Here at the Housewife in Hollywood household we do “homeschool”. Homeschool is not for everyone but it works for us.

Since embarking on our homeschool adventure years ago, one thing I’ve learned is that I don’t think of myself as a teacher. I am a facilitator, guidance counselor, driver, cafeteria worker… it’s a long list that can be summed up with one word…MOM.

Like most parents I do my fair share of teaching but I don’t like to be called a teacher. I believe the role of teacher is reserved for those that are either experts in their field or teach to the masses.

As a homeschool parent my role is to be sure my kiddo gets a great education. Sometimes I teach a thing or two, but most of the time I set the stage for active learning. So let’s add set designer into the mix. I design goals and set the stage so the kiddo can shine. I find classes, activities, books, online curriculum, TV shows, movies, other resources and then we use them.

We are all students and teachers in this curious world of ours but I like to leave the designated title of Teacher to the professionals.

Let’s watch Disney’s classroom spoof starring none other than their number one Goof:

Are there any teachers or homeschool parents in the HIH classroom today?

Written by HIH Houseguest Lizzy Cline

Tim Burton’s name is synonymous with words like genius, dark, quirky, strange, eccentric and yes even to some scary. But none can deny his influence on pop culture and film today. His persona can be a bit intimidating, but unlike the stereotype some may have, I found him to be fun and cheerful and a glimmer in his eye of mischief.

His most recent inspiration is in the form of art at the LACMA museum in Los Angeles. This exhibit is full of past works from Burton himself and spans his whole career. Tim was on hand for the opening and to meet and greet a few hundred lucky fans who stood in line for hours just to gain a signature and a copy of his book, The Art of Tim Burton. The day after the opening he was off to continue his work in England on the new film Dark Shadows with of course his partner in crime, Mr. Johnny Depp and his most beautiful wife Helena Bonham Carter. There wasn’t much time for a lot of questions but any time this icon can spare is precious to be sure…

Lizzy Cline: Do you feel a bit like your work is coming full circle with this exhibit?

Tim Burton: To be sure a long way from Cal Arts. The exhibit if full of work that spans a long period of time.

Lizzy Cline: What does this exhibit mean to you personally? What do you hope people gain from experiencing it?

Tim Burton: The curators found a lot of stuff I had forgotten about (and some I don’t remember at all). It was an unsettling trip down memory lane, but ultimately a good way to reflect and in some ways reinvigorate. I’m not sure what others will gain. Hopefully they won’t run screaming.

Lizzy Cline: Could you say one thing you feel is important for the young people (children) that look up to you and your art?

Tim Burton: When I was younger, people like Vincent Price helped keep me alive. He was an outlet, being able to watch him express in dramatic fashion so many of the feelings that kids have, that were shunned as abnormal in 60’s suburbia. If my art can act as that to people of current generations, a way to connect to an outlet lacking in society, then I’m glad.

Lizzy Cline: Do you find yourself feeling more as an artist at times? Maybe from your Disney roots?

Tim Burton: Well sometimes I just want to draw. It’s kind of a mind expanding thing for me.

Lizzy Cline: Do you feel your inspiration for characters have changed since becoming a father?

Tim Burton: I don’t feel like it’s changed anything, though I may end up seeing some stuff I normally wouldn’t watch. I still pursue the projects I can connect with and that present a challenge.

Lizzy Cline: You are working right now on the Dark Shadows film with Johnny. Can you talk about meeting him? Your friendship?

Tim Burton: I had an immediate connection with him. I didn’t know him. I had never watched him before. He just felt right for “Edward Scissorhands.” Now we’re friends and also colleagues. There’s a good sort of non-communicative communication, you know. Like our own language, an understanding. More of a psychic kind of connection.

Lizzy Cline: Dark Shadows can be viewed as an American cult piece; can you give us a peek inside your thoughts as the creative process takes place? How will you approach this piece?

Tim Burton: It’s a real ethereal tone we’re trying to go for and I don’t know yet how it’s going to go, it’s so early yet. We are still trying to get the feel, vibe for it. Every piece has its own feel. We’ve barely started, so your guess is as good as mine.

Lizzy Cline: You aren’t doing this film in 3D is there a reasoning behind that?

Tim Burton: Well I loved doing Alice in 3D, the experience was just great, but I don’t think every film should rely on a certain base. There just doesn’t seem to be a place for 3D in this piece. With film your whole energy is based on your passion for doing something. I’ve found it’s important to stay with the original feeling you have for a project.

Lizzy Cline: Many people have said you have found your comfort zone working with Johnny, what can you say about that? More projects to come?

Tim Burton: Well you know it’s not just a comfort thing, I think as the work allows you go with who and what you know. He gets me and he is passionate about a lot of the same ideas I am. Yes, there’s a connection there, but a lot of directors work with the same actors over and over again. If it works so be it.

The Burton Art exhibit will be in LA through the fall month of October. All kids get in free!

Dark Shadows is set to release this winter in the US Starring Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins and Helena Bonham Carter as Julia Hoffman. His newest 3D project Freankeweenie will be premiered at the D23 Expo August 19-21.

For more information on his exhibit or to order one of his books visit the LACMA site, http://shop.lacma.org

Many thanks to Miranda Carroll at LACMA.
Pictures from Richard Maldonado.

My two favorite rides at Disneyland have always been Pirates of the Caribbean & the Haunted Mansion. When I was just a little kiddo I was afraid of those grim, grinning ghosts but once I realized they came out to socialize I felt much better. Have you been on the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland?

Let’s watch Walt Disney and his Imagineering Department tell us about it.

Thanks to doombuggies.com I found out Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion ride celebrated their birthday on August 9th. I was born in 1970 and the Haunted Mansion ride opened in 1969.

Let’s  honor the hauntingly happy ride with some Haunted Mansion music.

If you’re a foolish mortal like me then you need to visit doombuggies.com for all things Haunted Mansion.

Don’t we all love Lucy?

Lucille Ball (August 6, 1911-April 26, 1989)

Visit the Lucy Desi Center site for all things Lucy! http://www.lucy-desi.com/

I often joke that I struggle with JDOCD, “Johnny Depp Obsessive Compulsive Disorder”. I also wrestle with PCS, “Pop Culture Syndrome”. Thankfully this site helps keep my symptoms under control.

There is one side effect though. Being plugged in to the Intertubes day in and day out, can make me feel  “Internet Bipolar”.

I’ve been active in cyberspace for years now. I check in with social media daily, search for information, write posts, keep up with favorites, find gems of videos, some old and some new. Mostly old, but that’s just because I have a love for all things retro. The internet is an exciting place yet it can also be exhausting.

Some days I am thrilled by the fascinating finds I come across. I feel connected to the world, a part of something bigger than the confines of my little house on a So Cal cul-de-sac. Other days I’m done with it all.

The sharing, the linking, the supposed new ideas, the selling, marketing and spewing of everyone’s endeavors. That would be the exhausting part.

Do you ever feel this way? If so, how do you break out of those Internet Bipolar chains? One song comes to mind right now.

For more information about JDOCD, visit http://www.ohjohnny.net/jdocd.html