Posted @ November 22, 2007  |  No Comments  |  Categorized Under: Interesting

This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving parade will march down Broadway on Thursday with a grumpy green Shrek — one of three new balloons — and the Virginia Tech marching band playing in tribute to victims of last spring’s campus shooting.

The 81st annual parade will also feature the cast of “Legally Blonde” minus costumes and props, which are locked behind the picket lines of striking Broadway stagehands.

This year’s 11 giant helium balloons include three new ones: William Steig’s swamp-loving ogre, “Sesame Street’s” fairy-in-training Abby Cadabby and Hello Kitty Supercute, the cape- and tiara-wearing feline superhero.

When the parade gets under way Thursday, it’ll be to a Michael Feinstein tune especially written for 600 kids from around the nation whose opening number was choreographed by John Dietrich of the Radio City Rockettes.

Some 10,000 people will march this year, half of them Macy’s employees.

Among them will be almost 2,000 cheerleaders, 800 clowns, the Rockettes and 11 marching bands including the Virginia Tech Regimental Band — nicknamed the Highty-Tighties — on the route from Central Park West to Herald Square in front of Macy’s.

Four Broadway shows — “Legally Blonde,” “Mary Poppins,” “Young Frankenstein” and “Xanadu” — nabbed coveted positions in the parade, the only annual event besides the Tony Awards where Broadway struts its stuff on national TV.

Because Broadway stagehands are locked in a contract dispute with the League of American Theatres and Producers, cast members of “Legally Blonde” won’t be able to use their costumes and props when they perform the show’s “What You Want.”

The strike has shut down that show, but the other three productions in the parade have not been affected because their theaters have separate contracts with the league.

“We’re going to have a national spot on television and we’re going to be half represented,” said Jerry Mitchell, “Legally Blonde’s” director and choreographer. “We’re going to be the only musical performing without our props and costumes, which I find very disheartening.”

They planned to use replacements, which most spectators likely won’t notice since the lead role involves a law student who loves to wear pink.

Because anyone appearing in the parade falls under a TV contract with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, “Legally Blonde” performers will not be crossing picket lines by marching, according to their union, Actors’ Equity.

The parade will be televised nationally on NBC from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones, with areas of the country not on Eastern time watching a taped version.

Source

Posted @ November 8, 2007  |  No Comments  |  Categorized Under: Interesting

MASCOUTAH, Ill. - Two hugs equals two days of detention for 13-year-old Megan Coulter. The eighth-grader was punished for violating a school policy banning public displays of affection when she hugged two friends Friday.

“I feel it is crazy,” said Megan, who was to serve her second detention Tuesday after classes at Mascoutah Middle School.

“I was just giving them a hug goodbye for the weekend,” she said.

Megan’s mother, Melissa Coulter, said the embraces weren’t even real hugs — just an arm around the shoulder and slight squeeze.

“It’s hilarious to the point of ridicule,” Coulter said. “I’m still dumbfounded that she’s having to do this.”

District Superintendent Sam McGowen said that he thinks the penalty is fair and that administrators in the school east of St. Louis were following policy in the student handbook.

It states: “Displays of affection should not occur on the school campus at any time. It is in poor taste, reflects poor judgment, and brings discredit to the school and to the persons involved.”

Coulter said she and her husband told their daughter to go ahead and serve her detentions because the only other option was a day of suspension for each skipped detention.

“We don’t agree with it, but I certainly don’t want her to get in more trouble,” Coulter said.

The couple plan to attend the next school board meeting to ask board members to consider rewording the policy or be more specific in what is considered a display of affection.

“I’m just hoping the school board will open their eyes and just realize that maybe they shouldn’t be punishing us for hugs,” Megan said.

source
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Well, that is something new. Hugs being banned at a school.

Posted @ November 1, 2007  |  No Comments  |  Categorized Under: Jokes, Funny

In a crowded city at a crowded bus stop, a stunningly beautiful young
woman was waiting for the bus. She was decked out in a tight black
leather mini skirt with matching leather boots and jacket. As the bus
rolled up and it became her turn to get on the bus, she became aware that
her skirt was too tight to allow her leg to come up to the height of the
bus’ first step.

So, slightly embarrassed and with a quick smile to the bus driver, she
reached behind her and unzipped her skirt a little, thinking that this
would give her enough slack to raise her leg. Again she tried to make the
step onto the bus only to discover she still could not make the step.

So, a little more embarrassed, she once again reached behind her and
unzipped her skirt a little more. And for a second time she attempted the
step and once again, much to her dismay, she could not raise her leg
because of the tight skirt.

So, with a coy little smile to the driver, she again unzipped the
offending skirt to give a little more slack and again was unable to make
the step.

About this time the big Texan that was behind her in the line picked her
up easily from the waist and placed her lightly on the step of the bus.
The pretty young woman went ballistic and turned on the would-be hero,
screeching at him, “How dare you touch my body!! I don’t even know who
you are!!!!”

At this the Texan drawled, “Well ma’am, normally I would agree with you
but after you unzipped my fly three times, I kind a figured that we was
friends.”