It’s been a couple weeks since this year’s annual Grammy Awards were held, but February 23, 2003 was the day Norah Jones really cleaned up at the 45th annual Grammys. 

  Jones took home eight awards, including Album Of The Year for her “Come Away With Me” album.  The song “Don’t Know Why” took home Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best New Artist, and BestFemale Pop Vocal. 

  Born in New York City on March 30, 1979, Norah is the daughter of internationally acclaimed musician Ravi Shankar.  She grew up in Texas, attending the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.  At the school, she won a student music award for Best Jazz Vocalist and Best Original Composition.  She attended the University of North Texas in Denton for two years before going to Greenwich Village with a friend in the summer of 1999.  Although intending to return to college, she was captivated by the jazz clubs and folk coffeehouses of New York, and decided to stay and write her own songs. 

  After recording a handful of demos for the jazz record label Blue Note Records, Jones signed with that label in 2001.  “Come Away With Me” was released in early 2002 and eventually went multi-platinum, selling 18 million copies worldwide and earning her those eight Grammys. 

  Enjoy the music! 

Most of us have heard of “Bollywood” spoken in reference to the thriving Indian Film Industry, but not many of us have seen an “Indian Movie”.   I saw two this year, and one before any buzz started about Slumdog.  I saw the movie “Namesake”.  It starred Cal Penn, from “Harold and Kumar go to White Castle”, as an Americanized Indian teen who wants to eshew his Indian roots.   I really liked it and it was a cool glimpse into a culture, of over a billion people, us Americans hardly understand.

The second was Slumdog Millionaire.   Great movie, great story, great inside look at the biggest slum in the world, but very different too.   One of my favorite parts of the movie was when the people gathered in the slums, huddled around whatever tv they could find, and cheered one of their own to victory.

It was life imiatating art last night and the subject of this news story:

India Celebrates ‘Slumdog Millionaire’s’ Oscar Sweep

From slum residents to filmmakers, Indians celebrated as the film Slumdog Millionaire swept eight Oscars and hoped it would bring global recognition to Indian technical talent. There was also jubilation that the Oscar for the best short documentary, won by American filmmaker Megan Mylan, was inspired by an Indian story.
It was perhaps the first time ever that some residents of Mumbai’s sprawling Dharavi slum forgot Monday morning’s grind and watched television to hear what news would emerge from the Oscar ceremony in Los Angeles.
The crowd broke out in lusty cheers each time the film bagged an award, although not many residents of Dharavi were even aware of what exactly the Oscars were.
The heart of the film Slumdog Millionaire – the rags to riches story of a boy from an Indian slum – is based in Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum. Two of the children who act in the film came from Dharavi.

Because I am such a movie buff, the Academy Award’s are the highlight of my year!  This is one I never Tivo or DVR, I have to watch it live with delicious popcorn and great friends.  This year whether of not you agree with my predictions, you have to admit it was a great year for movies!!  The envelope please…

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight

He was nothing short of spectacular in this crazy film!

Best Supporting Actress:  Penelope Cruz – Vicky Christina Barcelona

I saw this film over the weekend and she steals it from a stellar cast!  I also want to see last years winner and Penelope’s man Javier Bardem present this to her!

Best Actress:  Kate Winslet – The Reader

Simply put , after 6 nominations, it’s her turn!

Best Actor:  Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler

Sean Penn was magnificent this year, but I love a comback story and Mickey’s performance this year!

Best Director:  Danny Boyle – Slumdog Millionaire

I loved everything about this movie, and the man behind it all should be a shoo in!!

Best Picture:  Slumdog Millionaire!

I could see it again and again and I rarely want to see a movie a second time so soon after !  A wonderful uplifting love story and we could all use that right now!!  If you have not seen this film, what are you waiting for?

Because I am such a movie buff, the Academy Award’s are the highlight of my year!  This is one I never Tivo or DVR, I have to watch it live with delicious popcorn and great friends.  This year whether of not you agree with my predictions, you have to admit it was a great year for movies!!  The envelope please…

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight

He was nothing short of spectacular in this crazy film!

Best Supporting Actress:  Penelope Cruz – Vicky Christina Barcelona

I saw this film over the weekend and she steals it from a stellar cast!  I also want to see last years winner and Penelope’s man Javier Bardem present this to her!

Best Actress:  Kate Winslet – The Reader

Simply put , after 6 nominations, it’s her turn!

Best Actor:  Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler

Sean Penn was magnificent this year, but I love a comback story and Mickey’s performance this year!

Best Director:  Danny Boyle – Slumdog Millionaire

I loved everything about this movie, and the man behind it all should be a shoo in!!

Best Picture:  Slumdog Millionaire!

I could see it again and again and I rarely want to see a movie a second time so soon after !  A wonderful uplifting love story and we could all use that right now!!  If you have not seen this film, what are you waiting for?

  I’ve always been fascinated with how composers come up with material for songs.  It can be as simple as a sign on a billboard, or a personal experience. 

  February 18, 1966 was the day Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys recorded “Good Vibrations”, a song that would hit number one later that year. 

  Though not known for being a great performer live, Wilson was definitely one of the best songwriters of the pop era.  Born in Hawthorne, California, he wrote the song based on something his mother had told him as a child: that dogs could pick up “vibrations” from people.  This would cause the dog to bark at “bad vibrations”. 

  How about that?  All Wilson had to do was change the “bad” part to “good”, and he had a hit song, the group’s third number one. 

  Enjoy the music! 

Today was so exciting for me!  Finally after begging my boss for months, he agreed to let me play a Barry Manilow song on Majic 95.5!  Let me start by saying that Barry Manilow is my favorite singer/songwriter.  We go way back Barry and I.  The first on I ever heard by Barry was “Could This Be The Magic”, on American Bandstand.  By the way Barry wrote the theme for American Bandstand, that’s how wonderful he is!!  My first date with my husband was to a Barry Manilow concert in Chicago, and if course that was all it took for me to fall in love with him and Barry!!

I just don’t think there is enough Barry Manilow on the radio today!  Come to think of it until today there wasn’t any!!  Since I agreed to work President’s Day today, my kind and wonderful boss agreed to let me play one Barry Manilow song a week, at 2pm on Monday’s!!  Manilow Monday’s are here at last!!  Of course I  played Barry’s biggest hit, ” Mandy” today, and now I want  to know your favorite Barry Manilow song.  Who knows , I may be playing it next Monday at 2pm!  Think about it!  We can turn this into Manilow winning weekends, Manilow cruises on Lake Travis, and maybe even a trip to Vegas to see Barry!!  I may be getting carried away, but in these crazy times we could all use a little dose of Barry Manilow, even if it is just once a week.  So join me every Monday at 2pm for Manilow Monday’s and don’t forget to submit your favorite Barry Manilow song…I’m counting on you!!

Check back for more Manilow updates and until then here is a video of Barry singing one of his biggest hit’s !!

Today was so exciting for me!  Finally after begging my boss for months, he agreed to let me play a Barry Manilow song on Majic 95.5!  Let me start by saying that Barry Manilow is my favorite singer/songwriter.  We go way back Barry and I.  The first on I ever heard by Barry was “Could This Be The Magic”, on American Bandstand.  By the way Barry wrote the theme for American Bandstand, that’s how wonderful he is!!  My first date with my husband was to a Barry Manilow concert in Chicago, and if course that was all it took for me to fall in love with him and Barry!!

I just don’t think there is enough Barry Manilow on the radio today!  Come to think of it until today there wasn’t any!!  Since I agreed to work President’s Day today, my kind and wonderful boss agreed to let me play one Barry Manilow song a week, at 2pm on Monday’s!!  Manilow Monday’s are here at last!!  Of course I  played Barry’s biggest hit, ” Mandy” today, and now I want  to know your favorite Barry Manilow song.  Who knows , I may be playing it next Monday at 2pm!  Think about it!  We can turn this into Manilow winning weekends, Manilow cruises on Lake Travis, and maybe even a trip to Vegas to see Barry!!  I may be getting carried away, but in these crazy times we could all use a little dose of Barry Manilow, even if it is just once a week.  So join me every Monday at 2pm for Manilow Monday’s and don’t forget to submit your favorite Barry Manilow song…I’m counting on you!!

Check back for more Manilow updates and until then here is a video of Barry singing one of his biggest hit’s !!

HE, SHE & VALENTINE’S DAY
Men and women have different views of what Valentine’s Day is all about. While 62 percent of men surveyed said that “just spending time together” would be an ideal Valentine’s celebration, 53 percent of women said they’d most likely break up with someone who didn’t give them a gift.
Source: Match.com, 2/10/09

Valentine’s Day was special around the O’Neal Household this past Saturday, it was the first day my wife and I have had alone in over two months. We lost my father-in-law, Dr. Frank Ruzicka, about two weeks ago after a valiant three year battle. Needless to say, the last few months have been filled with everything except each other.

My dear, sweet, mother-in-law, Luba, watched the kids and my wife Renata made a “Seafood Extravaganza”. We had shrimp, clams and Alaskan King Crab legs. We watched a James Taylor Concert I had DVRed off KLRU from last April and then followed it up with a chick flick (The Women, of which I’ll just say, she liked it more than I did).

I was a quiet, peaceful and loving evening and it was exactly what we needed.

HE, SHE & VALENTINE’S DAY
Men and women have different views of what Valentine’s Day is all about. While 62 percent of men surveyed said that “just spending time together” would be an ideal Valentine’s celebration, 53 percent of women said they’d most likely break up with someone who didn’t give them a gift.
Source: Match.com, 2/10/09

Valentine’s Day was special around the O’Neal Household this past Saturday, it was the first day my wife and I have had alone in over two months. We lost my father-in-law, Dr. Frank Ruzicka, about two weeks ago after a valiant three year battle. Needless to say, the last few months have been filled with everything except each other.

My dear, sweet, mother-in-law, Luba, watched the kids and my wife Renata made a “Seafood Extravaganza”. We had shrimp, clams and Alaskan King Crab legs. We watched a James Taylor Concert I had DVRed off KLRU from last April and then followed it up with a chick flick (The Women, of which I’ll just say, she liked it more than I did).

I was a quiet, peaceful and loving evening and it was exactly what we needed.

A few weeks ago I needed to de-stress and decided to treat myself to a relaxing massage.  I had heard about this wonderful new Day Spa located in the Domain.  I decided to sign up for their Perfect Day package.  It started out with a 30 minute with a hydrotherapy session which totally relaxed me and then had a fabulous 1 hour massage!  I also relaxed afterward in their Hammam a Turkish steam room!  It really was a Perfect Day!  One of the best things about Spa Re’veil is the great value you get with all of their wonderful services!  They also use all natural products , even in their nail services.  Spa Re’veil is a full service spa and have so many wonderful ways for you to treat yourself!  Below I have listed Spa Re’veil’s specials for the month of February and some pictures of this beautiful day spa!  Pamper yourself and your special someone today at Spa Re’veil!  Call 339-7000 or visit their website at www.spareveil.com.

February Specials:

Couples Ultimate:Couple’s Hydrotub for 20 minutes, a one hour massage, a one hour Pure Results Facial, and hour manicure and pedicure , followed by a 30 minute lunch! All this for just $225 per person

Valentines Bliss: A wonderul Lemon Verbena body treatment, a one hour massage, a one hour Pure Results facial and hour pedicure and manicure , followed by a 30 minute lunch!  3 hour and 50 minutes of treatments for just $250!