I just heard that the Vegas strip Casino Caucuses will proceed. A lawsuit from the teachers union (backing Clinton) claimed that the special "at-large" caucus sites gave the Culinary Workers union (which is backing Obama) unfair advantage. Tori, the pole dancer, will be jumping and swinging for joy.
I was at the Culinary Workers headquarters on Monday (for a CBS Sunday Morning piece to air this weekend). It was pretty interesting listening to supervisors brief canvassers on how to pitch voters door-to-door.
I also missed the premiere of American Idol on Tuesday. But the subject gives me an excuse to post a picture of myself with my favorite contestant ever:
Look, everyone! It's me and Elliott Yamin. (Or is it "It's I and Elliott Yamin!"?) The fifth-season third-place finisher captured all our hearts with his Stevie Wonder suavity and dedication to his mother. A type-1 diabetic, 90% deaf in his right ear, and an admittedly lousy dancer, Elliott defied the odds to become a fan favorite. (When I lectured at Richmond, Virginia's Weinstein JCC two years ago -- it was Purim so I made my own hamantashen to give out -- I was hardly surprised by the reverence with which they spoke about their newest hometown hero.)
I had feared that getting his famously crooked teeth straightened might affect his singing voice adversely. The most minute changes can throw off the delicate balance of intangibles that add up to star quality. Were Elliott's teeth the equivalent of Streisand's nose? The imperfection at the heart of perfection?
I'm happy to report not. His voice still sounds great - and his new teeth are terrific, even if they're slightly oversized. Plus he's a really nice guy.
***
UPDATE: During the taping of Wait Wait, I had a splitting question. When I asked the live audience if anyone had a pain killer, two lovely women bounded up to the stage. One gave me two Aleves (my favorite); the other unzipped her plastic pill carrier and out spilled several brown pills, all different shapes. What were they?!
ALSO: Is anyone from Detroit, Milwaukee or Chicago reading? I think I might eat my first Paczki this year! Have you eaten one? What can I expect?
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 5)
16. It's "Elliott and me" in this case. You always put the other person first, and use the I or me as you would if the other person's name wasn't there.
Pedantic,
UK
Becky at 5:40AM on Jan 18th 2008
17. Culinary workers, along with ALL service workers should support Ron Paul.
Paul would not tax your tips. Go to his website. No taxes on tips.
DavidG at 8:47AM on Jan 18th 2008
18. poor mo, no rest for the weary...
i never got into idol...and honestly, from what i have seen, elliott is probably better off not winning...lol. the losers seem to do better than the winners who get sucked into the idol machine.
mo-neek-a, with the mandatory digital upgrade coming in 2009, the gov't is starting to give the bunny ear people credits toward getting a digital converter for post conversion. soon you too can watch mo sunday mornings in crystal clear hapiness...here's the site for ya!
www.dtv2009.gov
have a great day roccats!
bobbleheaddoll at 10:49AM on Jan 18th 2008
19. Wait Wait...It's Mo! Can't wait to hear you this weekend. It's been too long since your last appearance (is there a reason you're not a panelist more often?). If you're only on once more this year, make it the show that's in Seattle(Northwesterners need to feel loved too :)
Rachael at 1:32PM on Jan 18th 2008
20. Thanks for the tip, bobbleheaddoll. I definitely need to look into that. I'm not ready to spend a thousand clams on a new TV I don't need.
Go Seattle!! woo hoo!
mo-NEEK-a at 3:13PM on Jan 18th 2008
21. Just a few words, Mo:
We Think The World of You.
(You know what that means)
Muchos abrazos, and rest well.
Spain reads you, Mo!
Miguel Cane at 9:54PM on Jan 18th 2008
22. Mo, I hope you're getting some rest, you look a little bereft in that first photo.
Eat right and take your vitamins - you know how you always get sick when you're run down!
Gabrielle at 12:38AM on Jan 19th 2008
23. I watched the Cruise, Mo. I'll tell ya all about it later. The EXPERIENCE CHANGED MY LIFE!!!
Good change.
And then I gave all my change to LRH.
For now, you should get some rest. I took a lot of notes!
Gonna dvd the Sunday shows as soon as I figure out which of these thingees goes where....
Dr.Wayne at 2:11AM on Jan 19th 2008
24. Aw Mo,
After spending all that time in Rock Vegas,
how could you not recognized Cocoa Pebbles?
JG
John Giza at 10:33AM on Jan 19th 2008
25. Cocoa Pebbles?! I'm running out to get milk NOW.
Mo Rocca at 10:34AM on Jan 19th 2008
26. hi mo...yes, i have had a paczki. some of the little old church ladies make homemade ones as fundraisers where i grew up. i am surprised you can find them already. they are pretty much like a jelly filled donut...very rich and sweet. the only real difference between the homemade ones and the you can buy from a bakery is that you can sometimes find them with odd fillings..such as fig or currant paste. most of them are filled with cream or fruit filling though. trust me...after 1 you will be on such a sugar rush you will no longer be tired...just watch out for the crash later. lol.
it's good to be in tight with the sweet little old polish ladies mo...they may put a little meat on your bones...eat something sweetie..you look peaked. how about some halusky or a nice pirohi?
if you are watching carbs you can't beat some nice polish kielbasa.
k. well enjoy chicago! stay warm!
bobbleheaddoll at 11:54AM on Jan 19th 2008
27. If you have ever eaten a jelly filled doughnut, you've eaten a packzi. It's just so much more fun to say you ate a packzi (poonch-key, for those that aren't familar with the Hamtramck tradition)than "I had jelly doughnuts on Mardi Gras"
Lisa at 3:23PM on Jan 19th 2008
28. I am from the Detroit area Mo. Paczkis are delightful. People line up around the building at donut stores to buy a dozen. The raspberry ones are the best. You've gotta try one!
Amy
Amy at 12:25PM on Jan 19th 2008
29. hey mo -
you are in for a treat. brace yourself for the sugar attack you are about to experience (the paczki might make your teeth tingle.)
here in chicago, it's my family tradition to eat a paczki on fat tuesday (so you're a little early - where'd you get it?!)
i'll be honest - i'm not a huge fan of doughnuts, but i can never pass up a delicious, raspberry filled paczki. enjoy! :)
christine at 12:30PM on Jan 19th 2008
30. The brown ones, if they are OTC, are most likely ibuprofen. Good for body aches.
But it seems what I really want right now is a paczki. Sounds yummy!
mo-NEEK-a at 12:39PM on Jan 19th 2008