A REALITY CHECK WEEK # 2 (THURSDAY)!

Jane Skinner of FOX News

Good Morning! Yesterday's post was quite a challenge. The video gave out around mid-morning. We looked into it after Captain Jean-Luc Picard "across the pond" in England was kind enough to send me a note that a message appeared on his computer informing him that the video would not play in England. Hmmm? I felt certain Shelby Lynne would play a gig in England, so this puzzled me. I withdrew the Blog and re-posted it. That reminds me: How many of you have ever heard a television voice over guy say "One moment please" when a video frame was apparently frozen on the television screen? Of course, they didn't want you to change the channel. By the way, can Jane Skinner ever look bad? Beautiful and with a sense of humor. I watch her while I workout in the morning (even if ESPN is the only big screen TV with the volume up at my workout facility). FOX is the only network I haven't worked with. But I digress. Jane is a nice reality.

Jennifer Bjorklund, KNBC 4 TV News, Los Angeles

To answer a question by Seraphine yesterday, no it's not all about blonds. Jenniifer Bjorklund of KNBC 4 in Los Angeles, California is clearly a brunette and was always a favorite of mine to tune in and watch for morning news during coffee and breakfast whenever I was in Los Angeles. Some people can smile and set the tone of your entire day. Jennifer is a lovely lady who does that. Moving right along....

The Cast of Captain Kangaroo!

Oh, I can hear it now! "What is Manning doing next?" I'm actually glad someone asked because this is a hysterical photo for me of the children's television show "Captain Kangaroo". When I featured Comedian Andy Martello on my Blog feature "THE INTERVIEW", I remember him asking me a loaded question. I responded with "Why do I suddenly feel like ping pong balls are about to fall from the ceiling with Bunny Rabbit at the controls?"...or something to that affect. Tricia of "Wood Not Wood" fame told me she read my comment in Atlanta that morning on my Blog and busted out laughing. Here's the explanation: The Cast of this show was Captain Kangaroo, Mister Green Jeans (never mind that most television sets in America were still Black & White), "Dancing Bear" (as a kid I thought whoever had this job never had to change out of their modified pajamas and they got paid for it!), Mr. Moose...who I have to say was always cool, Grandfather Clock (not pictured here, sorry about that) and Bunny Rabbit who appeared to wear Buddy Holly glasses. I forgot my point...oh yeah. Hysterical. Moving on...

There is really no way for me to gauge how many of you actually go out and sing Karaoke. I confess (No, I'm not Catholic): I visited a very small bar on a Sunday night (my hand to God) and decided for the first time since 1997 to sign up to sing. I fully intended to talk through "IF" by Bread...Let's see a show of hands. How many of you recall my YouTube of Telly Savales performing "IF"? I was on the list, but then people actually started showing up! A girl tried to sing a song popularized by Reba McIntire and was so out of key! I started to have second thoughts and changed my selection to "L.A. Woman" by Jim Morrison and The Doors. I graded myself with a "C+" for being away for Karaoke that long. I may go back. An uncertain reality! Uncertain, but not unhealthy. Anyway...

The Tango: Al Pacino with Gabrielle Anwar

Seraphine: Look! Another Brunette who captivated me. Yeah, it's from a movie I love too. "Scent of A Woman". Al Pacino plays a blind former Army Lieutenant Colonel who is a cultured and bitter man who evolves through the film and makes us care deeply about the human condition. He intends on using his savings for a limo trip to New York City where he manages to smoke the finest cigars, eat at the finest restaurants, sample Jack Daniels with a plan to eventually commit suicide. He finds a reason NOT to kill himself and chooses to live. I'd like to think this dance scene (that took 3 days to film) was one good reason for him to remain among the living. This movie (and Gabrielle Anwar) was a tour de force. See it! To me it makes a social statement about how we treat one another. It's a choice...Reality!

Boy, can I segue or what? The "Slinky" toy! During visits at my Grandmother's home in Royal Oak, Michigan as a kid, I always seemed to have a Slinky packed in my kid's suitcase. My Grandmother's basement stairs were perfect to see how far I could get the device to "walk". Ideally it should have gone like this...

...but of course, it pooped out about half way down the stairs and either stopped or fell to the bottom. Yes, an ironic twist for some of us in the day to day of Life, eh? Still, it was the thought that counted. Reality! Okay, let's get sentimental for just a moment...

Yes, I bought this book for $16.95 at a Safeway grocery store. Well written and a great gift. Actually it was a bit of a stocking stuffer around the holidays. No story there. But here's one...

The last car owned by John DeLorean

Once in a Blue Moon, I'm asked if there was anyone I wished that I could have interviewed. You better believe it! And the late auto maker John DeLorean was one such person. I'm told that he owned a Yellow 2002 Acura NSX (good choice). I read about a young fan who located John and asked for an interview. DeLorean agreed and met the journalist at the door of his house...I believe in New Jersey. An amazing visit! It doesn't get more real than this, people. John DeLorean! Okay, we'll move on...

When Jim Morrison wasn't using drugs or alcohol, he was amazing. I saw some very good performances on DVD and some that I wish had never been released. But when he was "On" he was great. The Doors! I just thought I'd toss this one in...

Camelback Inn by Marriott

Let's get a little crazy here. In 1994 I attended a convention at The Camelback Inn in Phoenix, Arizona. I had a suite. Neither Jane Skinner nor Jennifer Bjorklund were known to me at the time. An unfortunate reality. Still...

My room was nice...

Seraphine: Believe me. The Concierge just happened to be a blond. What can I say? She smiled at me like this (see photo above); I smiled back. What? A sweet reality!

Now that I live here, I must say that just about every day year-round looks like this. Put on the Shelby Lynne CD (from yesterday's post) for background music at breakfast and make some Michael Manning Coffee. It's going to be a good day today! I know we're winding down this series quickly. But you know what? We can always come back to it later in the year. I'll be right here. I hope you will be too!

Michael