time for.
When I was younger I loved the A Team, Knight Rider and Dukes of Hazzard.
What TV character (past or present) do you identify with most?
Bonnie from Life with Bonnie. I don't think the show was on long, and I didn't watch it often, but I remember thinking - Oh, that's what I would say/do.
Does your main character watch any TV in the novel?
N/A - though many SAHM's watch a lot of cartoons, many of which would be considered a form of torture in the right situation. :)
Alana, I might add, is a co-host on Mom Writer's Talk Radio. Very cool! We might even excuse her for "not having time for TV."
stay at home mom
moms
mom
Alana writes on how to deal with the emotional aspects of being a mom, including boredom (watch TV while relating to child -- that's my advice, not hers) and every mom's favorite - guilt. (Should I be more strict? Maybe I should tell them they can't watch TV until homework is done. That will I can watch what I want... I mean, that means they will have a more meaningful educational experience.)
She also encourages moms to find time for themselves. I can honestly say that this is one aspect of mothering at which I have succeeded.
I asked Alana about her television viewing habits.
Are you a TV watcher?
Not very much, I don't have a lot of time to watch.
What's your favorite show ever?
This is a tough one. I would have to say LOST. There are a lot of shows I loved to watch that are older (Mad About You, Sex and the City) but when they added a kid to the show, it went downhill. I also love SVU - this is the other show I make time for.
When I was younger I loved the A Team, Knight Rider and Dukes of Hazzard.
What TV character (past or present) do you identify with most?
Bonnie from Life with Bonnie. I don't think the show was on long, and I didn't watch it often, but I remember thinking - Oh, that's what I would say/do.
Does your main character watch any TV in the novel?
N/A - though many SAHM's watch a lot of cartoons, many of which would be considered a form of torture in the right situation. :)
Alana, I might add, is a co-host on Mom Writer's Talk Radio. Very cool! We might even excuse her for "not having time for TV."
stay at home mom
moms
mom
