…that I can’t get enough of Mr. Conjunction Junction. I love the idea that when I was a little girl I could watch something great like the Schoolhouse Rock cartoons on Saturday morning and now I can go see the conductor of the conjunctions himself play live under the stars over Beverly Hills. Jack Sheldon performed on Saturday night as part of The Beverly Hills Summer Nights in the Plaza, a program of free live outdoor performances sponsored by the city. The Husband, The Critter and I took a quick stroll over to the Beverly Hills Plaza, which is a kind of mini amphitheatre formed by the connection of the Beverly Hills Police Department and the Beverly Hills Library.

The three of us were in the delightful company of about a hundred or so of Beverly Hills’ fine senior citizens – I guess Gen Xers aren’t too hip on jazz at 8:00 o’clock on Saturday night. Oh wait, there was one woman in the audience who was only about sixty and she fussed at me for stepping on a cricket.

Other than that I stayed out of trouble – I made the videos above, which are truly horrible visually, but my terrible videography can be forgiven if you play the video and close your eyes – Sheldon and the band were at their best, and played songs that I know and love like “The Days of Wine and Roses” and “How do You Start?” You can even hear the Critter attempting to sing along in parts…

This combines so many of my favorite things it’s almost too much for me to bear! A cute hippo, Merv Griffin, sequins and Jack Sheldon. I was so enraptured by it that for a fleeting moment I thought that Grif and Jack were really operating the puppets! The hippo kills me – especially from the side view. The set and costume design – so simple, yet so informative of the nostalgic rat pack period. This could probably put you in a good mood until at least lunchtime…

…as seen from Chinese television ads…

Thanks, Sturtle.com 🙂

Design Nomad is always coming up with this stuff – she made a wordle for me with words from my recent blog entries – told you it was cool, right?

Critter and Miss Strawberry discover what Mommy and Daddy really mean when they say “you little monkey!”

This was my first trip to the L A Zoo, too. And you know how hard it is for me get excited about going anywhere out of Los Angeles proper. While it was fun to finally check it out, and get together with some friends, it was also mercilessly hot. The Husband is always so miserable during the hot days and I spent most of the time figuring out where to put our lilly white selves so we’d be in the shade. It’s a nice zoo, but it was way too hot.

We had a very pleasant early dinner at a place called Patrick’s Cafe in Glendale, which was a very chic place with fresh healthy diner food, high chairs for the kidlets, and really great entertainment. I was stunned that such a terrific singer was gracing such an unassuming place – but he was. I was told that his name was Miquel Vera – he apparently is a big star in the Phillipines, and he will have a new show coming out in the fall. Imagine having that caliber performer at a cute diner!

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On Tuesday the Critter and I strolled to Roxbury Park and then to lunch with The Chef. On the way, we saw these cars being washed. I’m sure The Husband will want me to say what type of cars they are, and I will as soon as he gets home, but aren’t they tres fabulous? After the Critter did the requisite lolling, creeping and crawling, and we were on the way to lunch we stopped as the bocce greensman was putting away the “smoother” that they use for the bocce ball tournaments that are played at the Park. You will see The Chef above trying out the smoother.

Today I was waiting in line for a restroom at Jack and Jill’s, and I saw my friend Paula from yoga. I told her I had decided to go back to class when the Critter hits preschool – right now, it takes too much time that I could be blogging and eating chocolate and teaching the Critter about Aretha Franklin. Paula is just about the nicest person you will ever meet, and I always get a little thrill because I’m talking to Tuggle from Where the Boys Are. Today was an extra special treat – Paula stopped me on the way out and introduced me to her husband Richard Benjamin! Wow! Some of the funniest movies on earth have starred and/or were directed by Richard Benjamin, like Portnoy’s Complaint, The Money Pit,and My Favorite Year. Add to that, their two gorgeous and equally friendly son Ross and daughter Prentiss were just terrific with the Critter. Sorry no photos y’all – I just couldn’t ask!

God I’ve known this guy forever! We went to the same elementary school, even – and I can remember the first time he visited me in the dorm at Millsaps College, bearing gifts of Burger King and Virginia Slims. We were thespians and members of the Alpha Psi Omega, the Theatre Honorary. I was the lead in his senior directing project. We worked (and got fired) together at WXXV Tv in Gulfport when I graduated, and he pioneered instigating my desire to stay in Los Angeles after I did my design internships. He was a host ( and chef) of our baby shower.

When I first moved to Beverly Hills I was invited to preview his production of “The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged” at the Globe Theatre in West Hollywood. The company he founded with his partner, Dancing Barefoot Productions produced it and they were two of the three leads. I was so nervous for him – this was a big deal – could he do it? I still get a little teary remembering it, because as soon as the house lights went down and the stage lights went up, I knew I was in the hands of a professional. The show was truly wonderful and they went on to produce, among other works, the most amazing production of Twelfth Night that I have ever seen.

He has never stopped acting and honing his craft, from Debate team at Gulfport High, to internships with John Houseman’s Acting Company, to his most recent appearance as the Sheriff in “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas“. He is the embodiment of a professional actor and can entertain anyone, including the Critter. And now he is a member of the Actor’s Gang! This is a big deal y’all – these are the best of the best actors on the West Coast and you recognize the faces when you look over their website.

Congratulations Robby, er Mr. Williams – you have a fan forever in me…

I was steadfast in my resolve not to have an out of control event with dogs, ponies and magicians – I figured that I’ll wait for that when he can actually remember it. We did however have a wonderful birthday picnic with all the Mommies and babies (who were also turning one within the month) from baby class. It was beautiful weather in Holmby Park, and a lovely time was had by all.

We also had a little birthday get together with the Critter’s grown up friends yesterday – complete with every combination of vanilla and chocolate cake with their respective frostings. It was quite festive and the Grandmother came from Mississippi.

Hard to believe that he would be one hour old this time last year. Also hard to believe that if I don’t register him for nursery school this week he might not get in – in two years!