VMAs, OMG

As an award show aficionado, you know I couldn't let even the MTV Video Music Awards go by without a review of some kind. Even though I agree with Green Day um...maybe you should actually broadcast some videos once in awhile MTV if you're going to take the trouble to host an award show about them.

Madonna's show opener was a subdued, impressive start in my book. First off, she covered up her alarming, sinewy arms so we could focus on her speaking from the heart about Michael Jackson. Seemingly without "acting", she told real stories which revealed a side of the icon we never knew. Personally, I was touched and moved to tears by the time sister Janet made an appearance dancing beside her departed sib in the video "Scream." Well done.

Only one thought about the disgusting behavior of Kanye West who actually walked up and took the mic away from winner Taylor Swift as she was accepting the award to publicly pout that his favorite, Beyonce, was overlooked. BRING BACK THE GOOD OLD-FASHIONED HOOK. I'm sure many of you don't remember the days of vaudeville when someone would actually stand off stage and physically pull bad acts off with an actual, over sized hook. Puleeeze. If there was ever a case for re-introduction of a "classic" this would be it. Maybe if Kanye's feathers were physically ruffled he'd stop indulging in grossly inappropriate behavior that serves no other purpose other than to embarrass deserving artists and make himself look like an idiot.

To her credit, Beyonce was a class act who invited Taylor to finish her speech when she should have been making her own.

Overall, one of the most entertaining shows I've seen from MTV in awhile. Don't understand Russell Brand, though. And judging from the audience's lukewarm reception, they didn't either. We can only hope in the future MTV will invite a host who is genuinely funny and less interested in spitting out inappropriate and unintelligible comments. Why mic his face? Obviously he's speaking from much, much lower. Geez.

September Already?

Wow.

What happened to those "dog days" of summer? Not that I'm exactly a huge fan of sweating, but still. 60 degrees in August? Can't help feeling a bit cheated out of Summer this year. Hope we get a make-good this month with at least a few more beach days ahead.

Just came off one of those trite and true "staycations." Dan & I rented at a place called "The Asylum Inn" (very fitting if you know how busy work can be here in Summer) in downtown South Haven. What a unique experience. We have never stayed at an Inn or B&B before. It's much like staying in someone's home, vs. a sterile hotel room. The decor of the "Hunter Suite" was true to its name--dark wood, deer and wildlife with a Native American theme. Throw in some animal prints and you've got fun, eclectic surroundings. Actually we found it quite luxurious but in a rustic way. Hard to explain. See for yourself at www.theasyluminn.com. Since the website pics were taken Tina has added more decorative touches.

Friends we'd invited had to cancel, so it was just us rambling around in all that space. Did manage a couple of days on South Haven's South Beach where parking is at a premium. Not the cost ($5) just the ability to score a spot.

All in all, not a bad way to stay. Right in our backyard.