(1988,1,'2010-11-17 10:26:47','2010-11-17 17:26:47','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some backstory. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola -- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not tring to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, as were leaving the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptable, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business.  Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a looney tune. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-47','','','2010-11-17 10:26:47','2010-11-17 17:26:47','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-47/',0,'revision','',0),(1990,1,'2010-11-17 10:29:34','2010-11-17 17:29:34','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some backstory. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola -- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not tring to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, as were leaving the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptable, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business.  Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a looney tune. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-49','','','2010-11-17 10:29:34','2010-11-17 17:29:34','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-49/',0,'revision','',0),(1991,1,'2010-11-17 10:31:40','2010-11-17 17:31:40','<p>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</p>\n\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some backstory. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola -- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not tring to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, as were leaving the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptable, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business.  Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a looney tune. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-50','','','2010-11-17 10:31:40','2010-11-17 17:31:40','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-50/',0,'revision','',0),(1992,1,'2010-11-17 10:35:15','2010-11-17 17:35:15','<p>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</p>\n\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some backstory. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I thought thaMy Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola -- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not tring to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, as were leaving the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptable, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business.  Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a looney tune. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-51','','','2010-11-17 10:35:15','2010-11-17 17:35:15','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-51/',0,'revision','',0),(1993,1,'2010-11-17 10:36:30','2010-11-17 17:36:30','<p>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</p>\n\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some backstory. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I thought that they were just teasing me.  My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola -- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not tring to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, as were leaving the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptable, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business.  Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a looney tune. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-52','','','2010-11-17 10:36:30','2010-11-17 17:36:30','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-52/',0,'revision','',0),(1994,1,'2010-11-17 10:37:24','2010-11-17 17:37:24','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some backstory. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I thought that they were just teasing me.  My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola -- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not tring to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Dad scolded, \"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, as were leaving the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptable, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business.  Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a looney tune. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-53','','','2010-11-17 10:37:24','2010-11-17 17:37:24','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-53/',0,'revision','',0),(1995,1,'2010-11-17 10:38:17','2010-11-17 17:38:17','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some backstory. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I thought that they were just teasing me.  My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola -- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not tring to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Dad scolded, \"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, as we left the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptable, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business.  Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a looney tune. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-54','','','2010-11-17 10:38:17','2010-11-17 17:38:17','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-54/',0,'revision','',0),(1996,1,'2010-11-17 10:40:15','2010-11-17 17:40:15','<p>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</p>\n\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some backstory. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I thought that they were just teasing me.  My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola -- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not tring to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Dad scolded, \"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, as we left the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The shopkeeper smiled and asked, \"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptable, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business.  Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a looney tune. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-55','','','2010-11-17 10:40:15','2010-11-17 17:40:15','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-55/',0,'revision','',0),(1997,1,'2010-11-17 10:41:40','2010-11-17 17:41:40','<p>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</p>\n\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some backstory. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I thought that they were just teasing me.  My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola -- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not tring to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Dad scolded, \"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, as we left the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The shopkeeper smiled and asked, \"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptable, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a looney tune. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-56','','','2010-11-17 10:41:40','2010-11-17 17:41:40','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-56/',0,'revision','',0),(1998,1,'2010-11-17 10:42:37','2010-11-17 17:42:37','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some backstory. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I thought that they were just teasing me.  My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola -- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not tring to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Dad scolded, \"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, as we left the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shopkeeper smiled and asked, \"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptable, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a looney tune. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-57','','','2010-11-17 10:42:37','2010-11-17 17:42:37','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-57/',0,'revision','',0),(2000,1,'2010-11-17 10:45:47','2010-11-17 17:45:47','<p>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n</p>\n\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some backstory. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I thought that they were just teasing me.  My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola -- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not tring to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Dad scolded, \"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, as we left the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The shopkeeper smiled and asked, \"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptable, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a looney tune. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-59','','','2010-11-17 10:45:47','2010-11-17 17:45:47','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-59/',0,'revision','',0),(1999,1,'2010-11-17 10:45:05','2010-11-17 17:45:05','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some backstory. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I thought that they were just teasing me.  My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola -- a small village on Long Island!!! \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not tring to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Dad scolded, \"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, as we left the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shopkeeper smiled and asked, \"Did you SEE her?\"\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptible, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </span></span></strong>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birth name which she legally changed, bless her). \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a loony tune. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>???\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. \r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n</p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-58','','','2010-11-17 10:45:05','2010-11-17 17:45:05','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-58/',0,'revision','',0),(2001,1,'2010-11-17 10:55:57','2010-11-17 17:55:57','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some back story. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I thought that they were just teasing me.  My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola-- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not trying to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Dad scolded, \"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, as we left the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shopkeeper smiled and asked, \"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptible, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a loony tune. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-60','','','2010-11-17 10:55:57','2010-11-17 17:55:57','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-60/',0,'revision','',0),(2002,1,'2010-11-17 10:56:06','2010-11-17 17:56:06','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some back story. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I thought that they were just teasing me.  My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola-- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not trying to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Dad scolded, \"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, as we left the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shopkeeper smiled and asked, \"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptible, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a loony tune. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-61','','','2010-11-17 10:56:06','2010-11-17 17:56:06','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-61/',0,'revision','',0),(2003,1,'2010-11-17 10:57:11','2010-11-17 17:57:11','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some back story. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I thought that they were just teasing me.  My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola-- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not trying to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed lines, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Dad scolded, \"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, as we left the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shopkeeper smiled and asked, \"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptible, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a loony tune. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-62','','','2010-11-17 10:57:11','2010-11-17 17:57:11','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-62/',0,'revision','',0),(2005,1,'2010-11-18 19:17:57','2010-11-19 02:17:57','','PB160187','','inherit','open','open','','pb160187','','','2010-11-18 19:17:57','2010-11-19 02:17:57','',1938,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB160187.avi',0,'attachment','video/avi',0),(2004,1,'2010-11-17 12:14:36','2010-11-17 19:14:36','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1945\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Actual Photo from Jerome Grand Hotel. Hocus Pocus or a Ghost? \"]<a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1945 \" title=\"hallway_3\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hallway_3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have really lost my mind this time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This Saturday, I am checking into a hotel known as one of the most haunted places on the planet.  I challenged 3 girlfriends to join me, and they are all crazy enough to accept.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Haunted Destination:  <a href=\"http://www.jeromegrandhotel.net/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The Jerome Grand Hotel</strong></a> in Jerome, Arizona. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">\"What makes the Jerome Grand Hotel a worthwhile place to stay, is the fact that this is probably one of the most active haunted locations in the world,\" according to ghostlyfavorites.com. \"Due to the high level of activity in the hotel, it is a quite popular destination for amateur ghost hunters.\"</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you go to the hotel website, <a href=\"http://www.jeromeghosthunting.com/Ghost%20Hunt%20Photos.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>you will find photos of misty orbs, ghosts, and even ectoplasm</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Ectoplasm???</strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>That was the slime in <em>Ghostbusters</em>, right? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">3 of us have seen dead people before.  1 of us is a paranormal virgin.</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is why I needed to use this \"blog day\" to share some back story. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lived in a haunted house in New York when I was in 1st and 2nd grade.  I was old enough to etch a very vivid image into my memory banks.  And what is that image, you are wondering?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The ghost of Mr. Santos.  Although it certainly wasn\'t the traditional image of a ghostly white apparition. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One summer night my sister and I were sent to bed early for being naughty.  Since this was New York, at 7:30 ish, it was still light outside. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I were talking as I layed on my side and stared out to the hallway.  I saw a shadow of a man wearing what I now know as a fedora hat on the hallway wall.  I felt no fear at the time.  I simply called out, \"Daddy?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mom was downstairs dusting and yelled up, \"Go to sleep!  Your dad is outside cleaning the pool.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shadow then moved away.  In my child\'s mind, I believed that it was my father\'s shadow.  Which I now know is an impossibility, as shadows are not cast up two stories and baseball caps are not magically transformed into fedora hats. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>It wasn\'t until we moved to Houston that I learned the identity of the shadow.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My cousins were visiting, and they were talking in hushed tones with my mother about a ghost in the old New York house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mary Elizabeth swore up, down and sideways that she heard the broken player piano play in the basement every time she babysat and entered the kitchen alone to fetch us popcorn and Cokes.  She quickly discovered that when my sister or I went into the kitchen with her, the piano did not play.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I distinctly remember Mary Elizabeth asking us to go into the kitchen with her to get the popcorn.  I distinctly remember her resorting to \"if you don\'t come with me, you don\'t get anymore popcorn\".</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now I started to feel scared.  I told my cousins and my mother about the shadow.  (I was in 4th grade by this time.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">I also told them about the Wednesdays. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Wednesdays, my mother wasn\'t always home from her bowling league when the school bus dropped us off.  My friends, Dorothy and Theresa, would wait at the end of my driveway while I knocked on my front door.  If my mom were home, I would wave goodbye to them.  If mom wasn\'t home, I would walk around the corner with them and stay at Dorothy\'s house. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>EVERY time my mother wasn\'t home yet, I would return to them in the driveway while they asked, \"Why did you come back?  Your uncle waved at us from the upstairs window.\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I thought that they were just teasing me.  My Uncle Johnny lived in MANHATTAN, and this was Mineola-- a small village on Long Island!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My mother experienced run of the mill ghostly stuff.  Jewelry winding up in different areas of the house.  A ghost sitting on the bed at night when she was home all alone. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Yep.  My mom was in bed reading a book at bedtime when the mattress creaked and an indentation as though someone was sitting there appeared. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Holy Sh#%&amp;balls!!!!  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I personally would have grabbed the nearest crucifix and fled from the house screaming like a bat out of hell.  My mother, however, preferred the horror movie route.  She stayed in the house and addressed the ghost. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Mr. Santos (she previously found out that he died in the house from a heart attack), I know that you are not trying to scare us.  You are just watching over us.  My mother, Alice, knew you from the Portuguese American Club and always spoke very fondly of you.  (My mother has always had a tendency to go on and on and on...) But I am scared, Mr. Santos.  And I need you to go to the light.  We\'re o.k.  You don\'t need to watch over us anymore.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The indentation disappeared.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">And nothing ghostly happened after that.   </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Until Mom and I found ourselves shopping in Spring, TX circa 2005.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In Spring, quaint old homes are converted into quaint shops filled with knickknacks.  In an effort to escape the clutter of one such shop, I traveled upstairs where the bathrooms and bedrooms displayed linens, vintage clothing, and the like.  Everything was fine until I entered a bedroom where I immediately became dizzy and nauseated.  There was also a terrible musty smell and the feeling of intense \"energy\".  I escaped the room gasping, \"Mom?!  Dad?!\"  I was 36 years-old and crying out for my parents. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mom and Dad were climbing the stairs at that point and asked what was wrong.  I threw out a nonchalant, \"Oh, nothing.  I just think that this place might be haunted.\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"Michelle, don\'t be ridiculous!  This is a lovely shop!  Larry, look at these linens.  Aren\'t they gorgeous?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">My mother then entered THE ROOM.</span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She then nearly knocked my father over trying to get out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"LARRY!!!!  Oh, my god!  I feel so sick.  I feel like I\'m going to pass out!  I\'m so dizzy!!!  THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!!!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister and I always rise to the chance to egg my mother on, so I sacrificed myself to reenter the room as she exited. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\"MICHELLE!!!!  GET OUT OF THERE!!!  WHAT\'S THE MATTER WITH YOU???  LARRY, TELL HER TO GET OUT OF THERE!!!\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Dad scolded, \"Michelle, why are you purposely upsetting your mother?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do you turn into a 5 year-old when you return home for visits?  heh heh heh</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The joke turned out to be on me when I felt even sicker the 2nd time around. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, as we left the shop, my mother said, \"Wait a minute\".  She went back in and marched up to the counter.  She used her calmest, sweetest voice to ask the shopkeeper, \"Excuse me, but is this place haunted?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The shopkeeper smiled and asked, \"Did you SEE her?\"</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>No.  BUT WE SMELLED HER!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And that\'s when we were told of the resident ghost of the teenager who died in the upstairs bedroom.</strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since teens didn\'t have much in the way of entertainment back in the homestead days, they jumped off the barn roofs for kicks.  I don\'t remember her name, so let\'s say \"Lucy\" broke her leg and convalesced in the upstairs bedroom where she died of gangrene.  Thus the incredible stench that made mom and I want to puke. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And then there was the time when I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, BC.</strong></span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>While setting my suitcases on the bed, I had a sense.  A 6th sense.  Nothing perceptible, but I wasn\'t about to tolerate any funny business. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Like a crazy women, I announced out loud, \"I don\'t want to see you.  I don\'t want to smell you.  I don\'t want any part of you.  STAY AWAY.  GO TO THE BLOODY LIGHT!!!!\" </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A friend picked me up for dinner, and on the drive back to the hotel, I asked, \"Can I ask you a crazy question?  Is the Sylvia Hotel haunted?\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My friend burst out laughing.  \"Why of course, Michelle!!!  That\'s why people stay there!  They hope to experience something!\" </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He slept in the other room that night.  (It was a weird little hotel room comprised of 3 separate rooms.)  There was no way I was sleeping in there by myself.  I popped a sleeping pill and slept with earplugs and an eye mask. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thankfully, no funny business to report. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>So there you have it.  Jerome Ghosthunter #1 has seen and taken a whiff of dead people.</strong> </span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I introduce to you to Ghosthunter #2, Christy Jo.   She posed for a photo in Mexico with a Mexican ghost, so it seems.  If you look closely, smack in the middle of the girls you\'ll see the bottom of his face including his moustache!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1948\" title=\"mexicanghost\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mexicanghost.bmp\" alt=\"\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #3 is none other than the lovely and talented Rebecca aka Becky Jo (her actual birthname which she legally changed, bless her). </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo sees dead peeps frequently.  IN HER CURRENT ABODE!!!!  Now, let me preface this by saying that Becky Jo is one of the most intelligent and \"together\" women I know.  i.e. She\'s not a loony tune. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo routinely encounters a guy in a 70s tuxedo sitting on her stairs.  This isn\'t an actual photo, but I once posted this on her Facebook wall to freak her out. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://arniesvintagecostumers.com\"><img title=\"bluetux\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluetux-129x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Ghosthunter #4 is Sarah, our token Paranormal Virgin.  She is a valuable asset to our team, as she doesn\'t have \"the sense\".  So, if something happens to Sarah, then we are all officially ghost magnets.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>With our good looks and personalities, we will surely sign lucrative contracts for our own TV show. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, we start this escapade fully equipped. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I am not making this up:  Apple has a ghosthunting app. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Becky Jo has already installed it on her iPhone, and Christy Jo has back-up on the iPad.   </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">From an actual email correspondence between Christy Jo and Michelle:</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  Apparently there is a spirit in my house. According to the iPad app, it just said my brother’s name, Marc. This thing is creeping me out!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!  I don\'t want that thing near my house!!  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>CJ:</strong>  According to Yahoo, EMF meters or any other devices really don’t work. Electromagnetic fields are everywhere and are not good indicators of paranormal activity. “Serious investigators do not use gadgets,” one website says. “Most often they use Patron.”</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Michelle:</strong>  I have heard that as well. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Countdown:  3 days until the Ghosthunting begins!  </span></span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></span></span></p>','Day 51:  We See Dead People ','','inherit','open','open','','1933-revision-63','','','2010-11-17 12:14:36','2010-11-17 19:14:36','',1933,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/17/1933-revision-63/',0,'revision','',0),(2006,1,'2010-11-16 15:58:34','2010-11-16 22:58:34','<p>my first take was it.  Brette said she couldn\'t teach me anything.  It was only my self-esteem that needed work.  I had already bloomed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p>brette is my talisman</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Britt mantra -- I am hot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p>upon entering the building a VERY cute man eyed Brette her whole way in the door. and then said \"hello\"  It works!!!!  Wow!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p>Brette (said like scarlet saying Rhett) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Brette\'s fortune cookie -- your skills and talents will be called on in unusual areas  -- pei wei  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 52:  Strut ','','inherit','open','open','','1938-revision-3','','','2010-11-16 15:58:34','2010-11-16 22:58:34','',1938,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/16/1938-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2017,1,'2010-11-18 20:52:40','2010-11-19 03:52:40','<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/11/day-45-fashion-mags-or-soft-porn/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Remember on Day 45 when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 feet away?</strong></a>  We learned that the move is none other than the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy!\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, I have learned several unfortunate times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will start over and film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Strutting lessons to be continued...</p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','publish','open','open','','day-52-we-are-experiencing-technical-difficulties-please-stand-by','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/11/day-45-fashion-mags-or-soft-porn/','2011-01-19 20:49:30','2011-01-20 03:49:30','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=2017',0,'post','',1),(2016,1,'2010-11-18 20:40:50','2010-11-19 03:40:50','<p>my first take was it.  Brette said she couldn\'t teach me anything.  It was only my self-esteem that needed work.  I had already bloomed. </p>\n\n<p>brette is my talisman</p>\n\n<p>Britt mantra -- I am hot. </p>\n\n<p>upon entering the building a VERY cute man eyed Brette her whole way in the door. and then said \"hello\"  It works!!!!  Wow!!! </p>\n\n<p>Brette (said like scarlet saying Rhett) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Brette\'s fortune cookie -- your skills and talents will be called on in unusual areas  -- pei wei  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties ','','inherit','open','open','','1938-revision-6','','','2010-11-18 20:40:50','2010-11-19 03:40:50','',1938,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/1938-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2007,1,'2010-11-18 19:21:25','2010-11-19 02:21:25','','PB160187','','inherit','open','open','','pb160187-2','','','2010-11-18 19:21:25','2010-11-19 02:21:25','',1938,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB1601871.avi',0,'attachment','video/avi',0),(2008,1,'2010-11-18 19:23:10','2010-11-19 02:23:10','','PB160187','','inherit','open','open','','pb160187-3','','','2010-11-18 19:23:10','2010-11-19 02:23:10','',1938,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB1601872.avi',0,'attachment','video/avi',0),(2009,1,'2010-11-18 19:19:06','2010-11-19 02:19:06','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB160187.avi\">PB160187</a>my first take was it.  Brette said she couldn\'t teach me anything.  It was only my self-esteem that needed work.  I had already bloomed. </p>\n\n<p>brette is my talisman</p>\n\n<p>Britt mantra -- I am hot. </p>\n\n<p>upon entering the building a VERY cute man eyed Brette her whole way in the door. and then said \"hello\"  It works!!!!  Wow!!! </p>\n\n<p>Brette (said like scarlet saying Rhett) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Brette\'s fortune cookie -- your skills and talents will be called on in unusual areas  -- pei wei  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 52:  Strut ','','inherit','open','open','','1938-revision-4','','','2010-11-18 19:19:06','2010-11-19 02:19:06','',1938,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/1938-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2010,1,'2010-11-18 19:23:50','2010-11-19 02:23:50','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB1601872.avi\">PB160187</a>my first take was it.  Brette said she couldn\'t teach me anything.  It was only my self-esteem that needed work.  I had already bloomed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p>brette is my talisman</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Britt mantra -- I am hot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p>upon entering the building a VERY cute man eyed Brette her whole way in the door. and then said \"hello\"  It works!!!!  Wow!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p>Brette (said like scarlet saying Rhett) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Brette\'s fortune cookie -- your skills and talents will be called on in unusual areas  -- pei wei  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 52:  Strut ','','inherit','open','open','','1938-revision-5','','','2010-11-18 19:23:50','2010-11-19 02:23:50','',1938,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/1938-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(2013,1,'2010-11-18 20:15:52','2010-11-19 03:15:52','','Day 53:  Happy 25th Birthday, Les MIse','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-2','','','2010-11-18 20:15:52','2010-11-19 03:15:52','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2011-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2014,1,'2010-11-20 08:18:38','2010-11-20 15:18:38','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/esparta/2092989435/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-2057\" title=\"starbucks\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/starbucks-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Usually I patronize independent coffeehouses. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And I certainly never frequent one before work in the morning because between my workout, walking the pooch, and getting myself halfway presentable for work, I just don\'t have the time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also prefer my soon-to-be world famous double shot Italian espresso almond milk lattes with a touch of agave syrup each morning. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But, like the rest of America, I am always excited when Starbucks brings out the holiday cups.  I suppose because it signals the start of the holiday season and the accompanying warm fuzzies galore. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>With Thanksgiving a week away, I was definitely in the mood to bring in the season with a cuppa holiday cheer.  So on Day 54, I hauled my cookies out of bed 15 minutes early to partake in the most simple of festivities. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What about you?  Are you a sucker for the Starbucks holiday cups?  :-)  Would you rise earlier for one? </p>','Day 54:  First Holiday Cup of the Season  ','','publish','open','open','','day-54-1st-holiday-cup-of-the-season','','','2010-11-20 08:17:08','2010-11-20 15:17:08','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=2014',0,'post','',4),(2015,1,'2010-11-18 20:16:26','2010-11-19 03:16:26','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','2014-revision','','','2010-11-18 20:16:26','2010-11-19 03:16:26','',2014,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2014-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2018,1,'2010-11-18 20:46:19','2010-11-19 03:46:19','<p>Remember on Day ?? when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 away?  We learned that it\'s the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52!  However, I have learned several times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger.</p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision','','','2010-11-18 20:46:19','2010-11-19 03:46:19','',2017,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2017-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2019,1,'2010-11-18 20:47:16','2010-11-19 03:47:16','<p>Remember on Day ?? when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 away?  We learned that it\'s the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, I have learned several unfortunate times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Strutting lessons to be continued...</p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-2','','','2010-11-18 20:47:16','2010-11-19 03:47:16','',2017,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2017-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2020,1,'2010-11-18 20:49:37','2010-11-19 03:49:37','<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Remember on Day ?? when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 away?  We learned that it\'s the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy!\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>However, I have learned several unfortunate times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will start over and film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Strutting lessons to be continued...</p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-3','','','2010-11-18 20:49:37','2010-11-19 03:49:37','',2017,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2017-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2021,1,'2010-11-18 20:49:41','2010-11-19 03:49:41','<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Remember on Day ?? when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 away?  We learned that it\'s the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy!\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, I have learned several unfortunate times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will start over and film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Strutting lessons to be continued...</p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-4','','','2010-11-18 20:49:41','2010-11-19 03:49:41','',2017,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2017-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2022,1,'2010-11-18 20:49:48','2010-11-19 03:49:48','<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Remember on Day ?? when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 away?  We learned that it\'s the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy!\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>However, I have learned several unfortunate times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will start over and film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Strutting lessons to be continued...</p>\r\n','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-5','','','2010-11-18 20:49:48','2010-11-19 03:49:48','',2017,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2017-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(2023,1,'2010-11-18 20:50:46','2010-11-19 03:50:46','<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Remember on Day ?? when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 away?  We learned that it\'s the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy!\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, I have learned several unfortunate times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will start over and film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Strutting lessons to be continued...</p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-6','','','2010-11-18 20:50:46','2010-11-19 03:50:46','',2017,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2017-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2026,1,'2011-01-19 20:50:36','2011-01-20 03:50:36','<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/11/day-45-fashion-mags-or-soft-porn/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Remember on Day 45 when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 feet away?</strong></a>  We learned that the move is none other than the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy!\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>However, I have learned several unfortunate times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will start over and film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Strutting lessons to be continued...</p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','inherit','open','open','','2017-autosave','','','2011-01-19 20:50:36','2011-01-20 03:50:36','',2017,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2017-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2024,1,'2010-11-18 20:51:49','2010-11-19 03:51:49','<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/11/day-45-fashion-mags-or-soft-porn/\" target=\"_blank\">Remember on Day 45 when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 away?</a></strong>  We learned that it\'s the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy!\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, I have learned several unfortunate times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will start over and film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Strutting lessons to be continued...</p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-7','','','2010-11-18 20:51:49','2010-11-19 03:51:49','',2017,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2017-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(2025,1,'2010-11-18 20:51:55','2010-11-19 03:51:55','<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/11/day-45-fashion-mags-or-soft-porn/\" target=\"_blank\">Remember on Day 45 when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 away?</a></strong>  We learned that it\'s the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy!\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, I have learned several unfortunate times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will start over and film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Strutting lessons to be continued...</p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-8','','','2010-11-18 20:51:55','2010-11-19 03:51:55','',2017,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2017-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(2027,1,'2010-11-18 20:52:40','2010-11-19 03:52:40','<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Remember on Day ?? when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 away?  We learned that it\'s the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy!\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, I have learned several unfortunate times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will start over and film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Strutting lessons to be continued...</p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-9','','','2010-11-18 20:52:40','2010-11-19 03:52:40','',2017,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2017-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(2028,1,'2010-11-18 21:01:18','2010-11-19 04:01:18','<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/11/day-45-fashion-mags-or-soft-porn/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Remember on Day 45 when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 away?</strong></a>  We learned that it\'s the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy!\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, I have learned several unfortunate times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will start over and film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Strutting lessons to be continued...</p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-10','','','2010-11-18 21:01:18','2010-11-19 04:01:18','',2017,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2017-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(2029,1,'2010-11-18 21:01:51','2010-11-19 04:01:51','<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/11/day-45-fashion-mags-or-soft-porn/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Remember on Day 45 when I read in Cosmo about the sexy move that seduces men 20 away?</strong></a>  We learned that it\'s the old-fashioned strut.  Which Brette performs exquisitely. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Many of you voted \"YES for Brettesy!\", and she agreed for me to film her on Day 52! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, I have learned several unfortunate times over since I started this blog that sometimes technology doesn\'t want to cooperate.  After 1 hour and 45 minutes, I give up!  I will start over and film again on Monday.  I will then post Brette\'s infamous swagger. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Strutting lessons to be continued...</p>','Day 52:  We are experiencing technical difficulties.  Please stand by.','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-11','','','2010-11-18 21:01:51','2010-11-19 04:01:51','',2017,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2017-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(2030,1,'2010-11-19 14:05:27','2010-11-19 21:05:27','<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was Michael Ball from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would lie on our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Like <em>that</em> has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly disfunctional lot. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October, but it would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-3','','','2010-11-19 14:05:27','2010-11-19 21:05:27','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2032,1,'2010-11-19 14:19:48','2010-11-19 21:19:48','<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was Michael Ball from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would lie on our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Like <em>that</em> has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly disfunctional lot. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October, but it would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p> Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to my heart.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me said something), and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing Colm Wilkinson and Gary Morris.  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The other actors/singers were equally</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-5','','','2010-11-19 14:19:48','2010-11-19 21:19:48','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(2031,1,'2010-11-19 14:18:06','2010-11-19 21:18:06','<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was Michael Ball from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would lie on our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Like <em>that</em> has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly disfunctional lot. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October, but it would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p> Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to my heart.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me said something), and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing Colm Wilkinson and Gary Morris.  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The other actors/singers were equally enchanting.  Their talent was breathtaking and moving. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-4','','','2010-11-19 14:18:06','2010-11-19 21:18:06','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2033,1,'2010-11-19 14:48:13','2010-11-19 21:48:13','<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was Michael Ball from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would lie on our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October, but it would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p> Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to my heart.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me said something), and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing Colm Wilkinson and Gary Morris.  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\n\n<p><em> </em> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Does Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-6','','','2010-11-19 14:48:13','2010-11-19 21:48:13','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2034,1,'2010-11-19 14:56:02','2010-11-19 21:56:02','<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was Michael Ball from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing Colm Wilkinson and Gary Morris.  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\n\n<p><em> </em> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-7','','','2010-11-19 14:56:02','2010-11-19 21:56:02','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(2035,1,'2010-11-19 14:57:48','2010-11-19 21:57:48','<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was Michael Ball from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing Colm Wilkinson and Gary Morris.  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-8','','','2010-11-19 14:57:48','2010-11-19 21:57:48','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(2037,1,'2010-11-19 15:01:08','2010-11-19 22:01:08','<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was Michael Ball from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing Colm Wilkinson and Gary Morris.  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\n<p><em> </em> </p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><object width=\"480\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\"></embed></object></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-10','','','2010-11-19 15:01:08','2010-11-19 22:01:08','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(2036,1,'2010-11-19 14:58:44','2010-11-19 21:58:44','<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was Michael Ball from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing Colm Wilkinson and Gary Morris.  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<object width=\"480\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-9','','','2010-11-19 14:58:44','2010-11-19 21:58:44','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(2038,1,'2010-11-19 15:01:17','2010-11-19 22:01:17','<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was Michael Ball from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing Colm Wilkinson and Gary Morris.  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><object width=\"480\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\"></embed></object></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-11','','','2010-11-19 15:01:17','2010-11-19 22:01:17','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(2039,1,'2010-11-19 15:02:02','2010-11-19 22:02:02','<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was Michael Ball from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing Colm Wilkinson and Gary Morris.  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-12','','','2010-11-19 15:02:02','2010-11-19 22:02:02','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(2040,1,'2010-11-19 15:06:44','2010-11-19 22:06:44','<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was Michael Ball from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em> </em> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n<br />\n<br />\n<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-13','','','2010-11-19 15:06:44','2010-11-19 22:06:44','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(2041,1,'2010-11-19 15:09:48','2010-11-19 22:09:48','<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em> </em> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-14','','','2010-11-19 15:09:48','2010-11-19 22:09:48','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(2043,1,'2010-11-19 15:10:48','2010-11-19 22:10:48','<p><object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\r\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-16','','','2010-11-19 15:10:48','2010-11-19 22:10:48','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(2042,1,'2010-11-19 15:10:39','2010-11-19 22:10:39','<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object><p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-15','','','2010-11-19 15:10:39','2010-11-19 22:10:39','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(2045,1,'2010-11-19 15:13:24','2010-11-19 22:13:24','<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em> </em> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack (and other musical theatre news)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-18','','','2010-11-19 15:13:24','2010-11-19 22:13:24','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(2044,1,'2010-11-19 15:11:55','2010-11-19 22:11:55','<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to Alfie Boe who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack and other musical theatre news','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-17','','','2010-11-19 15:11:55','2010-11-19 22:11:55','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(2046,1,'2010-11-19 15:16:22','2010-11-19 22:16:22','<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to <strong>Alfie Boe</strong> who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em> </em> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack (and other musical theatre news)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-19','','','2010-11-19 15:16:22','2010-11-19 22:16:22','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(2047,1,'2010-11-19 15:16:29','2010-11-19 22:16:29','<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to <strong><a href=\"http://www.alfie-boe.com/\">Alfie Boe</a></strong> who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack (and other musical theatre news)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-20','','','2010-11-19 15:16:29','2010-11-19 22:16:29','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(2048,1,'2010-11-19 15:17:20','2010-11-19 22:17:20','<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to <strong><a href=\"http://www.alfie-boe.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Alfie Boe</a></strong> who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack (and other musical theatre news)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-21','','','2010-11-19 15:17:20','2010-11-19 22:17:20','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(2049,1,'2010-11-19 15:17:31','2010-11-19 22:17:31','<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to <strong><a href=\"http://www.alfie-boe.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Alfie Boe</a></strong> who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack (and other musical theatre news)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-22','','','2010-11-19 15:17:31','2010-11-19 22:17:31','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(2050,1,'2010-11-19 15:18:46','2010-11-19 22:18:46','<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to <strong><a href=\"http://www.alfie-boe.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Alfie Boe</a></strong> who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception by the name of Nick Jonas. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack (and other musical theatre news)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-23','','','2010-11-19 15:18:46','2010-11-19 22:18:46','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(2053,1,'2010-11-19 15:21:53','2010-11-19 22:21:53','<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to <strong><a href=\"http://www.alfie-boe.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Alfie Boe</a></strong> who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Except for one glaring exception.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Nick Jonas.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em> </em> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap to attract audiences.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack (and other musical theatre news)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-26','','','2010-11-19 15:21:53','2010-11-19 22:21:53','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(2051,1,'2010-11-19 15:19:27','2010-11-19 22:19:27','<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to <strong><a href=\"http://www.alfie-boe.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Alfie Boe</a></strong> who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Nick Jonas.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack (and other musical theatre news)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-24','','','2010-11-19 15:19:27','2010-11-19 22:19:27','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(2052,1,'2010-11-19 15:19:54','2010-11-19 22:19:54','<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy in front of me hushed them), and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to <strong><a href=\"http://www.alfie-boe.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Alfie Boe</a></strong> who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Except for one glaring exception.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Nick Jonas.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em> </em> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack (and other musical theatre news)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-25','','','2010-11-19 15:19:54','2010-11-19 22:19:54','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(2054,1,'2010-11-19 15:26:11','2010-11-19 22:26:11','<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy beside me hushed them), and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to <strong><a href=\"http://www.alfie-boe.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Alfie Boe</a></strong> who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Except for one glaring exception.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Nick Jonas.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em> </em> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap to attract audiences.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack (and other musical theatre news)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-revision-27','','','2010-11-19 15:26:11','2010-11-19 22:26:11','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(2055,1,'2010-11-19 15:28:36','2010-11-19 22:28:36','<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fq36ieYP9YU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It seems as though it was just yesterday that I was obsessed with a new musical called <em>Les Miserables</em>.  I knew the score backwards and forwards. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>During my freshman year in college, my suitemate created a cassette tape for me called \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\".  (Yes, cassettes were still around -- yikes!  CDs were brand new and just starting to take off.)  My suitemate was a hopeful romantic like me and knew that I would be verklempt over her recording. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A featured singer on this \"Beautiful Men Singing Love Songs\" recording was <strong><a href=\"http://www.michaelball.co.uk/bio/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Ball</a></strong> from <em>Les Miserables.  </em>Michael played Marius in both the London and Broadway casts.  He was gorgeous and had a voice equally as smashing.  Frenchy and I would snuggle in our beds and dream of Michael (or someone like him) sweeping us off our feet and singing sweet music to us on a nightly basis. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Like <em>that </em>has ever happened.  I have dated men who sing, but they have always been a highly dysfunctional lot. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Oh, well.  It\'s always good for a girl to have fantasies. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Last week, I was talking to my sis (another <em>Les Miserables</em> fanatic) who told me of the upcoming <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary concert.  It was actually filmed in London in October but would broadcast for one night only in movie theatres around the world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then my sister broke the news.  Nick Jonas would sing the part of Marius. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><strong>WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My sister reminded me that when Nick was a boy, he played the part of Gavroche on Broadway.  I relaxed a bit, thinking that this kid might have a set of pipes.  Perhaps he would be the Michael Ball of a new generation of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Day 53 was like Christmas for me.  I couldn\'t wait to get to the theatre at 7:30 that night for an epic musical that sings to the depths of my heart.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I arrived, the theatre was nearly full of <em>Les Miserables</em> fans.  Hurrah!  The buzz of excitement was palpable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The lights dimmed, the speakers blared, the idiots in front of me started singing (luckily the guy beside me hushed them), and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Magic.  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>It took me about 5 minutes to warm up to <strong><a href=\"http://www.alfie-boe.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Alfie Boe</a></strong> who played the leading part of Jean Valjean.  I am used to hearing <a href=\"http://www.colmwilkinson.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Colm Wilkinson</strong> </a>and <a href=\"http://garymorris.com/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Gary Morris.</strong></a>  But Alfie quickly blew me away with his stratospheric voice and soulful performance. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The rest of the cast was equally stellar.  On the whole, the evening was stirring and memorable. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Except for one glaring exception.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Nick Jonas.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which made me question the judgment of Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of <em>Les Miserables.</em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em> </em> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Cameron Mackintosh, are you on crack?!?!  </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>How could you allow this to happen?  You don\'t need the money, so why did you sell out??  Shame on you! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em>Les Miserables </em>is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.  You didn\'t need to stoop to the bubblegum pop star heap to attract audiences.  But you got greedy.  And musical theatre fans will never forgive you. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I kind of feel sorry for Nick, as he was placed in an impossible situation.  I am sure that he\'s fantastic at what he does in the teeny-bop world.  And from what I understand, he is a great role model in a time where teens need upstanding role models.  Many kudos to him for his success. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>He simply did not fit in amongst the phenomenal <em>Les Miserables </em>25th anniversary cast.  His acting was non-existent, and his voice lacked power. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Readers, I will let you be the judge.  Who is the better Marius:  Michael Ball or Nick Jonas?  Please cast your vote in the comment section below. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CJnjcX8skXk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>\n<object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" /><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OnJ-10SbXI8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\"> </embed></object>\n</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 53:  Cameron Mackintosh is on Crack (and other musical theatre news)','','inherit','open','open','','2011-autosave','','','2010-11-19 15:28:36','2010-11-19 22:28:36','',2011,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2011-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2229,1,'2010-11-27 11:11:46','2010-11-27 18:11:46','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2235\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Nothing brings on a &quot;moment&quot; faster than hot sticky buns\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB240182.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2235\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB240182-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even this mouse because I was at historic <strong><a href=\"http://www.elchorrolodge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">El Chorro Lodge</a></strong> for their annual Night Before Thanksgiving celebration. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In all of the years of living in my fair city, I had never attended this pre-TDay tradition and was anxious to check it out.  I envisioned a cozy night filled with faboo food and friendship.  Here is what I didn\'t expect:  Multiple <em>When Harry Met Sally</em> \"Moments\" in one sitting. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Here\'s the play-by-play:</span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>\"Moment\" #1:</strong></span></span>  El Chorro is famous for their Sticky Buns.  Oh.  My.  Word.  And these come out before the meal, so you are therefore <em>encouraged</em> to eat dessert first.  This is my kind of establishment.  This is some kind of foreplay. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Trying to keep a straight face for Moment #2 photo op\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB2401831.jpg\"><img class=\" \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/PB2401831-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">\"Moment\" #2:</span> </strong></span> Green Chile Cheese Grits.  I needed a cigarette afterwards.  And I don\'t even smoke. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh.  And if you think you don\'t like grits, try these and get back to me.  If you live outside my fair city, get on your knees and beg El Chorro for the recipe. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">\"Moment\" #3:</span> </strong></span>Post-food porn chit-chat amongst friends naturally turned to Javier Bardem since I was still in lust from <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/21/day-55-breathless-over-jb/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 55 </a>.  </strong>Britt chimed in that her \"man\" is Russell Crowe which I totally get.  He\'s so yummy when he\'s not acting like a complete ass in real life. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then Corinniecakes threw it out there:  Eric Bana. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Bana\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-2239\" title=\"eric_bana1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/eric_bana1-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Deep Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Corinnie and I shared that \"moment\" together.  Britt and Laney looked at each other with no recognition whatsoever.  That\'s o.k.  Corinnie and I prefer to keep him to ourselves. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>Moment of Comic Relief: </strong></span></span> Just when Corinniecakes and I need an entire pack of cigs to calm down from our Erica Bana \"moment\", Laney decides to share that her \"man\" is Al Pacino. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>???</strong></span></span><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She clarified that she meant \"Scarface Al Pacino\". </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>???</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Hey -- who am I to judge?  As long as your man is momentous, it\'s all good, ladies.  ;-) <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 60:  3 (yes, 3!) When Harry Met Sally \"Moments\" During 1 Dinner','','publish','open','open','','day-60-3-yes-3-when-harry-met-sally-moments-during-1-dinner','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/21/day-55-breathless-over-jb/','2010-11-27 11:09:52','2010-11-27 18:09:52','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=2229',0,'post','',8),(2057,1,'2010-11-19 17:45:29','2010-11-20 00:45:29','','starbucks','','inherit','open','open','','starbucks','','','2010-11-19 17:45:29','2010-11-20 00:45:29','',2014,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/starbucks.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2058,1,'2010-11-18 20:16:54','2010-11-19 03:16:54','','Day 54:  1st Holiday Cup of the Season  ','','inherit','open','open','','2014-revision-2','','','2010-11-18 20:16:54','2010-11-19 03:16:54','',2014,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/18/2014-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2059,1,'2010-11-19 17:55:37','2010-11-20 00:55:37','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/esparta/2092989435/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-2057\" title=\"starbucks\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/starbucks-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Usually I patronize independent coffeehouses. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And I certainly never frequent one before work in the morning because between my workout, walking the pooch, and getting myself halfway presentable for work, I just don\'t have the time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also prefer my soon-to-be world famous double shot Italian espresso almond milk lattes with a touch of agave syrup each morning. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But, like the rest of America, I am always excited when Starbucks brings out the holiday cups.  I suppose because it signals the start of the holiday season and the accompanying warm fuzzies galore. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>With Thanksgiving a week away, I was definitely in the mood to bring in the season with a cuppa holiday cheer.  So on Day 54, I hauled my cookies out of bed 15 minutes early to partake in the most simple of festivities. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What about you?  Are you a sucker for the Starbucks holiday cups?  :-)</p>','Day 54:  1st Holiday Cup of the Season  ','','inherit','open','open','','2014-revision-3','','','2010-11-19 17:55:37','2010-11-20 00:55:37','',2014,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2014-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2060,1,'2010-11-20 13:08:51','2010-11-20 20:08:51','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/esparta/2092989435/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-2057\" title=\"starbucks\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/starbucks-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a></p>\n\n<p>Usually I patronize independent coffeehouses. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And I certainly never frequent one before work in the morning because between my workout, walking the pooch, and getting myself halfway presentable for work, I just don\'t have the time. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also prefer my soon-to-be world famous double shot Italian espresso almond milk lattes with a touch of agave syrup each morning. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But, like the rest of America, I am always excited when Starbucks brings out the holiday cups.  I suppose because it signals the start of the holiday season and the accompanying warm fuzzies galore. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>With Thanksgiving a week away, I was definitely in the mood to bring in the season with a cuppa holiday cheer.  So on Day 54, I hauled my cookies out of bed 15 minutes early to partake in the most simple of festivities. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What about you?  Are you a sucker for the Starbucks holiday cups?  :-)  Would you rise earlier for one? </p>','Day 54:  First Holiday Cup of the Season  ','','inherit','open','open','','2014-autosave','','','2010-11-20 13:08:51','2010-11-20 20:08:51','',2014,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2014-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2061,1,'2010-11-19 17:56:05','2010-11-20 00:56:05','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/esparta/2092989435/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-2057\" title=\"starbucks\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/starbucks-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Usually I patronize independent coffeehouses. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And I certainly never frequent one before work in the morning because between my workout, walking the pooch, and getting myself halfway presentable for work, I just don\'t have the time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also prefer my soon-to-be world famous double shot Italian espresso almond milk lattes with a touch of agave syrup each morning. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But, like the rest of America, I am always excited when Starbucks brings out the holiday cups.  I suppose because it signals the start of the holiday season and the accompanying warm fuzzies galore. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>With Thanksgiving a week away, I was definitely in the mood to bring in the season with a cuppa holiday cheer.  So on Day 54, I hauled my cookies out of bed 15 minutes early to partake in the most simple of festivities. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What about you?  Are you a sucker for the Starbucks holiday cups?  :-)</p>','Day 54:  1st Holiday Cup of the Season  ','','inherit','open','open','','2014-revision-4','','','2010-11-19 17:56:05','2010-11-20 00:56:05','',2014,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2014-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2062,1,'2010-11-19 17:57:58','2010-11-20 00:57:58','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/esparta/2092989435/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-2057\" title=\"starbucks\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/starbucks-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Usually I patronize independent coffeehouses. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And I certainly never frequent one before work in the morning because between my workout, walking the pooch, and getting myself halfway presentable for work, I just don\'t have the time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also prefer my soon-to-be world famous double shot Italian espresso almond milk lattes with a touch of agave syrup each morning. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But, like the rest of America, I am always excited when Starbucks brings out the holiday cups.  I suppose because it signals the start of the holiday season and the accompanying warm fuzzies galore. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>With Thanksgiving a week away, I was definitely in the mood to bring in the season with a cuppa holiday cheer.  So on Day 54, I hauled my cookies out of bed 15 minutes early to partake in the most simple of festivities. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What about you?  Are you a sucker for the Starbucks holiday cups?  Would you rise earlier for one?  :-)</p>','Day 54:  1st Holiday Cup of the Season  ','','inherit','open','open','','2014-revision-5','','','2010-11-19 17:57:58','2010-11-20 00:57:58','',2014,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2014-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(2063,1,'2010-11-19 17:58:31','2010-11-20 00:58:31','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/esparta/2092989435/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-2057\" title=\"starbucks\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/starbucks-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Usually I patronize independent coffeehouses. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And I certainly never frequent one before work in the morning because between my workout, walking the pooch, and getting myself halfway presentable for work, I just don\'t have the time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also prefer my soon-to-be world famous double shot Italian espresso almond milk lattes with a touch of agave syrup each morning. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But, like the rest of America, I am always excited when Starbucks brings out the holiday cups.  I suppose because it signals the start of the holiday season and the accompanying warm fuzzies galore. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>With Thanksgiving a week away, I was definitely in the mood to bring in the season with a cuppa holiday cheer.  So on Day 54, I hauled my cookies out of bed 15 minutes early to partake in the most simple of festivities. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What about you?  Are you a sucker for the Starbucks holiday cups?  :-)  Would you rise earlier for one? </p>','Day 54:  1st Holiday Cup of the Season  ','','inherit','open','open','','2014-revision-6','','','2010-11-19 17:58:31','2010-11-20 00:58:31','',2014,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2014-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2064,1,'2010-11-19 17:59:12','2010-11-20 00:59:12','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/esparta/2092989435/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-2057\" title=\"starbucks\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/starbucks-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Usually I patronize independent coffeehouses. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And I certainly never frequent one before work in the morning because between my workout, walking the pooch, and getting myself halfway presentable for work, I just don\'t have the time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also prefer my soon-to-be world famous double shot Italian espresso almond milk lattes with a touch of agave syrup each morning. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But, like the rest of America, I am always excited when Starbucks brings out the holiday cups.  I suppose because it signals the start of the holiday season and the accompanying warm fuzzies galore. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>With Thanksgiving a week away, I was definitely in the mood to bring in the season with a cuppa holiday cheer.  So on Day 54, I hauled my cookies out of bed 15 minutes early to partake in the most simple of festivities. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What about you?  Are you a sucker for the Starbucks holiday cups?  :-)  Would you rise earlier for one? </p>','Day 54:  1 st Holiday Cup of the Season  ','','inherit','open','open','','2014-revision-7','','','2010-11-19 17:59:12','2010-11-20 00:59:12','',2014,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2014-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(2065,1,'2010-11-21 01:11:23','2010-11-21 08:11:23','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/VickyCristinaBarcelona-poster1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-2075\" title=\"VickyCristinaBarcelona-poster\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/VickyCristinaBarcelona-poster1-202x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"202\" height=\"300\" /></a>Does this ever happen to you?  Someone tells you about \"something\" (a movie, restaurant, event, etc.), and you don\'t have time for it now, but you make a mental note to check out this \"something\" in the future. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then you promptly forget. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then someone else tells you about this \"something\", and you make a mental note that you should really look into this soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then you forget again because...WOW!... life can get crazy busy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then a 3rd someone tells you about this \"something\" and how \"it\'s so you\" and you think that this is starting to get downright woo-woo and it must be a sign that you must not ignore this \"something\" any longer!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(And it\'s kind of impossible to forget the \"something\" now that everyone and their uncle keeps bringing it up.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The \"something\" mentioned to me over the past couple of months is the movie <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497465/\" target=\"_blank\">Vicky Cristina Barcelona.</a></strong>  </em>Kimeee, Kim C. (aka Garage Kim and no, she\'s not homeless) and someone else whom I have since forgotten kept insisting that I see it.  I didn\'t think that I heard about the film previously, and I\'m not a big movie renter.  We\'ve discussed before that it\'s hard for me to sit still, and hanging on the couch just doesn\'t happen for me unless I\'m sick. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But then the girls filled me in on the movie\'s featured attraction. <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #666699;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">They had me at Javier Bardem.</span>  </span></strong></span></span><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Day 55, I needed an excuse to hang on my sofa and cuddle with my precious new puppy, Bella.  This \"Year of Living Curiously\" is all about soul-scintillation, and what can possibly me more scintilling than Javier Bardem and a snuggly bundle of fur???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So I made my yearly trek to Blockbuster for the movie rental. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Bella and I curled up on the sofa and pressed play. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Whoa.  Javier, you are one sexy Spaniard. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>As my former voice teacher used to say, \"He can eat crackers in my bed anytime.\"</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What Kimeee, Garage Kim and forgotten friend failed to tell me is that this is a Woody Allen film!  His personal past is questionable, but you have to admit -- the man always cranks out a smart, funny, interestingly offbeat screenplay.  His actors always deliver quirky, improvisational performances. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oh, yeah.  And his movies always have fabulous soundtracks. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This was the best movie I\'ve seen in a looooooooooong time.  If you haven\'t seen it, then let this be your reminder!  Don\'t forget!  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 55:  Breathless over JB','','publish','open','open','','day-55-breathless-over-jb','','','2010-11-20 10:44:26','2010-11-20 17:44:26','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=2065',0,'post','',4),(2066,1,'2010-11-19 18:00:25','2010-11-20 01:00:25','','Day 55:  Breathless over Javier ','','inherit','open','open','','2065-revision','','','2010-11-19 18:00:25','2010-11-20 01:00:25','',2065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2065-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2067,1,'2010-11-19 17:59:35','2010-11-20 00:59:35','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/esparta/2092989435/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-2057\" title=\"starbucks\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/starbucks-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Usually I patronize independent coffeehouses. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And I certainly never frequent one before work in the morning because between my workout, walking the pooch, and getting myself halfway presentable for work, I just don\'t have the time. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also prefer my soon-to-be world famous double shot Italian espresso almond milk lattes with a touch of agave syrup each morning. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But, like the rest of America, I am always excited when Starbucks brings out the holiday cups.  I suppose because it signals the start of the holiday season and the accompanying warm fuzzies galore. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>With Thanksgiving a week away, I was definitely in the mood to bring in the season with a cuppa holiday cheer.  So on Day 54, I hauled my cookies out of bed 15 minutes early to partake in the most simple of festivities. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What about you?  Are you a sucker for the Starbucks holiday cups?  :-)  Would you rise earlier for one? </p>','Day 54:  First Holiday Cup of the Season  ','','inherit','open','open','','2014-revision-8','','','2010-11-19 17:59:35','2010-11-20 00:59:35','',2014,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/19/2014-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(2068,1,'2010-11-20 10:16:33','2010-11-20 17:16:33','<p>Does this ever happen to you?  Someone tells you about \"something\" (a movie, restaurant, event, etc.), and you don\'t have time for it now, but you make a mental note to check out this \"something\" in the future. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then you promptly forget. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then someone else tells you about this \"something\", and you make a mental note that you should really look into this soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then you forget again because...WOW!... life can get crazy busy. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then a 3rd someone tells you about this \"something\" and how \"it\'s so you\" and you think that this is starting to get downright woo-woo and it must be a sign that you must not ignore this \"something\" any longer!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(And it\'s kind of impossible to forget the \"something\" now that everyone and their uncle keeps bringing it up.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The \"something\" mentioned to me over the past couple of months is the movie <em>Vicky Cristina Barcelona.  </em>Kimeee, Kim C. (aka Garage Kim and no, she\'s not homeless) and someone else who I have since forgotten kept insisting that I see it.  I didn\'t think that I heard about it previously, and I\'m not a big movie renter.  We\'ve discussed before that it\'s hard for me to sit still, and hanging on the couch just doesn\'t happen unless I\'m sick. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But then the girls filled me in on the movie\'s featured attraction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #666699;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">They had me at Javier Bardem.</span>  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p> As my former voice teacher used to say, \"He can eat crackers in my bed anytime.\"</p>','Day 55:  Breathless over JB','','inherit','open','open','','2065-revision-2','','','2010-11-20 10:16:33','2010-11-20 17:16:33','',2065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/20/2065-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2069,1,'2010-11-20 10:25:24','2010-11-20 17:25:24','<p>Does this ever happen to you?  Someone tells you about \"something\" (a movie, restaurant, event, etc.), and you don\'t have time for it now, but you make a mental note to check out this \"something\" in the future. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then you promptly forget. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then someone else tells you about this \"something\", and you make a mental note that you should really look into this soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then you forget again because...WOW!... life can get crazy busy. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then a 3rd someone tells you about this \"something\" and how \"it\'s so you\" and you think that this is starting to get downright woo-woo and it must be a sign that you must not ignore this \"something\" any longer!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(And it\'s kind of impossible to forget the \"something\" now that everyone and their uncle keeps bringing it up.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The \"something\" mentioned to me over the past couple of months is the movie <em>Vicky Cristina Barcelona.  </em>Kimeee, Kim C. (aka Garage Kim and no, she\'s not homeless) and someone else who I have since forgotten kept insisting that I see it.  I didn\'t think that I heard about it previously, and I\'m not a big movie renter.  We\'ve discussed before that it\'s hard for me to sit still, and hanging on the couch just doesn\'t happen for me unless I\'m sick. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But then the girls filled me in on the movie\'s featured attraction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #666699;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">They had me at Javier Bardem.</span>  </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Day 55, I needed an excuse to hang on my sofa and cuddle with my precious new puppy, Bella.  This \"Year of Living Curiously\" is all about soul-scintillation, and what can possibly me more scintilling than Javier Bardem and a snuggly bundle of fur???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So I made my yearly trek to Blockbuster for the movie rental. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Bella and I curled up on the sofa and pressed play. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Whoa.  Javier, you are one sexy Spaniard. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>As my former voice teacher used to say, \"He can eat crackers in my bed anytime.\"</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What Kimeee, Garage Kim and forgotten friend failed to tell me is that this is a Woody Allen film!  His personal past is questionable, but you have to admit -- the man always cranks out a smart, funny, interesting screenplay.  His actors always deliver quirky, improvisational performances. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This was the best movie I\'ve seen in a looooooooooong time.  If you haven\'t seen it, then let this be your reminder!  Don\'t forget!  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>','Day 55:  Breathless over JB','','inherit','open','open','','2065-revision-3','','','2010-11-20 10:25:24','2010-11-20 17:25:24','',2065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/20/2065-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2070,1,'2010-11-20 10:25:32','2010-11-20 17:25:32','<p>Does this ever happen to you?  Someone tells you about \"something\" (a movie, restaurant, event, etc.), and you don\'t have time for it now, but you make a mental note to check out this \"something\" in the future. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then you promptly forget. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then someone else tells you about this \"something\", and you make a mental note that you should really look into this soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then you forget again because...WOW!... life can get crazy busy. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then a 3rd someone tells you about this \"something\" and how \"it\'s so you\" and you think that this is starting to get downright woo-woo and it must be a sign that you must not ignore this \"something\" any longer!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(And it\'s kind of impossible to forget the \"something\" now that everyone and their uncle keeps bringing it up.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The \"something\" mentioned to me over the past couple of months is the movie <em>Vicky Cristina Barcelona.  </em>Kimeee, Kim C. (aka Garage Kim and no, she\'s not homeless) and someone else who I have since forgotten kept insisting that I see it.  I didn\'t think that I heard about it previously, and I\'m not a big movie renter.  We\'ve discussed before that it\'s hard for me to sit still, and hanging on the couch just doesn\'t happen for me unless I\'m sick. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But then the girls filled me in on the movie\'s featured attraction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"color: #666699;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">They had me at Javier Bardem.</span>  </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Day 55, I needed an excuse to hang on my sofa and cuddle with my precious new puppy, Bella.  This \"Year of Living Curiously\" is all about soul-scintillation, and what can possibly me more scintilling than Javier Bardem and a snuggly bundle of fur???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So I made my yearly trek to Blockbuster for the movie rental. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Bella and I curled up on the sofa and pressed play. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Whoa.  Javier, you are one sexy Spaniard. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>As my former voice teacher used to say, \"He can eat crackers in my bed anytime.\"</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What Kimeee, Garage Kim and forgotten friend failed to tell me is that this is a Woody Allen film!  His personal past is questionable, but you have to admit -- the man always cranks out a smart, funny, interesting screenplay.  His actors always deliver quirky, improvisational performances. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This was the best movie I\'ve seen in a looooooooooong time.  If you haven\'t seen it, then let this be your reminder!  Don\'t forget!  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>','Day 55:  Breathless over JB','','inherit','open','open','','2065-revision-4','','','2010-11-20 10:25:32','2010-11-20 17:25:32','',2065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/20/2065-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0);
