HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. I want to first send a HUGE birthday shout out my diva, my inspiration, and a "legend in her own time" …….. One Woman, One Voice, MISS DIANA ROSS!!  I know that I am technically a day late, since her birthday was yesterday, 3/26/2010, but I already put up a birthday posting on FB.  Happy Birthday Miss Ross!  I am so ready for you to visit Atlanta on 6/4/2010!  By the way, the term "legend in her own time" is not something I made up, but a recent compliment given to the lady by Miss Patti Labelle.

As part of the birthday celebration, the Hackberry's plus 3 renamed our Saturday pizza and trivia team, "The Supremes."  However. unlike the Supremes and their 12 number one hits, the ladies and I were not as lucky.  I think we wound up in our usual 5th, 6th, or 7th place.  I'd like to give another shout out to Vic's Pizza in Duluth, GA.  The food is great, the trivia fun and they played two Supremes songs tonight.

Now even during this time of celebrating, pizza and trivia, one of the Hacks had to create some drama.  I will not mention a name, but hers is spelled G-I-N-A.  The drama was due to some people having titles, while others were expected to wash the dishes.  Therefore, the Hackberrry plus 3 royal court officially consists Queen Mother Anne, Queen Mother Peggy, Queen Cindy, Princess Diana, Dame Maureen, The Court Jester Call Him Miss Ross [HAYYYYY!!], and the one and only Marchioness De Gina.  May their reign be long and fair.  

In honor of Queen Mother Peggy, and her adventures in Cherokee, the Hackberry plus 3 Royal Court has adopted a new saying that will help us persevere when someone accidentally spills the garlic puffs in our direction, or the answer at trivia is "goat," or when we have step out into the negative 50 degrees night air …….. "I Had To Go The ATM!"  Truer words were never spoken!

Before I go, one more shout to my friend Reed, who helped me obtain the album, WE LOVE DIANA – THE ALMIGHTY REMIXES!  This album was not readily available in the US.  Thanks Reed!

I Had To Go To The ATM! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. First, loving the hat.  I wore it this past Saturday for pizza and trivia with the Hackberrys.  Although we finished in 5th, 6th, or 7th place, I did receive a few compliments, as well as confuse some small children who will require therapy in a few years.

Had an interesting day today …….. Last night I developed a sore throat that led to chills and swollen glands.  In addition, I hardly got any sleep.  For some unknown reason, I could not get the reality show, KELL ON EARTH, out of my mind.

Went into work feeling less than supreme, even after trying to soothe my throat with hot tea and wonton soup.  Therefore, I decided to go to a local urgent care / "Doc In A Box."  After unsuccessfully trying to do a strep throat test [I have horrible gag reflexes .. NO COMMENT from the peanut gallery], the physician assistant decided to take my blood pressure.  170 over 88 YALL!!  170 over 88!!  At that point, the PA gave me orders to get to my regular doctor or the emergency room TODAY!  Do not pass go, do not go tomorrow.  GO!

After checking in at my family physician, my blood pressure was taken again.  It had dropped a little, but not much.  From here, we begin the fun parts .. blood tests, EKG, chest x-rays .. and I still have my sore throat.  3 hours later I leave with three prescriptions [including an anti-biotic] and instructions to return in two days and remain calm! 

Sooooo, I'm in a waiting period.  As the wonderful Miss Gina told me, "if something was really wrong, the doctors would have had you admitted to General Hospital."

In happier news, it is only THREE days until Diana Ross' birthday!

Showtime Synergy! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. I hope that everyone had a good, or at least peaceful St Peppermint Patties Day!  As for myself and the Hackberrys, we hit Wednesday night trivia at our favorite pizzeria, Vics!  Vics is located in Duluth, GA, off of Pleasant Hill Road.  If you want great pizza [or calzones, or salads, you get the point] check out Vics and say hello to Vic, Bobby and the crew.  Anyway, back to trivia ……..

For the past few weekends, "The Hacks" and the Diva have found themselves playing some fun trivia, laughing, and eating.  Tonight was no different, except that Miss Gina had to bow out, claiming that her ceramic projects were past due.  I recommended that she throw the objects de art in a 350 degree oven and meet up with us, but no such luck.  Therefore, only Queen Cindy, Mama Anne, Mama Peggy, Lady Di and myself were able to celebrate the Irish by eating Italian.

I wish I could say that the Hackberry table took first place, but you know I wouldn't lie on my own blog.  At first we were doing good, but many of tonights questions were Irish / St Patty related.  My knowledge of the Irish is limited to U2, Sinead O'Connor [boy you never hear from her again] and the musical, OLIVER TWIST.  I was even bored by LORD OF – SPIRIT OF THE – BEST FRIEND OF THE DANCE WE'RE DOING BY THE RIVER spectacle.  And what is the deal with those Celtic Women who want to sing like Sarah Brightman, but move like Nit Wit Brit?

Anyway, despite our poor showing, we had a great time .. AND  .. I got wear my Hot Mess St Patties' Day Hat!  The picture above is your Diva with her royal majesty, Queen Cindy!  Just go ahead and say it, …….. we are the new American Gothic!

Showtime Synergy! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. While trying not to drown during a few LOOOOOOOONG days at work, I received a press release for Miss Ross fans via Facebook:  DIANA ROSS – THE LEGEND – THE MUSIC – THE VOICE – LIVE!  My first thought was great, she's doing another European tour.  When is she coming back down south?

But then as I continued to read …….. "The one and only Diana Ross .. MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY tour .. a multi-city spectacular live show."  And this was a U.S. tour.  Wait a minute.  Could she?  Would she?  

YES !!!!!!!!

June 2, 2010 – Knoxville, TN

June 4, 2010 – Atlanta, GA

Just shut up!!  Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta !!  She has not performed in Atlanta since 2000 !! Miss Ross will be performing at Chastain on Friday, 6/4/2010.

Yes, I saw Madonna for the second time in November, 2008.  And yes, I just saw THE VOICE this past January.  But People, this is Miss Ross, the diva's inspiration.  You know where I'll be 6/4/2010.  And depending on finances, etc, I may even go to the Knoxville show .. just to prepare myself.

Anybody else interested in watching me scream, yell and dance around like a fool?  Not like I don't do that everyday. 

Now since I know most of you were glued to The Real Housewives of OC Reunion Show Part 2 [with that bunch of nothing called Slade], you might have missed the world premiere of Lady Gaga and Beyonce's new video, "Telephone."  People, this video is truly some hot mess.  

The actual content / drug induced storyline is pretty blah to a child the 80's.  However, the artistic vision is unique and visually stunning.  With each song and video, Gaga is proving that she is no pre-packaged pop princess.  Even nit wit Brit wants to work with her.  However, can the vision continue to grow as she is pressured to deliver album #2?

But who really surprised me was Beyonce.  This is not the same sistah who sang "Say My Name."  Maybe because her parents are getting divorced [and she has taken Tina's side] or Sasha is working her fierce self, but B portrays a killer lesbian who drives around the country in a truck titled, Pussy Wagon.  Once again, the child has left destiny behind!

Showtime Synergy! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. I know what you are thinking dear readers!  Has the Diva outdone himself yet again with another hat?  Well, YES!!  However, unlike California Senator Roy Ashburn, I have to be honest and give credit to whom it's due.  This hot mess of a hat was discovered by Mama Anne of the Hackberry's.  Miss Gina, Mama Anne and I were terrorizing our local Target on Friday night, when Anne spotted this creation fit for a Diva.  To quote Jonny, Linda and Erika from my favorite podcast, Gay Pimpin With Jonny McGovern, "the look goes as follows: green felt cowboy hat, glued on tiara, and trimmed with a green and silver boa!"  All that hot mess at Target for only $5.50!!

In addition to our love for outrageous millinery, Mama Anne and I also share a devotion to Bravo's Real Housewives shows.  Of course, the other Hackberrys just roll their eyes when Anne and I start talking about the hardships these women have to endure.  I understand that Queen Cindy, Mama Peggy, Miss Diana, and Miss Gina [who honestly believes the temperature in Atlanta can reach negative 50 degrees] may not want to watch gritty, real drama like THE HOUSEWIVES, and instead prefer escapist fluff like THE MENTALIST.  HAYYYYY only few individuals like Anne, Madonna and myself are born with the compassion of a saint in our hearts, which gives us the fortitude to watch each tear jerking episode filled with eviction, botox, and shopping at Kroger!

By the way, I am so glad the OC wives are off the air.  BORING!!  Bring on New York's Betheny and Countess!

Showtime Synergy! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. I have some crazy thoughts rambling around my brain, and wanted to know …….. Is It Just Me?

1.  Has any else noticed that Betty White's career has really taken off since the other Golden Girls have either passed away [Bea and Estelle] or are in recovery [Rue]?  Coincidence or is the country about to experience Betty-Mania?

2.  Did anyone actually buy, listen and enjoy Rihanna's album, RATED R??  I bought, I listened and I have to yet to enjoy.  And her record company keeps on putting out videos.  Rihanna girl, I loved "Take A Bow" and "Unfaithful, " what happened? 

3.  Does anyone actually believe Atlanta Housewife, Kim Zolciak, has gone sappho and will soon be joining her sisters on Wonder Woman's island?

4.  This past weekend, the news analysts and their experts were trying to explain why Tiki, the killer whale at Sea World, went bonkers and attacked his trainer.  Well, it turns out that Tiki had attacked previous trainers.  HELLO!  Tiki ain't happy!  He knows he's living in cramped quarters, he knows that the kids and Mariah love the dolphins move than him, and he really knows he's only there for stud.  I'd have a bad day as well.  It is time to let Tiki go.

5.  The news media continues to state that the nation is experiencing a recession.  However, why I am constantly bombarded with weight loss / exercise machine commercials?  Or worse yet, Valerie Bertinelli?  One thing about diet food .. it ain't cheap!

6.  Has anyone noticed that Chile's earthquake seems to be receiving a whole lot less attention that Haiti's?  Do you think the nation is experiencing tragedy overload and needs to focus on Kate Gosselin joining Dancing With The Stars?  Amazing what a set of hair extensions can accomplish!

7.  I know that I will be in the minority for this opinion, but …….. why couldn't those celebrities who were so passionate about Haiti, focus on the problems at home?  How about funding needy schools or paying the bills for a family that is about to go homeless?  I just would like to see these "stars" help those in their own backyard first.

Showtime Synergy!