In May of 2008, I created this site. I named it housewifeinhollywood.com. The name came to me in a dream. No wait, maybe it was an angel speaking to me over my bed one night. Actually, I think I thought the name up while I was doing dishes.

Now I remember. I was washing dishes, getting into that meditative rhythm from sink to dishwasher when the name Housewife in Hollywood popped into my head.
The housewife part is true. Hollywood is just a metaphor for pop culture fun.

I’ve always had a thing for pop culture. Growing up in the 70’s helped out quite a bit. I watched reruns of I Love Lucy, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, The Brady Bunch, The Andy Griffith Show and many more. I finished my homework while watching The Muppet Show, The Incredible Hulk, The Love Boat and Little House on the Prairie. I listened to my mom’s 45’s, my grandfather’s 78’s, and my own 33’s. I waited eagerly all week until I could sit in front of the boob tube with Saturday morning cartoons and Sunday afternoon film festivals.

Being a teen in the decade of decadence, also known as the 80’s, added a whole new layer to my pop culture persona. I picked the movies over the mall whenever possible. The Brat Pack, The Outsiders, the Ghostbusters and Ferris Beuller were my pals, at least for a couple of hours on video or at the movie theater. I wanted my MTV every day after school and I scanned radio stations for oldies, New-Ro, Classic Rock, Hip Hop, Pop, Heavy Metal and whatever new music genre I could find.

By the time I was in my mid 30’s all this pop culture education started to take its toll by showing up in the form of expressive T-shirts. I sported my Cry Baby, Pippi Longstocking, Partridge Family, Snoopy, Captain Jack and Cherry Coke shirts everywhere. I would exclaim quotes from TV & movies past in general conversation. I had a pop culture reference for any situation. While discussing a relevant issue I could easily throw in a line from Bugs Bunny or bring up how Marcia felt when she was hit in the nose by a football. My pop culture education was beginning to turn on me. If felt more like a Pop Culture Syndrome.

I started to notice that many of the people around me didn’t share such a love or obsession with pop culture past like I did. Some didn’t even know who, what or when my shirts were referring to. Like most housewives do at some point in their lives I was beginning to feel a bit isolated. Was there anyone out there that liked trivial nonsense as much as I did?

This is probably why in that meditative dish washing state the name Housewife in Hollywood popped into my mind and then became reality on May 18, 2008.

I decided to create a logo idea, create a site and then go on an adventure. My birthday is May 16th and it just so happened that was the day Pauly Shore would be at the La Jolla Comedy Store.  Now I was never really a fan of The Weasel. I thought he was, well, weaseley. But I told myself I should start my new adventure with a notion I liked to call, Follow the White Rabbit Idea. No matter where an idea took me I should follow it even if the outcome was a mystery. So I followed the white rabbit and the weasel to La Jolla since it was a sign of sorts. May 16th. In San Diego, my old stomping grounds.

This is how my site started and this is really how it is today. Following my white rabbit idea wherever it may lead. Sometimes, I find myself in wonderland. Other times I’m trying to find another route.

The last three years have been fun. I’ve met so many wonderful people. These days I hardly wear my expressive T-shirts anymore. I don’t interject with as many Muppet Show references or start a conversation with a quote from The Breakfast Club. I can do all this at housewifeinhollywood.com.

For those of you that I’ve met along this HIH adventure, thank you for visiting and thanks so much for your support.

I can hear that walk off ceremony music starting. I’ll exit stage left now. Let’s see where the white rabbit leads us this year.

Much thanks to artist George Davis for creating such a fun logo that I like to call my digital alter ego after a nip, boost, tuck.

It’s been a busy week here at the Housewife in Hollywood headquarters. The kiddo’s 10th birthday party was a success. She chose a SpongeBob Squarepants theme and it was our first pool party of 2011. I think I’ll have SpongeBob tunes in my head till her next birthday, but other than that it was a great time. Get some SpongeBob Squarepants tunes stuck in your head by clicking here.

Her birthday fell on a Tuesday this year so we went down south to the San Diego Zoo. Lots of changes to the place since the last time we visited a few years ago. The Elephant Odyssey was a fun trek through time. The exhibit features fossils, bones and statues of gigantic creatures that walked the earth millions of years ago. There are also a few live big cats of today, and of course Elephants.

The orangutans were fun to watch. They were literally hanging out. Except for one female orangutan that was people watching. A zoo patron sat near the exhibit directly in front of the interested primate. The woman would take out items inside her purse and show them to the orangutan. They seemed to have this down to a pseudoscience so I think they did it often. Zoo members tend to know the park and have favorite hang outs. The patron took out a lipstick, a compact, a zoo map and carefully displayed them to the orangutan. She quickly lost interest in the purse items when a family sat down with ice cream. The orangutan, not the zoo patron.

Lions and tigers and orangutans oh my! Somehow, we missed the Bears trail.

After the zoo trekking we hit the movie Rango. Being a Johnny Depp fan this was not only a treat for my birthday girl, but a treat for me too. I thought Depp was just dashing as a lonely lizard finding, or more like reinventing himself in the midst of Old West chaos.

Deppsters will like the little homages to Depp characters past. From the latin lover speak of Don Juan de Marco to the Kentucky style ramblings of Raoul Duke. Rango is quite literally, in Bat Country.
Check out this fun Johnny Depp interview by Spanish Pirate #758, a.k.a. Chuey Martinez.

Have you seen the movie Rango? What did you think?

What zoo is closest to you?

Learn more about the Rango at the official movie site: http://www.rangomovie.com
For more interviews with Chuey Martinez, follow http://twitter.com/chueymartinez
Visit the San Diego Zoo online: http://www.sandiegozoo.org

It’s been four months since I took my hiatus from posting random pop culture thoughts. At first I felt a sense of euphoria not being attached to something that was feeling like a “have to”. Then as time went by I started to feel a bit sad for my website sitting stagnant like a cyberspace time capsule.

Just when I thought time had set me free, those thoughts of my digital alter ego kept taunting me. Those memories of trivial nonsense and interesting interviews came crashing through. Just when I thought I was over posting on HIH, just when I thought I could stand on my own…Wait a minute… I feel a song coming on…

So here I am posting again on housewifeinhollywood.com

Just remember, those voices in your head don’t always mean you’re crazy. It could just be your creative voice trying to get out and create something fun.
What creative voices are taunting you these days?

This pop culture loving housewife needs another break from cyberspace. Last summer, I took a vacation from blogging, posting, commenting, embedding, researching, editing, interviewing and honestly I didn’t really need to come back. I spent the year trying to light that fire again but I think I’ve had my fun with this social media experiment. It’s lasted over two years and I got what I came for.

When I created Housewife in Hollywood.com it was to do something different, widen my circle of friends, meet interesting people and share my wacky interest in pop culture. I did all that and more. I joke about having PCS (Pop Culture Syndrome) and JDOCD (Johnny Depp Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) but working on this cyberproject has sort of cured me of both afflictions.

Feel free to stroll the halls of housewifeinhollywood.com, a.k.a. “Archives”. Check out my interviews with talented & interesting people like Jack LaLanne, Wendy & Lisa, Scarlett Harlott, David Spaltro, Alison Arngrim, Paul J. Alessi, David Arquette, Stephan Kramer Glickman, Maxie Santillan Jr., Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid and more… it’s a pretty decent list for a housewife with a hobby.

I have this site for years so I might drop in from time to time but for right now I’m taking a break. Which of course jolts my Pop Culture Syndrome synapses to this retro jingle. Now someone bring me a Kit Kat stat!

Not only do I have to ponder what to get my dad on Father’s Day but I have to think about what to get for my husband. These are two separate tasks. My dad is fairly simple when it comes to gifts. I could get him a salami-cheese box, a 6 pack of MGD, cigars, a new shirt for summer, a trip to a steakhouse. I could probably even get away with a big hug and a homemade card.
Getting something for Mr. HIH is tricky.

He already has most of the things he loves like video games, movies on Blu-Ray, and upgrades to computer devices. So instead of finding favorite things to gift wrap it’s time to get creative. I’m not talking homemade gift cards I’m talking creative thinking.

The gift I’ll give Mr. HIH is the Silent Treatment. Here’s how to give your husband the Silent Treatment so he’ll really appreciate it.

The night before you should find out what he wants to do on Father’s Day. Maybe he wants to have a nice lunch out with the family or take the kids to the park. If that is the answer then the Silent Treatment option isn’t for you. If he’s like my hubby he probably said something like, “I don’t know. Maybe play video games. Watch a movie, relax.”

Perfect!

First off bring him some coffee, tea or whatever hot beverage he likes in the morning with a subtle yet seductive kiss. Then just leave the room and don’t come back. That’s right don’t come back for the morning conversation. Do not come back to ask about the bills, the trash cans, the sprinklers, the next family event that your mother-in-law emailed you about. Do not come back just wait for him to come out for breakfast.

Keeping yourself busy is key to the Silent Treatment gift. This way he won’t think you’re pissed at him and you won’t break down and start nagging about that closet door that falls off the hinges.

Next, make yourself scarce for most of the day. Take the kiddos and let dad have the house for awhile because peace and quiet in a house is a very special gift indeed.

Alright, so you’re back from the outing and Dad’s still in his underwear dancing around the sofa… oh wait that was the retro movie Risky Business. He might be busy watching a movie, playing a video game, tinkering around the garage, sleeping or eating leftover pizza.

Now’s the time to just let him be, go about your day as if he isn’t even there. This might sound harsh but it’s a great gift.

Don’t ask questions while he’s playing the video game. Don’t add to the Honey-Do list. Don’t complain about your hair, your toe nails, the living room, your recent weight gain. Don’t send the kiddos in for information like what he wants for dinner. Just let the guy relax.

So that’s the Silent Treatment. It’s not for every husband on Father’s Day but if you have one like mine he’ll have one of the happiest days of the year.

According to my stat analyzer the average viewer has been staying on my site for 24 seconds. If that’s not enough to make me throw in the dish towel I don’t know what is.

Having a blog/site is a tricky thing. This got me thinking about the theme song to H. R. Pufnstuf:

“H.R. Pufnstuf, whose your friend when things get rough. H.R. Pufnstuf, can’t do a little cause he can’t do enough”

When I first started this site it was a bit like Jimmy sailing away:

“Once upon a summertime
Just a dream from yesterday
A boy and his magic golden flute
Heard a boat from off the bay
“Come and play with me, Jimmy
Come and play with me.
And I will take you on a trip
Far across the sea.”

It’s been almost 2 years now posting my ideas that originate from the pop culture synapses in my brain. I’ve had a great time sailing away into cyberspace. I’m still sailing even if I only get a 24 second viewing most times. For those of you that like to stay awhile how about watching the 1st episode of H.R. Pufnstuf with me. You know who you are.

Here’s a HIH Rerun and 5 on Friday combo to say Happy Easter 2010!

Because my brother is 9 years younger than I am, the Easter Bunny left me treats even when I was a teenager. It was great fun helping him search under the sofa, behind the combo record player/television set, in the backyard and all over the dining room.

Easter morning was a bit like Christmas morning for us. We never did a traditional egg hunt but we didn’t think we were missing anything. For whatever reason, the Easter Bunny didn’t like hiding plastic eggs at our house. He preferred to hide toys, books, art supplies, and of course candy. By the time I was in my teens he was leaving me pop band pins, makeup and even music tapes. This didn’t include The Basket of special goodies either.

The Easter Bunny spoiled us lovingly. Many might think such lavishness would create kids as rotten as left over Easter eggs but those moments teaching my little brother the ways of the Easter Bunny are memories I’ll cherish forever. No matter how silly or full of sugar your holiday traditions may be they can also be rich with the love of family.

I’m going to hop down my own personal Easter lane for this 5 on Friday.

Here are my 5 Favorite Easter Treats:

Macadamia Nuts

The Easter Bunny always left us Mauna Loa Macadamia Nuts. I’m not sure why he had a fondness for these decadent Hawaiian treats but I’m glad he did.

Speaking of Macadamia and nuts, how about a little dance with Dot from the Animaniacs, click here.

Almond Roca

The name Almond Roca, the intense flavor of the chocolate toffee fusion, and the candy’s golden wrapper made me think the Easter Bunny was a high class dude.

Let’s watch this video of Rosco T. Raccoon at the Brown & Haley Almond Roca Factory and see how this classy candy is made:

Cadbury Eggs

This is one of my brother’s favorite Easter treats. I like them too but a little goes a long way with that sugary yolk confection.

How serious are you about your love for Cadbury Eggs?

Marshmallow Peeps

These bright and colorful treats are more for decoration than eating in my point of view but without your peeps it’s not very festive. Do you like the taste of Marshmallow Peeps or do you just like looking at them?

Let’s watch as this Microwave Specialist performs this Peeps experiment:

Music by Prince

So I mentioned that when I was a teenager, the Easter Bunny was still hippity hopping to my house with a basket of goodies for my younger brother. Not only is the Easter Bunny a jet setter with high class Almond Roca taste he’s also a music lover. One of my favorite memories was finding the tape by Prince called Sign o’ the Times during my Easter hunt for treats in 1987.

I’ve been a Prince and The Revolution fan since seeing Prince climb out of the tub in his When Doves Cry video. I was a bit sad about the departure of Prince from The Revolution but I rolled with the changes once I heard the album Sign o’ the Times.

Wikipedia says “Time magazine listed Sign o’ the Times as the greatest album of the 1980s, and 29th greatest album of all time. In 2003, the album was ranked number 93 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”

For a great review and sample tracks click here.

I hope this weekend brings you lots of family fun and sweet treats! Happy Easter!

There’s one YouTube channel I visit the most. It’s the Official Soul Train channel on YouTube. If I’m feeling funky I search for some Funk and Get Down with Don Cornelius and the Soul Train dancers in my living room.

I was groovin’ and movin’ with the line dancers the first time I saw the show. I must have been about 5 years old. A blond haired, blue eyed kiddo who knew she liked Soul Train way better than American Bandstand.

My dad loved The Temptations, The O’Jays, and anything R&B. He showed me my first dance moves and I caught on right away. So if you’re ever feeling a little bit funky, take the Love Train to the Soul Train station. You’ll feel groovy in no time.

Do you have a favorite Soul Train memory?

When I was growing up Winter holiday decorations and Christmas music weren’t seen or heard until the day after Thanksgiving. Between Halloween and Turkey Day there was a calm before the holiday season that created a feeling of excitement when the first fake snowflake was spotted on the local store window.

These days we can see department store workers putting up their holiday displays the same day they’re moving the Halloween items to Clearance. This makes perfect sense from a marketing perspective but from what I’ve gathered from family and friends it’s a bit annoying to the consumer.

Back in the day before DVD, YouTube, Hulu and Netflix we actually had to wait until the appropriate season to see holiday specials. These specials aren’t so special anymore because we can watch The Grinch at Halloween or The Great Pumpkin on Christmas Day.

The latest pop culture tradition might be holding out to put up the tinsel until after we’ve cleaned off the Thanksgiving table, or waiting until the week before Christmas to watch Rudolph. I’m going to break tradition with my HIH holiday image above because I’m going on a holiday hiatus. I need some time to hibernate offline.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season with or without decorations. It’s a time to get ready for the New Year, to reflect on memories, and spread love in the form of hugs, gifts and even a dollop of Cool Whip.

Happy Holidays!

Click here to learn more about one of my holiday favorites, The Snowman.

For classic Christmas specials on DVD click here.

My grandfather served in World War II and he received a purple heart. My father served in Vietnam and he went on to the National Guard as a First Sergeant of a tank division.

Dad in Vietnam

I grew up listening to stories about my dad’s time in Vietnam. How he couldn’t stand The Beatles because Yellow Submarine  played over the speakers while he was on his way to war and how his life was threatened by another soldier. He’s talked about the weather, the people, and music the soldiers listened to when they had a chance. I’ve seen pictures of him and his platoon goofing around in old photos. But my dad didn’t go off to college or tour Europe after high school. He didn’t have a choice; he was drafted.  He didn’t bring back a scrapbook, or signed photo album. It wasn’t a vacation and it wasn’t just a character building experience. It was the Vietnam War.

When he did come back from Vietnam he wasn’t called a hero or offered the best jobs in town. He had to prove himself. He had to prove his sanity to potential employers. They wanted to know the details. Did the war make him crazy? Had he killed anyone? These were the interview questions he had to answer. The things he probably thought about on his way to and from the meetings, the questions that still might come up every now and then.

When I was little and my mom would tell me to wake dad up for dinner it was a tricky task. He would jump or jolt sometimes ready for a fight when I tried to wake him up if I didn’t do it right. I learned to wake him up slowly, sort of coax him out of sleep in case he was dreaming from some foreign place away from our suburban California apartment. Decades have changed this and he wakes up slow and steady these days but I remember wondering as kid why he was so jumpy just from waking up from a nap. So many veterans that came back from wars, so many that had to answer tough questions, relive moments and carry around unpleasant memories. They were the fortunate ones, they came back.

Here’s a video I found on YouTube the other night.

I am thankful for every veteran but I like to imagine what a wonderful era it will be when we don’t have to fight. I’m not sure what my dad thinks about this song. I might ask him today.

Click here for an Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial, leave a tribute, a story or photograph about any of the 58,256 veterans killed or missing in the Vietnam War.