Everything is coming up roses!

Two weeks ago, a friend of mine sent me a link to a posting she thought I might be interested in. The link was tweeted (a term commonly used on Twitter) by the editor of an online blog based in Los Angeles. The editor mentioned that if there were any interested writers out there to contact her. That evening I emailed her and the following morning the editor emailed me back. I told her I was interested and if it was going to be a problem contributing since I live several hours north of the city. She assured me that since everything is done online these days, anything is possible!

Thank you to my friend "C"--who lives in L.A.--for sending me the link! Without her, I may have not seen it. She said that I was the first person she thought of when she read the tweet. It's comforting to know that I still have a few friends left who are looking out for my best interest. :)

So when the editor of the blog and I made contact, she asked me if there was a story I wanted to write about. I remembered that I had read that actor David Nelson had passed away the night before so I asked if I could write about his passing. The editor gave me the ok to write the story, so I finished it and emailed it to her before deadline the same day. Well, that evening the story got published!

I'm trying to come up with more ideas for stories, but sometimes I'm beaten to the punch by actual staff writers that work for the L.A. blog. Although the position is voluntary, I see it as a stepping stone for my future career. It will also allow me to make more contacts who actually live in the area.

I'm so grateful for any opportunity I can get because it gives me a sense of satisfaction that someone really believes in my writing.

And the award goes to...

If there was ever an award handed out for Hottest Actor, I would have no choice but to give it to two lucky recipients! The first one would go to Auckland, New Zealand native Martin Henderson, who has appeared in films like "The Ring," "Torque" and "Smokin' Aces," and in the Britney Spears' video "Toxic" (fast forward it to 02:48 to see his cameo). Boy, am I glad he moved to the States to start his career! He can now be seen as "Dr. McKiwi" (like as in "McDreamy" and "McSteamy")--oops, I meant "Dr. Ben Keeton" in ABC's "Off the Map." Hmmm...I think I have a fever and only Dr. Keeton can cure it! ;) Ok, that was the dorkiest thing I have ever said or written! But a man with an accent is always a good thing in my book!

The second, lucky recipient of the Hottest Actor award goes to Chris Pine, who has appeared in films such as "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement," "Bottle Shock," "Star Trek" and "Unstoppable." The UC Berkeley graduate is the son of actor Robert Pine, who played "Sgt. Getraer" in the 1970's show "CHiPs." Chris's baby blues are just so mesmerizing! ;)

A little known fact: both of these actors appeared in the 2006 film "Smokin' Aces." Ok, I must now go watch this film!

Here's a recent interview Martin did on "The View":




And here's the second half of Chris's appearance on the "Jimmy Kimmel Show," Nov. 2010:

The End of an American Family

Photo courtesy of WireImage

I was online this evening when I found out that the last surviving member of one of America's most famous families passed away today. Actor, producer and director David Nelson, son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson and older brother of musician Rick ("Ricky") Nelson, passed away today from colon cancer. He was 74.

When "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" premiered on ABC in 1952 (it ended its run in 1966), it was the first time that a real family portrayed a fictional version of themselves on television. I would like to think that "Ozzie & Harriet" was one of the first reality shows there ever was. The wholesome Nelsons played this idealistic American family of the 1950's. In fact, many storylines revolving around what the real Nelsons were doing in their daily lives were incorporated in to the show. Eventually, Ozzie and Harriet's youngest son, Rick, when on to gain fame as a teen idol.

Sadly, now all four members of the Nelson family are no longer with us. Ozzie passed away from liver cancer in 1975; Rick was killed in a private plane crash on New Year's Eve 1985; and Harriet died of congestive heart failure in 1994. And now with David's passing, the end of an era is gone. A little known fact about the "Ozzie & Harriet" show: it was the longest running sitcom to date, until 2003 when "The Simpsons" cartoon series broke that record.

It's unfortunate that there will never be another show like "Ozzie & Harriet." However, the Nelson legacy will continue to live on. David's niece, Tracy Nelson, is an accomplished actress, who was a regular on "Square Pegs" and on "Father Dowling Mysteries;" Tracy's brothers, twins Matthew and Gunnar, of the 90's rock group Nelson; and younger brother Sam, a record executive and the lead vocalist for the L.A. based indie band H is Orange.

David is survived by his wife Yvonne, four sons, a daughter and seven grandchildren.

Here's a funny clip from "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet."



And here's a video of David's nephews Matthew, Gunnar and Sam paying tribute to their father, Rick.

Happy New Year!

All good things must come to an end. 2010 started out great, but then towards the end of the year, things turned out a little sour. In January, I continued working and taking classes. Then Cupid's arrow missed his aim again in February. Showers poured in between March and April, which also resulted in me getting laid off from work. And then in May, I took my first trip to Vegas--in which I ended up getting sick about two days after I got home.

Then came the warm days of summer. Between June and July, I took up Zumba for the first time. It was fun until my back when out on me for about a week. Then summer came to an end when I returned to school in August. I really thought I wasn't going to be able to handle all the classes I scheduled myself for, but somehow I managed to. During this time, I met someone and thought we had a mutual attraction, but it was never meant to be because he rejected me a few months later. Between September and November, I wrote a few more articles for my journalism class, which were published. In November, my family and I celebrated Thanksgiving at my parents home without my nephew, who is stationed in Oklahoma and couldn't make it home. Finally in December, I enjoyed a much needed break away from school. I'm catching up with tasks that need to be taken care of and I'm taking the time to get together with friends. However, December was also a sad month for me; however, it also gave me a new perspective of what I had to look forward to in the upcoming year.

I just want to say how thankful and blessed I am to have such an amazing family and close friends. I'm anxious to see what positive, new experiences, adventures or opportunities are waiting for me. Also, I'm intending that God grant me and my loved ones with good health, prosperity, wealth and happiness in 2011. Happy New Year!! :)