I meant to post this earlier, but better late than never. By the way, the most viewed post of 2012 happens to be my absolute favorite. Click below to check it out!
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 15,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 3 Film Festivals
There is nothing I can say to shed any light on the events of last Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I’ve been trying to come up with something to say here since Friday evening, but it just hits too close to home. My Mom taught elementary school for 32 years and retired fairly recently, and my little sister currently teaches 3rd grade. Like so many others, I simply can’t wrap my head around what happened that day. The words below sum up a few of my thoughts. I may or may not decide to further discuss the tragic events of that day here. I can’t even begin to imagine what the families of the victims and the entire community is going through.
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A Hard Act to Follow by Henry Bushkin
“A Hard Act to Follow,” is a non-fiction literary account of Henry Bushkin’s tenure as Johnny Carson‘s lawyer, business partner, and friend. The book gives genuine insight into the ‘Carson behind Johnny’ with candid personal vignettes about the two, during the rollicking years when Johnny was the undisputed king of television. This is an engaging, eye-opening, anecdote-packed story about a young lawyer and his client, one of the biggest celebrities in the country. This funny, unfiltered account gives readers a look at the Johnny Carson that none but a select few really knew.
“A Hard Act to Follow” by Henry Bushkin provides a stirring account into Johnny Carson’s world—as told by Carson’s closest confidant.
The New Yorker article by Kenneth Tynan from 1978, included the following question and answer:
Tynan: When you’re at home, whom do you entertain?
Carson: My lawyer, Henry Bushkin, who’s probably my best friend.
Praise for the Book
“I loved the book.” ~Wayne Newton
“Henry was Johnny’s closest friend for many years which becomes clear through many of the wonderful chapters of the book.” ~Bob Trapenberg
“The book is full of tough love, humor, cultural history, sadness, humor, love, loss, well I guess I am saying it is full of life.” ~Rupert Garcia
” Henry’s portrayal of Johnny was spot on. I highly recommend this book which is the closest the reader will ever get to know the real Carson.” ~ Ed Weinberger, former Tonight Show writer and Producer for Carson Productions
“A beautifully easy read that pulls you in to an effortless journey through Johnny Carson’s effortful life. The glamour the fellow celebrities behind the curtain, the loyalties, and the betrayals. It certainly provides new insight on decisions and the lives that are behind the scenes.” ~Kathy Davis, Kathy Takes on Books
“”I have read this book and it is FAB! If you love reading about celebrities, this is awesome. It is also a great memoir as well. I am a huge memoir fan so this one was a real treat and one of the best I have read in this genre in a long time” ~Mary, Bookhounds Blog
“Bushkin’s easy, unpretentious style allows the reader to be a fly on the wall as this inside story plays out in the rarified air on which Johnny thrived. “A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW” is a must read whether you grew up on Johnny or never heard of him. And then there are the supporting characters — from the Rat Pack to Johnny’s Ice Queen mother ranging around the pages disturbing the peace. I read it straight through in 90 minutes and was left wanting more.” ~Sandy Ignon, Screenwriter (RANSOM).
“The tales are epic in nature and stretch from the first page to the last. “A Hard Act to Follow” is an honest appraisal of Carson and shows his dark side. In this, Bushkin strikes the right blend of salacious detail with an appropriate dose of discretion. Sure, you’ll learn more detail about Carson’s marriages– in a tasteful way. Bushkin will leave you wanting more. Great books will do that.” ~Barry Mordis, Senior VP at Merryl-Lynch
“No one would describe Johnny as easy going-there was an edge to him that Bushkin always managed to soften. He continues to do that in this book. There was that challenging side of Johnny which is also captured in the book. Henry was Johnny’s closest friend for many years which becomes clear through many of the wonderful chapters of the book. All in all a great book to read.” ~Bob Trapenberg, Johnny’s former Tennis Pro.
Author Henry Bushkin
Henry Bushkin is an experienced lawyer who practices in both California and New York. He currently lives in Los Angeles where his children also reside.
Blog Tour Now Through January 11th
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There are various reasons why I took an extended break from blogging. I want to share the details very shortly, but here’s the issue: There is just so much to say. While personally my life is heading in the right direction, and there is great potential for me to achieve some of the most important goals I’ve set for my life, every day I’m surrounded by a society that appears to be coming apart at the seams. I’d love to put my sense of loss – and concern for my country – into words. I’m simply not there yet.
So much more to come. On a happier note, watch for my interview with Oh Snap! Photography’s Tracy Sherman, a guest post by Kristin of Bring Pretty Back, as well as participation in a couple of interesting blog tours. Details soon.
I couldn’t resist. As it appears Hockey Town will have to wait until next year (at least it appears that way now), I’m really hoping the Tigers can pull off what they couldn’t in 2006. I’m hoping they have a rematch with the Yankees later on in the playoffs. I’d love for the Tigers to take the Yankees out of contention! Sweet revenge.
Copyright Jacquie Pruder 2012
Copyright 2012 http://www.downwithdetroit.com
Almost time for baseball! ~ Copyright 2012 Glen Suszko
I debated whether or not to write at all about 9/11. There just doesn’t seem to be anything left to say. I then decided to finally write about Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, the plot of which hinges on the events of 9/11. Unfortunately real events made it impossible to not write about 9/11.
I woke up this morning to learn that the US Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, was murdered, along with three others. That attack, along with major protests outside the American Embassy in Egypt, makes it clear we are still at war. All sparked by a rumor. The thing is that no matter how hard we all try in the United States to pretend we aren’t still at war, that 9/11 didn’t change everything, there are still terrorist attacks.
Back in 2000 I studied abroad in London for a month during the summer. Every day I used the Russell Square tube station to get around the city. It happened to be merely blocks away from Commonwealth Hall, where we were all staying that July. It is precisely the same tube station attacked in 2005 after it was announced London would host the 2012 Olympics.
In 2002 I spent a semester studying Spanish in Caceres, Spain, once again through Michigan State University. Throughout that semester I made several trips via train to Madrid. Time and time again I’d find myself in Atocha Station. I can’t even begin to tell you how heartbroken I was when I learned it too was a target for terrorists in 2004. I can tell you precisely where I was when I heard the news.
While I haven’t experienced the day to day anxiety of say New Yorkers in the days and weeks following the September 11th attacks or the residents of Washington, D.C. a year later during the beltway sniper shootings, terrorism did color many aspects of my college days. To this day 9/11 seems surreal to me. At the time I was studying abroad in Ecuador (again, Spanish). It took weeks before some sort of normalcy returned to our routines as foreign exchange students. We all kept expecting additional attacks back home. I remember pleading with my Mom to tell me exactly what was going at home the evening of 9/11. We heard so many rumors I suppose I needed some reassurance that life at home as I knew it did go on.
In Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close, the young protagonist of the story, Oskar Schell, uses the term “heavy boots” to describe any sadness or unpleasant emotion relating to losing his father Thomas Schell on 9/11. The term just seemed so fitting for the events of that day and everything that followed. I suppose that is the precise term for what I’m feeling today: heavy boots. It saddens me deeply to think of how many people across the globe have lost their lives as a result of terrorism since 1979. Believe what you wish, but we are still very much at war.
Cover of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
I’m fortunate to have talented members of my extended family. Below is a series of photos taken by my cousin Jake Suszko, an air force ROTC student at Bowling Green University. Enjoy! Thank you Jake for allowing me to share your photography with my readers. All photos Copyright Jacob Suszko 2012.
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
Antietam National Battlefield
Antietam National Battlefield
Virginia State Capitol
Holland, Michigan
Holland, Michigan
Holland, Michigan
Thank you again Jake!
Bowling Green State University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Lately I’ve been spending my time filling out the Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde Facebook page, which you can find here. I’m hoping to eventually create a community there that wants to have in depth conversations. Right now, as I’ve just set up the discussion boards, I’m having a conversation with myself! I visualize it as a place for readers to plug their blogs, discuss what books they just finished, and share ideas as to what they’d like to see here. I want to make Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde truly interactive. Currently I have 50 members, myself included. There is always room for one more.
In addition to finally fleshing out the Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde facebook page, I’ve also spent some time developing my Twitter account, @russelllindsey. If you take the time to follow me, I follow you back. Currently Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde, each and every post, is broadcast to 162 Twitter followers.
Twitter and Facebook aside, I’ve also gone through my GoodReads account. You can find me on Goodreads here. While I don’t have the details right now, a conversation or two I had on GoodReads may have a huge impact on the future of Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde. Stay tuned!
Even though it has taken me a lot longer than I would’ve liked, I’m glad I’m finally starting to truly use social media to promote Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde. So, I’m curious – to all those writers out there: What social media sites are you using? How often do you use it? How do you create an audience for your work? I’d love to hear about all of your experiences. Good, Bad, and Ugly.
English: Photo of Bonnie Jo Campbell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As usual, I’m not sure where to begin. This summer has personally held some nasty surprises for what passes for my life. Then again, I suppose I have to start somewhere if I am going to achieve anything at all. I’ll spare everyone the details for now, so I’ll get right to the point.
Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde has unfortunately suffered as a result. I’m trying to get things back on track. It just may take a while. I’ve sorely neglected the feature that inspired so much this year: My Life In Pop Culture. I’ve also neglected to do my part for two new blogging award nominations I received as of late. Blogging awards are a wonderful way to show appreciation to those bloggers nearest and dearest to your heart. I’m honored to have received them. Thank you for the nominations! I’m looking forward to correcting this error on my part as soon as possible. Also, I’ve been haphazard in sharing some of my favorite bloggers here. I’m finding it difficult to balance my own blog posts with reblogging wonderful posts from the likes of Childhood Relived. I somehow have to strike a balance. I love creating my own content, of course; at the same time, I come across so many wonderful/funny/inspiring posts, I instinctively want to share it with the most wonderful audience of all: my readers. When I reblog, I do it out of sheer admiration. I just want everyone, readers and bloggers alike, to realize that fact.
And then there are books. I’m not sure if many of you’ve paid attention to my running reading list stuck to the top of my blog, but I’ve had my nose stuck in various books for the last two months. It can be blamed on learning how to borrow e-books for my Nook Color from the Bay County Library System. I’m getting a lot of mileage out of my Nook Color. I love it to the point where I’m seriously considering asking for a Kindle Fire for Christmas and/or my birthday. I love to compare/contrast. It isn’t that I favor e-books over hardcovers or well-loved paperbacks – nothing will ever replace the feel and heft of a physical book – I just read that much more with an e-reader. My next experiment: Audio books on my laptop and/or Nook Color. This may sound stupid, but at times I wish I could commute via Metro instead of having to personally drive 40 minutes each way to work every day. Think of the reading time I could get in if I lived in a large city! Ah well.
The books I’ve read so far this summer will have a lasting impact on me, my writing, everything. I love them that much! Each one deserves its own post and review. The problem is that I never feel I do a book justice when I review it. I always seem to leave something important unsaid – and that infuriates me. Just don’t be surprised if I finally establish a series of book reviews here.
I hope to soon create a flexible schedule/outline for content. Stay tuned, as always. I still plan a series on Linda McCartney’s photography, Paul McCartney himself, and more. That, of course, doesn’t even begin to cover politics. I also, regrettably, haven’t written a personal post about Turner Syndrome, outlined my thoughts on reproductive rights, and so much more. I just need to get organized and go for it. What saddens me is that people are clicking on those links to Turner Syndrome and Reproductive Rights only to find nothing there.
By the way, I’m well on the way to achieving my reading goals for the year. I’ve read 17 of the 25+ e-books I pledged to read in 2012. I’ve read a total of 28 books, both traditional and e-books, out of the 60 I hope to read in 2012. With five months to go, my goals are in sight! That is a wonderful feeling after coming so close to my goal of 48 in 2011. Oh, and congrats to Bonnie Jo Campbell, one my favorite Michigan authors and the author of one of my favorite books, Once Upon A River. Once Upon A River was selected as a 2012 Michigan Notable Book! Well deserved. I discuss Once Upon A River here.
But the one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.
The moment that you feel that, just possibly, you’re walking down the street naked, exposing too much of your heart and your mind and what exists on the inside, showing too much of yourself. That’s the moment you may be starting to get it right.
Neil Gaiman: Commencement Address, May 2012
I came across Neil Gaiman’s inspirational commencement address thanks to WOW! Women On Writing Blog: Graduation Lessons by Cathy C. Hall. I love it as much as she does. It is worth taking a minute or two to read, as is the blog post on WOW! Women On Writing Blog. I read it at the best possible time.
June 10th will mark 13 long years since I graduated from high school, and already eight long years passed since I graduated from Michigan State University. Unfortunately high school’s been on my mind lately. I happen to know a few members of the Class of 2012 fairly well. It is difficult to reconcile my image of them as children with the realization all three will be college freshman this fall.
I’m left wondering what lies ahead. Proper adulthood hasn’t impressed much to date. I’m old enough to know better, but young enough for a fresh start. I still have time. There is just so much I want to accomplish. At times I don’t know where to begin.
2000 ~ Tower Guard Induction ~ MSU
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Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde 