Waterloo, and Other Swedish Things

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

So, I almost went to Sweden this week due to an insane internet travel special.  I also sang Dancing Queen at Girl’s fantabulous birthday party (though I found that Spandau Ballet’s True was much more my range).  I wanted to sing Waterloo, too, but they didn’t have it.  I have to say that anyone who can make a hit out of a song called Waterloo deserves to have a hit musical.  Take notes, Rod Stewart.

Mint Mogul MIA

Dear People Who Read This Site, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

I'm afraid our earstwhile Mint Mogul has gone missing. Perhaps the excitement of the new website launch has scared her off? Or is it that the LCP is no longer LC anymore? Or could it be that Chino dumped what's-her-face and moved back to the OC? Or her cable modem is finally working and she's downloaded until she dropped?

Anyway, I'll be watching over the musings until she returns. Rest assured any enquiries about the LCP will be handled in her absence.

Come back Mint Mogul, Come back!

“George”

The Gang’s All Here

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

It seems like the world is right again…no, it’s not the fact that I finally cleaned the Mint Headquarters.  And, it’s not because I finally got the cable company to admit that my so-called-high-speed-internet is defective.  No, it’s the triumphant return of the Sandman.  I loves me that O.C.  How sweet it is! Welcome back, Chino, we’ve missed you, and your wifebeaters.

In LCP, or, rather, Embittermints ™ news, I guess the big changes to the website are the news.  Samples have arrived, vendors are being contacted, and any number of legal and logistical hurdles are being overcome.  Good times

Dazed and Confused

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Boy, was I sick last week. I was at home for four straight days, sustained only by the Vitamin C and E and Selenium fortified OJ, and, of course, Oprah.  She sure is good and kind.  Unfortunately, that awful Gwyneth was on TV making miso encrusted flounder, with a heaping side of smug.  Grr. Needless to say, it made me ill.  Only the charm of Jude Law made me keep watching.  That and the possibility of a lighting rig sparking her yellow hair and setting it on fire.

So, this is a big week of catch up.  Lots of big steps coming soon.

Say It Isn’t So           

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Oh, Britney, why are you doing this? Federline?  Are you serious?  I have two words for you: Cris Judd.  And two more: Babymama.  Actually, that’s just one.  Seriously, Brit, I hope the wedding was a hoax.  Have all the spiritual unions you want, but try and keep the legal ones to a minimum.  It gets tacky after a while. 

Speaking of which, I have to say, the most disturbing thing I’ve seen you do is this using gas station bathrooms barefoot. Don’t do it.  Please.  I know Sketchers dropped you as their spokeswoman, but don’t go barefoot in the public bathrooms.  It’s grody.  Really, it is.  Even Christina wouldn’t do something like that.

Dr. Phil? If you’re reading, I think it’s time to do an intervention.

Old Home Week           

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

It’s been some week – many old friends, including the illustrious Slim Jim, have been by, and it’s great to see everyone and to have them see the LCP.  It’s getting rave reviews, which is a good thing.  There is something about seeing people who have seen you through your glasses-bad-hair-baggy-flannel stages that is very heartening.  Especially when they can’t seem to locate any photographic evidence that you ever had glasses or baggy flannel.

A- what-a?

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

So, I tried out the Acela this weekend from Washington to New York.  You know, it is not very fast.  It is superclean, and very much like the fancy trains that That Euro takes in Europe, but, not so much with the fast.  It is a shame, since train travel, really, besides boat travel, is one of the nicest ways to go anywhere.  Alas.

In other news, still showing the product around, and people are all supportive.  Keep your fingers crossed.

The Marrying Kind

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Well, it’s been a busy week on the LCP front.  Big changes coming to the website, so that’s been interesting, and we’re starting to get the word out on the LCP.  So far, so good.

However, it’s time to make a public service announcement to our celebrity friends…Britney, J. Lo. this means you.  Repeated marriage is not the right way to stay in the public eye, unless you’re Elizabeth Taylor, and you get to keep the jewelry.  Getting married and divorced over and over puts a taint on you, really, it does. No, really. It’s a Susan Lucci situation, and that’s generally not a good thing.  Especially when the guy is less famous than you.  Getting engaged over and over to famous people, a la Gwyneth and Julia Roberts can build a career and, along with a good hair colorist and exclusively British co-nominees, can help you to an Oscar, but the marriage thing doesn’t work.  So stop it.  Nuff said.

The Marrying Kind

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Well, it’s been a busy week on the LCP front.  Big changes coming to the website, so that’s been interesting, and we’re starting to get the word out on the LCP.  So far, so good.

However, it’s time to make a public service announcement to our celebrity friends…Britney, J. Lo. this means you.  Repeated marriage is not the right way to stay in the public eye, unless you’re Elizabeth Taylor, and you get to keep the jewelry.  Getting married and divorced over and over puts a taint on you, really, it does. No, really. It’s a Susan Lucci situation, and that’s generally not a good thing.  Especially when the guy is less famous than you.  Getting engaged over and over to famous people, a la Gwyneth and Julia Roberts can build a career and, along with a good hair colorist and exclusively British co-nominees, can help you to an Oscar, but the marriage thing doesn’t work.  So stop it.  Nuff said.

Apples and Oranges

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

That’s it!! I have made every effort to end my feud with Gwyneth, especially after she lost her father and got pregnant.  I really tried to forgive and move on.  To forgive the smugness, the ungrateful attitude about that nice Oscar that Harvey Weinstein bought her, her shock that people weren’t nice to her when she wore the fat suit for Shallow Hal and they didn’t know it was her, and to forgive her nasty comments about the goodness that is a good cheeseburger.  I tried. 

I knew it would be hard when she started doing interviews – mind you, with no movie to promote, about how she’s gone off the wagon and started eating cheese and white flour.  Dude, welcome to my lunch, on a daily basis.  And, I knew it would be hard when she criticized women for going back to work too soon after having children, right before taking a job soon after having her child.  I really tried.

But, Apple? APPLE? How could she do that to a baby? And a cute baby at that! She probably kicks dogs too. Indeed. The feud…oh, it is on.

For the Best

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Strangely enough, this is a week of some transition.  Lots of getting rid of the “have tos” or at least phasing them out and cutting back, and hopefully, increasing the amount of time I spend on the want tos.  Or so I hope.  Lots of transition, but not much action.

As for the LCP, delays abound, but I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel there, though I hope it’s just the glare from Oprah’s shiny earrings. 

Anticipation

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Lots of change to come in the next few weeks and months.  For me, there’s a lot of anticipation.  First, the LCP. Then, the O.C. – what a finale – Chino goes back to Chino with Chinette to raise their Chino-ling.  I kinda hope that the Sandman and family take in another wayward teen from a nearby town with a cool name for next season.  That would be cool. And Chino could beat him down at some point and say, “welcome to the O.C., bitch.”  Or maybe Luke could.  Or Marissa, if she manages to eat enough during the hiatus to be able to stand up in a light breeze on the beach. 

All in all, it’s looking good…if only I have the patience for next season.

To Have To, and Not to Have To           

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Strangely enough, hitting milestones in life makes one reconsider the allocation of one’s time between the “have-to” and the “want-to” elements of one’s life.  Sometimes it’s hard to tell where certain obligations fit in – Swayze? Both, right? Road Rules? Neither. But, it’s time to get the balance between the two in order, as That Euro would say.  Speaking of That Euro…I’m loving the new Boris Becker autobiography – now, that is good times.  He’s so Euro, yet a little sleazy.  Sigh.  That’s definitely a want to.  Well, reading, that is.  You won’t find me on any back stairs in a disco.

Milestones

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

The good news is, I’m still young enough to get on the Oprah Millionaires Under 40 Show, but the bad news is that I’m one year closer to being too old.  Sigh.  Not that I mind, since I think Sarah McLachlan was right in her Rolling Stone interview – it’s not the age that matters, but rather what you have done in that time. Of course, when I think about that closer, and calculate exactly how much of my time on this planet has been spent watching The Real World, it makes me a little depressed.  Well, except for the episodes featuring Eric Nies, since he had real star power.  Sigh.

The LCP…lots of delays, but otherwise doing well.  Me? Pretty much the same.

A Quart of Milk, A Stick of Butter...

Dear People Who Read This Site, ?George?, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

So, this week's entry is a little early.  It's part of the new punctuality drive.  I have a feeling that the normal day is going to be busy, so I thought I'd plan ahead.  Not unlike freezing food ahead of time, but without the freezer burn. Good times.

Anyway, I have spent a lot of time watching cooking shows.  I don't know what that is about, since I hardly have time to cook, what with The O.C., the LCP, and seeing concerts, but I managed to check out Paula's Home Cooking this morning on the Food Network.  Y'all (and yes, I mean Y'all) have to check this show out.  The host is Paula Deen, a kooky, white hairedd southern belle who rides a motorcycle and adds butter, cream, and eggs to everything -- gleefully.  So far, I've seen her cook for Jimmy Carter (Mr. Jimmy, who, by the way, ate up the the sticky cinnamon buns stuffed with cream cheese and glazed with sugar, caramel, nuts, and just about everything that's at the top of the food pyramid in that pointy little square you're not supposed to use).  She positively cackles when she adds butter...it's stupendous.  I think I love her.

Other than that, things are percolating along on the LCP front.  I have new people on the team who are really fantastic, and that's always exciting.  Not as exciting as adding a whole pound of butter to a French toast casserole with praline topping, but still exciting all the same.

PS: I did love The O.C. this week, if only because my boy Luke was reduced to drinking lite beers and Seger.  And when he told Chino that he was "rockin' out to Seger, you know the drill," Chino had the proper sense to look troubled.  I mean, Seger isn't even my favorite poor man's Springsteen, so you know Luke had to have hit rock bottom.  And, yeah, I hate Marissa.

Toxic

Dear People Who Read This Site, ?George?, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

So, I went to see Britney this weekend.  In concert.  In New Jersey.  It was pretty skantastic.  There was mother and daughter skankitude, mostly involving animal prints, lace bustiers, and short pleated skirts.  Quite a time. One trend I wish I had known about so I could have joined in was the homemade t-shirt trend.  My favorite was one worn (and presumably made) by three young teen women -- it said, I did Britney three times.  Stupendous.  And I like arts and crafts.  Maybe next time. 

This all made Britney look time, which, of course, she was not.  Britney was pretty stupendous, but her show was weird.  It was supposed to be some sort of carnival type thing, taking place at the very seedy Onyx Hotel, but to me it seemed like porn -- you know, a really bad plot that no one commits to that just leads to people being naked, or, in this case, nearly naked.  That said, aside from the weird Joker type character who appeared during costume changes, I liked it.   She's not a genius, like Shania, but it was a fun show.  And, even though there was a lot of Madonna copying, Britney isn't preaching the Kabbalah with a British accent while twisted like a pretzel, so I think she's safe...for now.   And, Toxic is a really good song, even if you don't buy the rest.

Speaking of things I didn't buy -- what was up with Marissa running away to Chino when she found out about her mom and Luke.  I mean, as if I'm supposed to believe that Beanpole would really fit in in the ghetto.  The only time running away to the ghetto has worked on TV is when Samantha Micelli did it on Who's the Boss? -- and she was from the ghetto, so it was different.  I hate Marissa.

Right...the LCP.  Well good news that I have had some really great investing going on -- a special shout out has to go to Girl.  Thanks for the support, man.  This is even better than when you and I were Sally in the school play, since this time Oprah could get involved.  I loves Oprah.

And Now a Word About Sweaters...

Dear People Who Read This Site, ?George?, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Recently, I read a book called 99F (99 Francs) which was amazing in many ways, but mostly for one passage where the main character, Octave, a decadent, drug-taking, misogynistic, advertising exec finally voiced feelings that I have had for years -- tying one's sweater around one's shoulders sucks.  It does.  I mean, I know there are a lot of other bad things in the world -- Marissa from The O.C., the way the rest of the world alternately abuses and ignores Africa, disease, famine, but that sweater thing is pretty high up there too.  It's so annoying.  Every time I see someone with a sweater tied around their shoulders, I want to pull it from the back and choke them a little, just to get them out of the habit.  Of course, being short, it's only a dream, since I can't reach, and I can't encourage anyone to do a thing like that, but perhaps if we all give people who wear their sweaters like that a dirty look, it will stop.  One can only hope.

 In other news, the LCP is moving along.  After being swamped with non-LCP business, things are back on track.  The fast track. Right on.

Milestones

Dear People Who Read This Site, “George”, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

The good news is, I’m still young enough to get on the Oprah Millionaires Under 40 Show, but the bad news is that I’m one year closer to being too old.  Sigh.  Not that I mind, since I think Sarah McLachlan was right in her Rolling Stone interview – it’s not the age that matters, but rather what you have done in that time. Of course, when I think about that closer, and calculate exactly how much of my time on this planet has been spent watching The Real World, it makes me a little depressed.  Well, except for the episodes featuring Eric Nies, since he had real star power.  Sigh.

The LCP…lots of delays, but otherwise doing well.  Me? Pretty much the same.

A Quart of Milk, A Stick of Butter...

Dear People Who Read This Site, ?George?, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

So, this week's entry is a little early.  It's part of the new punctuality drive.  I have a feeling that the normal day is going to be busy, so I thought I'd plan ahead.  Not unlike freezing food ahead of time, but without the freezer burn. Good times.

Anyway, I have spent a lot of time watching cooking shows.  I don't know what that is about, since I hardly have time to cook, what with The O.C., the LCP, and seeing concerts, but I managed to check out Paula's Home Cooking this morning on the Food Network.  Y'all (and yes, I mean Y'all) have to check this show out.  The host is Paula Deen, a kooky, white hairedd southern belle who rides a motorcycle and adds butter, cream, and eggs to everything -- gleefully.  So far, I've seen her cook for Jimmy Carter (Mr. Jimmy, who, by the way, ate up the the sticky cinnamon buns stuffed with cream cheese and glazed with sugar, caramel, nuts, and just about everything that's at the top of the food pyramid in that pointy little square you're not supposed to use).  She positively cackles when she adds butter...it's stupendous.  I think I love her.

Other than that, things are percolating along on the LCP front.  I have new people on the team who are really fantastic, and that's always exciting.  Not as exciting as adding a whole pound of butter to a French toast casserole with praline topping, but still exciting all the same.

PS: I did love The O.C. this week, if only because my boy Luke was reduced to drinking lite beers and Seger.  And when he told Chino that he was "rockin' out to Seger, you know the drill," Chino had the proper sense to look troubled.  I mean, Seger isn't even my favorite poor man's Springsteen, so you know Luke had to have hit rock bottom.  And, yeah, I hate Marissa.

Toxic

Dear People Who Read This Site, ?George?, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

So, I went to see Britney this weekend.  In concert.  In New Jersey.  It was pretty skantastic.  There was mother and daughter skankitude, mostly involving animal prints, lace bustiers, and short pleated skirts.  Quite a time. One trend I wish I had known about so I could have joined in was the homemade t-shirt trend.  My favorite was one worn (and presumably made) by three young teen women -- it said, I did Britney three times.  Stupendous.  And I like arts and crafts.  Maybe next time. 

This all made Britney look time, which, of course, she was not.  Britney was pretty stupendous, but her show was weird.  It was supposed to be some sort of carnival type thing, taking place at the very seedy Onyx Hotel, but to me it seemed like porn -- you know, a really bad plot that no one commits to that just leads to people being naked, or, in this case, nearly naked.  That said, aside from the weird Joker type character who appeared during costume changes, I liked it.   She's not a genius, like Shania, but it was a fun show.  And, even though there was a lot of Madonna copying, Britney isn't preaching the Kabbalah with a British accent while twisted like a pretzel, so I think she's safe...for now.   And, Toxic is a really good song, even if you don't buy the rest.

Speaking of things I didn't buy -- what was up with Marissa running away to Chino when she found out about her mom and Luke.  I mean, as if I'm supposed to believe that Beanpole would really fit in in the ghetto.  The only time running away to the ghetto has worked on TV is when Samantha Micelli did it on Who's the Boss? -- and she was from the ghetto, so it was different.  I hate Marissa.

Right...the LCP.  Well good news that I have had some really great investing going on -- a special shout out has to go to Girl.  Thanks for the support, man.  This is even better than when you and I were Sally in the school play, since this time Oprah could get involved.  I loves Oprah.

And Now a Word About Sweaters...

Dear People Who Read This Site, ?George?, Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Recently, I read a book called 99F (99 Francs) which was amazing in many ways, but mostly for one passage where the main character, Octave, a decadent, drug-taking, misogynistic, advertising exec finally voiced feelings that I have had for years -- tying one's sweater around one's shoulders sucks.  It does.  I mean, I know there are a lot of other bad things in the world -- Marissa from The O.C., the way the rest of the world alternately abuses and ignores Africa, disease, famine, but that sweater thing is pretty high up there too.  It's so annoying.  Every time I see someone with a sweater tied around their shoulders, I want to pull it from the back and choke them a little, just to get them out of the habit.  Of course, being short, it's only a dream, since I can't reach, and I can't encourage anyone to do a thing like that, but perhaps if we all give people who wear their sweaters like that a dirty look, it will stop.  One can only hope.

 In other news, the LCP is moving along.  After being swamped with non-LCP business, things are back on track.  The fast track. Right on.

New-ish Music Tuesday

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

So, I have spent some time buying music lately.  I loves my tunes, I really do.  Lately, I've picked up the recent Fleetwood Mac reissues -- Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, and Tusk with bonus material.  I really love bonus material, since it is such a window into the creative process -- and, given that Fleetwood Mac songs are already like diary entries, the bonus material is like reading the real diary after you already got your hands on the dummy one that they put out there to throw you off the trail. Pretty cool stuff.  Particularly Tusk.  I love Tusk...it's so trippy.  The song Tusk itself is pretty fantastic -- anyone who can make a hit song out of the word Tusk, the USC Marching Band, and a drum beat deserves a Grammy or something.  At least they didn't sing about their personal assistants and soy lattes (yes, this means you, Madonna.).  Not that there were soy lattes back then, but still...

On a similar note, I've managed to set my summer concert schedule.  I love summer concerts.  Sun, tunes, people watching, frozen treats, tank tops. What's not to like? I am seeing Madonna, but I'll walk out if she starts with that Kabbalah -- I mean it.  And I'm seeing Prince, which should be fun, even if he's a Jehovah's Witness -- does this mean he won't sing Cream? I hope not. Luckily, my seats are pretty good, since he is a little dude -- even more petite than Swayze, and, though I hate to admit it, even more limber as well.  Now, if only Culture Club would reunite again...or at least Billy Idol. Sigh.

Anyway, things are going well on the LCP front.  I have to file taxes this year, which is interesting, since the P is still LC and everything.  But try telling that to the IRS....

Rehab Is Wack

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

So, Whitney has gone in and out of rehab. In less than a week.  I wonder if she wants to see the receipts this time.  It's such a shame.  I mean, I never thought that she would be more jacked up than she was in the "How Will I Know?" video where she wore those weird extensions.  How wrong I was.  That said, I have to say that her interview with Diane Sawyer was one of the most entertaining things I have ever seen.  In fact, "George" and I can have entire conversations consisting of "Crack is cheap. I make too much money to do crack. Crack is wack" and "I wanna see the receipts" -- so that's been good times.  Poor Whitney...maybe Oprah can stage an intervention and televise it, like her 50th birthday party, but with Swayze instead of Travolta, who freaks me out.  Maybe.  If anyone can solve this problem, it's Oprah, and maybe Dr. Phil can give her an assist, if they're not feuding, that is.

On the LCP front, not much new.  I've been chained to my desk as of late, but I plan to be set free sometime soon.  After all, time and tide (and Oprah) wait for no one.

The Happiest Place On Earth...

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

From reading months' worth of the Musings, I bet you would not pick me for a DisneyWorld fan.  Heck, I didn't think I could get into it, given that my idea of fun consists mostly of Schadenfreude and cynicism.  When I first got there and saw the characters in costume, I had serious doubts about it, since when I see grown people dressed as rodents, I tend to want to flee.  But after a while, I was knocking back the pleasantly cannibalistic mouse-shaped treats and enjoying the animatronics like everyone else.  Besides, It's a Small World is cute, especially the singing reindeer.  And when you think about it, Mickey, with his high voice and unfailing politeness is really only a figurehead over there anyway -- Donald is the heart and soul of the operation, and he's foul-mouthed, ill-tempered, and bitter.  So, needless to say, I fit right in.

 The other thing to love about DisneyWorld is that it might be the closest we ever get to going to a 1960s style World's Fair, since they have World's Fair exhibits there.  I like the ideas of World's Fairs -- that optimism for the future, the sleek designs, the animatronics.  What's not to like? That said, I think that the spirit of it all is back in the 60s, along with the mod space-age buildings and pastel outerwear. Unless you spend any time in Tomorrowland and EPCOT, both of which have plenty of 60s style to spare.  Groovy.

EPCOT is a real trip -- not only for the 60s nostalgia built in the 80s, but also for the World Showcase.  They actually import people from the various countries to work in the stores and restaurants in each nation.  Pretty weird, when you think about it.  I mean, would you want to leave your home country to come to the US so that you could wear national dress and serve snacks in an antiseptic recreation of the cliches of your homeland? That said, I think they should add some more countries -- maybe Iceland or Liechtenstein, or at the very least they could expand to include the nearby town of  Celebration, Florida., which is already anti-septic and amusement-park-esque. What a weird joint! It's this planned community near DisneyWorld, with Edward Scissorhands-like neighborhoods, small yards, sidewalks, a Starbucks, and a pervasive eerie feeling, not.  I have to stay at the hotel there next time I go to DisneyWorld, since that way I'd know what it was like to live in an amusement park.  Hopefully they'll extend the monorail that far.

People Who Need Peeps...

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Ah, springtime, where fancy turns to thoughts of love, trees bud, flowers bloom, and, best of all, Peeps, those adorable marshmallow treats, finally appear on the shelves of drugstores, grocery stores and dollar stores.  Welcome back, Peeps!!!!

The popularity of Peeps is really quite a mystery.  They are not the tastiest treat out there, I  must say.  That isn't to say that

I don't know what it is about Peeps that inspires such devotion, but I know that there is indeed devotion out there.  Go ahead, Google those Peeps and marvel at the result.  My personal favorite is the Peeps in the Library site -- that is pure genius.  It also shows that we should all go to the library more, if only to keep the librarians from going crazy when it's not Peeps season.

Even the official Peeps site, www.marshmallowpeeps.com, has gotten into the act.  There really are a lot of things one can do with Peeps.  In the past, all I've ever done is eat them, share them, and occasionally use them to create an Easter diorama, complete with plastic Easter eggs, jelly beans, and that fake plastic grass, on an unsuspecting co-worker's desk.  But, the Peeps folks let you know other things you can do -- you can freeze them, roast them, and use them to make various treats including cupcakes and s'mores. Cool, eh? Also, if you save up enough Peeps points, you can get some excellent prizes...I'm saving up for the Peeps Commemorative Pen...only 54 more points to go! If you have any extra Peeps points, be sure to email me at mintmogul@embittermints.com.  I'll send you a picture of the pen as a thank you!

On the LCP front...no real news.  Still collecting investments, things moving along on the production front. Everything's Peeptastic!

Chasing Swayze

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Today's regularly scheduled programming has been preempted to allow for a discussion of the most excellent film, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, an astonishing film in so many ways -- similar to the original, yet so different.  A brief comparison:

Winner: Dirty Dancing (The Original) -- could it really ever be surpassed? I think not.  I don't expect to see a Havana Nights Live! tour anytime soon, and I think that may be the true measure of success in the Dirty Dancing oeuvre.

And to share a personal viewing experience...I managed to check out Havana Nights on opening night, and I cheered for Swayze as enthusiastically as one might expect, only to have someone sitting in front of me confide to me that she was a Swayze fan of twenty years and that she had come to see Swayze as well...with no irony at all.  I was, and am, humbled by her devotion.  So, here's to you, SuperSwayzeFan!

California Dreamin' -- Part Deux

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

So, I'm back from another weekend of good times in Los Angeles. It was really quite a good time with Slim Jim, "George" and an assorted cast of characters, some old, some new, few famous, and not including the sun.  Yes, you heard it here first, California is a total fraud.  I'm not entirely convinced that that was the ocean out there on the horizon, rather than some sort of elaborate background.  The whole time I was there it was 50 and raining, except for one morning, and I think that was just a tease.  For comparison, the average temperature this weekend  in Buffalo, NY was 50 degrees (or so), and it didn't rain.  Sunny "California" indeed.  Of course, I never ran into Tim Burton or Neil Finn or Jon Brion in Buffalo, either.  That was good times.  As was heckling the art at the Getty Center with "George" and Slim Jim.   Still, a partial refund would be nice...I should write to the Governator about that.

However, due to the chilly weather, my original plan of subsisting entirely on pureed juice beverages from Jamba and Robek's and Thai food was cruelly thwarted.  I had to reduce my pureed fruit beverage intake to make room for hot cocoa...but the Thai food (and the Thai Elvis and Thai John Denver who provided entertainment) were truly awe inspiring.  There should be more John Denver impersonators....

In LCP news, the trip to LA also yielded more Potential Investors. Good times.

 There's No Place Like Home

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

So, I finally got to see a Frank Lloyd Wright house while I was visiting the fam this weekend.  I have to say, being a not-so-tall person, I really felt at home in that house.  Perhaps it was the use of the dropped friezes or something, but I really felt at home.  Goes to show you that architecture can influence how we relate to the world around us.  Or maybe it was the fact that I could reach the top shelf.  In any event, given that most of my knowledge of Frank Lloyd Wright came from either osmosis or the usual he-was-a-genius-but-not-a-nice-guy documentaries from PBS, it was nice to see genius in person.  I wonder if he built anything in New Zealand....

Other than that, not much news on the LCP front.  The logistics are coming together -- it's official, there's a bank account, and the investments are rolling in.  Very exciting stuff.

PS: The OC...fantastic, no? I loves me that Sandman.  While Marissa and Chino are tiresome, and Seth is losing his appeal., the Sandman only grows in stature (thereby making the eyebrows almost proportional, or at least less scary).

 And the Beat Goes On...

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

How about those Grammies? Pretty amazing show, I have to say, despite that dog Justin's weaselly apology.  Way to let Janet take the fall.  It's not like she's not already in enough pain, granted, from the nipshield,, but still.... In any event, aside from the curiously creepy/cold Beatles acceptance speeches (except for Yoko, who was fantastic) and the downright painful musical tribute (sorry Sting!), no complaints at all. Well, ok, one complaint -- Madonna, while you did refrain from Gratuitous Yoga during the broadcast, can we also try to end the gratuitous mentions of other famous friends of yours (sorry Sting!)? Really, no one wants to hear that.  Remember your song, American Life, and how people hated that? It's like that.

In other news, things are moving along with the LCP.  More meetings, more tastings, more samples.  All good, but a lot.

Up, Up and Away....

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Another busy week on the Legally Confidential Product front.  It's official, it's a company! Lots of paperwork, but an important step all the same.  The die is definitely cast....but I think it's a good thing.

Sadly enough...no Swayze this week.  But, speaking of Swayze, I think it's important to remember the lessons that he, as Johnny Castle, taught Baby, namely, not to let anyone put her in a corner, how to dance on a potentially rotten log over a rocky creek bed, and to have faith when going into "the lift" -- you know, the one they practiced in the fields, and in the water, and finally during the final dance.  There are life lessons in there, believe you me. 

And, I would be remiss in not mentioning Nipgate this week.  Ms. Jackson you iz nasty.  Seriously, I don't know jack about nipshields and the like, but, ouch!  I did get to use my Ti-faux for my own instant replay, so that was good, but otherwise that halftime show was weak -- I saw the Rhythm Nation video 10 years ago, and it was better then.  And...as for Justin and the nipshield...ew.

PS:  A final last word on Nipgate.  Just proving that he is on a dastardly push to destroy his teen pop colleagues, that awful Justin Timberlake, who first sent Britney into a downward spiral  by being a dog, then nearly killed and definitely financially bled  Christina by touring with her and having a stage equipment "accident," has now attacked  JC Chasez, whose Pro Bowl halftime appearance  (and likely his foundering solo career) was(/were) cancelled due to Nipgate.  He's out to destroy the world!!!!

If You're Not With Me...

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

This has been a really good week.  First, a lot has happened on the Legally Confidental Product Front.  I've managed to finish some of the legal mumbo jumbo (thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Funbobby), met and engaged the services of an excellent publicity team (welcome 2M, not to be confused with the candy or the rapper), and have learned a lot of life lessons.  The most important of these is that you need to be resilient in life. Or you need anti-depressants. Kidding...well sort of.  I guess the gist of this is that being a Mint Mogul really does require one to roll with the punches and to realize that, while not everyone will follow you to the end, it doesn't lessen their contribution to the effort. Or, in other words, W is wrong (again) -- if you're not with me, it doesn't mean you're against me, unless, of course, you're against me.

Of course, this marks the point where I can't pull a Roseanne Rosannadanna "never mind" about the Legally Confidential Product.  Insert platitudes about crossing the Rubicon etc.  

Other than that, in this week's Swayzewatch, he was spotted in this week's NY Post gossip section,  and apparently he lays the makeup on a little thick in his performance in the San Diego production of Cabaret. Who knew? If you have any Swayzetips or Swayze Sightings for the Swayzewatch, please do email them to mintmogul@embittermints.com.  [Hey, "George" -- can we have a new email address here for Swayze related items, maybe swayzewatch@embittermints.com?)

Well, that's about it. Busy, busy.

I'll Take Potpurri for $400, Alex...

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

So, this week has really been a mixed bag.  On the upside, I made serious progress with the Legally Confidential Product and the coming week looks to see a lot more.  I also made the Mint Headquarters extremely tidy, with a long weekend of cleaning and organizing.  However, I also had to deal with mean people (in non LCP business), and had to navigate the icy streets.  I hate ice, or more accurately, I have an irrational fear of ice.  Ice is a killer. It is deadly, and, more relevant here, ice is my  personal kryptonite -- it turns me to jelly (I know that your Inner Physics Geeks, like mine, are telling you that the thermodynamics of that don't work, but trust me, they do.)

However, this week has also brought some quality news reporting.  The first item of news is that there is going to be a reality show where they take the Amish and put them in LA. I LOVE IT! It may be because my friend Slim Jim and I are a bit obsessed with the Amish.  They are fascinating -- those faceless dolls, shoofly pie, all those buttons and hooks and plain black clothes...also, I've had some run-ins with the Amish in my time.  The first episode was when I was on the highway going from Pennsylvania to Washington, DC. There was a huge back-up of traffic, and no one was moving.  Except for the Amish man in his buggy, who flew past us on the shoulder with a flourish of his hat.  I hate it when people drive on the shoulder.  The second episode was a few weeks later, when I saw a bunch of Amish people get off of a city bus, and they stared at me while I was running past -- in my fuschia running shorts.  It was the 80s, ok?  And the third time, I was driving and saw a van full of Amish people pass me on the highway, and they all stared at me from every window in that van.  Come to think of it, those last two episodes may have been Mennonites.  But still.  I did, however, win a t-shirt from the Letterman people when they chose my entry "Amish Computer City" as one of the Top Ten Least Popular Mall Stores.  So, I suppose I'm even with the Amish.  That said, go to the Late Show website or some website that has the top tens from Dave's NBC show, since their Amish themed top ten lists are the best (e.g. from Top Ten Amish Pick Up Lines: "Can I buy thee a buttermilk colada?"). Classic.  (Thanks to "George" for the heads up on this bit of news.)

Second, Swayze has reappeared in the mainstream press due to the upcoming release of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.  Go to www.elle.com and type in Swayze.  Read the article "Still Swayze After All These Years" -- then email me at mintmogul@embittermints.com.  Seriously.  It's one of the best things I've ever read.  And that includes Shakespeare.  Nobody puts Baby in the corner, indeed.

Well, gots to go. Business to do. Ice to avoid. Good times.

Just Say No

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

If anyone, like, say, Oprah, were to ask me what the hardest part of being a Mint Mogul has been, I think it would be learning to say no or to disagree with people.  Actually, this is true for Moguls and Grand Poobahs of all trades, since behind every mogul is someone with a different opinion.  And in larger organizations, there are invariably people who think they can do things better and spend most of their energies informing people of this fact.  Luckily, we don't have those problems at the Mint Headquarters.

So, I have made some decisions this week, including some tough ones involving the word "no" -- and I feel good about that.  That's all I can say for now, but things are rolling along.

Dear People Who Read This Site, "George", Girl, That Euro, Special C, Dr. Chris, The (Other) O.C.,  (Get Back) JoJo, and Potential Investors,

Welcome back from the holidays.  After delays from illness and the holidays, the Legally Confidential Product is getting back on track.  It's strange to try and create something independently, since if something happens to you, nothing happens to the project.  It's a huge responsibility.  God, Oprah is amazing.  How she manages to do everything she does and still have such nice earrings is a mystery to me.

Anyway, while I was out of commission, I have to say I wasn't all that keen on TV.  It seemed too frivolous to watch Dawson's Creek reruns when I had so many things to do, but I was too sick or otherwise occupied to hunker down and get things done.  So, naturally, I turned to PBS (and Ti-Fauxed my Dawson's Creek).  The strange thing is that PBS has turned into a junkier station than just about anything (well, except Fox News).  Really.  They have the best reality series -- Frontier Life and the 1900 House are a perfect combination of The Real World and physical torture (I'd say Fear Factor, but the challenges there are finite, while living on a frontier or in 1900 present a continuous panoply of tortures and indignity). 

But, the most startling turn of events is the influence of the Behind the Music/E! True Hollywood Story on the documentary series.  First, I saw the Charles Dickens special which took the narrative of Behind the Music -- interviews with principals and their close associates combined with a narrative overview (but not narrrated by Kris Kristofferson) and combined it with the trashy reenactments of the E! True Hollywood Story.  So, what it was was a Behind the Music of Dickens where all of the characters were played by actors and where key events were reenacted. Creepy, but genius. They should do that for all of the Behind the Music shows.

And then, there's the appearance of dishy documentaries that still retain the reserve of the PBS format.  The best example I saw was The Lincolns: A House Divided.  What I assumed would be a documentary about Lincoln's career and experience during the Civil War was so much more.   There was depression, psychosis, flirtation, compulsive shopping, and more! Who knew that Mrs. Lincoln couldn't stop shopping and wanted Abe to win his second term so he wouldn't find out about her bills?

The only question I have is, why do they still need pledges -- I'm sure that they could get advertisers with this stuff!