Bruce Littlefield's Life 101 » American Icons

Happy Memorial Day

Bruce Littlefield — Mon, 30 May 2011 17:30:30 +0000

Today, like you, I pause to salute those who have served this country so that we may live free. I’m thankful for their bravery and their willingness to put themselves on the line for others. In tribute to all our veterans and service men and women (and Westminster reminds me of military service dogs too), enjoy a listen to seven-year-old Rhema Marvanne’s version of The Star Spangled Banner. She definitely wowed me.
Enjoy the National Anthem and the day off.

American Icons – Elizabeth Taylor

Bruce Littlefield — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:15:22 +0000

I feel all the time like a cat on a hot tin roof.

Rest in peace Dame Elizabeth Hilton Wilding Todd Fisher Burton Burton Warner Fortensky Taylor. In addition to her beauty, her acting talents, and her White Diamonds perfume, we must also remember the two time Oscar winner for her humanitarian efforts as one of the first celebrities to stand up and fight against AIDS. My personal favorite Liz role was her turn as Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. I imagine she’s resting comfortably in heaven with her fabulous gay friends and Lassie, one of her first film co-stars.

American Fun – The Super Bowl

Bruce Littlefield — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 19:02:10 +0000

Watch this 1967 newsreel featuring the first Super Bowl ever , which pit The Green Bay Packers against the Kansas City Chiefs. It was played in Los Angeles, and the Packers won 35-10. This year’s game, XLV, the Packers vs. the Steelers and I’ve Got a Feeling that the Black Eyed Peas’ half time performance will be more exciting than the balloons released at the first Super Bowl. Oh, and your chips and salsa and 6-foot sub are nothing compared to these super-sized Guinness World Record holders. Go ahead and try to make 3,556 lbs of nachos like they did last year in Frisco, Texas. It was 48 feet long and made with 300 cases of tortilla chips. Oh, who am I kidding, Westminster and I are watching the Puppy Bowl!

American Icons – Challenger Tragedy

Bruce Littlefield — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 19:49:42 +0000

Today marks 25 years since the tragic accident that changed NASA forever. On January 28, 1986, space shuttle Challenger exploded over the Atlantic, merely about a minute after take-off. Six astronauts and and a teacher were killed in the terrible explosion caught on live TV. I remember watching it in Dr. Randolph’s science classroom as we all sat there stunned. It is the only time in school I can remember a teacher and her students crying together. Where were you on that day?

American Icons – Jack LaLanne

Bruce Littlefield — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 22:44:25 +0000

God got himself a personal trainer this week. Fitness icon Jack LaLanne, the father of the gym, died on Sunday of complications from pneumonia at the age of 96. His wife of 51 years, Elaine LaLanne (that’s her real name!) issued a wonderful statement: “I have not only lost my husband and a great American icon, but the best friend and most loving partner anyone could ever hope for.” And Jack once said, “The only way you can hurt the body is not use it. Inactivity is the killer and, remember, it’s never too late.” Check out his push-up routine (and his dog’s routine too!) And, in his memory, get off that sofa and work it out!

American Icon – I Have a Dream

Bruce Littlefield — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:45:41 +0000

Hats off on this January day to the peaceful principles and progressive messages of Martin Luther King, Jr. After our rough first week of the New Year, let us ponder today on what we each might do to help spread Dr. King’s message of peace.
Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring – when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children – black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics – will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

American Hype – Golden Globe Awards

Bruce Littlefield — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:38:28 +0000

Last night was a star-studded night in Hollywood- the Golden Globe Awards! Some of the fashions were stunning, others not so much (what was up with Helena Bonham Carter’s mismatched shoes?) Host Ricky Gervais hit some nerves with his humor, mocking everyone from Angelina Jolie to Steve Carell. Natalie Portman won her well-deserved award for “Black Swan,” while “The Social Network” ended up stealing the show. If you missed “Glee” star Chris Colfer’s acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor, it’s a must watch. Oscar nominations are out on January 25th! Wanna bet on best picture?

When I Grow Up – Seattle Superhero

Bruce Littlefield — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:45:28 +0000

I always loved reading superhero comics when I was younger and fancying that I’d grow up to become one. My neighbor is probably still telling people how I always asked him to “hold my cape” (the Member’s Only jacket I draped over my shoulders and snapped around my neck). But what kid doesn’t want to believe in a hero with superpowers who stands for goodness and justice? Well, Spiderman, Batman, Ironman… move on over, because now there’s a real-life “superhero” on the block. Phoenix Jones is masked, costumed and fighting Seattle crime. (Too bad criminals recently broke his nose when he tried to stop a fight.) But Jones isn’t the only superhero roaming the streets trying to do good. There’s a whole bunch of them meeting in their Hall of Justice, a.k.a. The Real Life Super Hero Project. With names like The Vigilante Spider and Good Samaritan, who knows what these real-life superheros could be capable of! Oh, talk to you later, I’ve got my costume to sew!

Pop Culture Pop-Up – Human Tetris

Bruce Littlefield — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:19:10 +0000

French-Swiss artist Guillaume Reymond is pure genius. His video performance pieces take pop culture icons and turn them into performance spectacles. Watch his interpretation of the game Tetris played by real human-beings sitting in an auditorium and shot stop-motion. I guarantee you’ll be a new fan and want to visit his site NotSoNoisy to see more of his cleverness.

Life 101 – Zsa Zsa’s Exercise RegiMEN

Bruce Littlefield — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:55:23 +0000

Hello, Dah-lings! My heart goes out to Zsa Zsa Gabor as she battles the Time Monster. Let’s send her some love and prayers… and perhaps even adopt the exercise regimen that got her to 94 years of age! Maybe it’s her theory that “exercise doesn’t have to be difficult to keep you young and beautiful forever and drive your man crazy.” Or maybe it’s her thinking that: “I wasn’t born to be an athlete. I was born to be a lover.” But it’s simple, darling… hire a man to work you out and just lay there! Check out the Zsa Zsa Gabor exercise technique. And you thought you had a resolution!