Pee-in-your-pants-funny-and-forward-to-all-your-friends-worthy, Anita Renfroe is definitely my new favorite comedian. Introduced to me by my dear friend Janeen via an email forward of a song spoof, I discovered this hilarious version of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.” She is like the Weird Al for anyone over 40.
CLICK AND ENJOY: Anita Renfroe’s All The Wrinkled Ladies
Image and song copyright anitarenfroe.com
“We know enough to dream.”
These five words, spoken by Dr. Stephen Hauser, hushed the room at the kick off luncheon for the 17th annual Race to Erase MS benefiting the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis. The gala evening will be held on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 6:30pm at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Los Angeles, and will feature performances by Avril Lavigne and Hart.
The kick off luncheon was attended by celebrities and lay people alike, all of whom had something in common – a desire to help find a cure for this complex disease. “MS touches all of us very deeply, in very different ways,” continued Dr. Hauser, a leader in the international effort to identify genetic causes of multiple sclerosis. “We are on the cusp of having real answers to MS.” These answers and all of the latest research findings will be presented the morning following the gala event at the MS Forum and Expo on Saturday, May 8th, 2010. Also at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, this forum is open and free to the public and features the top researches from The Center Without Walls, a nationwide collaboration of the “biggest and best” physicians and scientists whose mission it is to ensure that doctors communicate and work together on the treatments and ultimate cure for MS.
Funding research is the core of the Nancy Davis foundation, and at the kick off luncheon hosted in her home, Nancy graciously invited all to give their ideas and their time to raise money for the gala as well as to increase awareness and support the education of the public about this disease.
For more information, to become involved, to donate to the silent auction or to become a sponsor of the event, please visit http://erasems.org.
When you think of Weird Al, what do you think of? I think of a skinny white guy with a bushy afro wearing a huge fat suit dressed in leather and chains grabbing himself during his video rendition of “Fat” – a parody on Michael Jackson’s “Bad” song. Maybe because Michael Jackson is on the brain, or maybe because we went to the Orange County Fair to see the premiere of his new 3D movie, “Al’s Brain.” Yup, I said the fair. The place where fat comes in to play big time as well. Now that I think of it, Big Time is one of their slogans. Hmmm. Weird. Err, odd, not Al. The movie was good family entertainment with truly awesome 3D. Weird Al literally flies into the audience and at one point squirts brain fluid at you. I swear I felt a drop hit me…. The theatre is
an anchor point for The Orange County Fair and is surrounded by roller coasters, sky rides (I still get a sickening feeling in my stomach when I ride these), fun houses, games, and yes, food galore. If it can be barbequed it’s at the fair. If it can be deep fat fried it’s at the fair. If it can be frozen and put in a cup or on a stick it’s at the fair. Pretty much anything that can contribute to obesity (thus the Weird fat reference above) or a heart attack, can be eaten at the fair. It was weird. Not a salad in sight. Even weirder than that, and truly daunting, was a sign offering Pork Butts. To eat. What the? Is this a new fair food? The kids and I stared in disbelief. Other than the obvious slathered in BBQ sauce, I could not explain to them what it cold possible be. Weird, indeed.
From watching my child sing “ABC” in a school musical, to the white glove, to remembering how meticulously I memorized the dance moves from “Thriller”, Michael Jackson’s legacy, his music, and his art has touched my life.
Following are my favorite lyrics from his song, “Heal The World”. These words continue to resonate today, as we not only look around the globe, but as we also look within our own neighborhoods, our own homes, and in our own hearts. more…
“Miracles arise from conviction.”
-Marianne Williamson
Speaking with and listening to Marianne Williamson, an internationally acclaimed author and speaker, I walked away wondering what convictions, exactly, I hold. In regards to my children, my relationships, who I am, where I live, our society, the world, and on and on. When I engage with others, does it show that I am firmly convinced of what I believe or say? Do my actions and conversations unwaveringly reflect a consistency? Some days I do not feel like I have any convictions. Some days I feel like I am standing on my own, alone, in my convictions. Some days I am immersed in others’ convictions, not sure how to respond or if I should respond at all. In this moment, I am re-defining my own. Claiming my own. Letting go of reasons, of passive hope or expectations, and moving solidly, with purpose, into conviction.
