iVillage "On This Day"

Welcome to October! Can you believe how fast time is flying? October is by far my favorite month out of the year. I love the weather... I'm a fan of Halloween... and it's my birth month (October 21st, save the date now!)

Today also marks the debut of the new iVillage video I have been working on! Each day I write, produce and voice a new video called "On This Day." The video highlights cool and interesting things that have happened on this date in history, and notable names that were born.

It would be a HUGE deal for you to check out the video and rate it. The more clicks it gets the more I get to produce, and the better it works out for me. So please, watch the video, pass along to your friends and family and spread the good news! I'd really appreciate it!

WHEEL! OF! FORTUNE!

I know that you are probably shocked to learn that Wheel of Fortune is one of my favorite TV shows, but it's true. You probably thought I was way too cool and awesome to like a show that is designed for a slightly older demographic, but oh no- I'm a Wheel watcher. (I really love Jeopardy, too!) I used to watch all the time with my Grandma Em and my Dad, and now I watch with my roommate Carolyn when we get home from work.

A few months ago we were watching and they announced that Wheel would be taping some shows at Radio City Music Hall, so I sent in my self-addressed stamped envelope and BAM- We got tickets! Unfortunately, Carolyn had to miss the taping because of the small business of celebrating her four year anniversary with her boyfriend (minor detail) so I invited my friends Jake, Doug and Ryan to come with me.

I wish that I had amazing news to report about the show, but I was severely let down! The taping was SO BORING! Now don't get me wrong- I'm fully aware that Wheel of Fortune isn't like Fear Factor or Amazing Race, but it was the slowest moving taping I have ever attended. I'm sure a small part of it had to do with the fact I'm slightly desensitized to TV tapings but I couldn't believe the amount of down time that went on between puzzles! The contestants would solve a puzzle (which took about 5 minutes) and then they would take a "commercial break" that lasted over 15 minutes at a time! It took nearly an hour to tape a 22 minute show. I was severely bored... sorry, Wheel.

Pat Sajack was great, Vanna looked amazing and as an added bonus it was People Magazine Celebrities Week. I will use the term "celebrities" loosely because I mean, it's not like that many A-listers are vying for a place on the Wheel, but it definitely makes for a good story later. I'm a firm believer in going through awkward/unusual situations simply to have the story to tell later. This time was no different.

So, I guess I learned that sometimes the magic of television should be left where it belongs; on television. I'll stick to watching Wheel of Fortune weeknights at 7:30pm. In case you were wondering when the taping will air, you can check out the two shows I attended on November 15th and 16th.

*Thanks to nerdgirljulie for illegally taking photos inside so I could use them!

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Related Things:

• Game Show Network: Chain Reaction
• The Lottery Ladies
  

Lily Mae Slacker

Everyone knows that I'm a sucker for cute babies, and today is no exception! One of my best friends, Danielle, had her first baby a few weeks ago. Her married last name is Slacker, so I'm sure there was much deliberation on what to name the child as to not scar him/her in the future. Turns out she had a beautiful baby girl and named her Lily Mae!

I already knew that this baby was gonna be awesome, but when I saw this photo this morning I knew it was true. Please look at this baby:

Any baby that controls the remote like that is ok with me!

I checked out the origin of the name Lily from the iVillage Baby Name Finder and this is what it said:

LILY: From the Latin, lilium, for the flower. The lily, a flower of infinite varieties, is associated with purity, chastity, and innocence. The name has been making a strong comeback in the last few years.

I heart babies!

Black20 News

Hey gang- Happy Friday! Congratulations on successfully making it through another week! Your reward is another hilarious installment of Black20 News with Jessie Cantrell. This week's update is both hilarious and informative at the same time, so check it out!

A Vlog About Things: America's Next Top Model

After last week's casting special, we were finally able to get into the meat and potatoes of Cycle 9 of America's Next Top Model. Oh wait- I guess I shouldn't say "meat and potatoes" since we're talking about models... maybe the "cigarettes and coffee" of Cycle 9. Oh wait again!- Tyra has banned smoking this cycle! Yep, that's right. No nicotine for these skinny biatches.

Tyra said she banned cigarettes because of the dangerous health risks and side effects of smoking, but I think it's just a way to make the girl's even more irritable and catty. Either way, it's going to be a great season! Carolyn and I have decided that ANTM will be our weekly vlog topic so check out the clip and let me know what you think!