So, I actually wrote this last night and set it up to post automatically this morning. Turns out that 8pm isn’t the same as 8am. Go figure. Perhaps I’m still more sleep deprived than I thought! But, better late then never, here ya go!

Big Brother had a quite satisfying evening for me. It was Fast Forward night, were two players are sent packing. In this case, Michelle was the hands down fave to walk first go around. No surprise there. Well, except, apparently, for Michelle. Best moment of that segment for me was when she went on and on to Julie that Dan just had to be a plant because no way would anyone do the things he’s done…only to be assured by Julie that, no, he’s just a player. Just like you, Michelle. Just like you, who is sitting out here, with me, and not still playing the game. Like Dan. Or, words to that effect.

Second best moment of the night, was after being shown a very, very heavily edited version of Ollie’s meltdown (live feed viewers recapped that he went on quite the rampage of destruction that many thought should call for his immediate ouster, and that his blow up with Memphis went on for quite some time and contained quite a few nasty, nasty epithets that live feed viewers know are nothing new, but that home viewers have been completely spared from knowing about. So much for the non-drinking, non-swearing PK, hm? No words for that behavior. I hope his family can handle the flak.) Anyway, his complete lack of ability to compete - again - for HOH puts him on the hot seat, and once again, when he can’t manage to find even one POV tag in the POV comp he knows his time is up. Thank god. (He has never once, this entire season, performed well in competition, and hasn’t even played the game, really until April left, and he was forced to stop hiding behind her - and you don’t even want to know what kind of behavior those two were indulging in, for the cameras, paid feed viewers, Showtime viewers, aaaand with all the houseguests within earshot - again, quite some selective editing there, CBS.) And, seconds later, he’s outta there. Yay!

Now things get interesting, as Jerry is the only one left from the “other side” and he’s already proven he’ll go with whoever is in power. Leaving the original alliance of Memphis, Dan, Renny & Keesha to figure out how their alliances are going to break down, now that they have to cannibalize themselves. Jerry should figure out pretty quickly that he’s the swing vote here and use it to his advantage. Should be good times this coming week. Works for me. I have no idea who I really want to win. I don’t have any real strong favorites, but I don’t dislike any of the remaining players, either. Probably I’d go with Dan, as he’s definitely been the most strategic to this point. We’ll see how that play flies with the jury, however.

And now, time for this week’s SHaQ Attack winner! (FYI - all previous winners’ books went out today! Wahoo!) This week you just had to send me an email, and many of ya did. But there can only be one winner - and that winning Blog Babe is? Jane C!!

Don’t forget, you have until Sunday to enter the big launch contest on my main website - just go to my homepage and click on contest! Winner announced next week. Have a great, safe holiday weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Tuesday!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So, I missed out on MACing the drag queen episode from Project Runway last week, but I did finally get a chance to watch it and thought it was a blast. Loved seeing the guys in and out of drag, but loved even more that Clueless Whinypants Daniel finally went home. He always seemed so lost in that environment. As to the clothes…still strikes me as more costume than couture. I just don’t see it as an arbiter of mainstream or even haute couture fashion, but it was definitely entertaining. And I loves me Chris March, so any chance to see him again is always a Good Thing.

Last night’s episode finally seemed to get them in the Project Runway groove. It was the first episode of this season that felt like it was on the PR track. Our Tim was especially Tim-ish. Love. I like the innovation challenges and thought that everyone finally seemed to understand what was being asked of them. I was shocked that Stella chose that challenge, which seemed completely tailor made to her aesthetic, to step outside her comfort zone, but I applaud her for at least trying. You don’t know where you stand until you take some chances. Keith, on the other hand? Shut up. It was very satisfying that they sent him packing. What an attitude. Wow. No words. But anyone who watches competition based shows knows that the person who says “I’m not here to make friends” never wins. Sure, it’s a contest with one winner, but social dynamism and ones ability to work well with others is a vital ingredient in the success of any working professional, in any field. If you don’t get that, you won’t get far. Buh bye, Keith.

That said, I loved Kotto’s coat and thought it should have one, on silhouette alone. I understood the talent shown in Leanne’s dress…I just didn’t like the lines of it. At all. I’d have gone with Jerrell’s over hers, but thought his skirt was a bit weird, though I loved, loved the top. I also loved Terri’s outfit once again, but want to know more about how she’s perceived by the other designers. Jerrell’s two faced comment was interesting, and I loved Kotto’s muttering under her breath, Hating. On. Me. Ha! She’s in my top three. I even laughed at Blayne’s “Love your face” comment to Tim. I know, I’m getting soft. I blame Keith. Any levity to balance his woeful, snitty attitude made me smile. If we’re really lucky, they’ll send Kenley packing next week, and the housecleaning will amost be complete. (Loved how Jerrell set her in her place about her model maybe needing to, oh, I don’t know, earn a paycheck. Pay the models, PR!!) So many whinypants this season. Also, thank you PR for making an almost Suede-free episode. The less I see of him, the more I tend to like him. But if he calls out one more dead relative, he’ll be dead to me.

What did you all think? Who would you have given the win too? And do you think the work room had that new car smell? Next week we get Von Furstenberg. Wow. Can’t wait.

Don’t forget - last day to enter the contest for this week. Check Monday’s post for details. I hope to get the whole book pile sent out tomorrow, so previous winners waiting for your goodies, they’re coming!

Aaaaaaaand, dish!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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And you know what that means! Yes, Amazing Race, Survivor, and Dancing With the Stars is back!

Thank you blog babe Susan for posting the line up for this season on Dancing/Stars. Wow, it’s really all over the place. I kinda like it. Very interesting to see Lacey on there as one of the new pros. Can’t wait to see the Ballas papa on there as well. (And am I the only one who was shocked that Cloris Leachman is 82 already? Wow, am I old or what?)

In case you missed it in the replies yesterday, here is a repeat of all the pairings. What do you think?

• Lance Bass (formerly of *NSYNC and a trained cosmonaut) is paired with Lacey Schwimmer (a onetime So You Think You Can Dance finalist and the 2007 World Swing Dance champ)

• Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito is paired with Karina Smirnoff

• Team USA beach volleyball queen Misty May-Treanor is paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy (who was absent last cycle but is now returning for his fifth season)

• Track star/former “World’s Fastest Man” Maurice Greene is paired with Cheryl Burke

• Grammy-winning recording artist Toni Braxton is paired with Alec Mazo

• Reality TV star Kim Kardashian is paired with Mark Ballas

• Hannah Montana’s Cody Linley, Dancing’s youngest celeb, is paired with “older woman” Julianne Hough

• Oscar and Emmy winner Cloris Leachman, 82, is paired with Corky Ballas (Mark’s father and a World Latin Champion)

• TV vet Ted McGinley is paired with new pro Inna Brayer, the current U.S. Amateur 10 Dance Champion

• Brooke Burke (Wild On, Rock Star) is paired with Derek Hough

• Comedian Jeff Ross, aka TV’s “celebrity roastmaster general,” is paired with Edyta Sliwinska

• Recently retired Super Bowl champion Warren Sapp is paired with Kym Johnson

• All My Children Emmy winner Susan Lucci is paired with Tony Dovolani

I think this season is going to be entertaining to say the least. No clear front runner pops out from the list above. (Seriously, Rocco DiSpirito? Oh, the joy of amusement I will have watching him humbled. Ha.) Yeah, yeah, I know Lance had the boy band moves, but I don’t know that I see im commanding the dance floor in a Kristi/Mario Lopez kinda way. Guess we’re gonna find out. Who’s your fave? Who has you scratching your head in Jerry Springer amazement? Are you worried Cloris might get hurt? (I’m a little concerned here. But she’s pretty feisty.) And, most importantly, how will Shannon Elizabeth handle the fact that her still ongoing boy toy-er, friend from last season is now paired with the universally hot Brooke Burke? Really, enquiring minds….

Check out Monday’s post for a chance to win a free book. Everyone who has been patiently waiting for the recent winnings, the To Be Sent pile should go out a little later this week, as soon as I recover from laundry mountain and have a year to spare to stand in the forever long line at my post office. (I will never understand why they built this amazing new facility in our very, very overcrowded area, then only staff it with like, one guy.) Thank you for your understanding!

Aaaaaaaaand, dish!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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9 days, 14 states, almost 4000 miles…and I lived to tell the tale.

It was a great trip, made even more fun by my two travel companions and a family visit pit stop. My son is already enjoying school (we’ll see how that plays out as actual classes start today…) and his gf and I thoroughly enjoyed the return road trip. She’s great fun. Couldn’t have asked for a better travel bud.

As for last week’s SHaQ Attack, the deal was, everyone who posted comments to my blog last week is officially entered to win a free book - which could include an advance copy of my upcoming October release, To All A Good Night as they finally arrived while I was gone - so those of you who have already won a copy, it will go in the mail sometime this week! And the winning Blog Babe is? Maureen! Woot!

This week’s SHaQ Attack Contest? Since I’m in recovery mode, I’m taking it easy on us all. Just send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “The nest, it’s finally empty!” in the subject line. Winner announced Friday and can take their pick from my spankin’ new website bookshelf. Don’t forget to also enter the contest I’m running on my website - entries end August 31st! Check out the link at the bottom of my home page for additional details.

So…did everyone love the Olympics? Didn’t it go by really fast? What was your favorite event? We got caught up mostly in the track and swimming events this year, with gymnastics being a close second. I wished they’d shown more of the variety of events, given all the air time they had, but what can you do? Wait for London, 2012, that’s what! I’m excited. And Winter 2010 is Vancouver, right? Woo hoo, something close to our own time zone!!

Now it’s time to tackle Vacation Laundry Mountain. Which, it turns out, isn’t nearly as intimidating when it’s only your stuff. I might get used to this whole empty nest thing faster than I thought!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Well, the girlfriend and I successfully left my son behind….I believe he was playing beach volleyball as we pulled out of town. Or was he already swimming in the Yampa…. Or taking test runs down Howelsen Hill’s Olympic training run…. Yeah. Poor kid. Hope he manages to fit in and not miss home too much.

So, the gf and I decided we’d take an extended, scenic trip out of the state, which took us through several national parks. It was one wow moment after another. Gorgeous ride.

Roosevelt National Park

Which is a good thing. Because the next twelve hours? Yeah. The view? See below. Rinse, lather, repeat. For hours. And hours. And hours.

home on the range

But the drive out was well worth it. Today we’re vegging in St Louis, there might be some retail therapy involved, preparing for the Big Drive home tomorrow.

See last Friday’s post for a way to win a free book this week!

Tags: Uncategorized by Donna
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…can you squeeze into a dorm? More than you’d think.

But, boy I’m glad I have sons… We’re standing in the store, picking up last minute supplies, and another parent asks me “What colors are you going with?” At my confused look, she added, “You know, what is their room theme?” Um, theme? Boys don’t have themes. Or colors. They shove stuff in every nook and cranny they can, set up all their technology asap, make sure the mini fridge and microwave work, stick up a few posters. Aaaaand, done.

I’m okay with that.

Dorm View

I took this shot standing outside my son’s dorm building. I know. Sucks to be him, right? Poor kid, forced to study and look at that all day.

So, the return road trip commences early tomorrow. Looking forward to getting back on the road and my son is anxious to get started on his classes. He’s majoring in outdoor education and leaves on his first orienteering trip in two weeks. (He starts with river orienteering, and moves on to mountain, desert, canyon, glacier, etc.) I know. How cool is that? Is it too late for me to go back to school?

Don’t forget to check last Friday’s post for details on how to win a book this week. I’ll post the winner’s name on Monday.

More news from the road this weekend….somebody warn the butterflies!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Three days….two teenagers….1900 miles…and I lived to tell the tale.

Hello, Colorado!

Actually, it was a fabulous road trip across the country. We managed to hit 13 states, took pictures of every state welcome sign, saw more crops and cattle than we’ve ever seen in our lives (favorite crop:sunflowers) saw caribou, antelope and heard bull mooses calling each other while taking the picture above as we entered Colorado….and killed more kamikaze butterflies than one would think existed. Seriously, driving across Nebraska (and driving…..and driving….and driving….) they kept flying into our windshield. It was tragic. And really….odd. Where did they come from? What is it about Nebraska that breeds so many? And why, why, did they think they’d make it across Interstate 80 alive?

Arch

We did make a weekend pit stop at my sister’s home in St Louis, a great half-way venue, and I took my son and his girlfriend down to the Arch, where we saw the documentary on how it was built (seriously intense feat of engineering - great film) then traipsed around their fabulous zoo for a bit. My favorites? Penguins, of course! Yay, penguins!

Yay! Penguins!

Today, we’re in lovely Steamboat Springs, with temps in the 70s, no humidity, and the best breakfast in the world waiting for us at Winona’s (look it up, I’m not kidding) before starting the Big Move In.

I’ll check in again as the Great Cross Country Trek continues throughout the week. The gf and I have aready decided we’re taking a different route home, just so we can see more states. Because we can.

And check out my blog this past Friday for a hot tip on how you can still win a book this week.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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AI 2008

So, last night was the Big Show here in DC. The American Idol tour was in town and I had the chance to see it. First time I’ve ever seen one and it was worth the price of admission.

The crowd was a far more diverse mix than I’d expected, with old out-ranking young, and a lot of good guys attending with wives, girlfriends, and daughters. Standouts of the night, performance-wise, and easily the biggest hits with the crowd, were Michael Johns and the David’s. Jason Castro was welcomed heartily, but didn’t match the powerhouse performances of the above. Surprises were Chikezie who opened the show quite well, and Syesha, who had the best pipes of the night for the girls and definitely got the biggest response post-singing. (Carly Smithson got the biggest cheers pre-singing, but didn’t bring the crowd along quite as well.)

Brooke definitely got to everyone as her piano rose in the center of the stage through the mists as she sang Lennon. Christy Lee…not so much. (You sing a patriotic song in DC and the crowd doesn’t lose its collective mind…that says something. Something she probably doesn’t like to hear.) But everyone did a decent job and entertained the crowd. Each artist came out, sang three songs, until it got to the David’s, who did 4/5 respectively, then a group song at the end, which is the photo above.

DC in DC

David C was very at home on the stage, did a great set, but no one was sure what was up with the heavy eye makeup. Pretty much everyone else looked like we’re accustomed to seeing them. Archie was still very aw shucks, and Cook talked about getting to speak to the Senate yesterday on cancer advocacy, then thanked the crowd for making it possible for him to do things like that. He dedicated the song Hero to his brother, Adam, who is suffereing from brain cancer, then took home movies of the crowd to share with him later. Very cool all around. The encore was Billie Jean, which was a great end to a very fun and upbeat night.

A great end to this week would be announcing that, one, Libra went home on Big Bro. Don’t let the door hit ya. And we have a winner in this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. All ya had to do was send email this week….and the winning Blog Babe is? Stephanie H! Woo hoo!!

Now for the not-so-fun news. I am leaving crack of dark tomorrow morning to start my cross country drive, taking my son to school in Colorado. So, no formal blogging next week. I will try and post some photos from the road, and for next week’s SHaQ Attack, everyone who posts responses to whatever I get up here will be in the running for the free book prize, which won’t be announced until Monday, August 25, when I return.

Have a great weekend! Road Trip!! Wish me luck!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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At least last night on Project Runway, the designers seemed to have a better grasp on the actual challenge. That’s was nice to see. For a change. Or ever.

What I liked…for the most part there is a lack of “back stage” drama with the designers and most seem committed to the project at hand, rather than endlessly engaging the group dynamic. Not saying it’s a love fest by any stretch, but it seems the one-on-one camera confessionals are really having to be milked to get the negative stuff. Not as much happening in the workroom, and what little is, seems very work oriented.

What surprised me…the teams that did well, vs the ones that did not. On first pairing, I picked Terri/Suede and Kotto/Joe as the Teams Most Likely to work well together. In a million years, I wouldn’t have thought it would end up being Jerrell/Stella or Keith/and anybody, but most specifically Kenley.

What bugged the crap out of me…Kenley’s passive aggressive crap. The laughter on the runway was inexcusable. Ten to one Kenley was a Heather in highschool. I think she still is now. Daniel’s Lost Boy shtick, also old. Still, he didn’t deserve the mocking. Well, maybe he did, he’s really that annoying with his supposed cluelessness about why he is where is he, but I’d have still smacked her.

The challenge was to design something for Brooke Shields’ character on Lipstick Jungle, winner’s design will be worn by her on the show. And while the challenge-as-one-giant-tv show-commercial pimpage can be annoying, I do think it’s a great opp for the designers. I’d have given the win to Jerrell/Stella as I liked theirs best (I know!) but Keith/Kenley’s design certainly merited the win as well. I just can’t stand either of them, so it was hard to choke on.

Blayne and Kelli ended up in the bottom two, and after blasting Kelli’s taste or lack thereof all over the runway, they sent her packing. I’d have loved to send either of their assistants home on this task, as I don’t think either of them should be on the show, but in this case they really didn’t shoulder the blame, so they get a pardon on their eventual execution. Which will happen. Those two will not win.

Next week? Designing for Drag Queens. Because there’s a lucrative industry these designers grew up wanting to break into. Seriously, Bravo? What is up with this season anyway? Sure, I’ll love getting to see Chris March again, but this is not Barnum & Bailey Runway. I heard RuPaul was a guest judge this year. I’m guessing next week would be a match made in spandex. Sheesh.

Don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. Details in Monday’s post. Winner announced tomorrow!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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If the fish has eleven gold medals around his neck.

Michael Phelps, the Tiger Woods of swimming. How incredible is that guy? And how much more incredible to watch him not just win medals, but break records. Smash records, really. For someone smothered with so much hype, he somehow manages to deliver anyway. He just gets out there, and swims.

As for who I’d like to see swim with the fishies, in a more, perhaps, Sopranos kinda way? Big Bro’s Jerry. Wow, talk about hypocritical. It’s okay, apparently, to betray your alliance and still consider yourself a good marine, but Dan makes a similar rock/hard place decision (one that, as AP, he didn’t even have control over - which Jerry even suspects!) and he’s going to burn in hell. That POV lecture last night brought new lows to lowdown. You know what I’d enjoy? Dan winning HOH this week. See how fast Jerry, who has sucked up to every HOH they’ve had, finds it in his heart to forgive Dan his sins. Ha. And I would hope Dan tosses that right back in his face. As to who should go home tomorrow night? Libra or Keesha? Libra, because OMG the screaming. Of Keesha, because OMG that voice! Win win, really.

Tonight is Project Runway. With Brooke Shields. And this season’s designers. Save me. Again, thank goodness for the Olympics.

Don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest - details in Monday’s post.

So….what are your favorite parts of the Olympics thus far? What sport do you love watching the most? Which one has you watching that you never thought you would get into and becoming an armchair expert in all the lingo? Me, beach volleyball. Sort of like the snowboard half pipe of the summer games.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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