musings a go go

Fascination with Audioanimatronics

2010-08-04T01:23:00.002-05:00

When I was little, there was Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Time Theater (not like how it is today), but with audioanimatronic singers. Chuck E. was a rat and looked a lot different from the mouse he is today. Also, there was Showbiz with their "Rockafire Explosion" band of audioanimatronic characters. All of these characters scared me to death especially when they were finished with their act and would twitch and blink their eyes while winding down. Here are two disturbing examples of these "bands", one an early Chuck E. Cheese franchise pitch with everything it offered in the early days and one of the Showtime Pizza crew "performing" a relatively current song. Please enjoy and wonder why kids in the 80s didn't develop PTSD from all this nonsense...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBhuBrWlmeA&feature=related

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYIUxp9TTuw

Weekend Trip to Shreveport

2007-08-05T21:04:00.000-05:00

Since I moved back here in October, one of the things I have wanted to do was to go to the Louisiana Boardwalk in Shreveport/Bossier City. I have been to Shreveport since several times, but not for pleasure. Jared, Heath (his brother), Dana, (Heath's wife), and I went for the weekend and stayed at the Horseshoe Casino Hotel and had a great time. We ate at Ralph and Kacoo's (a GREAT seafood restaurant) Saturday evening, snd went to the Louisiana Boardwalk Saturday night (I was correct into thinking it was like Downtown Disney or Universal City Walk). We stayed on the 16th floor of the Horseshoe with a great view of the Red River and stayed up late roaming the vast casino and drinking free beverages-LOL. We went back to the Boardwalk Sunday morning and went to the Bass Pro Shop, Gap, Joe's Crab Shack and other places. It is very nice, and although it was VERY hot, we enjoyed ourselves and had a GREAT time, especially since Heath and Dana got a little vacation from their three kids for a weekend. Here are some pics. I'm a little tired tonight (LOL) so I am going to go to bed early and recuperate.

2007-07-07T01:36:00.000-05:00

I'm so sorry...I'm too busy saying I'm busy to take time out and post some blogs...Well I have three things--two that are right off the press and one that I will tease you with...Has anyone been watching my girl Paula on "Hey Paula!"? I have, of course, because Paula and I go way back. I loved her a long time ago and I just want to take a peek into her life since she has been rich and famous for over 20 years. I used to listen to Paula on the radio while I was playing Super Mario Brothers 2-LOL..This show humanizes her, especially after the disastrous Idol satellite interviews where she was perceived as being drunk or a pillhead. Well, after seeing all this, I still love her and think she is genuinely nice but at the same time she has some incompetent people running her life and she has every right to be the "diva". Those people should force the poor girl to sleep instead of taking her to Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. Force her to SLEEP! Upon other news, I am watching Big Brother....can you believe the gays dropped the "g" word? How horrible and Jerry Springer-ish! Anyway, I hope I'm keeping you interested enough to keep checking on what my big annoucement is ...I will announce it in August, so stay tuned, and keep checking in with my trivial pop culture bs. I promise I'll have time to update....

80s commercials

2007-04-11T22:27:00.000-05:00

If anyone has about 10 minutes to spare, you should watch this collection of 80s commercials. The genius from youtube that put this together is great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk25rk0_2rk

Classic Chuck E. Cheese

2007-04-11T22:06:00.000-05:00

Remember one of my first blog posts of the old Chuck E. Cheese? You may remember that I have a fear of "asleep" or "dead" audioanimatronic characters--well, thanks to youtube, someone videotaped a walk-through of a closed Chuck E. Cheese from 1983. Check this out. Spooky!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-YcBVEnLT8

Also, check this one out--a birthday show.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl1beb3uV3E

Since this commercial from the 80s, Chuck E. Cheese has gobbled up Showbiz Pizza and Discovery Zone (remember the commercials from the 90s, "I'm DZ for Discover Zone!"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6KuASIrkHU

Old School Sesame Street

2007-04-06T15:02:00.000-05:00

Well, let me put it this way, I will have a lot more time on my hands--LOL. I was working almost 12 hour days and thus have been neglecting this blog. My parents finally got DSL and I showed them the magic of YouTube and along the way found some jewels from the past that really bring back memories. I want to talk about Sesame Street and PBS for a minute. Not the way it is with Elmo and all that, but the way it was when I was little. We didn't have cable, and the only children's programming that came on during the weekdays were on PBS. Oh, how I used to rush to the TV and turn the dial to 13! Thank God for PBS in the late 70s and early 80s! I'm going to post some videos that really were a part of my childhood and just hearing and seeing these stir up so much that it is amazing what I remember. The music and cartoons of these videos make me think that it is no wonder so many people my age experimented with drugs! Just take a trip down memory lane with me.....Just cut and paste since I'm having trouble posting these!

Loaf of bread....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFy2jHSIOKA

7 and the baker falling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIPvKk1ZWsg

Striped balls teaching tolerance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUb6YZctOqQ

Eeeeee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv2zipsPyzE

D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWMAYFNIAco

The Queen

2007-01-16T17:01:00.000-05:00

“The Queen,” an intimate, revealing and often humorous portrait of the British royal family in crisis immediately following the death of Princess Diana, stars Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II, James Cromwell as Prince Phillip and Michael Sheen as Tony Blair. The film is written by award-winner Peter Morgan and is produced by Andy Harries, Christine Langan and Tracey Seaward, and executive produced by Francois Ivernel, Cameron McCracken and Scott Rudin.

Wow!

2007-01-09T20:43:00.000-05:00

Thanks everyone for checking up on me during my hiatus! I'm so sorry that I haven't written in a while and I plan on posting every day now. Soon I hope to go down to New Orleans and visit my old haunts (and to see if they are still there). I will be sure and bring my camera and take plenty of pictures! Also, I want to go to the Louisiana Boardwalk in Shreveport--as far as I can tell it is like a Downtown Disney or CityWalk. Another thing I would like to see is the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock. I can't wait! Anyway, here is an old picture that my friend ReAnna sent from a few years ago at one of my birthday parties. This is a picture of my friends Kellie and Spencer with me of course. I'll report tomorrow.

Ta Da! I'm back!

2007-01-01T19:19:00.000-05:00

OK, I moved back to Monroe, LA in October and I haven't posted anything until now. I'm sorry, and I don't even know if people will even be interested now. Since I moved, a lot has happened. Originally I was going to go back to school at ULM, my alma mater, but along the way, I took a job with better pay than I was making in FL. We will see where this will take me, but I still plan on going back to school soon. Things are good here, I'm not digging the doom and gloom gray skies, but I'm sure I will get used to it soon. I've been spoiled with the endless blue sunny skies in FL year round. I also miss my friends Rob and Sabrina and it was a melancholy New Year's eve without them. Maybe we should have planned ahead, but I forgot you can't buy liquor here on Sundays, New Year's Eve included :( Needless to say, I didn't drink a drop last night, but for some unfortunate reason I still woke up this morning with a headache. It has been very rainy and wet here lately and I dropped my cell phone in the water and while it is very clean, it no longer works. It is a good thing I got insurance on the Razr. Speaking of insurance, I finally got the Volvo out of the body shop where it has been for 23 days! Unfortunately, the bozos at the place didn't do a good job on it and I have been on the phone trying to get someone to rectify the situation. This incident is worthy of posting, and I will devote a LOT to it later. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a GREAT 2007! May this year be better than last year. I am posting a picture of my 32nd birthday with my friends Reanna, Spencer, and me. They are old dear friends of mine.

The Ivy House

2006-10-15T15:52:00.000-05:00

Raspberry Tea at the Ivy House

2006-10-15T15:13:00.000-05:00

Meredyth at the Flea Market

2006-10-15T14:46:00.000-05:00

My LAST WEEKEND HERE

2006-10-15T14:31:00.000-05:00

Friday my parents moved all my stuff in a UHAUL to Monroe. I slept on the floor Friday night and Saturday evening came over to Rob and Sabrina's since our friend Meredyth was in town from Atlanta. We ate at the Ivy House Saturday and that night had roast beef poboys at home. Sunday we went to the flea market--It is a very big flea market--some of it is authentic antiques and a lot of it is cheap crap from China. I got a set of five McDonaldland collectible glasses that I'm going to sell on Ebay. My last day at work is Friday and I am looking forward to moving home (especially quitting my job) and seeing my family. It was nice to go to some of my favorite places during my last weekend here in Florida. Here are some pictures.

OK, so enough of the depressing crap

2006-10-07T17:41:00.000-05:00

I have taken several blog tests and want to share the results with you. I have been neglecting my blog concentrating on other things, but since I had the spare time, here we go--this is how I fared, and if you want to take the same tests, let me know how you made out. Peace out, and until soon, I will post another post on my blog

2006-10-07T17:39:00.000-05:00

You Are 27 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.

13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.

20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.

30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!

40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

2006-10-07T17:37:00.000-05:00

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 9 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

2006-10-07T17:20:00.000-05:00

You Are 30% Boyish and 70% Girlish

Even if you're not a girl, you're very feminine.
You're in touch with your feelings, and your heart rules you.
A bit of a emotional roller coaster, one moment you're up and the next you're down.
But no matter what, you try to be as cute and perky as possible.

How Boyish or Girlish Are You?

2006-10-07T17:14:00.000-05:00

On Average, You Would Sell Out For

$1,046,436

At What Price Would You Sell Out?

2006-10-07T17:07:00.000-05:00

Your Driving Is is: 46% Male, 54% Female

According to studies, you drive both like a guy and a girl.
This means you're a pretty average driver, with typical quirks.
Occasionally you're frustrated and or a little reckless, but that's the exception - not the norm.

Do You Drive Like a Guy or a Girl?

2006-10-07T17:05:00.000-05:00

You Are a Conservative Democrat

Frankly, the way most other Democrats behave embarasses you greatly.
You pride yourself on a high level of morals, and you have a good grasp on right and wrong.
It's likely you think America needs to get back to its conservative, Juedo-Christian values.
Why aren't you a Republican then? Because you believe the goverment helps more than hurts.

What's Your Political Persuasion?

2006-10-07T17:01:00.000-05:00

You Are 20% Capitalist, 80% Socialist

You see a lot of injustice in the world, and you'd like to see it fixed.
As far as you're concerned, all the wrong people have the power.
You're strongly in favor of the redistribution of wealth - and more protection for the average person.

Are You a Socialist or Capitalist?

2006-10-07T16:58:00.000-05:00

You've Experienced 68% of Life

You have all of the life experience that most adults will ever get.
And unless you're already in your 40s, you're probably wise beyond your years.

How Much Life Experience Do You Have?

2006-10-07T16:57:00.000-05:00

You Are Bert

Extremely serious and a little eccentric, people find you loveable - even if you don't love them!

You are usually feeling: Logical - you rarely let your emotions rule you

You are famous for: Being smart, a total neat freak, and maybe just a little evil

How you life your life: With passion, even if your odd passions (like bottle caps and pigeons) are baffling to others

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

2006-10-07T16:46:00.000-05:00

Your Career Personality: Original, Devoted, and Service Oriented

Your Ideal Careers:

Art director
Book editor
College professor
Composer
Film director
Graphic designer
Novelist
Stage actor
Psychiatrist
Writer

The Quick and Dirty Career Test

2006-10-07T16:37:00.000-05:00

You Are 46% Open

You are a fairly open person, but you also like to maintain your privacy.
You definitely will tell all (okay, almost all) to your closest friends...
But strangers and acquaintances only get a peek into your life.

How Open Are You?

2006-10-07T16:33:00.000-05:00

Your Linguistic Profile:

50% General American English

30% Dixie

10% Upper Midwestern

5% Yankee

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

2006-10-07T16:30:00.000-05:00

Your Job Dissatisfaction Level is 51%

Well, you don't have the worst job in the world, but it's not great.
And don't worry, you're not the problem - your company is.
Start looking around for another job, even if you're not totally fed up.
Because in time, you're going to be dying to quit!

Should You Quit Your Job?

2006-10-07T16:16:00.000-05:00

You Are 69% American

Most times you are proud to be an American.
Though sometimes the good ole US of A makes you cringe
Still, you know there's no place better suited to be your home.
You love your freedom and no one's going to take it away from you!

How American Are You?

2006-10-07T16:11:00.000-05:00

Your Brain is 67% Female, 33% Male

Your brain leans female
You think with your heart, not your head
Sweet and considerate, you are a giver
But you're tough enough not to let anyone take advantage of you!

What Gender Is Your Brain?

2006-10-07T16:05:00.000-05:00

Your Personality Is Like Ecstasy

You're usually feeling the love for the world around you - you want to hug everyone.
And while you're usually content to sit back and view the world with wonder...
Sometimes you're world becomes very overwhelming and a little scary.

What Drug Is Your Personality Like?

Karma blog test

2006-10-07T15:56:00.000-05:00

You Have Good Karma

In general, you like to do the right thing when it comes to others.
Your caring personality really shines through.
Sure, you have your moments of weakness - and occasionally act out.
But, all in all, you're karma is good... even with those few dark spots.

How's Your Karma?

A temporary break from the the depressing...

2006-09-25T11:35:00.000-05:00

A humorous photo involving one of my favorite people.....

This is how I feel.....

2006-09-15T08:05:00.000-05:00

Gotta get off, gonna get
Have to get off from this ride
Gotta get hold, gonna get
Need to get hold of my pride
When did I get, where did I
How was I caught in this game
When will I know, where will I
How will I think of my name
When did I stop feeling sure, feeling safe
And start wondering why, wondering why
Is this a dream, am I here, where are you
What's in back of the sky, why do we cry
Gotta get off, gonna get
Off of this merry-go-round
Gotta get off, gonna get
Need to get on where I'm bound
When did I get, where did I
Why am I lost as a lamb
When will I know, where will I
How will I learn who I am
Is this a dream, am I here, where are you
Tell me, when will I know, how will I know
When will I know why?
When will I know why...

(theme from "the valley of the dolls")

Ann Richards

2006-09-14T12:52:00.000-05:00

I am going to miss the flamboyant nn Richards, the former governor of Texas. She was so witty and sharp tongued, and LIBERAL, that I couldn't help but to like her. Dubya usurped her from her one term for the governorship of TX and then of course became you know....anyway, I feel a loss that she is gone.

Crist vs Davis

2006-09-06T19:26:00.000-05:00

OK, so I was confused about the FL governor candidates and didn't even vote in the primaries yesterday. First let me set up the story by letting you know that Jeb Bush isn't running for re-election...(I don't like the president, but I can't help like his brother--during a hurricane threat he is a master--he closes all school systems and lets them be shelters, and whatever cruise lines (he is under fire for government contracts only to Carnival) are available in the ports, he uses them like the federal gov't uses "Fema trailers". He opens up the turnpikes for free and FL and federal emergency services are there to save and rebuild ASAP--OK, you get the picture about the hurricanes...to the midterm election-- all the Republican candidates were against each other trying to prove how "conservative" they are, even going as far as trying to prove how "liberal" other candidates have been in the past. OK, I know I'm not Rebublican--these commercials made me mad talking about how some candidates would 'ban adoptions to where only married family couples' could adopt children. OK, I guess a swipe at gays, and also their 'sanctity of marriage and the prohibition of civil unions' plan got me fired up. Every time Jared and I drove past a corner with any of these supporters, we just drove by and flipped them off and/or used the thumb down. On to the democrats, I was just as confused with them. According to them, they are going to instate civil unions and more accepted abortions. Good Lord, that is NOT the difference between Republican and Democrats. I didn't vote in the primary, but I would have if I were Republican--Kathleen Harris, that botoxed beotch who was the Attorney General in FL when she made Gore lose, is running for Senate. She is Republican, and while she did win the primary, she did not get the Republican support of the state and federal leaders because of her past. This guarantees (in news and print) that the Democratic candidate will win for Senate. BTW, Davis is the Democrat and I'm voting for him for Governor.

Katie on CBS

2006-09-06T10:53:00.000-05:00

I watched the CBS news last night hosted by Katie Couric and my verdict was it was pretty good. I think it will do well, especially the new "Freedom of Speech" segment--it is going to have controversial people run their mouths about things to get people stirred up just so people in America can understand that we have the freedom of speech, no matter how stupid or crazy the people are, ala Rush Limbaugh and people like that. So, since I am a news junkie, I'll keep you informed.

See if you can do this....

2006-09-01T08:02:00.000-05:00

This is a fun geography quiz. See if you can place all the names of the states where the state is located in the allotted time. Of course I got them all right! LOL. I have always been adept at geography--I can picture where just about every country is BUT I have no sense of direction in the real world...Oh well. Anyway, this test says you must finish it to pass the fourth grade, but I don't think that third graders know this kind of stuff--they can barely speak English these days. Check this out and let me know how you did......

http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf

After church with KFC

2006-08-29T19:52:00.000-05:00

Since I was a little tyke, my mamaw took me to KFC when I was little for a fried chicken treat evening meal. Back then, there were two or three booths, an old fashioned bottle vending machine where you had to pull them out sideways... They didn't have fountain drinks back then. Soon during this time and after, my family would always go out to eat after church. There was this one place called "Tiebel's" and if anyone cares to know where it used to be, it is where "Green Thumb" now "Ideal Construction Company" right beside Ideal and across from the Paper Mill (in Crossett, AR). Mamaw called it "Tulip Queen" because apparently that was the name before. I remember their old fashioned counters and tables and the stacks of various pies they had on display. Apparently everyone had a slice of pie after their meal. Another place we would eat after church was Sonic,which back then they brought out your drink with colored plastic animals on the side. OK, rambling on, rambling on, the point to my story is the evolution of Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC and their evolving advertising campaign. I remember the old 80s campaign "Cross the Road Jack" with Ray Charles singing. And also I learned a hard lesson of big business manipulating nostaligic feelings for the purpose of a profit. In a college economic class, I had to present a report on PepsiCo, which actually owned Pepsi, Frito-Lay, KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, and many more (I'll get more to these later on another musing). At this time Kentucky Fried Chicken had been known as KFC for a couple years, and during the time of the research, had stopped offering it's famous "bucket". Kentucky Fried Chicken was now KFC and didn't have a bucket! I was noticing the other differences/declining of the Pizza Hut and Taco Bell brand, but like I said, I'll ramble about that for another time. So, now, KFC has a bucket, and has rebranded itself (under Pepsi still) to a company that has changed its name, changed it's writing and logos to be more nostalgic. Note the new logos and buckets have the original Kentucky Fried Chicken logo.

Ernesto

2006-08-29T19:10:00.000-05:00

Well, here we go again....Ernesto (NOT a hurricane, but a tropical storm) is headed our way tomorrow. The south of the state is already drenched and according to the news (which is never right about a hurricane until the last second), should hit us some time tomorrow. Two years ago, here in Central Florida we got hit pretty hard by two hurricanes. Each time we were without power for two weeks and during that time, Jared and I had an apartment with a front porch and back porch, which we opened up for a cross breeze. While this temporarily gave us some moving air (not cool, but a breeze is a breeze), it also destroyed every book and paper object that I owned at that time. The pages were all wet and mildewy and the photos were wrinkled. Trees and power lines blocked all four exits out of the complex AND we were without phone service. The next day we plugged in an old fashioned cheap corded phone and that worked. Also, during the storms we had the screens closed but just watched the trees fall (some on houses, all of our shingles on the complex were blowing away, signs blowing off hinges and blowing down the road). It is like the bad thing about the hurricane is not the actual storm itself, but the time period afterward of being without power and stranded. This time important photos are in simple ziploc bags, and we live in a more centralized are of downtown, for example, two major hospitals are across the street and the police station is right down the road. I'm betting that if we lose power, we should be among the first to get it back, although I'm not a betting man, and have never had something that went as planned--LOL. So anyway, if this is a good enough storm--haha-I will post some pictures of the wind and sideways rain that is so hard, it can poke an eye out.

Can't I Be In A Bad Mood?

2006-08-28T19:24:00.000-05:00

Today at work, I was feeling a bit irritable--deluged by innane broker questions, getting there 17 minutes late (the alarm was about 30 minutes slow)--I went in "early" just so I could have a cup of coffee and a cigarette. We don' t smoke in the house or car so I thought I'd relax by going into work early. Not so....walk in, clock in, get on the phone queue, and start chipping away at my huge inbox emails. I was extremely nice up until a point--answered calls politely, but I have brokers call me directly and fax to me directly, and email me directly requesting urgent things that need to be done. They are not satisfied with our phone system and a lot of these people I take extra time with are old ladies from banks, people who are just set up on our online system and these old southerners who are used to doing everything with a particular person. Now I haven't minded going above and beyond with customer service, but when 50% of the calls are waiting for me (and they are supposed to go thru a queue getting the next available representative), trying to put people on hold while I can chew a bite of my lunch, AND having my not having my departmental instant messenger along with trying to communicate with friends and having some criticize my response time, it just chapped my butt...I got short with some email friends and some co-workers and to them it seemed like the end of the world..."How Dare Andy Barton Be In A Bad Mood!"....I'm always the one trying to get the drama sorted out, remain calm and listen to each side, but surely I can be in a bad mood (not pretending anyway) without people freaking out and thinking it is the end of the world just because I'm a bitch for 20 minutes. I get over it fast, but people, it's going to be OK....

Hallelujah!!

2006-08-26T20:54:00.000-05:00

Let me tell you a little secret....I have been going thru terrible withdrawals from Lexapro for over a month. I had weaned myself down to half my dosage and then going cold turkey for 4 weeks. I have been on this medication for about 3 years now and even though it helped me at the time, I'm trying not to be a slave to anything--prescriptions, cigarettes, alcohol, etc.... I am no crazy Tom Cruise, and for God's sake my major is in Psychology....I have anxiety and depression but paying $50 a month for a medication and the doctor won't even give you samples when you are in need? Don't get me started....Well after the third day I started having "strokes" and "heart attacks" and continued with shakiness, concentration loss, twitches, lethargy and brain "zaps". Every day during lunch I would have to come home and lay down for 30 minutes because I was totally exhausted. When I woke up this Monday morning, I had a CLEAR head, had energy, enthusiasm and actually felt good for the first time in a LONG time. So, there it is in a nutshell....I was going off my SSRI which I have been on for 3 years, and the side effects and withdrawals have been AWFUL--doctors should tell their patients how "crazy"and horrible getting off this medicine can be. They at least give Methadone to Heroin addicts when they quit....

ON HIATUS

2006-08-18T11:10:00.000-05:00

On hiatus until life starts dealing a fair hand of cards, which may be never. If you want to contact me, email at bartonac_74@yahoo.com and of course, I am on Myspace.

Busy Busy Busy

2006-08-12T14:41:00.000-05:00

This past month so far has flown by--my mom's birthday was August 5, and so many things have happened personally. I will divulge those things at another time. In the meantime, I'll share a scary story about the "Phantom". I worked late this week and when I was getting into the car I saw a tall scary man all in black from head to toe. He had on a big black hat, and a long black trench coat. His face was painted white and his cheeks were heavily rouged and he had painted a big fake mole on his cheek. (Think of Baby Jane). He had long bleached blonde hair and he was pushing an Albertson's buggy as fast as he could, the whole time looking directly at me. It was so scary. I locked the car door and just stared at him, wishing that I had my cell phone so I could take a picture.

Happy Birthday Sabrina

2006-07-30T12:58:00.000-05:00

Sabrina's birthday is tomorrow (July 31)--I want to take time for a moment and wish her a happy birthday. Does anyone out there ever feel like you are just stuck in your life, spinning your wheels and not going anywhere. That is how I feel. I really feel like I need to get my butt back into school and finish my masters in counseling so I can actually do something I love. I could actually make a difference in somebody's life. Let's just say I have a big plan that I'm going to put into motion soon. I can't talk about it right now, but I'll let everyone know soon. This week has been very hectic work-wise, and me blowing up my work laptop and crashing my computer at work twice this week is why I haven't been able to post any new blogs. Jared and I are doing fine. Everything is OK, but I need to be "moving on up" and since I have been here in FL, I have had several promotions and raises, but it is like work is going in slow motion while life and time is in a fast forward warp zone. Something's got to give. Anyway, like I said a plan is in motion as we speak. Also, gentle readers, please take the time to make comments on http://tightfacebitches.blogspot.com/. Billy has gone to great lengths to entertain his audience and he expects everyone to make comments on all of his posts starting with the very first. He is very upset that nobody is leaving comments. It really is an entertaining blog, and please leave comments from the very first post to the last. I have to warn you though, it is really different from mine..lol. For some reason I am unable to publish any photos on this work laptop otherwise, I would have some fab pic to post. To all my fans everywhere, I bid you good night and God Bless and I will be posting up a storm very soon.

Happy Birthday Jared!

2006-07-10T13:39:00.000-05:00

This weekend we had a good ol' time. Jared's brother Heath and his wife Dana flew in this weekend for Jared's birthday. They were supposed to fly into Gainesville Thursday night but because of the weather the plane was diverted to Daytona Beach. They had to stay in a hotel there and I didn't get off work Friday until 7:30, so we got there pretty late. They had a hotel on the beach and we stayed up and hung out all night and went to the beach and stuff. The next day we got up and drove to Ocala and that night (Saturday) we watched "The Hills Have Eyes", which is actually one of the better horror movies I've seen, and then watched the fight until 2:00 am. Aside from the lack of sleep, I had a great time. Jared's brother and Dana are very nice people and we all had a good time. They left yesterday. I will put some more pics up later. This is a picture of Jared and Heath. Don't they look alike? BTW....I forgot to call Stephanie and wish her Happy Birthday, too! She and Jared have the same birthday.

Shuttle Launch and Fourth of July

2006-07-05T08:41:00.000-05:00

Jared and I got to see the shuttle take off (actually we weren't at Cape Canaveral--we were at home and saw it in the sky for a few seconds). This is the second time I've seen a space shuttle in the sky. I saw one last year. Jared went all out yesterday--barbequeing ribs, making potato salad, and baked beans. I ate so much I'm still feeling the effects this morning at work :( Anyway, it was such a good meal. When the shuttle took off, it knocked out our cable and internet for 3 hours. Right at zero on the countdown the tv went white and then everything went blank. I didn't know if everything went well, or if it blew up or anything since I didn't see the liftoff on TV--I saw it in the sky so I figured everything went fine. Later, I checked the Blackberry and looked at the news that it was successful. Hope everyone had a good and safe Fourth of July! Remember, "Don't celebrate the Fourth with a fifth!".

HILLARY!!

2006-06-30T13:17:00.000-05:00

For a mere $34 donation to Hillary's campaign (for Senate, but who are we kidding--it is for President as well) you can get a Marc Jacob designed Hillary T shirt. They are fab. Check this out....

New note from Tammy Faye

2006-06-23T14:19:00.000-05:00

June 22, 2006
Hello my Friends,I have been reading your e-mails and receiving such comfort from them daily. Thank you for your continued prayers on my behalf. You cannot know how much that means to me. I think about you often and try to picture your faces.I want to say thank you for all the wonderful gifts you have sent me. Angels, shawls (which I love because I feel cold so much of the time having lost so much weight). I’m staying at a firm 95 lbs. But, that is not so bad considering I’m just 4’-11” tall. I just look kinda boney. Ha!Ha! I love all the butterflies you’ve sent and all the good vitamins, the drinks, all the cancer information, the books. Everything brings a feeling of love with it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.I am still on chemo. I take a chemo pill for a week then I’m off a week. Just about the time I start feeling better and my energy is coming back it’s time to take that pill again. I start again tomorrow. However, I received a great report from the doctor two weeks ago. My cancer marker has gone from 48 to 40. I am grateful to God for good news. But, I KNOW I serve a 100% God and 40 isn’t good enough for Him. I KNOW that one day I will be sitting here at my desk writing that God has done it again and I’m 100% free of cancer. Meanwhile, I keep taking my medicine and I keep praising God for total restoration of my health. I feel I have so much to do yet. You ask if I am hurting. Yes, sometimes my back aches so bad that I can hardly breathe. But I get out and do and go anyway. I don’t know if any of you have seen my new television show or not. It’s called "YOU CAN MAKE IT". It’s really funny. It’s a cooking show and I do it with my girlfriend of 30 years, Joanne Thompson. She and her husband Jimmy Thompson own a television station in Greenville, SC and also in Atlanta, GA. We’ve had on some wonderful guests and we tape once a month 3 one half hour shows a day. That is so good for me because for those two days I feel like I don’t have cancer and that I am contributing something to the world again. It’s funny because in between shows you’ll find me cuddled up in the green room wrapped up in my shawl with a heating pad on my back. But that is what faith is all about. Taking one day at a time. Defying the old devil and doing it anyway. Seeing things that are not as though they were! That’s faith in a nutshell! That is what I try to do everyday. It works!Please pray for my son Jay Bakker. He is moving his ministry “Revolution” to New York. It’s a big step of faith for him and his wife Amanda. She is studying to be a doctor at one of the colleges there. If you would like to HEAR Jay’s ministry he has an online church for people who have given up on church. Listen at www.VivaLaRevolution.org. You will enjoy his look at life. Thank you again for everything. I love you so much!

Love, Tammy Faye

Read Other Notes from Tammy
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When Royals Fart

2006-06-22T14:15:00.000-05:00

I saw these pictures of Prince Philip (the queen's husband) ripping a loud and stinky one. Look at the reaction of the other family members, and the queen still keeps her stiff upper lip. I love her!

Just because he loves me....

2006-06-22T14:09:00.000-05:00

I was stunned at work yesterday when I got some flowers delivered. I was sure they were not for me, but they were! Jared had them delivered, with the message, "Andy, I love you with all my heart, Love, Jared." So pretty and so thoughtful. I love him too!

Greetings from Benjamin Jared!

2006-06-19T19:05:00.000-05:00

Good evening, everyone! As you know, I'm Andy's partner AKA "husband"--For once, I'd like to say something on this damn blog. To start out, I've felt like shit for 3 days, especially today. I have been very "under the weather", speaking of weather....I was napping in the back bedroom this afternoon (so I could lock the cats out) and all of a sudden, I hear a massive BOOM! I thought it was the Taliban trying to get me in my sleep. Actually it was just a Florida monsoon that occurs here every other day now. This one seemed to last forever. The cats were scared, and I was a little shaken myself (haha), actually I'm not afraid of anything! 'a la Joan Collins'
Signing off in the name of Jesus,
Benjamin Jared

Alberto

2006-06-14T11:04:00.000-05:00

Alberto has came and went--no real damage here, just some power outages here and there. The water retention pond behind our apartment that has been dry forever is now full and I heard bugs and bullfrogs last night--a peaceful sound that you don't really pay attention to unless it has been gone for awhile. Yesterday the wind almost knocked me down once and it blew something in my eye, but the gusts weren't that bad and it is over now. That is the update on that. Here is a funny joke that I think people from where I was born and raised will understand. I know I do--when I went to New Orleans once during college for Mardi Gras, I was following a friend that drove a teal Paseo with a Darwin fish with legs, a rainbow Mickey Mouse, and a bumper sticker that said, "To hell with the Baptists, I'm going to Disney World". Needless to say, in Delhi, I believe it was, a big truck with a gun rack tailgated him and kept bumping his bumper for about 15 minutes before he drove off. We got his point. Here it is:

Survivor Southern Style

Due to the popularity of the Survivor shows, several southern TV stations
are joining together and are planning to do their own, entitled Survivor:
Southern Style.

The contestants will start in Alabama; travel over to Georgia and on to
South Carolina. From there they will head up to North Carolina and over
to Tennessee. They will then proceed down to Mississippi and Louisiana,
finally ending up back over in Alabama.

Each will be driving a pink Volvo with New Jersey license plates and large
bumper stickers that read: I'm Gay, I'm a Vegetarian, NASCAR Sucks, Go
Yankees!, Smoking is for Idiots, Hillary in 2008, Deer Hunting is Murder!,
and I'm Here to Confiscate Your Guns!

The first one that makes it back to Montgomery alive wins.

What I Miss About Home

2006-06-12T10:58:00.000-05:00

Since I won't be able to come home this summer, I thought I'd do a post about what I miss the most about home. These are in random order, by the way....

1. Being near family
2. Drive through liquor stores--LOL
3. Frozen Drinks (Daiquiris)--Hurricane flavor
4. Catfish Inn
5. Pecanland Mall--even though there are bigger malls with more stores around here, I miss my favorite mall in the world.
6. Fred's--Why aren't there any here in FL? If you look hard enough you can find some really nice things in there for your home
7. Johnny's Pizza--there is nothing like it (sigh) PLUS their salad bar is wonderful with the lettuce shredded just the way I like it.
8. Friends friends friends! I miss them! A lot have moved away, but some of my best friends are still there.
9. Fried catfish--Never thought I would have missed that!
10. Sonics with their Route 44 drinks
11. Cajun food
12. Mamaw's good country food--her fried chicken is the best!
13.The paper mill smell--JUST KIDDING!!
14. The Mohawk restaurant--this place is exactly the same as it was 30 years ago (you know what I mean)
15. McAllister's HUGE baked potatoes
16. Bourbon chicken from Chinese places, especially from Pecanland Mall
17. Peking Chinese Buffet (and the way they measure it when you take out--LOL)
18. Harold's in Bastrop (halfway between Crossett and Monroe)
19. Podnuh's--I love their beans!
20. Being able to smoke in a restaurant or any BUILDING for that matter--at least you should be able to smoke in bars....

More to follow---in the meantime, here is a pic of Simone acting crazy....

Busy busy

2006-06-06T13:57:00.000-05:00

I have been so busy at work it is unreal. So stressful....anyway, tomorrow I'll write something good, but in the meantime, here is a sweet picture of Cameron Abbott with Jared. We got to see the little sweetie this weekend. Oh, something else---I talked with my brother yesterday and they have planned March 24th as their wedding day. Any suggestions as to where they can go for the honeymoon?

Underwear Test Case

2006-06-02T10:36:00.000-05:00

I am participating in a test case study for men's boxer brief underwear for a research company. I have to wear their boxer briefs for 4 weeks! There are three different packages with different numbers and each week I have to wear a different number. I have to write everything down and keep up with when I wash and how it holds up. I've never been a direct study for a company so this will be interesting. I will keep you posted! I wonder what brand of underwear this is as they have no tags on the back......

Game Show Marathon

2006-06-01T10:35:00.000-05:00

Did anyone watch the new prime time show hosted by Ricki Lake on CBS called Game Show Marathon? It is with celebrities that are competing against being eliminated. The celebrities are Leslie Nielson, Lance Bass, Tim Meadows, Kathy Najimy, Paige Davis, and Brande Roderick. It features the classic game shows such as The Price is Right, The Match Game, Card Sharks, Let's Make A Deal, Family Feud, and Press Your Luck. It is very authentic and I am impressed with how realistic everything is. As everyone knows, I love the Price is Right and I love game shows and of course the whole fabulous retro/kitsch factor. It comes on every night on CBS at 8 EST. Check it out!

2006-05-31T11:08:00.000-05:00

8 Femmes

2006-05-31T10:40:00.000-05:00

I watched a very interesting film this weekend, "8 Femmes" or en anglais, "8 Women". Now on a background note, I swore to myself back in college that I'd never watch another French film again after taking a very extensive French cinema class, but this just sucked me in and I had to watch it from beginning to end. It is about 8 women who are trapped in a manor house by a snowstorm--the phone lines are cut, the car has been sabatoged, nobody can come in or out and there is a dead body upstairs. This is very Clue-esqe and intriguing. The only way for the 8 women to find out who the murderess is is for everyone to tell the complete truth no matter how tough it is. It turns out that the wife of Monsieur (the murdered man), who is Madame, was planning on leaving him that morning with his partner that drove him to financial ruin. Their daughter who showed up the night before reveals that she is pregnant with Monsieurs baby, and Madame reveals that Monsieur wasn't her father after all--she was pregnant by another man when she married Monsieur. It also turns out that one of the maids was Monsieur's lover who he had employed there to satisfy his affair. Madame's mother (who lives in the manor along with her caretaker daughter) has been in a wheelchair this whole time, reveals that not only can she walk, she poisoned her husband and her virgin daughter (Madame's sister) who has totally devoted her life to care for her poor widowed mother, breaks down. To make things even more juicy, Monsieur's exotic dancer sister from Paris turns out has been there since the night before getting 500,000 francs for Monsieur to give to her lover (also Madame's lover) so they can run away and go to Mexico together. This exotic dancer is also the lover of the other maid, Chanel. To get to the bottom of the murder they have to be completely honest with each other and everyone finds out so much about everyone else. Another French twist to the movie is that the youngest daughter has staged her father's murder so that he can see for himself how greedy and manipulative all the women are. As soon as they find out they've been tricked by the younger daughter, they are furious, she opens Monsieur's bedroom, and he holds a gun to his head and blows his brains out. FIN

This weekend.....

2006-05-30T10:56:00.000-05:00

Thank God for the long Memorial Day weekend....I am feeling a little better--not "discombobulated" like I have been, but the only problem I am having is that my eyes are still dry and swollen, BUT on a lighter note, the thunderstorms have started! It is a little late for the rainy season to start, but better late than never. The rains have cleared the air somewhat to where I am normal feeling, but since this is the lightning capital of the world, the lightning is striking trees and starting more wildfires. Also, we are about to start hurricane season again....Let's see, this weekend, Jared and I cooked steak quesadillas with black bean salsa from a recipe from Everyday Foods. It is a digest sized magazine that you carry to the grocery store and check off the list of ingredients as you get it--it is amazing, and of course from Martha Stewart. I recommend everyone to subscribe or at least pick one up and buy it at the store--it is very handy. We also grilled filets and had baked potatoes. Very good! We also went looking at other apartments. Where we live now there are a lot of professionals that live in the complex, and during the evenings, all their kids play in the parking lot (over 30). I wish these poor kids had a park or a play area, but they don't--they ride their bikes in the parking lot, skateboard, ride their scooters, and play ball. This wouldn't be a problem but they ride their bikes in between the cars in the parking lot and there are several scrapes, dents, and scratches on the new car, especially from their bike handle bars . So, we looked at a complex called Grand Reserve which is a gated complex and you have your own garage that leads up to your apartment. Jared and I fell in love with these apartments. Our lease is up at the end of October--I hope we can keep our sanity until then. It really sucks to have a nice car that already has dings and scratches on it. Jared has lost it a couple of times on the children and has even pleaded with their parents, but to no avail. I will keep you posted!

Discombobulated

2006-05-26T08:02:00.000-05:00

I sometimes feel that nobody around me can understand the sinus pressure and "discombobulation" associated with this malady. Sure, people here are discussing the drought and the rain shortage, and yes, the nation is watching this state burn with all the out of control wildfires, but because of this lack of rain, the allergens have gotten out of control to me. I have missed work this week a day and a half. Yesterday morning, I woke up with my eyes swollen shut, and for the next couple of hours, had to do all kinds of treatments to get rid of the swelling, puffiness, and redness so that I could actually come in to work at noon. This is Florida--we should be in the "rainy season" now--there should be thunderstorms daily by now that last only 15 minutes, but for some reason this hasn't happened yet. I am taking Allegra and Flonase, and this is just not working for me. I can't think straight, I can't work properly, and it seems nobody understands how out of it I am and nobody understands the severity of the situation. As a child I used to have to have weekly allergy shots. I had an allergy doctor in Pine Bluff, AR. Maybe it will come to this again. Please excuse my grammar and punctuation and lack of posts this week. I hope and pray nobody has to go through this......

Senior Year

2006-05-22T08:04:00.000-05:00

Your senior year in high school is supposed to be the best year of your life. Let's see how much you remember:Year: 1993

1. Who was your best friend? Stephanie, Chris, Lyndie, Misti, Susan
2. What sports did you play? Nothing my senior year, but was on the tennis team earlier in high school
3. What kind of car did you drive? 1988 Black Ford Taurus with the left side severely scratched up due to a wreck in 1992 that Steph and I were involved in
4. It's Friday night, where were you at? Going to Bastrop—getting booze or going to the movies
5. Were you a party animal? Yes, but on the down low--LOL
6. Were you in the "In Crowd"? No, but I got along with everyone
7. Ever skip school? No
8. Ever smoke a cigarette? Yes
9. Were you a nerd? Yes
10. Did you get suspened/expelled? No
11. Can you sing the Alma Mater? No
12. Who was your favorite teacher? Mr. Owen Johnson
13. Favorite class? Government/History
14. What was your school's full name? Crossett High School
15. School mascot? Eagles
16. Did you go to Prom? Yes with a girl named S, who wanted more in a relationship than I was willing to give—After the prom we went to First Baptist for breakfast and then hung out at an alcohol-free event sponsored by them and played volleyball all night L
17. If you could go back and do it over, would you? No way
18. What do you remember most about graduation? The tassle on the hat kept hitting me in the eye
19. Favorite memory of your senior year? Seeing Bill Clinton win the presidency
20. Were you ever posted up on the senior wall? We signed our name on something
21. Did you have a job your senior year? No, I guess my job was to improve my ACT score--after graduation worked at GP for three summers
22. Who did you date? Didn’t date
23. Where did you go most often for lunch? Andy’s, KFC, McDonald’s
24. Have you gained weight since then? Yes, 120 when I graduated, now I’m 165
25. What did you do after graduation? Went home with my all my family and ate dinner, ice cream, and cake, and then my friend Chris picked me up and we went to the party that Stephanie went to

Look, it's Elizabeth Dole giving Stephanie and Brother Mike a home loan!!

2006-05-16T12:03:00.000-05:00

LOL....I have showed this to Stephanie before, but the blonde in this ad looks like Stephanie to me and the man, I guess her husband, looks like our old church music director.....PLUS, it looks like Elizabeth Dole is giving them the loan. Bro. Mike was very goofy and we thought he was very old fashioned and out of touch with the real world--LOL, but I guess he was a good man, even though he didn't let his wife or daughter wear pants--LOL. This picture is so ironic, I just had to share it.......Double click on the picture to make it larger....

Brokedown Mountain

2006-05-15T07:29:00.000-05:00

It took me a while to see the film "Brokeback Mountain". Everyone was pushing me to watch it when it was out in theatres, and wanted me to watch it before the Academy Awards, but I didn't. It isn't because I find the premise of the movie objectionable--not at all, it is just that movies that I put in this category, SAD, such as Terms of Endearment, Beaches, etc., tear me UP. I mean, I cry horribly at movies like this and that makes me a WRECK for at least a day or two. So, that is why it took me so long to watch this film. I got it through Netflix and kept it for five days before watching it. Even though it was a beautifully shot movie, with great characters (I was a little shocked seeing ex-Disney Princess Anne Hathaway showing her boobies, but I digress..) it was a beautiful and tragic love story. I think Heath Ledger did an AWESOME job playing Ennis--Great movie, very very good, but very tragic and very very sad......That said, I'm so fortunate to be in a place and time that I am allowed to be open with who I love and can be free to be with that person.....

"Let's make a wagon wheel"

2006-05-12T10:56:00.000-05:00

Anyone remember the old ABC health/nutrition ads that came on during Saturday mornings with this character named Timer? He taught kids to eat healthier, taught us how to make "Sunshine on a Stick" (orange juice in an ice tray with toothpicks), making wagon wheels (a healthy snack), and of course after watching these ads, we had a "hankering for a hunk of cheese"..LOL. Also, one included a guy on a motorcycle (chopper) telling kids to "excercise your choppers while you chew, chew, chew...." about eating healthy crunchy veggies such as carrot sticks and celery. I will always remember these little ads like I remember the Schoolhouse Rock ads that taught us about verbs, adjectives, and even how a bill becomes a law ("I'm just a bill on Capitol Hill..."). Just another random musing I am sharing.....
Click on this link to actually see and hear in real audio "Sunshine on a Stick".....

http://www.toontracker.com/timer/timer.htm

Chris Daughtry---What's up Americker??

2006-05-11T10:44:00.000-05:00

Why oh why did Chris of all people get voted off last night on Idol? He is the only one this season I voted for. I was disappointed when Mandisa left earlier, but this was definitely a shocker. At this point, I don't care who wins---I think Katherine is a boring old Scientologist, but she is pretty, Elliot has really improved and I have enjoyed some of his performances, and Taylor is comical and a performer, so we'll see......Two seasons ago, I thought LaToya London was out of this world and could sing perfectly all kinds of music, and she got voted off too early, but I also liked Fantasia, so I was pleased with the end result. We gotta worship the Idol--the show that is!!

Other pictures

2006-05-10T11:00:00.000-05:00

A NEW CAR!!!

2006-05-10T10:39:00.000-05:00

We got a new car May 1. It is a Volvo S60. I have never been into Volvos before, but after test driving this one, I am hooked! It is so safe--it has about 8 airbags, 12 speakers, sunroof, cd player (this is the first car I've ever had with a cd player--LOL). It is an amazing car--I am proud of it--Jared has his key remote that adjusts to his settings and I have mine that will scoot my short self in and raise the seat and such. We got it at Ocala Volvo and yesterday when it was raining, it was driving weird--I thought something happened to the engine, but it has traction control, so the wheels will never spin, and it automatically adjusts to different driving conditions and you can even drive on flat tires! Here are some pictures of it--Jared likes flashy things and cars and I like unpretentiousness, so this is a good compromise.

Isn't it ironic?

2006-05-09T14:11:00.000-05:00

Isn't this an ironic picture? This is Karen Carpenter with Miss Piggy.

A Sister-In-Law

2006-05-09T07:46:00.000-05:00

My brother got engaged this weekend. He proposed to Lindsey while she was teaching her students in the 2nd grade. He had her favorite little kindergartener go into her classroom and bring her the ring and then he came in the classroom and got down on one knee and proposed. Lindsey and Jeff called me and told me about it--Lindsey said she was so excited and shocked that she got down on one knee herself--LOL!! Anyway Lindsey and Jeff have been dating since they were in high school, so I have known her and loved her like family for a while. She is going to send me some pictures of the proposal and I will share with y'all (if I get permission). Just so you know what we all look like, here is a pic of us at Christmas (at my grandmother's house in El Dorado). From the left, it is me, (looking very gay, I might add), my sister Liana, Lindsey, and my brother Jeff.

Cameron JOSEPH Abbott

2006-05-08T10:42:00.000-05:00

Excuse me for getting baby Cameron's middle name confused. It WAS going to be Alexander but Rob and Sabrina settled on Joseph, so here is a picture of the little red headed cutie!

IT'S A BOY!

2006-05-02T08:05:00.000-05:00

Rob and Sabrina Abbott (dear friends of mine here in FL) welcomed their baby boy Cameron Alexander Abbott into the world yesterday. Mom and baby are doing fine and he has red hair (just like his parents). More news to follow and perhaps some pics, if I get permission, of course!

Ahhh.....Allegra

2006-04-27T10:51:00.000-05:00

Went to the doctor this morning and he prescribed me Flonase and Allegra. I feel better already. It also rained this morning--for only 10 minutes, which was not long enough to wash away the pollen. There is some good news, though, I have lost some weight since my last visit, and have lost a total of 13 pounds since October. Woohoo!

This weekend.....

2006-04-25T10:34:00.000-05:00

Did anyone see Paula Abdul on QVC Friday night selling her jewelry? Typical Paula--you can only imagine. Saturday, I watched Tammy Faye and Jan Crouch on TBN that morning--it was so sad to see how bad TF looked--she has lost a LOT of weight--and I guarantee you if you saw this show, you would never make fun of her makeup while she was next to Jan with her pink/purple wig, false eyelashes, gaudy makeup and plastic surgery....Anyhoo..they were doing a fundraiser for TBN and they were bawling, mascara going everywhere, and it was touching to see TF back on TV raising money that I started squirting out the tears, too! LOL So, that begins my sinus problems....after crying I went outside to the bad pollen and ever since then, my eyes have been almost swollen shut and the sinus problems have made me feel wacky--like I'm floating and not really there. I have a doctor's appt Thursday morning and I will mention this problem to him--I never have had my allergies act up this bad before. Also, has anyone watched "So NoTORIous" on VH1 starring Tori Spelling? It really is a cute show and she is playing herself and it is a parody of her life--check it out--Loni Anderson plays her mother--it is hilarious. Let's see...also, "The Karen Carpenter Story" came on Sunday night and I had to watch that over again--I guess you can call the Carpenters my first "fascination" or "obsession". I remember my family going to Bastrop to eat at Slayden's BBQ and we were in my dad's truck which only had an 8 track and on that trip, I heard the Carpenters for the first time--I LOVED the music. Ironically, when we got home and the news was on, they said that Karen Carpenter was dead. I will always remember that....it was in 1983....anyway, everyone have a good day and please forgive my stream of conciousness writing today--I feel so weird that I can't even think straight due to this sinus pressure.....

Happy Birthday!

2006-04-21T16:01:00.000-05:00

Queen Elizabeth is celebrating her 80th birthday....I have been fascinated by the monarchy since I used to read about Diana in the tabloids. I still find the queen to be amazing. Happy Birthday! God Save the Queen!

Hallelujah!!

2006-04-20T08:51:00.000-05:00

After watching "The Eyes of Tammy Faye", a documentary I recommend everyone to watch, I have been interested in the goings on of Tammy Faye. She has been up and down in her life so much and regardless of your beliefs I believe that her perseverance can be an inspiration to everyone. Right now she has inoperable cancer and she is still going strong being her usual perky self. She has a website that keeps everyone informed of her ongoing treatment and general health along with her current projects. It is http://www.tammyfaye.com/. She will be on TBN tomorrow night with Jan Crouch doing a telethon. I am going to have to tune in and watch--can you imagine those two drag queens together? LOL This is her new note:

April 17, 2006
Dear Friends,First a much needed apology from ME! I am so sorry I’ve gone so long without an update that you have been asking for. It’s hard for me to write to everyone when I’m not feeling good because I like our time together to be uplifting and happy. There is enough SADNESS IN THIS OLD WORLD WITHOUT ME ADDING TO IT.I know that many of you already know what my situation is as you heard me tell about it on Larry King. I received thousands of beautiful cards and letters from you, which I spend every evening 3 to 4 hours reading and crying and reading and laughing. Thank you from the bottom of my grateful heart. You have been such an encouragement to me. I read EVERY CARD AND LETTER AND I PRAY FOR YOUR REQUESTS RIGHT ON THE SPOT!We have received 15 of those big white boxes filled with your love from the post office. It takes a long long time to get through that much mail. But, it is a joy!As most of you know I have an egg size tumor just above my left breast that has had both radiation and chemotherapy used on it. The treatment killed the cancer we thought, until the last time I had an x-ray that showed cancer activity in the top half of the tumor. As I told you before for 3 months I have been almost over whelmed with sickness. Thank God, as a result of YOUR PRAYERS the panic attacks have subsided, I no longer have to clear my throat all the time and I have been able to swallow so now I can eat again. My weight went from 116 down to 95 pounds – I’m NOT COMPLAINING! Ha! ha! As of this writing I’m back up to 98. That is a good sign!My doctors have put me on an oral chemotherapy where I take one pill a day for 7 days and then I’m off them for 7 days etc. The pill is called XELODA. It is my understanding that it is supposed to kill tumors and prevent new ones from forming. The pill makes me very sick to my stomach so it makes it hard for me to function. They just prescribed another pill for me for my stomach that I hope and pray will work. At this time I am on my off days.I KNOW I need a miracle and I often quote the verse from the Bible that says “When I am afraid I will trust in thee”. I trust God completely and feel at peace.Thank you for your continued prayers for me and my family. PRAYER CHANGES THINGS! I’ve seen prayer change things all my life. And prayer will also change things for YOU! God is no respecter of persons.I don’t know if you know this or not but I have my own TV show along with my girlfriend Joanne Thompson. We have a fun cooking show called, what else, “YOU CAN MAKE IT!” Ha! Ha! And we don’t just make food we do a little bit of everything. I will let you know as soon as we know when and where it will be airing. We have already taped 10 shows and I leave for Greenville, SC today to tape 6 more. On Friday April 21st I will be on TBN for 4 hours doing a telethon with Jan Crouch. I’m looking forward to thatYou can look in your TV guide to find out what time that will air. That’s the TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK (TBN).Thank you again for all your love and your kindness to me. I wish there was a way I could hug each one of you individually. You have become such a big part of my heart.

Love, Tammy Faye

Donald vs Martha

2006-04-18T08:51:00.000-05:00

Remember the big tiff between Donald Trump and Martha Stewart a little while ago over "The Apprentice" where Martha said she was under the impression that she was going to take over from Donald and continue the show as a sequel with her show the only one on the air? Trump said that Martha made this up as she had made up her ImClone stock sale. I was on Martha's side, because I thought Trump was mean spirited in his attack on her show and about her daughter--I thought he got too personal in his attack. I just finished reading Martha's book that I got for Christmas, "The Martha Rules" which was published in 2005 and here is a very interesting excerpt from the book that proves that she was right all along....

"You might think that would have bristed at the idea of hosting "The Apprentice". My edition was to be a sequel of sorts to the original and popular show that starred Donald Trump. I have never played second fiddle. MSLO specializes in creating and originating ideas. I thought that my friend Donald had done a very nice job on his version of "The Apprentice". Did the world want or even need another version of this reality show? Did I really want to follow someone else's act? And what about creative control? We had never given that to anyone before. Could we trust Mark's standards? Would his standards equal mine? Would his way of doing things show off my company at its very best?
But remember what I said about change: When you're through changing, you're through. I liked and respected Mark Burnett immediately. In trying to convince me to do "The Apprentice", he made me his customer, and he connected with me. When I was in Alderson, he visited me several times. In our conversations, he inspired me to think about all kinds of new things we could try on my new live show, and I agreed to let him serve as my executive producer. He had convinced me that he was, indeed, an expert in this form of television, that his work ethic was excellent, and that his instincts were sharp. He also seemed to understand the big picture of my company's story while so many others were focusing on the short-term details. "People told me it was a risk to work with Martha," Mark has said. "I could see that her brand was way more full of integrity and future value than anyone was giving the company credit for. I looked at the situation and said, 'This will pass.'"
Working with Mark involved some interesting image decisions for me, as well. For one thing, we talked about showing more of my personality than I have revealed in the past on my television shows, in part because Mark spent many hours studying tapes of me and said he thought I seemed much more at ease when I was a guest on other peoples' shows, like with David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Conan O'Brien. Here are a few more tidbits that henoticed about me: I like a good laugh. I love a good practical joke. I like to goof around a bit. Would it hurt to show that side of me? Mark and I took a well-calculated risk that a new, more spontaneious format with a live audience was a wonderful way for me to come back from my difficult experiences.
When it came to the making of "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart", I could really see the wisdom of doing this program. As I focused on the show, I realized it provided us with a different sort of platform to display the excellence of the company, its philosophy, its beliefs, and its commitment to Good Things. Clearly, we have created an original, fabulous, very American company within the American dream. I am so pleased that I took the risk, that Mark was wise enough to take this risk, and that we embarked on this television adventure together. Mark has a favorite North African proverb that he repeats to would-be entrepreneurs who would like to follow in his footsteps. He tells them, "Choose your companions before you choose your road."

"This is the day that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was crucified--TWO LUNCHES FOR $5.99"

2006-04-17T07:56:00.000-05:00

This weekend was very melancholy---Jared and I did nothing for Easter--we went to Albertsons and racked up on their 10 hour sale on Saturday and got plenty of food. Something that happened there tickled me to death--a bagger lady told a customer "Have a Good Easter!", and he said, "I'm Jewish." After that comment, she looked at him and said, "Well, that must make life a lot easier then!". I thought it was so funny, but so true....no worrying about Christmas presents, no worrying about Eggs, Easter Bunny, ham, Easter clothes, etc...I really see her point. BTW..the title of this post was on a restaurant on the way to the grocery store...

Austin

2006-04-12T13:36:00.000-05:00

I have been here and I like it a lot, so this is kind of neat.

You Are Austin

A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll.
You're totally weird and very proud of it.
Artistic and freaky, you still seem to fit in... in your own strange way.

Famous Austin residents: Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock, Andy Roddick

What American City Are You?

My European city

2006-04-12T13:33:00.000-05:00

I got this test from Champ--it is cool. Going to try the American city now.

You Belong in Dublin

Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions.
You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town.

What European City Do You Belong In?

Dairy Queen

2006-04-12T11:36:00.000-05:00

Here's another one for you---when I was little we always went to family reunions in Texas---I'm talking about a town out in the middle of nowhere called Throckmorton which is an incredibly small town. One thing that stuck out in Texas was that every little town had a Dairy Queen, so I have been fascinated by Dairy Queens since a child. I even had a restaurant playhouse with a Dairy Queen sign on it. Mind you, I have never been a fan of their food, but their ice creams are nice--the photo of the one in my town (with the little Dairy Queen on the top) gives everyone a free ice cream cone when they come up to order (there is no drive thru). Anyway, Dairy Queen or DQ has undergone a radical transformation as well. Look at the old style versus the new DQ Grill and Chill style.

Not necessarily a good change....

2006-04-07T15:40:00.000-05:00

Over the years, of course, brands change their logos and style and sometimes they lose track of what they are known for. Remember when KFC quit having the bucket in their restaurant and then they started having it back and eventually put it back on their sign?? As a child I was FASCINATED by the old Holiday Inn signs--I loved it's gaudy flashy neon colors. I remember staying at one when I was little and waited outside until dark until I could see the sign "light up". I had put a post earlier about this on here, but thought it was stupid and delete it, but Steph said it was pretty good, so I will kind of put it back. Holiday Inn signs changed in 1983 to what we are used to now--the plain jane blah square sign. Another thing that I was commenting on is how Howard Johnson's or HOJO as it is now called, was known for its pointy orange roofs with orange and turquoise paint on the outside. I am very dissapointed in the new logo for Howard Johnsons--it is tres blah...Does anyone remember? Maybe like KFC, one day they will bring back the bucket or (gasp!) like Burger King, bring back the king.....Let's hope so for Americana nostalgic sake....

No Katie Don't Do It!

2006-04-07T11:22:00.000-05:00

I'm so sad about Katie Couric leaving the Today show. I wake up and get ready every morning with the super team--they work so well together. Now Meredith Viera (from the View and Millionaire)will take her place. Even though Katie is moving on to bigger and better things, I will miss her on the Today show. Remember, Tom Brokaw used to be on the Today show before NBC Nightly News....

Goodbye Mandisa--You had a bad day....

2006-04-06T07:09:00.000-05:00

Well it is a good thing that I didn't watch Idol last night, because I would have come to work this morning in a bad mood (actually I am anyway, but that is beside the point). Mandisa, the large black girl was voted off last night. I am very disappointed because she was my favorite girl on the show--Chris Daughtry is my favorite guy--Mandisa has a very powerful voice and I can picture her in the future belting out praise/gospel songs and dance songs a la Martha Wash. Good luck Mandisa, I'm sure you will continue to sing and hopefully you will have an excellent career in front of you.

Mamaw at Rainbow Springs

2006-04-05T13:39:00.000-05:00

This is a bad bad picture of me with my family at Rainbow Springs--notice that it is my dad, mamaw, and Mollie, my parent's dog.

Rainbow Springs

2006-04-05T13:23:00.000-05:00

Rainbow Springs is a beautiful place with crystal clear blue water a few miles down the road. Like Silver Springs, it used to be a theme park (although Silver Springs is still one). It is a state park now and people swim in the springs and go canoeing and kayaking---the old relics of the theme park are still there (piqueing my urban exploration instinct)--there are rotting animal cages there (where there used to be a zoo and aviary), there are old restrooms that have been torn down and you can still see the old tile, the monorail blocks are still on the ground--there is so much ruin of the old theme park, but it is really a beautiful place with trails and all kinds of things. The blue water is from the phosphate that used to be mined in the area at the turn of the century. I will be posting pictures of the old remnants of the theme park but here are some pictures of the past and I am including the link to the state park. Please check it out. http://www.floridastateparks.org/rainbowsprings/default.cfm

Six Gun Territory

2006-04-04T11:35:00.000-05:00

Six Gun Territory was an amusement park in Ocala that shut down in the early 80s. There is a shopping center now on the old park called Six Gun Plaza, but if you go behind the parking lot in the woods, there are still some train tracks and old trash cans. It is very interesting--it is supposedly haunted because during the early 80s a few people died on some rickety rides when the park was well past its prime. Here is a link to what it used to look like.
http://www.lostparks.com/sixgun.html

Spooky Places

2006-04-04T10:03:00.000-05:00

I have always been fascinated by "scary" places, or what I've perceived to be scary. Around here there is a lot of historical homes supposedly "haunted", some hotels, and even where the 6 Gun Territory used to be is supposedly haunted. Fortunately, along with my "urban explorer" friend Stephanie, we have found this type of exploring to be such a rush and highly satisfying. It all started in 1994 when Montgomery Ward's was having a sale that extended into the old mall (tillers, lawn mowers, etc that wouldn't fit in the store) of Twin City Mall (which at that time had been abandoned for over 10 years) but Montgomery Ward's still operated in it's original anchor position outside the mall. Well Steph and I went into the mall part to "take a look at the lawn mower" (LOL) and walked over the ropes to keep people out of the mall--we wandered around this abandoned mall--the signs were still over the stores, even Orange Julius fake oranges were in the old cooler--we saw where the train took us on rides every Easter with the Easter Bunny, saw where we sat on Santa's lap every Christmas and even saw the "infamous" tiki bar that had been legendary (according to my Uncle Robert). On the way out however, we tripped over some laser beams and set off some alarms--we HIGHTAILED it out of there but we did get a souvenir each--I got a plaque off the old mall directory for the old store Hiller's. That was the beginning of our urban exploration, now here in town, Bonnie will take me to some "haunted and spooky" places--Woo hoo!! Let's look here in this old house!!

Andy and Jared

2006-04-03T10:32:00.000-05:00

This picture was taken a little while ago, but I am posting it on my blog so I can have a url address to post my pic on my profile....

A letter from a mother of a gay son

2006-04-03T08:05:00.000-05:00

This is from a mother in Vermont--thought it was worth posting--

"Many letters have been sent to the Valley News concerning the homosexual menace in Vermont. I am the mother of a gay son and I've taken enough from you good people. I'm tired of your foolish rhetoric about the "homosexual agenda" and your allegations that accepting homosexuality is the same thing as advocating sex with children. You are cruel and ignorant. You have been robbing me of the joys of motherhood ever since my children were tiny.

My firstborn son started suffering at the hands of the moral little thugs from your moral, upright families from the time he was in the first grade. He was physically and verbally abused from first grade straight through high school because he was perceived to be gay.

He never professed to be gay or had any association with anything gay, but he had the misfortune not to walk or have gestures like the other boys. He was called "fag" incessantly, starting when he was 6.

In high school, while your children were doing what kids that age should be doing, mine labored over a suicide note, drafting and redrafting it to be sure his family knew how much he loved them. My sobbing 17-year-old tore the heart out of me as he choked out that he just couldn't bear to continue living any longer, that he didn't want to be gay and that he couldn't face a life without dignity.

You have the audacity to talk about protecting families and children from the homosexual menace, while you yourselves tear apart families and drive children to despair. I don't know why my son is gay, but I do know that God didn't put him, and millions like him, on this Earth to give you someone to abuse. God gave you brains so that you could think, and it's about time you started doing that.

At the core of all your misguided beliefs is the belief that this could never happen to you, that there is some kind of subculture out there that people have chosen to join. The fact is that if it can happen to my family, it can happen to yours, and you won't get to choose. Whether it is genetic or whether something occurs during a critical time of fetal development, I don't know. I can only tell you with an absolute certainty that it is inborn.

If you want to tout your own morality, you'd best come up with something more substantive than your heterosexuality. You did nothing to earn it; it was given to you. If you disagree, I would be interested in hearing your story, because my own heterosexuality was a blessing I received with no effort whatsoever on my part. It is so woven into the very soul of me that nothing could ever change it. For those of you who reduce sexual orientation to a simple choice, a character issue, a bad habit or something that can be changed by a 10-step program, I'm puzzled. Are you saying that your own sexual orientation is nothing more than something you have chosen, that you could change it at will? If that's not the case, then why would you suggest that someone else can?

A popular theme in your letters is that Vermont has been infiltrated by outsiders. Both sides of my family have lived in Vermont for generations. I am heart and soul a Vermonter, so I'll thank you to stop saying that you are speaking for "true Vermonters."

You invoke the memory of the brave people who have fought on the battlefield for this great country, saying that they didn't give their lives so that the "homosexual agenda" could tear down the principles they died defending. My 83-year-old father fought in some of the most horrific battles of World War II, was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart.

He shakes his head in sadness at the life his grandson has had to live. He says he fought alongside homosexuals in those battles, that they did their part and bothered no one. One of his best friends in the service was gay, and he never knew it until the end, and when he did find out, it mattered not at all. That wasn't the measure of the man.

You religious folk just can't bear the thought that as my son emerges from the hell that was his childhood he might like to find a lifelong companion and have a measure of happiness. It offends your sensibilitiesthat he should request the right to visit that companion in the hospital, to make medical decisions for him or to benefit from tax laws governing inheritance.

How dare he? you say. These outrageous requests would threaten the very existence of your family, would undermine the sanctity of marriage. You use religion to abdicate your responsibility to be thinking human beings. There are vast numbers of religious people who find your attitudes repugnant. God is not for the privileged majority, and God knows my son has committed no sin.

The deep-thinking author of a letter to the April 12 Valley News who lectures about homosexual sin and tells us about "those of us who have been blessed with the benefits of a religious upbringing" asks: "What ever happened to the idea of striving . . . to be better human beings than we are?"

Indeed, sir, what ever happened to that?

Doc Hollywood

2006-04-03T07:40:00.000-05:00

Did anyone see the movie Doc Hollywood? I did so long ago, it is hard to remember......BUT, anyway, Sabrina took us to the little town of Micanopy (Me-can-OH-pee) where the film was shot. This is a photo of the "garage" where Michael J. Fox's car was being "fixed". Notice they kept the sign of "Garage" up on the building even though it really is a shop. A little interesting lagniappe for you.....

Welcome to Florida

2006-04-03T07:31:00.000-05:00

No, do not adjust your monitor--this is a VERY common sight here in central Florida. Sometimes I feel like it is, as Jared calls it, "God's waiting room" and get frustrated with all the slow moving traffic, but if I were retired, I'd probably move here--with all the new construction of 55+ communities, I feel like I would have it made being older and living here in Florida--it is strange--even though it is geographically more southern than where I'm from, it is like a "Northern" state that is hot. Immigrants from all other states (and provinces from Canada) are moving here all the time, and believe it or not, people are fascinated by my "southern" accent. Especially with Jared, they can't get over how country/southern our accents are--people from around here are from New York, etc, so it is a completely different world....

Other plans....

2006-04-01T16:33:00.000-05:00

Well, Sabrina won't be able to attend our "Gone With The Wind" matinee with heavy appetizers tomorrow, and Pat Boone is performing at Silver Springs today, and we wanted to avoid the Spring Break crowd at Daytona so we decided to visit Sabrina and Rob and sit around and relax on their fabulous sun deck and catch up on old times. Sabrina has to attend a Gainesville Spring Festival or something tomorrow--Jared and I still may slip off to Silver Springs tomorrow since the concert is over (remember, this is Florida and everyone is OLD here so Pat Boone is the shizz....) Anyhoo, I am going to attach some fab photos of Sab and Jared. Sabrina is entering into her eighth month of pregnancy and we are all awaiting the arrival of little Alexander Abbott.

This weekend.....

2006-03-31T14:12:00.000-05:00

Jared and I are so sick of being cooped up in our place during the weekends. We do not have a porch and when we hang around outside in the sunny beautiful air, there are tons of kids running around and playing, so we tend to stay inside. Everyone that lives in our complex works at the hospital across the street and are either nurses, interns, or doctors and all their kids play together outside, taking over our precious little Florida space. We are NOT going to stay cooped up in the mausoleum (the walls are so thick b/c it is supposedly hurricane proof--can't even get a good cell phone signal in there)--we are either going to Silver Springs, Rainbow Springs, or Daytona. Maybe not Daytona since it is spring break right now, but Monday I'll have some pics of SOMEPLACE we went just to get out of the house. But on Sunday, we are trying to entice Sabrina to come to our place for a matinee with heavy hors d'oeurvres to rewatch "Gone With The Wind". Please come!

Learn how to char--only on Martha

2006-03-31T09:16:00.000-05:00

Haven't you wanted to cover your whole set of furniture in glitter? Or maybe learn the fine cuisinal art of charring food? Now you can, and much more, on Martha today. Check it out on Martha's website: http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=learn-cat&id=cat21654&date=March%2031,%202006&_requestid=45425

Woolco

2006-03-30T11:03:00.000-05:00

Woolco is another store from my childhood that is gone with the wind. It was the mass market/discount spin off store of Woolworth's. This was a late response due to S.S. Kresge Corporation, the predecessor of Kmart, converting their 5 and dime stores into K-marts. I can still remember the distinctive red W on the store fronts of the Woolcos. The one I remember most was the anchor of Mellor Park Mall in El Dorado--it eventually went out of business in 1982 (they all officially went out of business in 1983) and some were converted into Wal-Mart's as in the case in El Dorado. Anyway, Stephanie and I were sharing a memory about a pen I got at Woolco's in El Dorado during their "going out of business sale". It was a mouse shaped pen with the nose being the pen tip. Notice in the picture, the store is closing--LOL.

Jared

2006-03-29T15:49:00.000-05:00

I am getting the blues these days with my blog--Do people read it? Maybe it is because it is boring--it is basically nostalgia mixed with what is going on in my own little world in Florida after growing up in rural Arkansas, going to college and living in Monroe, LA for 10 years. I think I'm going to have to spice it up a bit by including Jared in it--the most fabulous person in the world--wait until you get to know him--you'll never be the same again!! Maybe you will realize how crazy my life really is--LOL. Here is a picture of him.

Sambo's pics--then and now

2006-03-28T09:05:00.000-05:00

Sambo's restaurants

2006-03-28T08:37:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, back in 1982, I was seven, and went on vacation to central Florida with my parents, brother, sister, and grandmother. We left from Crossett Arkansas to stay in the Tampa area with my aunt and uncle. Coming from a rural community--west of West Crossett with hardly any restaurant chains, I was fascinated by everything--McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Jack In The Box, Holiday Inn, Howard Johnson's--I loved seeing new things and I loved the chains and the signs and anything affiliated with them. Anyway, on this particular trip, we stopped for breakfast at a restaurant called Sambo's. Then for lunch we stopped at a restaurant called Sambo's. And of course, for dinner, we ate at a restaurant called Sambo's. This was a Denny's/Shoney's type of restaurant, and after they went out of business in 1983, they turned into Denny's. Guess why they went out of business? Could it be something to do with racism? Yes, you guessed it. Poor management of a sprawling chain (where employees earned shares of Sambo's restaurants and eventually got their own stores without having the financial means to support it) and public outcrys and boycotts for the name. I am showing a picture of what they used to look like, inside and out, along with the old Sambo's building in my town that has now turned into a blood bank.

The Villages

2006-03-27T11:55:00.001-05:00

This weekend, Jared and I went to The Villages, an extraordinary retirement community about 15 minutes south. It is fully self contained with a fake Disney-esqe Spanish Mission style facade on every building--it has shopping galore--every store that can be found in a mall can be found here. Everyone rides everywhere on golf carts (or Lincolns or Cadillacs--LOL). It has great shopping and it is very remarkable. Here is their website. See the slide show for Spanish Springs. You will be amazed....http://www.thevillages.com/index2.htm

Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theater--Now and Then

2006-03-24T18:22:00.000-05:00

Since when did a cigar smoking rat turn into a child-like mouse? When I was little and would visit the Chuck E. Cheese in Monroe, it was a lot different back then. First of all, the main concept was NOT the pizza or the games, but it was all about the audio-animatronic show by Chuck E. and others. This company was founded by the founder of Atari, and focused mainly on robotic stage shows (of which I was frightened--when the lights went off and the music stopped, the robots would still be twitching and seizing--it was horrible for me). Anyway, during the early 80s their competitor was Showbiz Pizza Palace which had the same sort of audio animatronic performances, except this time with a bear and his band (think of Disney's Country Bear Jamboree). These two competitors merged in the late 80s (actually Showbiz bought out Chuck E. Cheese and kept the name because it was more recognizable). Soon after this, though, a business called Discovery Zone was the main competitor (remember the commercials of the kids going down slides into a ball pit "I'm D Z for Discovery Zone", and in the 90's Chuck E. Cheese bought out Discovery Zone and now there is just Chuck E. Cheese. Oh, but this Chuck E. Cheese is different. Skee-Ball and video games are still there along with the pizza, but now there is a salad bar, and all the elaborate audio-animatronics is gone with the wind. Of couse it doesn't matter to the children these days, because it is still fun, but my main memories are of a dog robot dressed like Elvis singing Elvis songs, along with a whole score of musical numbers with twitching robots. The whole restaurant would be dimmed and then the stage would light up and these scary machines would come to life. Click here to see the whole gamut of Chuck E. Cheese robots: http://rock_afire.tripod.com/characters/pttplayers.html