Celebrity Crushes

Before I launch into my topic, I want to welcome you back to my blog...I haven't posted in 7 months! No explanation for my absence, just didn't feel very insightful

I'm back to talk about....celebrity crushes! Unlike acne, they linger way beyond adolescence and can be a fun fantastical diversion in our adult lives. My crushes involve an attractive celebrity, but usually I'm attracted by looks alone, there has to be some substance behind that stunning smile. But this does not mean that I judge anyone who chooses their crushes based on looks alone.

Okay, my latest celebrity crush is Mark Cuban. I saw him on ESPN a few weeks ago and was amazed at how he has evolved from Joe Every-guy to neatly sculpted metro-sexual. Then I started reading his blog and the crush intensified. He writes in a very "off the cuff" manner which is refreshing and he's funny as hell. While his blog recycles his ideas on the same 7-8 topics, it is still interesting. What amazed me the most is the amount of detail he puts into his entries (too much for my taste) and how he uses quantitative analysis to justify his positions topics ranging from the BCS, NBA officiating or the judging on Dancing With The Stars (he was a contestant a few years ago). Overall, Mark is a really good celebrity crush because he's cute and he makes you think too.

As a sidebar, I really hope Mark can successfully institute a meaningful playoff system in college football. He certainly has the money, clout and passion to do so!!

So, I showed you all mine, show me yours. Post a comment and tell me about a celebrity crush (past or present). Be sure to include what you like most about this crush...and it can simply be "he/she is so damn fine."



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Eat...Pray...Live!

A little over a year ago I was counting down the days until I could walk like a normal person again. I had broken my ankle in late May -- a break that required surgery, screws, a metal plates and a seven week span where I could not put any weight on my right leg. During these seven weeks a delusion started growing in my mind. I thought that after seven weeks my ankle would be back to normal...wrong! I now walked with a sore, swollen, stiff ankle and after a year it still is not back to 'normal'.

My ankle also has two matching scars, one of which is shown in the photo. But it is another medical crisis that has left many unique scars which I am sometimes embarrassed to share. Six and a half years ago I was diagnosed with a major medical illness. As a formerly healthy person I was now thrust into world of finding doctors, getting treatment, insurance, short-term disability, losing my job, etc. It was very stressful and like many I found solace in food. To compound this problem the doctor prescribed medication that was notorious for causing weight gain and diabetes.

After three years I had gained 50 pounds. After another two years I had gained 50 more. When I was finally able to stand on two feet after my ankle injury, I stepped on the scale to see that I was 107 pounds heavier than when I was initially diagnosed in January 2004. This scar is obvious, yet hard to talk about. It requires more than cocoa butter and vitamin E. But I am pleased to say, that I things are looking up. In the past year I have dropped 37 pounds. Last year I was diagnosed as a borderline diabetic and I am pleased to report that I am doing very well at managing this!

I have decided to blog more about my fitness journey...I should call it eat...pray...live!

My Other Half

Long, long ago when gas was just 50 cents a gallon, my parents got a big surprise. They were expecting....for the sixth time. My mom already had a step-daughter in college and more importantly a house full of school aged kids, leaving her afternoons free of children. But that all came to end with this surprise. My mother's svelte figure also came to an end -- she gained weight more quickly and thought this was the sign of a a big, boisterous boy. After all, they already had 4 girls and only one boy....the odds for a boy seemed to be in their favor.

The big day came and while my mother survived the harsh anesthetic (ether), my dad was in the waiting room. He wasn't that surprised to find out they didn't have a boy. But he was in shock to find out there was not one, but two girls! The whole family scrambled to come up with some rhyming names and Karen and Sharon were soon chosen. But since this would likely be my dad's last offspring, he decided put his name, Henry Joseph into ours. Thus I became Sharon Henrietta and my twin became Karen Jo.


So I grew up with a fraternal twin, but most people thought I was her older sister. In elementary school we were always in different classrooms, with the exception of kindergarten. In this picture I am on the left, I was always one of the tallest girls in my class and Karen was always one of the shortest. We had so much fun growing up and although we had our skirmishes, our friendship was strong. I do recall being about 4 or 5 years old and how we each confessed and lamented to each other how much we wanted to be like each other. I wanted to be like her because she was adventurous, more spontaneous, and wasn't afraid to speak her mind. I was more timid, but was studious, serious, and had healthier hair (although you can't tell by the picture).


As we grew up, our paths diverged, but we always could appreciate our differences. I am more scholarly, she is more practical. She wears a size 4 and obviously don't. But the coolest thing about Karen is that whenever she comes to visit me, one of the first places she goes is to my closet to look at what new clothes I have. She is so enthusiastic about it, you'd think that the clothes would actually fit her!

So the biggest news is that my other half now owns a motorcycle! She's been going out with a guy who is super-nice, super-cool, and rides a Harley. I can't wait to post some pics of her on her new bike. Now all I can think of is how can I match this daring, bold move!

When we were little, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl were our heroes. They were these kick-ass superheroes that had a brief stint on Saturday morning TV -- if you blinked you would have missed it. But now Karen and I have grown into two modern day super women! Here we are as our super-hero personas. The image is a bit rough, but you get the picture. So work hard to be your own superhero. And if you are so lucky to find a good friend along the way, don't take it for granted.

Sharon

About LeBron

My summary....good decision, bad public relations. I am so glad that LeBron left Cleveland! The past two post-seasons were an an absolute bust. The best regular season team not only lost too soon, but were totally embarrassed. And the worst part is that they are still scratching their heads trying to figure out what went wrong. If LeBron had stayed in Cleveland there was no indication that things would change. After all, if you don't know what is causing the problem, how can you fix it?

Going to Miami was a good decision. It's amazing how many people think that it is so wrong to have three marquee players on the same team. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson both played with marquee players. I have heard sportscasters refer to the Lakers and Celtics teams of the 1980's as "All Star" teams. And they were, and you know what, that's what it takes to win in the NBA, and most other sports leagues.

I think what makes people SO mad is that this deal was conceived by the players. If some GM had devised this plan (ala Danny Ainge's Big 3 deal), that GM would be a genius. But because players got together, got real, and decided to win a championship together, they have suddenly crossed over to the dark side and should not be trusted.

Now to the bad part....the public relations. LeBron came into the NBA at a very opportune time. When he was drafted the Kobe Bryant rape scandal had just started. Kobe lost most of his endorsements and LeBron was the lucky recipient. Plus, the NBA was becoming the National Thug League. There was Alan Iverson and his aversion to discipline and practice and in 2004 the infamous brawl with the fans in Detroit. LeBron was different, he had a respect for the game and its rich history. He willingly went to play in his hometown and was one of the greatest ambassadors for the city of Cleveland.

The one-hour "decision" program was unnecessary and annoying. The four-letter network, which has been LeBron's biggest hype machine, was the true beneficiary. It's July, a very slow month for sports. Instead of running some World Cup recap show, they get a ratings juggernaut, the LeBron show!! Great for them, they got excellent ratings. Bad for LeBron, why the heck does making a 30 second statement warrant an hour long special? Like many have said, King LeBron invited many fans to bow down and kiss his imaginary ring.

But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. We can all speculate and judge these decisions, but it all comes down to this....can they win??

My Life in Words

A few years ago Beyonce' introduced us to her alter ego, Sasha Fierce. Well, just like Cher, Beyonce', Sting, and other celebrities, my alter ego has only one name...Eklectia! This name represents my diverse interest and ideas and this blog provides an ideal forum. So, welcome to my blog. May it be thought provoking, innovative and entertaining!