Guest Blogger Jason: The 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee

Once again, everything you read here is the work of Jason.

NEETA IN 2010!!!

Yes, it’s me, yet again, guest blogging the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Happily, this years Spelling Bee wasn’t on a Friday night as last year, so I was ok with myself for being home and watching it (not that I have any plans for tomorrow night as of yet – anyone?).

As promised last year, I made sure that there was plenty of alcohol on hand. These items included beer (regular and GF of course); red and white wines; juices, soda and teas; as well as some hard liquors. I didn’t partake in all of them, but wanted to have a selection on hand just in case someone stopped by to watch with me.

So in my A-N-N-U-A-L fashion, here is what I learned this year:

S. I still can't spell for S-^-*-T.
Spell (spell) verb: name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc.

P. I should've invited F-I-T-Z over tonight for the festivities - only she would've appreciated it. (At least I think she would, you know, never have met her and all.)

E. I don't have enough vowels in my name to become a Spelling Bee finalist.

L. My goal in the next year is to sit next to Tom Bergeron and provide the commentary for the 2010 Bee.

L. Babies should not be allowed in or near the stage area.

I. I’m happy for TIVO…as I flipped through a lot of the filler.
TIVO (tee-vo) noun: a company offering a branded subscription-based interactive television service that lets viewers program and control which television shows they watch and when; also, the service offered by this company.

N. Melanie should change her last name to Skye-Laine Lobsinger (seriously, at age 13, do you need that many names Serena?) – I E-N-C-O-U-R-A-G-E the rest of you to do that as well. Just think – Musings By MSkyeLL – it has a nice ring to it!

G. Is it over yet?

B. I could never have a blog to keep up with. I can barely come up with text for this tri-yearly one that I cover, let alone on a daily or weekly basis.

E. My word of the bee and I don’t know why – H-U-I-S-A-C-H-E
Huisache (wee-sah-chee) noun: a tropical and subtropical New World shrub, Acacia farnesiana, of the legume family, having clusters of fragrant, deep-yellow flower heads.

E. Neeta Chandak was my favorite of this Bee. Besides being from NY, she took her loss in stride after spelling D-E-R-R-I-N-G-U-E without the 2nd “R”, by comedically adding a “DING” at the end of it, knowing full well she was out!

Overall, not as exciting of a bee (or guest blog) as last year, but then again, can they ever top the prior year?

Until next time, this is the O-N-L-Y Musings Guest Blogger (aren’t you jealous KD?)…over and out! D-I-N-G!

Culture Corner: Review of Desire Under the Elms

Last night Jason and I went to see Desire Under the Elms, starring Brian Dennehy, Carla Gugino and Pablo Schreiber. We easily came to a consensus on the review. Behold:

1. It's not their fault it sucked.
2. Where's the sheriff?

The show only began in previews this week, so maybe it's still going through some growing pains. But, oh my, was it EVER painful.

Culture Corner: Review of Mary Poppins

By now you probably realize that I love a giant Broadway production. So when Jason, Kristen, Kara and I went to see Mary Poppins, I thought we'd at least get that. It's effin Disney, for heaven's sake! I mean, does it get any better than that? Turns out, it kind of does. Young Frankenstein was better. Wicked was better. Many simpler productions were better.

I expected more. I wanted more. I should have gotten more.

Don't get me wrong - some of it was great. The cast was super talented, particularly the kids who were so adorable they practically made my ovaries hurt. The sets and costumes were amazing. And the couple of big numbers were great - but they could have done more. They should have done more. More big dance numbers!

I don't remember the movie all that well, but if felt as though some things were added (probably to make it "fresh") but those scenes didn't actually add anything. The show didn't do enough and yet, oddly, at the same time - the play was too long. There was a horribly scary number and some pretty boring numbers too. I'd been lukewarm abt seeing this show from the start. Maybe I should have trusted my instincts.

Jason says: Let's - go - fly - a - kite...I mean, I LOVE Mary Poppins, but I almost would have preferred to go fly a kite that Wednesday night. The company I saw it with was enjoyable. It was an ok play. A few scenes were very cool (Supercali....for example). Otherwise, I'd say see it if you have the time and nothing else to do one night, as long as the tickets are cheap.

Culture Corner: Review of The American Plan

During Melanie Gras 2009, Jason, Kara and I went to see The American Plan. This one will have you talking for weeks to come. That's what it said in the review that Jason read. The beginning of the play was a little slow, but we watched and we waited. And when we least expected it, the lady behind us "whispered" to her husband, "THIS is what is going to happen." And Jason, Kara and I all sat there and watched and thought "crap. THAT is what is going to happen." And then it happened and was anti-climatic for us all. At least, those of us within ear shot of that lady.

What else do I have to say about this? It was a good play, but I felt the second act seemed rush. A lot happened, but I would have liked to see some items flushed out more, a little more explanation of how we got from A to C. Honestly? If we hadn't been told we'd be talking about it, I don't think we would have been talking about it.

Jason says: "___________ " (I still don't know exactly what to say about it, except that I honestly can say I enjoyed this one.)

Playlist: Melanie Gras 2008 - Road Trip to Utica!

The playlist for Melanie Gras 2009 gets released tomorrow, but in the meantime, here's last year's playlist to keep you company. Jason absolutely loved listening to this 27 times on our way back and forth to Utica. Right, Jay?

1. Golden - Jill Scott
2. Just Fine - Mary J. Blige
3. Stronger - Kanye West
4. Dance Floor Anthem - Good Charlotte
5. Criminal - Fiona Apple
6. Gimmie More - Britney Spears
7. Smile - Lily Allen (Note: The Mark Ronson remix is better, but I hadn't discovered it by then.)
8. Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5
9. The More Boys I Meet - Carrie Underwood
10. Big Girl (You Are Beautiful) - Mika
11. Do It Well - J. Lo (featuring Ludacris)
12. Dance, Dance - Fall Out Boy
13. Cobrastyle - Teddybears (featuring Mad Cobra)
14. Freedom - Robbie Williams (a remake of the George Michael song)
15. Stop - Spice Girls
16. Nothin Better to Do - LeAnn Rimes
17. Relax Take It Easy - Mika
18. Uptight (Everything's Alright) - Stevie Wonder

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Happy birthday to my super awesome Dad!!!!


And in continuation of my apology to Jason - additional pictures from Melanie Gras 2008! This might actually cause Kristen to break up with me. Oh wait - she doesn't read my blog. I'm safe!

Jason is Awesome. In Other News, I am Self-Centered and Suck.

So, Jason has been a very good friend to me for about 10 years now. Hands down, the best work husband/Broadway buddy that a girl could ever hope to have in her life. I mean, I would eat gluten-free macaroni for this guy.

And that, dear readers, is why I have no explanation for not giving Jason a birthday shout-out on his birthday. I was obsessed with making sure I was the first to text him (I was) and post on his Facebook wall at midnight (I did). So, why didn't it make it to Musings? Why wasn't that my very first thought? My only explanation is that I had my head up my ass. I mean - what else could it be?

Jason - please accept my heartfelt apology and know that my oversight is only because I can't stop obsessing on my own issues and not because you've been replaced in my heart. You're the only work husband/Broadway buddy I need.

Good News!

Check it out. Rice Chex is friend to all.

Culture Corner Review: American Buffalo

A Chat Confession to Jason
Melanie: Mrs. Los Fitz got tix to American Buffalo and asked if I wanted to go and I said yes
Melanie: i'm sorry, baby
Jason: to you - WHATEVER.....to fitz - the hand right in her face!
Melanie: um, btw - that is totally going in the review if I ever write one

So, now I'm writing my review. Yes, I cheated on Jason and went to see a play with Christine.

First of all - this is what a seat upgrade looks like, bitches!



Now, onto the review. American Buffalo is the third David Mamet play I've seen this year and is probably my least favorite among them. 2 acts, 3 actors and over 2 hours of dialogue with nary a song to be heard. I felt both acts could have lost about 30 mintues (or more) of repetitive dialogue, easily. Haley Joel Osment creeps me out so much. I don't know why. But big time! So creepy. And kind of distractingly bad in this role. Cedric the Entertainer was really good. Understated for the most part, but he really delivers. And John Leguizamo? Though he might have questionable taste in shirts, he was awesome. Bottom line? If you're a fan of these actors, worth checking out. If you're a fan of Mamet, then worth checking out. But if you're not sure what you're looking for - then pass.

Christine says: Very much enjoyed the seat upgrades, the silver fox that tried to pick Melanie up and then changed seats when she rejected him, and the Ike and Tina shout out in the set design. Now for the actual show...obviously JLeg was awesome, and I was surprisingly impressed by Cedric the (they don't call him) Entertainer (for nothing). But Haley Joel Osmont just plain sucked. His portrayal of a junkie was more like a mentally challenged person. Not to mention he's kind of a scary looking teenager. All in all, I wouldn't pay to see it again but I'd pay to see JLeg in just about anything and now might actually watch a Cedric the Entertainer movie. Was I supposed to keep this brief?

Jason says: This show was great! The cast, well, I can't say enough about them and the...oh wait...I wasn't invited to see it!

Culture Corner Review: In the Heights

Musings was well overdue for a Culture Corner segment - and you've got at least two others in the wings. You see, about a million years ago (or in October), Jason, Kristen, Alisa, Kara and I went to see In the Heights.

I feel like a lot of the press on this show talks about how different it is, so I went in expecting something closer to the dearly dparted Passing Strange rather than a fairly standard musical production. I mean - we're talking full-on, stop-the-action-and-face-the-audinence-and-sing-musical. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about that - it seemed a little disjointed, especially for solos - but as the show went on I got more used to it, but I'm still not sure I liked it. However - this kid? This kid was destined to be a star!



Jason says: "When Ken Rosato speaks, one should listen. It was one early morning around 5:30am and Ken spoke to me saying that I should go see this musical (well, not to me personally, but you get the drift). I immediately told Melanie that morning we needed to add it to the list, this new show about life above Manhattan. Though we didn't see it pre-Tony's, it was well worth the wait. An energetic, upbeat look at a life growing up different from my own. I enjoyed every bit of it, well, except for one minor thing...our seats were, how should I say it, 'in the heights' of the theater."

GUEST BLOGGER - in case you need one

Thanks to Jason for being willing to fill in. Let's see if the pics come through!

------Original Message------
From: Jason
To: Melanie
Subject: GUEST BLOGGER - in case you need one
Sent: Nov 6, 2008 8:10 PM

As Melanie travels to the midwest this weekend, I thought I would take it upon myself to add another entry to the GUEST BLOGGER section...then again, I appear to be the only "guest blogger" to date.

I fell victim to QVC yet again. Wanting new flannel sheets, they got me one night as I was flipping through the channels, with the Northern Nights Super Chunky 5.4oz Supima Flannel Queen Sheet Set in Ivory - QVC Item #H10177 in case anyone wants to order a set (and yes, if you were wondering, I did order Item #H10190, the extra set of 2 pillowcases). I received them back in September and stored them away in the closet for the fall and winter to come.

Finally this evening as I sit at home relaxing, I took them out to wash, prepping them for the soon chill to be, when I came across this....


Displayed over my comforter for easy blog viewing, need I say more??? NO, it's not just a rip in them, it's an actual square missing from the sheets - about 5" x 8" in size. Good thing I have a good sense of humor, as I couldn't stop laughing at first.

I dug out the paperwork, called QVC and told them the story. The lady kept apologizing for laughing at me, in which I told her she was more than welcome to. She kindly noted the defect in my account, sent me a prepaid shipping label and after I send them back, with receive my COMPLETE set of sheets...just in time for winter!

Here ends my 2nd entry in the guest blogger section...and yes Fitz, I'm available should you need a break!

Jason and I Killed It

Just this weekend, Jason and I were saying how much we enjoy one of fall's new TV shows, The Ex List, on CBS. How it's cute and light-hearted and just a nice show to watch.

And now this:
CBS yanks low-rated `The Ex List' from schedule

In other news, be sure to check out Sons of Anarchy - Jamie McShane started his 3-episode run last week. You can catch the replay of last week's episode tonight at 11:00 PM and then new episodes on Wednesday nights at 10:00 PM.

Culture Corner: Review of Spring Awakening

From Playbill.com: Based on Frank Wedekind's play of the same name, Spring Awakening boldly depicts how a dozen young people make their way through the thrilling, complicated, confusing and mysterious time of their sexual awakening.

This was one of the most bizarre shows I have seen this season. Alisa, Kara, Jason and Kristen and I went to see it on a Tuesday night. It was a lot of show to take in on a Tuesday night. Pretty heavy subject matter for me to process. And of course, there's the brief nudity. SCANDAL!!!!

The cast is very talented. I would say they are mainly singers first, then actors but regardless, they really are phenomenal. The music is really superb. Hunter Parrish of Weeds was in the production we saw and for the most part, he held his own.

Bottom line? Not for kids or the faint of heart or if you're looking for a fun, feel good time. However, it is a very well done and interesting show.

Jason says: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH. This was my second time seeing Spring Awakening, which I originally ranked as one of my top 3, if not THE top, plays I had ever seen. I saw the original cast, WAY before the TONY was won. Even though I enjoyed that version better (isn't the original always the best?), this one was up there as well. A great performance by all, including Weeds star Hunter Parrish, made for a delightful evening with friends...I wonder how these kids would do growing up IN THE HEIGHTS???

Culture Corner: Review of Xanadu

Fun! Fun! Fun! No other way to describe it. I know, I know. All of you (well, except Jason, Alisa and Kristen - who went with me) are probably like - are you kidding me? You paid money to see Xanadu. And yes, we did. Discounted tickets, but still. Cash money was paid. And boy, was it worth it. From the glow sticks that were passed out at the beginning to the final number where we waved them around, this show was super enjoyable. The cast is all pretty great - Kerry Butler and Cheyenne Jackson especially - and the music is fantastic. Definitely takes me back to being a kid and listening our Olivia Newton-John records. Or to my Greatest Hits cd.

Don't believe me? Check out this clip from their appearance on The View, featuring Kerry Butler and Cheyenne Jackson. Superb!



My bottom line? If you're looking for a night of fun and not too much thinking, then this is the show for you.

Jason says: "Xana-maybe. Worth seeing if you have nothing to do one evening. But I suggest waiting until Whoopi is out of it. To me, she dragged the show down a bit, like it was getting in the way of her evening. I didn't feel that she was as into it as she could've and should've been. I went to see her mainly in it and was sadly disappointed."

And then there were none...

Long overdue write-up about the wine tasting that I went to in late July with Alisa, her sister Kara and Jason. Presented in part by Italian Wine Merchants, we tasted eight wines throughout the course of the evening. I was expecting the wine to be paired with food. It wasn't. There was some food available at the beginning (bruschetta mostly) and then a bit of a spread at the end (like one big giant antipasto buffet), but nothing while we were tasting the wines. Oh - and we were by far the youngest people in the room. We spent most of the evening trying to get Alisa's sister to hit on the wine intern (she wasn't going for it) and trying to decide if the cute guy sitting in front of us was hitting on me or if I wasn't quite his type (cause I'm a girl). And though he ended up at the bar downstairs with his friend and some blonde chick, I'm still not clear.

At any rate, I wasn't too blown away by any of the wines, but thankfully - good company more than made up for it.

Culture Corner: Review of Damn Yankees

Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets...and ladies and gents, Lola apparently wanted an excellent show.

Yes, I may have almost fallen asleep during the first act but it certainly was no reflection on the quality of the play. My only critique is that the musical numbers seemed a little more disjointed than in other shows we've seen - a little more "and now for the musical number" feel.

Jane Krawkowski is simply stunning and she is excellent as Lola. Sean Hayes is perfectly cast as Applegate - he's a true showman. I wasn't familiar with Cheyenne Jackson prior to this evening, though I'd heard good things about his work in Xanadu. He did not disappoint - pretty talented and very dreamy. And a special thank you to whoever was responsible for him stripping down to his unders in the first act. Yum.

This show is a very limited run, so if you are interested, I suggest you hurry.

Jason says: DAMN! What a good show. A great cast of old favorites and the addition of new ones. I'd recommend seeing this show if you have time in the next few weeks due to it's limited run. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the METS beat San Francisco the same night 7-0! ;)

Culture Corner: Review of Passing Strange

Different. Intense. Invigorating. Powerful.
I'm always a little more taken with a show when there are minimal sets and props. In some way, I feel their absence speaks to the strength of the story and the acting. The set for Passing Strange includes a couple tables, some chairs and a band. Wait, let me clarify - a kick-ass band.

The story, told partly in narrative and partly through song, follows "Youth" as he matures. I thought the music was extremely powerful and I was very impressed with all the actors. They had such energy and exuded a lot of passion for the story they were telling.

Parts of it were a little risque, but according to Jason - it's the second porniest show on Broadway. Spring Awakening, you're next!

Bottom line? If you're looking for something unique and a little edgy, I don't think you need to look any further than Passing Strange.

Culture Corner: Review of Boeing Boeing

This farce was exactly what the doctor ordered. I'd had a pretty stressful day and needed a good escape. I could not have asked for a better show.

At first, I found Katherine Hahn's speech pattern to be extremely distracting but she evened out eventually and her performance in the second act was brilliant. Bradley Whitford broke character at one point, but I find that super amusing. Mary McCormack is genius as the German flight attendant - she really grabbed the bull by the horns, so to speak. Gina Gershon is great as the Italian and Christine Baranski is inspired, and brilliantly understated, as the French housekeeper. Though a little slow in the beginning, the play definitely started to take off with the arrival of Mark Rylance. His presence seemed to cause everyone to raise their game. He really made the entire play for me. He perfectly nailed the character's attitude. All in all? An excellent light-hearted show that made us laugh from beginning to end.

Jason says: Ladies and gentleman, in this Longacre Theater, there are 16 exits in case of an emergency - 5 to each side, 4 to the back and 2 behind the stage. There will be no need to use them as you will be glued to your seat at this FANTASTIC revival of a Broadway play. Peanuts anyone?

Maracas Madness!

Jason, Trav and I hit the town on Saturday night. A nice gluten-free dinner followed by fun at Maracas. We even got the bartender to play along. See for yourself!

The 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee (brought to you by Jason)

I was out boozing it up like it was my job on Friday night, but Jason was kind enough to guest blog the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Everything below is his work. Thanks, Jason!

As it's A-P-P-A-R-E-N-T that I have no life to be home watching TV on a Friday night, the night that Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda hit the big screen, I decided to take that one step F-U-R-T-H-E-R and watch The 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Here's what I learned:

1. I now have C-O-N-F-I-R-M-A-T-I-O-N that I have no life.
2. I can't spell for sh#$.
3. I'm actually NOT a dork or loser, not now, nor when I was a younger kid.
4. In order to spell, I need to B-R-E-A-T-H-E heavy.
5. I could never be friends with a Spelling Bee finalist.
6. I'm not a numnut, nor know what a "numnah" is.
7. If I was an amateur photographer, this would sure be my first breakthrough, I mean, look at the excitement on their faces...imagine being honored for your
   P-H-O-T-O-G-R-A-P-H-I-C-A-L genius at a spelling bee.
8. I still have no life.
9. If only back in 8th grade, I E-X-C-E-L-L-E-D more in spelling, who knew that 15 years later, I could've made my television debut as a co-host, AT A SPELLING BEE, to Tom Bergeron.
10. I need to stock up on more alcohol for next years Bee B-E-F-O-R-E-H-A-N-D, because I surely ran out this year halfway thru the Bee.

Come on Fitz, I'm waiting for your C-O-M-M-u-N-T. Damn, I'm out...