Saturday Slow Down - Pool Time

Spent the day being lazy by the pool with the hunky hubby Michael.

When he's relaxing by the pool, Michael insists on 80s rock hits - I think he was singing along to Journey here. I"m a smooth jazz kinda guy myself. Michael didn't know I was taking this pic...

He has press days coming up with celeb clients and I'm heading to Sacramento to choreograph BYE BYE BIRDIE for Sacramento Music Circus this coming week. So, might be the last lazy day for a while.

Regular readers of The Randy Report know I"m still active in the theater, and this is the third gig for me at Sacramento. I've previously posted about my experiences with CHICAGO and A CHORUS LINE there.

The next few weeks will include posts about the evolution of BBB at the Music Circus, so be prepared :)

More wine!

Two Wild And Crazy Guys - Michael & Greg In Miami

Hot hubby Michael is currently in Miami with his BFF Greg while I hold down the fort here at home.

Don't cry for me - I've got a bottle of Chardonnay and four pups by the pool here :)

In any case, I felt it worth sharing just what it's like to hit The Magic City with these two "wild and crazy guys..."

Video directed by Chad Saunders (and somehow I've been credited with "choreography" LOL).

Two Shots Of Vodka

This 7 second video is currently my husband's favorite thing.

He keeps playing it for me as if I don't get it.

One Mississippi, two Mississippi... :)

"Get Physical" with "The One That You Want" For Valentine's Day

Michael went over to Jib-Jab for some Valentine's Day fun with ONJ tunes.

Here's hoping that, like me, you "get physical" with "the one that you want" on this fab Valentine's Day!

Texting Coast To Coast With Michael

Actual text conversation as my hubby Michael is in NYC with clients doing national press, and I'm in San Diego choreographing West Side Story:

Michael: "It's been one of those days."

Me: "I get it. I know, it's been tough here, too..."

Michael: "Don't even send a pool pic."

Me:

Me: "Awww, hahahahahahahahaha...."

Dog Day Afternoon

From a couple of years ago, hubby Michael with the kids - yes, we are dog people

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from Michael and I to all you beautiful people!

QVegas Magazine has built this cute app online that you can upload your pic and be the cover star of your very own QVegas Magazine cover!

Here's the link - go play!  https://app.qvegas.com/qvcover

Miami Beach says 'Hey!'

Hubby Michael and I on Miami Beach for a moment.  Merry, merry everyone!

Only found about 20 minutes to enjoy the actual 'beach' at Miami Beach this trip, but it was beautiful weather.

Nice company, too.

Watching the snow in Chicago now on layover as United Airlines pulls a light bulb from a plane so we can take off and get home.  Delayed two hours so far.

More wine!

NYC: Michael's 45th birthday with the in-laws

Today is my husband's birthday! Happy birthday Michael!

His parents came into NYC for birthday lunch, and we braved the weekend tourists to see the tree at Rockefeller Center. CROWDS! Ah, NYC at the holidays.

Me with Dot (mother-in-law) and Michael

Lou and Dot with Michael at the Rockefeller Christmas tree

Me with Michael - Happy birthday, I got you a tree for your birthday!

Why you should go to the doctor when something hurts...

I spent the morning checking Michael into the hospital for an exploratory surgery related to a pain he's had since January. 

For several months Michael has complained about a pain in his abdomen.  First thoughts and opinions were "oh, it's a kidney stone."  So he drank a ton of water and cranberry juice for weeks.  No improvement.

Next, there was thought about something internal.  So he had a colonoscopy.  Nothing there.

Then, it was decided that maybe he has "chronic appendicitis.'  OK.

So today Michael went in for exploratory surgery and what they found wasn't anything we expected: a hole in Michael's abdominal wall.  The appendix didn't look good either, so that was removed but this "hole in the wall" thing was very unexpected.  The surgeon was able to address the issue and fix, and Michael will be fine soon.

BUT - this would not have healed itself.  I bring this up because too many times a lot of us - including me - put off going to a doctor even though something aches or doesn't feel right.  If Michael hadn't gone in today, this would have continued and possibly gotten worse.

When I was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, it was after four months of an ache I'd had.  I kept thinking it would clear up.  Boy was I wrong.

So when something feels wrong, give your body a chance to address it but don't wait so long that something serious can get worse.  You never know...

Surgical photo from today

My hubby and the fab Mark Ballas of Dancing With The Stars

Michael was down at the Tropicana last night to hang with Mark Ballas who played an acoustic set after dancing in the "Dancing With The Stars Live" show.

You can check out Mark's solo CD "LoveHurtBox" on iTunes by clicking here.

Don't miss Mark on the upcoming "Dancing With The Stars" All-Stars season - whoo-hoo!

Mark Ballas and my hubby Michael

Mark Ballas playing out with Dylan Chambers at The Tropicana in Las Vegas

Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre opens

Olivia and Michael before seeing the interior of the Centre for the first time.

Michael is currently in Australia with Olivia Newton-John for the grand opening ceremonies for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.

Olivia has spent the better part of the last ten years helping raise almost $200 million dollars to build this research, treatment and wellness centre for people diagnosed or affected by cancer.

The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre will combine research laboratories, clinical treatment and complementary therapies in a one stop shop aimed at attacking cancer from all angles.

Patients will be able to join singalongs in a dedicated music room, take a yoga class or enjoy a massage in combination with their chemotherapy.

Cutting the ribbon on the centre on Friday, Newton-John said complementary therapies were an underrated component in the fight against cancer, which began for her with a diagnosis in 1992.

'I had to find it myself and go to different places or have them come to me,' she said.

'I was lucky I could do that but most people can't so that's why this is wonderful.

'It's actually more than I ever could have pictured or dreamed of.'

The pics below were taken right before Olivia was able to see the inside of the newly built centre for the very first time.

Read more here.

Bed Cartography

JoeMyGod posted this today.  How many of us can relate?

Actually, Michael is very good about his side of the bed.  Bruno the wonder dog, however, has no sense of boundaries.  Where he is, is his.  Good thing he's a wonder dog...

N2N Bodywear at Palm Springs Pride

N2N Bodywear designer Andrew Makay and Michael at Palm Springs Pride 2011

Michael is hanging with N2N Bodywear designer Andrew Makay at Palm Springs Pride today.

For those of you in the Palm Springs area, drop by - say hi - check out Andrew's sexy designs.

If you can't make it to Palm Springs this weekend, check out the N2N Bodywear website.  Sexy clothes and sexy boys.

My husband featured in Las Vegas Sun & Las Vegas Magazine

So proud of Michael! He was interviewed and featured in two major publications here in Las Vegas: The Las Vegas Sun (daily newspaper) and Las Vegas Magazine (big fab magazine).

He's so great at what he does as a publicist, which covers more things than you would ever believe. He has the patience and charm of a prince. I could never do what he does. It's no wonder he's successful. Read the feature by Leslie Frisbee below:

What do Olivia Newton-John, Chippendales and Jon Secada all have in common?

Michael Caprio.

The acclaimed publicist has been representing entertainment's elite for more than 20 years. A native New Yorker, Caprio began his career working with some of the biggest productions on Broadway, including The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Miss Saigon. Caprio sat down with "Las Vegas Magazine," right before he departed for a tour with Newton-John, to talk about his Las Vegas favorites.

Chippendales The Show: Working with the cast and crew is a true joy! Watching the women in the audience enjoy themselves, whether they are there for a girls night, bachelorette, birthday or divorce party is so much fun to witness.

Nove Italiano: Simply the best food, wine, service and view in Las Vegas! Everything about this place is pure class. The shrimp Francaise and Nove spaghetti are incredible!

Barneys New York: As someone who loves "acquisition therapy," Barneys brings the best of fashion and style to Las Vegas ... and there's so much to choose from.

Lake Mead: After a busy week, I look forward to the weekend with friends boating on Lake Mead. A short drive from the Strip and you are in another world with so much wildlife and amazing rock landscapes!

The Spa at Red Rock Resort: They have the best spa treatments and therapists, and you don't have to deal with the hustle and bustle and crowds of some of the other Strip property spas. It's like your own private heaven — the hot stone massage there is worth a million bucks!

Mystère: Though I love most of the other Cirque shows, I think Mystère is still my favorite. Maybe it's because it was the first show I saw in Vegas during my first visit about 10 years ago.

Mon Ami Gabi: The flavor of the steak au poivre and the tasty frites are equally matched with some of the best people-watching on the Strip. I love enjoying a great meal while watching the fountains across the Strip at Bellagio.

Thoughts on Valentine's Day - year 17

With today being Valentine's Day, obviously my mind wanders to MY valentine, Michael.

It's hard to believe that we've been together 17 Valentine's Days. Before we met, it looked like V Day was always going to be something to sing sad songs about.

Music is such a part of my life that I relate it to everything. Even the day Michael and I met, I explain that it was exactly as Oscar Hammerstein II wrote: "some enchanted evening, you may see a stranger; you may see a stranger across a crowded room; and somehow you know, you know even then, that somewhere you'll see him again and again." I know, it sounds oh so cheesy, but it was that black and white. It's just the best way to explain how I knew. There are days I can't believe he's in love with me.  Still.

Not that we have this flawless romance.  There are days I have to remind him I'm his favorite.  And believe me, I do.  :)

Soon after we met, we had "our song" - Laurie Beechman's 'Listen To My Heart'. Interestingly, when we got married, we didn't really have a song for the day because we were just so amazed that we were given the right to get married. Probably the only big event in my life that doesn't relate to a song. Just Michael.

Obviously, all day long today I've played various iterations of "My Funny Valentine." Barbra Streisand's version is still probably my favorite. But I also love Melinda Doolittle's live rendition from American Idol a few years ago - earthy, rich, jazzy, and she knew what she was singing about. Lucia Micarelli is a fantastic violinist who does a beautiful, romantic version of the song.  And then there's Ella Fitzgerald's version - perfection.  I recommend you get all of them, sit back and enjoy...

I think I relate Valentine's Day and romance to music is because music has rhythm, hills & valleys and texture; a lot like long-time love does. A lot like Michael and I do.

Michael is my valentine; he's the music that makes me dance.  I hope you all dance the way we do.  (that's a euphemism, kids...)  Hills & valleys, texture and a lot of rhythm… yeah, I think that's us.

I encourage everyone to pour a glass of wine, light some candles, turn out the lights, listen to some great music and enjoy. Whether alone or with your honey, it's a good day to remember to love someone. Someone else, or even if that someone is yourself. That might even be the best place to start.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.