www.youtube.com/watch?v=M948pizKuxk

Certain oldie-but-goody-vids still make me cry like Susan Boyle showing the world that what’s inside is more important than what’s outside and the “all time” best wedding dance vid “JK Wedding Dance” (which totally makes me want to plan my wedding even though at the moment I don’t have a groom in mind.)

Whenever I need to smile I just watch the “Chest Bump Montage”, which appeals to my inner-goof and I can’t explain why I think “Idiots” is so funny, I just do.

The entire “Mr. Old Spice” campaign totally rocks (not only for me, but for gazillions of others – Who knew?) I just can’t believe I got into it at the end of the campaign, because I have so many questions I’d like to ask Isaiah Mustafa (oh yeah!)

I’m just now introducing myself to webisodes (um, nice to meet you, even though I think people who make and watch these probably are a little psycho — in a good way of course.)

Look, I’m the first to admit I’m new to this world but now I finally have time to watch — (a benefit of being unemployed.)

Part of what’s amazing to me is the talent that’s shows up in these whack-isodes on My Damn Channel and FunnyorDie (Megan Mullally, Zoe Saldana, Elizabeth Banks, Kate Bosworth, Paul Rudd, Rashida Jones, Topher Grace…)

I think “Children’s Hospital” is totally out there, but I’d be very happy to step in for Malin Akerman when she’s making some mega movie, because actually now I have hands-on experience in the medical field and Malin and I are EXACTLY the same type (hint hint Rob Corddry!)

What = Funny is SO relative, right?

Personally I’m not into raunch, although I know many are.

I like --

• a “little” suggestive
• romantic embarrassment
• finding the funny when it comes to the heart

That’s why MY Best Web Series Award would go to— “WAINY DAYS“, obvi!

(Apparently I’m not the only one who thinks it’s great, because David Wain got the 2010 Streamy Award for “Best writing in a comedy series.”) “WAINY DAYS” has so many amazing webisodes from #1 – “Shelly” to the current #32 Donna--  there’s just so much to love while laughing.

And a word about Megan Mullally — I just luv, luv, luv her – whether she’s on the recently canceled “PARTY DOWN” or playing the “ER” Kerry Weaveresque Chief on “Children’s Hospital” or as Donna on “Wainy Days” she’s just SOOOOO good. I’ll take her “Own Special Blend” of comedy any day of the week.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aukH24thCOY

(What vids and webisodes do you find funny? Share in the comments!)

Liked that? Check out:

• 2010 Emmy Awards: I vote for MODERN FAMILY
• Film Faves: Currently Speaking
• HOT IN CLEVELAND: funny find!

magically thinking

Wow! I never knew there were so many opportunities to make wishes before I started researching this post.  Here are 26 (2+6=8) of my faves. Of course, my wish for the first one would totally depend on who’s riding the horse .

In my research I discovered a site: http://www.real-wishes.com/ where you make a wish and keep going back to reinforce it for eight days (besides putting an 8 in the mirror at 11:11). I have absolutely no idea if it works, but they don’t ask for any personal info and it’s free, so it’s worth a try, right?

Wish Superstitions:

• Make a wish at the sight of a white horse.
• Make a wish when you cross a new bridge.
• Touch blue and your wish will come true.
• If you make a wish before you go up a hill and do not look back, your wish will come true.
• Make a wish each time you eat a green M&M.
• If you find a four-leaved clover, hold it above the head and make a wish.
• Upon entering a strange house go to the kitchen and make a wish. It will come true.
• Make a wish when you see three birds on a telephone wire.
• Put a watermelon seed on your forehead and make a wish before it falls off
• When you see a gray cat, look at its fore feet and make a wish. If you see it again, the wish will come to pass.
• Make a wish before you blow out the candles on your birthday cake.
• Make a wish on the first star you see at night.
• Throw a coin in a fountain; make a wish when the water clears so you can see your reflection.
• Make a wish on a new pair of shoes before you wear them for the first time.
• Make a wish with another person on a wishbone. Each takes an end and pulls until it breaks. The person with the largest piece of bone gets the “lucky break” and the wish.
• Make a wish on the first robin you see in the spring.
• Find a penny, wear it in your left shoe, and your wish will come true.
• If you drop a dish cloth, step over it and make a wish.
• Wishes made on Midsummer’s Eve (June 23) are most likely to come true.
• Hold your breath and make a wish while crossing a short straight bridge.
• Make a wish when you see the first star and do not speak until you see another. The wish will come true.
• When you see a shooting star, if you say “money” three times you will have a full pocket book.
• If you find a horseshoe with the toe towards you, throw it over your right shoulder and make a wish.
• If you see a crow flying through the air, make a wish. If he does not flap his wings before he goes out of sight, the wish will come true. If he does flap his wings, look away, and if you do not see him again your wish will come true.
• Make a wish and throw a piece of wish vine over your right shoulder into the weeds. If it grows, your wish will come true.
• A wish will come true if you make it while burning onions.

Oh, and btw – I also discovered that “A frog brings good luck to the house it enters.”  But I guess it depends on whether or not he turns into a prince and likes the smell of burning onions. Ahahaha!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fcft9j_ExQ

(What brings you good luck? Share in the comments.)

Liked that? Check out:

• HOT IN CLEVELAND: funny find!
• Vids & Webisodes: My Faves
• 2010 Emmy Awards: I vote for MODERN FAMILY

Hotties

On the home page of IMDB Pro right now is a picture of Betty White with the heading –

“HOT IN CLEVELAND is TV Land’s most –watched ever.”

Imagine – FOUR WOMEN  (the youngest of which is 49) who in one show manage to bring in –

THE MOST FANS of  TV Land’s History!

Four Actresses whose total ages add up to: 246!

Seriously this is HUGE news in a world where actresses like me start to worry when we’re barely on the wrong side of quarter-life.

Even though I had no idea what channel TV Land was on (thank god for Tivo!) I watched “HOT IN CLEVELAND” last night to see four sitcom legends (all previously on mega-networks) do something out-of-the-box and in-the-box at the very same time.

And BTW, they were – AWESOME!

HOT IN CLEVELAND may be pure sitcom but it manages to–
NOT feel outdated.

The jokes are modern–
but not dumb-funny,
or potty-humor funny,
or trying-too-hard funny
just– FEEL GOOD FUNNY

KUDOS to–
Jane Leeves, Valerie Bertinelli, Wendie Malick and Betty White!

You ladies are–

HOT and HILARIOUS.

Way to go super-smarty producer Sean Hayes! Bet you’re laughing all the way to the bank. (And you managed to make TV news that rivals the Lakers’ big win and Roberto and Ali flying through the air in LION KING!)

Interestingly, HOT IN CLEVELAND is now the hottest show in TV Land’s history. How cool is that!?

(How hot do you plan to be when you’re hovering around the half-century mark? Share in the comments.)

Liked that? Check out:

• 2010 Emmy Awards: I vote for MODERN FAMILY
• Vids & Webisodes: My Faves
• Film Faves: Currently Speaking

I'm toast!

Okay, so this is what I get for even thinking about eating carbs. After 45 minutes of rocking my world with Andrea at Made In L.A. Fitness,  I’m on my late shift in the ER and suddenly remember that I haven’t eaten (mainly because my stomach alerts me with rumblings loud enough for the patients to hear.)

So I pop into the employee lounge hoping someone left a fruit basket which sometimes happens when patients are really appreciative to the staff (hint hint) but instead I find –

Two boxes of Noah’s Bagels
from one of Dr. A’s female stalker patients.

I search for my favorite (Whole Wheat Sesame) hoping I won’t find it (too tempting at
125 g)  and of course it’s there, practically with my name on it. So when no one is looking (somehow it feels less fattening when no one is looking) I slice it and put it in the toaster.

Then I remember promising to bring a blanket and pillow to this little old lady in the hallway bed across from Ortho,  so I run out for a sec. THEN all the doors start closing and the lights start flashing and I hear –

CODE RED, ER NORTH TOWER, CODE RED.

Whaaa?

From time to time I hear a “CODE RED” page, but always for a different floor far far away. But today it’s really close and everyone on the floor starts looking around wondering–

Where’s the fire?

and THEN Security bursts through the doorway, rushing to the…

EMPLOYEE LOUNGE

Oops!

Oh yeah — My Noah’s bagel half was a little too overwhelmingly thick for the ancient toaster in the employee lounge and apparently it set off a smoke alarm yada yada…

How’s that for embarrassing?

And wanna know what’s worse? My new name in the ER (started by a certain Dr. A) is –

“Code Red!”

OMG! Couldn’t he have picked a better name, like –

Smokin’ Hot!?

(What’s the most embarrassing thing that happened to you this week? Share in the comments.)

Liked that? Check out:

• Feeling Safe: Knowns vs Unknowns
• ER Volunteer “Floater”
• Vids & Webisodes: My Faves

Family Matters!

Now’s the time when all the Trades are filled with pre-nom ads promoting every show, every actor everybody for the Emmy Nominations. It’s a little overkill if you ask me. Except when it comes to MODERN FAMILY! I luv Wednesday’s cover of Variety where they’re all wearing smeared white clothes looking all goofy like a real family.

Tight Genes

MODERN FAMILY has without a doubt raised the bar really high in the Best Comedy category, serving up laughs on SO many levels it’s impossible to count them all. The show has the good bones of Christopher Lloyd and Steve Levitan and the genius of director Jason Winer who showed his outstandingness when he directed the Liz Meriwether pilot: “Sluts.”

Each of MODERN FAMILY’s phenom cast of eccentric characters is so hilariously flawed in a totally unique and loving way, I can’t figure out from week to week which one is my favorite. They all make me simultaneously laugh and cry, which is the best compliment I can give to any show.

MODERN FAMILY’S INCREDIBLE CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Jay -- Ed O’Neill (crotchity but loving)
Claire -- Julie Bowen (we all know a Claire right?)
Phil -- Ty Burrell (nerdy to the max)
Gloria -- Sofia Vergara (sexy smart and surprisingly loving)
Mitchell -- Jesse Tyler Ferguson (OMG! There are no words)
Cameron -- Eric Stonestreet (ditto!)
Haley -- Sarah Hyland (her expressions kill me)
Luke -- Nolan Gould (the apple doesn’t fall from the Phil)
Alex -- Ariel Winter (a brainy bad seed)
Manny -- Rico Rodriguez (an old soul in a foreign body)

MODERN FAMILY’S dysfunctional members are so memorable and lovable and the stories so fresh and laugh-out-loud-funny that the only thing I can say that’s wrong with it is that it doesn’t last longer than 30 minutes.

My favorite MODERN FAMILY moments:

• Manny’s Dad (Benjamin Bratt) shows up with extravagant gifts.
• Claire tries to impress the firefighters answering Phil’s 911 call.
• Claire’s friend (Minnie Driver) makes Claire feel like a loser.
• Jay and Cameron hangout in the locker room. Oops!
• Mitchell and Cameron set Manny up with a date.
• Gloria surprises Jay in Hawaii.
• Mitchell freaks out about a bird.
• Claire and Phil spice things up a bit.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6--ce2OEcI

In case the actors all cancel each other out in the Best Supporting categories, lets hope hope hope MODERN FAMILY gets nominated and WINS in the Best Comedy and Writing categories because I can’t think of another show that does Finding the Funny any better than MODERN FAMILY.

If only they would adopt ME…

(What do you like best about MODERN FAMILY? Share in the comments.)

Liked that? Check out:

• Vids & Webisodes: My Faves
• HOT IN CLEVELAND: funny find!
• Film Faves: Currently Speaking

ready for everything 24/7

THE GOOD –

As I walk from the Employee Parking Lot to the ER tonight, I notice a man walking near me, wearing the same ugly Volunteer smock as I am. He asks what department I work in, so I ask him the same question.  He works in the Cancer Unit, which for me is the HARDEST place of all. His wife died of cancer a year ago and he works with some of the staff that took care of her. OMG! Talk about a good person. I’m SO inspired by people who experience horror and can go on to help others in the same boat. Kudos!

THE BAD

Triage is a nightmare — standing room only.  This demanding extremely loud woman starts swearing because she notices others going in before she does. Uh— that’s why they call it Triage, Honey.  Patients with life-threatening illnesses go to the head of the line. Patients with potty mouths go to the end of the line.

If you ever bring a  friend or family member into the ER waiting room or you come in as a patient yourself, write this down so you’ll remember :
BE NICE –
To the Guard, to the Triage Nurse, to the Volunteers –  no matter how much you’re hurting.

When someone gets bitchy/complainy/demanding the staff tends to put that particular chart at the bottom of the stack. Keep in mind—everyone in the waiting room is there because of some kind of emergency and even though your emergency is the biggest deal to you, it isn’t to anyone else (unless it’s really life-threatening and that’s another story). So really try to be as polite as you can. It goes a very long way with anyone who’s on the eleventh hour of his/her twelve-hour shift.

THE FUNNY –

Just when I think things can’t get any crazier, a stressed out Mom is with her one-week old baby boy in PEDS when her husband arrives, accompanied by Mom’s supposedly “best friend” (huh?) — Picture this:  Mom still has her baby tummy and looks like she hasn’t slept for a week. The “best friend” is wearing stilettos, tight jeans, a low-cut tank and looks like she just had her make-up done at Barneys.

The baby has nothing on, because we’re trying to bring down his fever. So the “best friend” says to the husband re: the baby’s UNIT (that happens to be swollen)…

“WOW! Your son really takes after you!

(Whaaa!)

Just another night in the life of an ER Volunteer…

(What good, bad and funny have you experienced in an ER? Share in the comments.)

Liked that? Check out:

• Making Wishes: 26 Ways
• Hospital Heartthrobs: Mixed Messages
• ER: CODE RED – Diet Karma

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHz31KjHAIM

My film faves (like all my faves) are always changing. I suppose I’m a work in progress. (Big shock, right?)

Anyway, here’s a list of some that quickly come to mind, in no particular order btw. I added a couple of my Mom’s faves like “Splendor in the Grass” (she was a sucker for Warren Beatty) and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s (who doesn’t love Holly?) and “Big Chill” (You Can’t Always Get What You Want“) for my Dad.

But as for the videos, I just had to include two of my

all-time hands-down faves…

The Royal Tenenbaums

500 Days of Summer

I’m sure I’ll think of more as soon as I push “publish.”

Up In The Air
Hurt Locker
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Sex and the City
He Said, She Said
Funny People
I Love You, Man
The Hangover
Slumdog Millionaire
Vicky Christina Barcelona
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Milk
The Visitor
He’s Just Not That Into You
Two Lovers
Where the Wild Things Are
Lost in Translation
Waiting for Guffman
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Almost Famous
Stealing Beauty
Annie Hall
Amelie
The Savages
Sex and Lucia
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the original)
The Wizard of Oz
Annie Hall
Butterflies Are Free
Splendor in The Grass
The Big Chill
You Can Count on Me
Wonder Boys
The Queen
King of Kong
City Island
Donnie Darko
Good Will Hunting
The Devil Wears Prada
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Meet The Parents
Little Miss Sunshine
Juno
Pretty Woman
to be continued…

From RT:
Eli: I’m not in love with you any more.
Margot: I didn’t know that you ever were.
Eli: Let’s not make this any more difficult than it already is.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl6FbeoXeHQ

(What are your film faves and why? Share in the comments)

Liked that? Check out:

• Vids & Webisodes: My Faves
• 2010 Emmy Awards: I vote for MODERN FAMILY
• HOT IN CLEVELAND: funny find!

So L.A., right?

I keep wanting to add to my FAVE lists (Best of L.A. and Hotlinks) so I’ll start here with–

Restaurants and Clubs–

oldies/goodies/newbies

And then, when I have time,  I’ll update my Best of Pages.

[RESTAURANTS]

Yu-n-mi
Johnny Rockets
Magnolia
Katsuya
Apple Pan
Boa (on Sunset)
Gjelina
Axe
Hirozen
Cuvee
Nobu (Malibu)
Mastros
La Scala
The Ivy
Sushi Roku
Urth
Asia de Cuba

[CLUBS}

El Carmen (3^rd Street)
The Dime
Hotel Café
Three of Clubs
Coach & Horses
Burgundy Room
Hamburger Mary’s (bingo night) – a RIOT!

I feel hungry, just thinking about this list…

(What are your Restaurant and Club Faves? You don’t have to limit it to L.A.– Share in the comments.)

Liked that? Check out:

• HOT IN CLEVELAND: funny find!
• ER: CODE RED – Diet Karma
• 2010 Emmy Awards: I vote for MODERN FAMILY

I LUV feeling appreciated and there’s nothing that gets me there quicker than taking something home-baked to the ER Staff. Seriously, food is the be-all-end-all. Tonight I put a  Chocolate Cake down in the Staff Lounge and before I could take a pic, half of it was gone!

Comments included –

I love you!
So moist!
That was better than sex!

(unfortunately most of the comments were from female nurses, but still…)

Going… going….

after 6 minutes

… gone

After 11 minutes

Recipe for the Easiest Chocolate Cake Ever!

(in case you missed it in one of my Valentine’s Day posts)

My Magical Mom’s Chocolate Cake

Batter:
Duncan Hines Devils Food Cake Mix
1 Small Package of Chocolate Pudding Mix
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup Crisco oil
1 cup sour cream (one small carton)
4 eggs
1 cup of chocolate chips

Frosting:
6 squares of Bakers unsweetened chocolate
1 cube butter
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup sugar

Decorations:
M & M’sJelly beans
Chocolate Chips
Chocolate Sprinkles
Nuts

Use Pam or butter to grease a Spring-form pan.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In an electric mixer, combine all of the ingredients in the order that they are listed.  Combine, but do not over mix.

Pour batter into a greased spring-form pan.  Bake for one hour at 350 degrees. When completely cool, cover with frosting and decorations.

Frosting:
In saucepan over low heat, combine 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of heavy whipping cream.  When it is just at the boiling point, simmer for approximately 5-7 minutes.  Remove from heat and add chocolate squares.  Next add butter.  Use whisk to combine completely.  As the mixture cools, it becomes thicker.

(What’s your full-proof recipe to a smile ? Let us know in the comments.)

Liked that? Check out:

• Making Wishes: 26 Ways
• Hospital Heartthrobs: Mixed Messages
• HOT IN CLEVELAND: funny find!

wishes do come true

This morning the first thing I do is read my birthday horoscope in the L.A. Times. It starts out with:

“The best part of your life is yet to come…”

Before I finish reading, my doorbell rings and it’s my Dad grinning next to this HUMONGOUS box. Since it’s big and heavy, he tells me to open it right there.

I open up the top and almost die of a heart attack because inside is–
my best friend RACHEL!

My thoughtful, incredible, super AWESOME Dad flew her down from Portland for a 24-hour Evie birthday trip.

He hands me this typed-out itinerary:
Heist @11:00
Curve@12:00
The Ivy@1:00
Satine@2:30
OMG! My three favorite stores and my favorite restaurant!!!

(Did I mention that my favorite stores just got in new Isabel Marant?)

Isabel is awesome!

So we go to Heist and Shannon who works there hands me a gift and inside is this amazing Isabel plaid shirt — that fits perfectly! (Can you believe my Dad knows how to pull off this stuff?) Then we go to Curve and Ami hands me a gift, which is the cutest little Isabel flip mini skirt! (Wow Dad!)

Then we go across the street to The Ivy where we split crab cakes and we each have the Grilled Vegetable Salad. Mine’s with chicken. Rachel’s is with shrimp.

Our last stop is Satine where Erica hands a gift to me AND to Rachel – twins-y Isabel sweatpants! (Dad, you’re A M A Z I N G!)

Right now we’re getting ready to go over to Niles’ place for a little party. I’m going to wear my new little Isabel skirt.

Even though I didn’t get a pilot (yet…hope hope) this is one of my best days of my whole life. What a great way to start my 27^th year!

Thanks Rachel! Thanks Isabel!
I LOVE YOU Dad! Today was beyond perfect!

(What’s the best birthday surprise you’ve ever gotten? What’s the best one you’ve ever come up with for someone else? Tell in the comments)

Liked that? Check out:

• Film Faves: Currently Speaking
• Vids & Webisodes: My Faves
• HOT IN CLEVELAND: funny find!