I have to admit up front that I normally despise people doing the middle finger ‘f*ck you’ thing. It usually feels so base and so classless. But, for weeks now, my fatigue and loathing for the year 2020 have been growing exponentially. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed a single year being so incredibly full of bad news. And I know I’m not alone. Check out these folks who indulge themselves in a bit of well-earned mental health self-care by expressing their thoughts on how 2020 has impacted them – from school closings to toilet paper hoarders, to lost loved ones, to the long list of ‘Karens’ we’ve endured during the pandemic and more. Note – adult language here #duh
The men of Atlanta’s world-famous Swinging Richards want you to get your ‘pole to the polls’ and help ‘swing the Senate.’ As the guys spell out so vividly, Georgia will decide on January 5 which political party will control the U.S. Senate. So, if you live in the Peach State, make sure you vote in the runoff elections. Blah, blah, blah… On to the video and the guys 🙂
Who gets flummoxed or stuck trying to do a decent job wrapping holiday presents? This veteran gift wrapper has gone viral on TikTok with tips and tricks for getting the deal done.
Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy posted a photo on his Instagram while mentioning he’s looking to update his LinkedIn account and needed new resume pics. Umm…woof. In the photo, snapped by photog Brian Kaminski, Gus is resting in repose in a pair of short shorts, washboard abs on display along with the perfect amount of fur. The pic was accompanied by the tongue-in-cheek caption, “My friend @briankaminski was kind enough to come over yesterday and take some pictures for my LinkedIn.” Can I just say, “You’re hired, Gus!” Kaminski also shared a pic from the shoot teasing there are more to come.
Gus has been keeping a lower profile on social media during the pandemic than in prior years. In April, he shared that the isolation of coronavirus lockdown had taken some toll on his mental health. At the same time, he announced he was doing personalized greetings for fans in order to raise money for first responders in the health crisis. In December 2019, the Olympic silver medalist announced he was switching from Team USA to Team Great Britain (he was born in England) with the hopes of representing the United Kingdom in the 2022 Winter Olympics. Clearly, Gus is keeping in top-shape. Of course, there was that trip to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes back in September… 😉
An analysis by Ace Metrix found Kohl’s 2020 holiday ad titled “Give With All Your Heart” scored high across several metrics and it’s easy to see why. From PopSugar:
Set to the song “Rainbow Connection,” viewers see a girl attempt to get to know her elderly neighbor by posting signs in her window. Seemingly set amid COVID-19, the pair enjoys some wholesome back and forth before the neighbor disappears without explanation.
After what appears to be weeks of waiting, the girl begins to lose hope. However, on Christmas morning, the woman returns.
She is wearing a hospital bracelet, likely having experienced a significant health scare or contracted COVID-19. We see them reunite, and once the woman holds up a sign saying, “Did you get what you wished for?” it’s hard not to tear up.
I love it when a message is clear without hitting you over the head. This is quite lovely.
Checking in on some of my favorite InstaHunks this weekend. What can I say? I like to look at nice things 🙂
First up, Jeff Ferreira says he’s ‘single in Rio de Janeiro,’ but I spy two wine glasses in the pic… Wait a second, though, international performer and former Mr. Continental, Ramon Ventura, appears to be in Rio as well – so maybe we could get the two together?
Ignore my face – Marie Callender’s did right by us Hot hubby Michael and I have been cooking all morning, but I was reminded of the time we did a ‘pre-cooked’ Thanksgiving meal from Marie Callender’s. p.s. it turned out tasty, but we like our family tradition-recipes 🙂 We are a household that cooks on the holidays. In the past several years, Michael has become more and more the ‘foodie,’ which bodes well for me 🙂 Michael does his Food Network & New Jersey Italian thing, and I offer my southern/soul food cuisine. But I thought I’d do a little #TBT when in 2013 we experimented with a prepared Thanksgiving meal from Marie Callenders.
Like the original Pilgrims, Michael returns from foraging in the wilderness for our Thanksgiving feast. p.s. check out the bicep. Nice, right?
Armed with my cookbooks, I’m taken a bit aback.
Michael is so proud.
Now, wait a minute…. Oven? Microwave?
Truth.
Michael attempts to help with the mashed potatoes
Michael poses to show how hard it is to unpack the box from MC. Note the flour splashed on his face…
“Look at me! Look at all I prepared!”
Intimate but bountiful. OK – I’m loving the ease of all this.
“Not yet, kids…. not yet….”
The glass table top helps to tell the backstage story of what’s going on down under…
This pic represents pure love. Not thinking it’s love of Michael and I, but “pure love….”
I made Michael take this cheesy pic. Thanks to wonder dog Bruno for photog duties.
Ok, I have to admit – Marie Callender’s rocked Thanksgiving this year
(stock images via Depositphotos) While some folks around the country are a bit done with the adding of these or those numbers amid the aftermath of the presidential election, the statisticians at Pornhub decided to crunch some figures themselves. While they weren’t able to predict who each state voted for, they were able to ascertain what each state was searching for on the adult website during election week! “The top relative search is the term that was more often searched in each state when compared to all other states,” writes the streaming platform on its blog. “It’s a snap-shot of what was truly in the hearts and on the minds of everyday Americans while they waited to find out who their next president will be.” For some states, size clearly matters – Pennsylvania (‘fat a**’), West Virginia (‘chubby’), and Alabama (‘big booty’). Maturity was a factor for viewers in Ohio (‘cougar’), South Carolina (‘grandma’), and Tennessee (‘granny’). Local flavors were the thing in some states like Texas (‘sexmex’) and Louisiana (‘popeyes’). There were some random searches like Iowans expressed an interest in ‘yoga pants,’ Georgia had ‘tickling’ on its mind, and Connecticut was up for ‘wedgie’ action. I’m not gonna ask about Oregon’s fascination with ‘succubus.’ A few states were on the (excuse me) less-creative side with terms like Florida (‘Trump’), Delaware (‘Election’), Nevada (‘Vegas’), Utah (‘Mormon’), and the District of Colombia (‘Vote’). And in the “If you can’t spell it you shouldn’t be watching it” category, Mississippi wins with (cue the sad trombone sound) ‘pron.’ Check out the full graphic via Pornhub below.
International superstar Dolly Parton (image via InstagramDolly P) Amid yesterday’s big news that Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine appears to be 95% effective in preventing infection of the virus, folks noticed that international superstar Dolly Parton had been a part of the solution. Back in April, our Lady Parton donated $1 million to help advance the research being done by Moderna. Because, of course…
Yes, Dolly Parton part-funded research which went towards the Moderna vaccine which has reported 94.5% effectiveness. pic.twitter.com/tdyFWRnvsz
Alex Trebek (image via Jeopardy!) Longtime Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek has passed away at the age of 80 after a nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. From PEOPLE:
In a somber video message to fans shared March 6, the ABC game show host vowed to “fight” the disease and also continue working on the game show, which he hosted for 35 years. “Now normally the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I’m going to fight this and I’m going to keep working,” he said.
He also asked his fans to lift up prayers on his behalf. “And with the love and support of my family and friends, and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease,” continued Trebek, who also quipped that he must continue working because of the terms of his contract through the 2021-22 season.
By the end of August, Trebek had completed his chemotherapy treatments, and announced in a video that he was “on the mend.”
“I’ve gone through a lot of chemotherapy, and thankfully that is now over,” he said. “I’m on the mend and that’s all I can hope for right now.”
Sadly, he announced in September 2019 that he had to undergo chemotherapy again.
Since he joined Jeopardy! in 1984, Trebek hosted over 8,000 episodes of the venerable game show. Along the way, Trebek’s work was recognized with several accolades including 8 Daytime Emmy Awards as well as a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999. But it was the viewers and players who held Trebek in perhaps the highest regard. In November of 2019, I wrote about a moment on the show when a contestant realized he couldn’t win the episode, he decided to use his final Jeopardy! answer to send a message of love to the beloved host. Contestant Dhruv Gaur wrote “We love you, Alex” after being stumped on the answer. The hashtag #WeLoveYouAlex soon began trending on Twitter.
I was not ready for this touching moment on today’s @Jeopardy episode when a player sent a touching message. Hearing Alex Trebek’s unshakeable voice break got me. #weloveyoualexpic.twitter.com/GDsqdm0Qqm
In 2014, the easy-going Canadian-born host penned an essay for Salon Magazine expressing his support for the LGBTQ community: “I’m in favor of equal pay for women, and the Lilly Ledbetter act. I believe in equal rights for the LGBT community; in fact, this winter, I braved the Minnesota winter weather to attend a gay wedding (which was officiated over by my wife).” Rest in peace Alex Trebek.
Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex. pic.twitter.com/Yk2a90CHIM
I have to admit up front that I normally despise people doing the middle finger ‘f*ck you’ thing. It usually feels so base and so classless. But, for weeks now, my fatigue and loathing for the year 2020 have been growing exponentially. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed a single year being so incredibly full of bad news. And I know I’m not alone. Check out these folks who indulge themselves in a bit of well-earned mental health self-care by expressing their thoughts on how 2020 has impacted them – from school closings to toilet paper hoarders, to lost loved ones, to the long list of ‘Karens’ we’ve endured during the pandemic and more. Note – adult language here #duh 
Who gets flummoxed or stuck trying to do a decent job wrapping holiday presents? This veteran gift wrapper has gone viral on TikTok with tips and tricks for getting the deal done. 
