HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. While most of the country is experiencing some type of dreary winter weather, I thought I'd be nice and let everyone know what the diva was thinking:

1.  First, WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!  I received an e-mail from Dick, who is the creator, owner, and one man machine behind the website, "Dick's Diana Ross Website!"  I am still WOW!  Dick's website, which is on my blog roll, is THE website for fans of Miss Ross.  This man knows his Miss Ross history and is constantly providing updates on the lady's past, present and future career.  His website is a huge inspiration for my wayward ramblings.  Thank you Dick for the inspiration and e-mail.  Now, yall go read his website .. after you finish reading mine of course!

2.  OK, in case you did not know, the diva finally got cable this Christmas after a 2+ year hiatus.  The hiatus was due to moving, and then just being lazy.  Besides, I could always watch shows on you tube, etc.  But all of that is over ………. "Operation Repo," all the "Housewives, " "Tabatha's Salon Makeover," "Kell On Earth," Food Network, etc, here I come!  I now add to this mix, Mr. Andy Cohen [pictured above].  I am loving me some Andy!  He pulls no punches and states what everybody is really thinking .. hello, Taylor Swift singing with Stevie Nicks!  I've added Andy's blog to the roll.

You know, after re-reading the above paragraph, I realize I'm probably addicted to Bravo TV and will soon need intervention.

3.  THIS IS IT or That Was That!  OK, I finally saw MJ's THIS IS IT.  I know that I am going against the grain, but I was underwhelmed and hit the fast forward button a few times.  On a positive note, I was amazed by how good he still sounded live.  Proof that the man could still truly SANG!  However, you know me, I have some questions ……………..

-Did anyone notice how big his hands were?  Especially when he wore those tight coats.  What was with his hair?  Real or a wig, couldn't the man afford some barrettes or hair scrunchies to get those stringy bangs out of his face?  And to top if off, take off the sunglasses!  You are in a production meeting with regular light.

-Everyone acted like they were grateful he even showed up to rehease.  Or that he agreed to sing.  Why?  The man was badly in debt and needed a big hit.

-The dancers, musicians, producers, costumers, and lady at the snack table kept going on and on about MJ being an artistic genius.  This is where I beg to differ.  From OFF THE WALL to BAD, yes.  But the work after that, no.  He was performing the same dance steps, same themes, same, same, same.  You want an entertainer, you look for MJ or Miss Ross.  You want growing artistic vision, you look for Madonna.  You want to see an expensive show, when you should have just stayed home and listened to the CD, you look for Britney.  You want the VOICE, you …….. Sorry, got off track there. 

And finally for this blog entry …….. Per Miss Gina's Request

Last night, I received some never-ending grief from Miss "It's Always Negative 50 Degrees" Gina for not writing about Mr. Roscoe.  Therefore, for his legions of fans [all 10 of them] and Miss Gina, I took a picture tonight of Mister Man laid out on his pillow in the computer room.  That will be two doggie cookies Gina!

Showtime Synergy! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK, ok …….. I know that the Diva has not posted since 12/31/09, but I have a good reason – sort of.

From last Sunday [1/10] thru last Friday [1/15], I was travelling thru southern Cali-Forn-I-A for business!  The home of movie stars, swimming pools, and papa, papa, paparazzi!  These days, however, all the Californians discuss the bankrupt state government, immigration and the unbelievable cost of living.  Yes, San Diego is nice, but $1500 a month for a studio apartment?

The weather? Great!  San Diego? Great, would love to go there on vacation.  Move to California?  Not on your life!

Anyway, what has been going on during my little blog break ……..

1.  HAITI – My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti.  But you know me …….. This country is experiencing massive destruction, lack of water, homelessness AND STILL neither Anderson Cooper [CNN] nor Bryan Williams [NBC] look like they working in third world conditions.  How is this possible?  How did the tv crews get into the country with relative ease, while the relief efforts are taking forever to land?  And why do the newsmen ask the stupidest questions?  "Excuse me, you just lost your home and family, how are you feeling?????"

2.  I have stated many times that my favorite i-tunes podcast is GAY PIMPIN WITH JONNY MCGOVERN, starring Jonny, Linda James, Martin Beauchamp and Erika Toure Aviance.  These fantastic creatures of underground New York nightlife have made me laugh and feel proud since 2006.  In fact, I recently wrote to Jonny about his great new video, "Bossy Bottom," and the diva received a response back!  

Well, last Tuesday, Jonny and the crew announced that they would be ending the current podcast.  Jonny [who is a regular on THE BIG GAY SKETCH SHOW] is moving to LA, Linda is going back to school, Martin has work and family commitments, and Erika is riding the waves of "My Pumps."  Gang, I'm going to really miss you [although I can go back and listen to the 175+ free episodes].  In this pre-packaged pop world, you brought back individuality!

3.  Thanks to the encouragement of my neighbor, Lady Diana, I decided to join a gym near work today.  In the past, I've had success and failures with gyms.  However, the fee is very small, there was no long term contract, and many of my neighbors are members. 

4.  In less than two days, The Pink Diva and I see THE VOICE, Ms. Mariah!

New Year, New Attitude, New Desire to Blog More …………………

It's Showtime Synergy! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. For the past few days, I have found myself dealing with or talking to individuals who are just plain negative.  Don't like this, don't like that.  And when you note something positive happening in their lives, or in the world around them, the reaction you receive is blah, blah, blah.  **DIVA"S note here .. What I'm writing about does not apply to Carrie Prejean, who has been having a hard time lately .. 8 VIDEO TAPES!!  Carrie, who needs Playboy?  We'll just ask to see your video camera!**  But back to the negativity .. I'm reminded what a smart person told me recently, "there are some people who will always complain and think the grass is greener on the other side, when they ought to be thankful for where they currently stand."

So, to rid myself of these negative vibes, I wanted to list two things that have really made me smile today ……..

1.  Album / I-Tunes release of JONNY MCGOVERN PRESENTS: THE LEGENDS BALL – EAST VILLAGE MIXTAPE 2!!  If you've read some of my blog, you know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Jonny McGovern's Gay Pimpin' podcast which includes Jonny, Fantastic Linda James, Straighty Martin, soul bird Adam Joseph, and the divine creature pictured above, Miss Ericka Toure Aviance!!  Jonny's podcast is funny, trashy, sexy and just damn great .. all at the same time!

Along with the podcast, Jonny has released 5 albums, all of which contain songs performed by himself and the other podcast members.  Which brings me to Ericka's song on MIXTAPE 2, "My Pumps!"  I have played this song over and over since buying the album last Saturday!  It is the "Supermodel" for 2010!!  Ericka and Jonny – you are both genius and you're making me gag!

"My Pumps" contains a line that I want the Hackberry Divas to shout out loud – "We know that we're FIERECE!  We know that we're FLY! So bitch get out of our way!"

**Second DIVA'S note here – Janet Jackson just released a greatest hits cd called NUMBER ONES, and it contains 50 SONGS!!  Who told Janet that she had 50 number ones??  To my knowledge, Mariah is the only female artist with the most number ones [18 or so].  One what planet and whose charts were these songs number one JJ?? And how in the world does Mandy Moore have a greatest hits collection?? **

2.  My other positive vibe comes from talking with my co-worker C. Carter about his twin daughters.  These beyond cute girls are almost 10 months old.  The way that C. Carter described the daily rituals of dinner time / play time / and bath time ["with arms and legs just going everywhere"] was very funny!  So thanks to the Carters for the great stories as the girls start growing!

I feel a lot more positive now!

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice …….. 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. I know what you are thinking!  How can I obtain the masterpiece of art that I see in the picture above me?  I know the suspense will drive you crazy dear readers!  So, to be nice, please note that the above "object de art," is a one of a kind, piece of hot mess, that I hope does not destroy my chances of meeting Miss Ross.

Long story short, the Duluth Art Gallery is hosting an auction to bring over a group of French violin players.  To support the auction, the gallery has sold wooden violin "cut outs," which they have asked people to decorate and put up for auction [cause you know, one of the "Atlanta Housewives," probably NeNe, will pay top dollar for my "Visions of Diana"].

A few weeks ago, the Divas of Hackberry Court and myself went by the art gallery, and before I knew it, we were buying these cut outs.  Of course Miss Gina, Miss Cindy and Miss Diana's violins [which everyone wants to call fiddles] turned out INCREDIBLE, while mine looked like something that states, "a 5th grader could have done a far better job."

Oh well, it is all in the "homage" to Miss Ross, with love from Call Him Miss Ross!

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice …….. 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. Bring it to the FREAKIN' runway!!  Tonight, I discovered that you could buy the movie, VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, on I-tunes!!  When did this happen?  And damn I'm glad that it did!  Yes, I have the DVD, but now I can take VALLEY anywhere [along with fave movie #2, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA .. Hatsumomo!].

VALLEY is my all time favorite good/bad/campy/watch over and over movie of all time!  Even surpassing Miss Ross in MAHOGANY ["What do you call something dark, rich and beautiful?  You call it Mahogany!].  By the way, I-tunes, thanks for having THE WIZ [as awful as it is], but now it is time for LADY SINGS THE BLUES and MAHOGANY.

Back to VALLEY .. if you haven't seen it, do so immediately.  And then watch the making of documentaries, which include Alonso Duralde!

I'm downloading now!

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice …….. 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. First of all, I would like to send a HUGE shout of CONGRATS to my friends, Chris and Emily Carter, who were able to bring their daughter, Elizabeth, home from the hospital today.  Elizabeth's twin, Kathryn, has been home for over a month now.  Soooooooo, congrats to the whole Carter family [including Abby]!  Now that everyone is home, can we finally come and see the girls, dad?

I have been in my new condo almost one year, and I still have two rooms with boxes in them.  I tell myself, "I'm going to tackle those boxes tonight or this weekend," BUT, I get distracted, I get busy, .. I get lazy.  Therefore, I have decided that this month will be my "May-Mester" for the condo.  Less than 30 days to get rid of the boxes.

I loved "May-Mesters" in college.  You only took one or two courses over a 3 week time period.  You were certain that you would never learn all that "stuff" in three weeks, but before you knew it, it was time for finals.

In addition to the big condo-clean, I am determined to blog everyday this month.  Ok, I know I missed May 1st, but you know what I mean.

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice …….. 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. I "worked" the Lupus walk today.  One of my friends was diagnosed with Lupus late last year.  Therefore, in an effort to contribute to the cause, she asked her friends and family to donate money or walk.  Those who walked received a "Team JT" t-shirt.  I had Miss Ross put on the back of mine.  

When the different teams were asked to send someone onstage to showoff their shirts, guess who was volunteered [you know I would have done it anyway].  The MC was this great drag queen, Miss Sophia, who I have to applaud for keeping the event moving as well as looking flawless in the heat.  She had a great wig!  When I got up to the mike and introduced our team, I actually said, "my name is Paul and I'm here WORKING for my friend Jennifer, who was diagnosed with Lupus last year."  You know Miss Sophia had this look of, "well alright Miss Thang, bring it to the runway!"

In other news, I want to say a huge goodbye Bea Arthur.  Beyond the Bionic Woman and Designing Women, Golden Girls was my all time favorite show.  I have watched the DVD's so many times, I can tell which episode is coming on within the first minute.  To my favorite GG, Bea Arthur, you will be missed!

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice …….. 

OK .. my very own website!!  

Before I go any further, I want to send a huge shout out THE PINK PRINCESS [www.pinkponders.com], who helped me find and create this website.  She may or may not believe this, but her blog has [and will continue to be] a HUGE inspiration for me!  Now if she would quit talking to the cast members and get her work done!

After two years of blogging on LJ, why did I decide to start my own website?  Well ……………

1.  I wanted a place that is unique to me.  One that I could be as creative as possible.  For reasons due to my past history in theatre, I needed to find an outlet to be creative.  I am hoping this is what this website / blog will provide.

2.  I  turn the big 40 in a few weeks.  Unlike many, I am actually looking forward to this birthday.  My 30's were sort of crazy.  Instead of my teen and 20 years, I felt like I spent most of my 30's trying to figure out who I am.  Or trying to fit myself into the image of whom others thought I should be.  For the past few months, I've been trying to just be me .. if you like it, great, if you don't, your loss.

3.  Why the name, THE DOG AND THE DIVA?  Well, for those not in the know, I have a year old pug who I love very much, and I am obsessed [I mean obsessed] with the only grand diva, Miss Diana Ross.  Get ready, a lot of this blog will be about those subjects.

4.  THE PINK PRINCESS asked me what I wanted to talk about on my blog.  Here are some ideas I've had .. my favorite DJ's who provide free podcasts, my attempts to get this website visited by other people, new dance artists, blogs I like, black diva appreciation days, my monthly i-pod playlist, my feelings [positive and negative] about the current state of gay politics and life, and my personal ratings on the different types of chocolate milk!

I am very excited about this new step [how cheesy did that sound].