Obama Hustle

I thought I would mark my return to the blogging scene with something kind of light. A friend sent me this email featuring Obama supporters doing a hustle (line dance) named after the man himself. Let me explain something about the people in the southern region of Michigan, which includes Flint, Lansing, Saginaw, etc. They never met a hustle they didn't like. I visited one summer and went out to a club and counted 16 different hustles in one night!

I found this video humorous and thought my best friend would also. He had the nerve to act like he was offended, stating, "the last thing Obama needs is a bunch black folks naming a dance after him". He goes on to say how these people need to get lives and jobs (now I am offended). I saw Obama and Michelle dancing on "Ellen", I wonder if he would be offended to have his name associated with this dance.

Darlene Stewart of Detroit brings you the Obama Hustle, created by Crystal Smith and performed by Seniors United of the Grenadier Lounge. This hustle was created by and for seniors, but it's definitely hot and a great dance for people of all ages. When Obama wins, will you be doing this hustle? Anyhow I will let you be the judge. Is this offensive to you or just fun?

Old School Fridays - Girl Groups

I had to go with one of my all time favorite girl groups, Martha Reeves and the Vandallas. They were considered stepchildren at Motown in comparison to the Supremes, but there is nothing like the groups distinct sound.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out6. Have fun & don't forget to

leave comments for other participantsIf you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Music Memoirs #190 - Top 5 TV Themes

This week is TV themes. Here is the link if you want to join the fun

1. The Theme from the Hogan Family (formerly Valerie) - By Roberta Flack


2. The Theme from Maude - By Donny Hathaway


3. The Theme from Moonlighting - by Al Jarreau


4. Theme from China Beach - Reflections by Diana Ross & the Supremes


5. Theme from Good Times - Singer Unknown

Old School Fridays - Disco

What is Disco? K. C. of the Sunshine era stated that "Disco is just R&B". I agree with that sentiment. Barry White said that "Disco music makes everybody beautiful" and Isaac Hayes commented (and I quote) "Black people dance on the 2 and the 4 (beat) and White people dance on the 1 and the 3, Disco music has all four beat, so everybody can dance together". Sometimes I don't go with the obvious choice but this week I must. Donna Summer is the undeniable queen of the genre and the most successful star of the Disco era.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

With that said, here is my favorite song by Ms. Summer "Hot Stuff"

Thursday Thirteen #29 -Thirteen Movie Disasters

I haven’t been around for Thursday Thirteen in a month of Sundays (literally). Notice that the title of this TT is "Thirteen Movie Disasters" and not "Thirteen Disaster Movies", big difference! This week I shed light on thirteen of Hollywood’s potboiler (disastrous) films. Certainly there are more than thirteen, but alas I can only list the magic number (13). I will save you the agony of sitting through a clip of any of these films. You might rather sit around and watch paint dry :-P

13. Battlefield Earth (2000) – John Travolta’s two decade long quest to put L. Ron Hubbard’s work on film bombed in a big way. It won seven Razzies, a feat only accomplished by another famous box office bomb “Showgirls” (I am not even going to pick on Showgirls). Budget 73 Million, U.S. Box Office 21 Million.

12. The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) – Eddie Murphy really needs to quit! Sometimes he is pure genius, while other times he really needs to chill, have a seat and think about what he is doing. This was one of those times. Budget 100 Million, U.S. Box Office 4.4 Million.

11. Heaven’s Gate (1980) – Mix cattle rustlers, rich WASP ranch owners and roller skating and you have a recipe for disaster. This film destroyed the career of director Mike Cimino and shut down the United Artist Studio. Budget 40 Million, Box Office 3.5 Million.

10. Town & Country (2001) – Not even Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, and Goldie Hawn could save this fiasco. Budget 90 Million, U.S. Box Office 6.7 Million.

9. Cleopatra (1963) – While not quite as bad as others film on this list as far as budget goes, it none-the-less lost plenty of moolah. Budget 44 Million, Box Office 26 Million.

8. Hudson Hawk (1991) – Oh Bruce, this surely is no “Die Hard”. Rumor has it that a special effects firm had to go through the film and airbrush his bald spot. Talk about sensitive! A hat would have been a hell of a lot cheaper. Budget 65 Million, U.S. Box Office 17 Million.

7. Cutthroat Island (1995) – Director Renny Harlin convinced Carolco Pictures that his then wife Geena Davis could carry this action film. She couldn’t. The film shut down Carolco Studio and derariled Ms. Davis’s career. Budget 98 Million, U.S. Box Office 19 Million.

6. Ishtar (1987) – In spite of good reviews by the New York Times, this film about two lounge singers caught up in the cold war flopped. Budget 55 Million, U.S. Box Office 14 Million.

5. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) – This film flopped at the box office, but picked up steam on video and DVD. Budget 47 Million, Box Office 8 Million.

4. Howard the Duck (1986) – It is hard to believe that George Lucas was affiliated with this foolishness. A cigar smoking duck from Cleveland…As my uncle would say “Like Wow!” Budget 38 Million, U.S. Box Office 16 Million.

3. The Postman (1997) – Believe it or not Kevin Costner’s Waterworld actually made money, but Dirt World (as the crew so lovingly called this one, did not. Budget 80 Million, U.S. Box Office 17.6 Million.

2. ZYZZYZX Road (2005) – This road really exists. It is an exit in California close to the Nevada border. I have passed it numerous times on my way to Lost Wages, Nevada. A lot of indie films don’t make money, but this box office payoff was less than the price of filling up my Toyota Matrix! Budget 2 Million, Box Office 30.00 (Yep! That’s Right! 30 freakin dollars).

1. Dave (2008) – Eddie Murphy strikes again. This is the #1 potboiler of the summer with a Budget 60 Million and a U.S. Box Office of 11.6 Million.

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