Glee!

Some stories are best told in pictures. Here is a little sampling of Karaoke at the Ramada Inn on Friday night. Started as a little reunion between some karaoke loving elementary school friends and ended as a huge, friends-from-all-parts-of-my-life karaoke love fest.

Groove Is In The Heart: Cem belts out DeeLite while I act as her backup dancer.

Dave wears his sunglasses at night. Nikki and Melanie B. funk it up robot style.

We Are The World: Bill and Katie get in the spirit of things as Dave acts out the song in everyone's voice - truly one of the wonders of the world.

We are the children... we are the ones who make a better life so let's start living'... (are those the lyrics?)

Elementary school friends Patreece and Melanie. "Do You Think I'm Sexy". Why yes, we do.

Wanna Be Starting Something: what? You think I wasn't going to do an all out Michael Jackson song and dance? Beyond exhausting, but thank goodness for my backup singers. Ma ma say ma ma sa ma my coo sa.

No, silly, that's not Michael Jackson! It's me!

A Meredith quote about this picture: "We look like we should be on the nickel." A serious moment between Katie and Meredith - both probably rapt by performance on stage.

Reunited and it feels so good. End of the night Bellagio love.

Miep Gies RIP

I was very touched and saddened by the news that Miep Gies died at age 100. A long life, yes, but one that saw the worst of humanity. If ever you want to read the most compelling memoir, I urge you to read hers, titled "Anne Frank Remembered." By now, we all know that she helped hide the Frank family, but that is only half of the story. While looking after the Frank family in the attic, Miep and her husband Jan were actually hiding another Jew in their home. Once the Frank family was captured, Miep Geis quietly tried to secure their release by offering a bribe to a Nazi officer, a move that easily could have gotten her killed. Hers is a story about being a compassionate person during violent times. I can't say enough about this book. Reading it was truly a life changing experience. Her book is an obvious perfect companion piece to "The Diary of Anne Frank" which you've probably read numerous times before. Do yourselves a favor and read both when you get a chance - freedom has never felt more precious.

Happy New Year! I'm Still Obsessed.

It's January 2010 and I thought for sure my Michael Jackson obsession would have waned by now. It hasn't, and I'm very surprised. In fact, it's only grown since I discovered the Jackson reality show on A&E. There are just so many Jacksons to obsess over - Tito with his bedroom eyes, Jermaine - seemingly a troublemaker, and the one...is it Randy?...opening a slave ship theme park and resort in Africa. I mean, how can't one be obsessed?

But back to Michael. Just the other night I caught The Wizard of Oz on cable and immediately understood that MJ was inspired by this classic. You can't deny the comparison between the yellow brick road and the Billy Jean video.

But how about the Tin Man's dance and the Smooth Criminal dance?

Jackson's militaristic moves are astoundingly similar to the Munchkins opening dance, but I can't find photographic evidence to back this up. You'll just have to see for yourself.

MJ was a notorious movie lover. If I had to bet money, I'd go all out that he was inspired by this classic.

Now, the real question is when will I stop caring? Anyone want to place bets?