Culture Shock

Hey, everyone!! It’s been a long time, but I’m back and I wanted to start things off by sharing a contest I’m doing. Check out countrymusicdaily.blogspot.com and scroll down to the audials contest post for more.

I admit, I wasn’t a huge fan of history class overall in school (although I think my teacher had a lot to do with that…). One thing I always loved, though, was getting to read old letters and other documents that were included in the books. They were like time machines to me, taking you back into the mind of a person living during WW2 or the Middle Ages. So why am I talking about this on this blog?

Well, I was browsing forums today, trying to get myself in a writing frame of mind again. I miss blogging, but haven’t been able to get motivated recently to actually do it. It was like a mental block hit. Anyway… while reading, I came across this link. It’s a site called letters of note. (I’m linking to a page that relates to something mentioned a little further down. Click on their logo at the top to go to the first page) While there are many from every day people there, there are also letters from cartoonists, actors and other pop culture figures. Included there is a letter writting to former Attorny General Robert Kennedy by a parent that was the basis for the FBI’s investigation of the song “Louie, Louie“. So, enjoy and let me know what you think of the site.

Just thought I’d let you know that Alexz has now posted some clips of songs on her official site. She’s inviting fans to vote and let her know what should be the first single from her album.

Here’s a snippet of one of the songs in contention. As much as I enjoyed the material she recorded with Epic (also available on her site), I am loving these even more:

What do you all think? Comment and let me know.

for fans of Katherine Joosten of Desperate Housewives. People is reporting that she successfully underwent surgery for lung cancer. Her doctors believe that it’s all gone and she won’t have to have chemo or radiation treatments. Good for her! You might remember from another post that she had already battled the same disease in 2001.

Hey, everyone! So, who got to see the new episode of Melrose Place yet? I watched last night and I thought it was a step up from past weeks. The highlight for me was, as usual, Ella. Who knew David Cassidy’s one-time aspiring pop star daughter had such a set of teeth on her? She’s more than holding her own against most of the characters. Syd can still get under her skin, but the new guys have no chance against her.

I’m surprised to say that Ashlee wasn’t that bad, either. I’m just not sure where they’re going with the character. One week, she’s the naive little good girl, then she’s an unstable syd-stalker and now, she’s a conniving job stealer. Of all her personas, I’d say the latest one is the most entertaining.

Where do I ever start with the others? I see fans commenting online all the time about Dr. Call Girl’s lack of applying for student loans. I would definitely like to see this addressed on the show. It can’t be pride, that’s for sure. I also wanna know what little miss school teacher is thinking asking her to be maid of honor when she can’t even get a couple hours free one day to go dress shopping. The only entertaining aspect of these stories will be the inevitable meltdowns coming from both sides. I kinda actually liked/felt for Speilberg this time around. His best friend almost ruins his career, gets all high and mighty about being accused and Speilberg ends up having to apologize to him? Not right. Speaking of the klepto…. he is definitely his father’s son, pulling such a crappy move. I would like to end this with one last question and see what answers y’all can come up with. Consider it a game! The question is- why didn’t that poor girl mention Violet was covering for her for awhile and, therefore, had access to the cash register? Inquiring minds wanna know…

Now, this is good news! I love Robot Chicken and Family Guy, so I’m curious to see what he’s going to come up with for this new series.

For those of you who don’t know, Robot Chicken is a series on the Cartoon Network that pokes fun at pop culture, usually focusing on toys and shows from the 70s and 80s.

Looks like someone is really getting in touch with her roots… according to yahoo news, Eva Longoria has decided to enter a master’s program relating to Chicano studies. Not only that, she’s going to be tackling her first spanish-speaking role.

Sounds like Eva’s going to be having a very busy year. She’s still filming the current season of Desperate Housewives as well, which is going to premiere this weekend. I know I’ll be watching…

So, word from the CW powers that be is Amanda Woodward is returning to Melrose Place. Yes, that’s right. The bitch is back…. I’m just curious how they’re going to do it (no details about her role on the series has been revealed, just that the return will happen in November). For fans that didn’t see the end of Melrose 1.0, Amanda and Peter (played by Jack Wagner) had faked their deaths and were living happily ever after. I can’t imagine what would bring Amanda back to Melrose. All I know is, I can’t wait to see Michael’s reaction to it… assuming they don’t gloss over the whole thing. Either way, any scenes between them should be good.

So what do you all think? Are you happy to see Amanda back? Comment and let me know.

The Hot Author Report is your place for what is happening in the virtual world of online book tours, promotion, marketing and more. Jaime is a self-confessed sushi addict who spends most of her time as an online publicist for Pump Up Your Book Promotion when she’s not roaming around Australia. When she’s not working, she is reviewing books and cafés around Australia on Down Under Views, obsessing about writing and finishing her novel on InkyBlots, and reflecting on the life as a US expat in Australia on The New Australian.

I’m not overall a huge fan of the whole clothing line/fragerance/etc. thing that celebrities seem to love. I guess so many people are going that route these days, it feels more like a trend rather than something they actually are passionate about and love. Just another part of the “brand”. Well, now someone else is getting into it and it’s making Abercrombie and Fitch mad. How mad, you ask? Enough to file a lawsuit.

The gist of this? Beyonce is coming out with a fragerance that’s said to be named similarly to theirs. Personally? I gotta go with team Beyonce for the second time this week (this must be a record…). I really don’t think there’ll be much confusion over this. Especially with the publicity the suit is getting. I guess we’ll have to wait and see how this one turns out.