Ms. Cheevious in Hollywood

My Zany Years Spent Working in Tinsel Town

MsCheevious

Release the Chihuahuas!

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M.C. Nugget and I went to a dinner party in the Los Felis / Silverlake area of Los Angeles tonight. It was at a friend of Nuggie’s who I’ll call Nola here (because she and her hubby also have a home and live a good amount of time in New Orleans). Nuggie’s known Nola and her husband for many years, and she is somewhat of a retired (or perhaps trying to retire) television writer. She is a hoot, and though she claims she is not domestic (she orders carry out for her dinner parties) she was also the one of the mostest hostesses I’ve ever met. And the dinner guests were an interesting mix of people too. They seemed to love life as much as we do and (perhaps not so coincidentally) work in or have worked in the entertainment business. What made the guests cool too is despite their chosen career paths, they still seemed sane and have managed to hold onto their souls.

Fun fun times, I tell ya.

But on to the reason for my post: An interesting topic of conversation ensued at one point, because Nola is a dog lover. She was talking about her current dogs’ personalities vs. her previous dogs, and then comparing them to other breeds. Then the subject of Chihuahuas came up (don’t ask why) and she rolled her eyes. “Those dogs are very loyal to ONE person. You two could own one, but it would either like you or Nuggie. Not both.” She told us about how her son traveled around the world, and in one of his trips to one of those now “forbidden to outsiders” countries, he was introduced to a dignitary. When he went to the dignitary’s home, the guy owned hundreds of Chihuahuas, which served not really so much as guard dogs, but more along the lines of piranha.

I could totally picture it. Imagine how utterly annoying it would be for a thousand little chihuahuas to charge at you all at once! And the yapping — Oh, the endless yapping! Oy!

Well, I’m sorry if I seem irreverent, but hey – I am. This just cracked me up. I couldn’t help but muster up my most evil, Dr. Evil voice and say “RELEASE the CHIHUAHUAS!”

So, I’ve decided that instead of buying Nuggie a cute snorty, squatty, chubby bulldog that he could name after some cute little flower, I am now going to save up and by him a hundred Chihuahuas, just so when he gets most annoyed at various idiots, he too can say “Release the Chihuahuas!” in his most evil and sinister voice… or at the very least he can warn, “Don’t make me or my dogs go all Chihuahua up in your face…”

Wouldn’t that be simply grand?

Thought I’d pass that little tidbit on to you. Ten hundred thousand hay pennies to the person who can guess which country uses Chihuahuas as piranha… and no fair using BING.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Love you people! Mmmmmmppphuuuuhhh!!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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Blog content copyright 2009, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious

A Time to Laugh. A Time to Cry.

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That old song “turn turn turn” by the Byrds so resonates with me… (lyrics here).  I have been living and breathing the “time to cry” or “weep” part for many months now, and DAMMIT I AM TIRED OF IT.  It’s time to laugh people.

Here is my encouragement to you – because I am on a roll right now and resolved with my truly positive thoughts (heh heh):

Shed the weight of things past: disappointment, loss, poverty, fatigue, apathy… and get up and LIVE life.

BREATHE EVERY MOMENT of life in and smile.

Whatever your demon, it is time to let it GO!

No.

KICK ITS ASS and get rid of it.

That “thing” that has beset you and changed the YOU that you know and love — well, it has no more real estate in your life.  Evict it, and renovate and redecorate your life, and get on with it.  Okay? No excuses.  It is time to live FEARLESSLY.  Just do it.

That’s what I’m going to do.  Starting with GLOW – this weekend in Santa Monica – an all night celebration of art and people.

My sister Maven would soooo approve, and guess what?  In honor of her, I am movin’ on and movin’ up.

DONE.

As for you my pretties?  Get out there this weekend and get your GLOW on. I actually care for all of you – and hope only the absolute BEST for each and every one of you!

Love you people! Mmmmmmphhhhuuuhhhhh!!!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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Blog content copyright 2009, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious

No News IS Good.

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When I catch up with friends, I like to hear their “new” news. It signifies that things are movin’ and shakin’ and people in my life are making things happen.

In that sense, of course, I assume the reverse is true as well. My peeps want to hear the new juice – the new gossip – when they catch up with me.  After a while, I think hearing the same old things just gets boring and can be such a BUMMER (no matter how great things are — even hearing about that next fantastic thing that happens to a person, in a string of five-thousand other fantastic things – well it just gets dull – ya know? I like texture people – and the same ole-same ole is dull no matter how it affects your world.  Now, if you have a string of five thousand FANTASTIC things going on, then tell me what new insights you have gained or new ideas you have formulated. THEN you’ve got my attention.  Kapisch?)

Lately people, my emotional and day-to-day life’s been so much of a broken record I’m tired of recounting it and trying to discover new and creative ways of stating it differently. And let me tell you, it greatly affects my ability to get jazzed about much and severely impairs my ability to develop new insights or ideas.  All the things I’ve talked about over recent months – recovering my business from the downturn anyway possible, the struggles through other personal traumas and loss, etc. etc. etc. It just gets exhausting — and — well…. OLD.

So, I’m here to say I don’t have any news.  And THAT my friends is GOOD.   

I will end today’s post with a list of things I am so happy and grateful for. Because that’s just the kinda gal I am.

1. My two kids – they are so awesome, and bring joy to my life. Joy, that is impossible to describe or express in words.

2. My family — the time I’ve been able to spend with them, albeit under very sad circumstances. And with the loss of our mother, loss of our sister, and other turmoil – they still keep going strong, remaining positive and pushing through. They are all an inspiration.

3. My boyfriend – M.C. Nugget – who has turned out to be such an incredible friend and partner.  We get things done together – and we spend tons of time together – laughing, crying (mostly me, actually, unless I surprise him with something he really loves – which I absolutely LOVE to do – then he just weeps tears of joy) – but lateley it seems more often than not, we rummage through the mess that remains at the end of a catastrophe together – and yet somehow we still maintain our hope for the future, positive attitude, zest for life and our own individuality – it is very good.

4. My career choices – I love PR and Marketing and I am good at it. I am grateful that I actually DO know what I am doing, and I conduct business honestly and without pie-in-the-sky promises. I am real and I get things done. I am grateful for that career choice. And I am grateful for finally going out there and getting certified to teach my very FAVORITE form of exercise – SPX Fitness! WAHOO!

5. Finally seeing the west coast of California by car – as well as so many beautiful places I’d never been – like Hearst Castle – alongside my love, Nuggie, who was also my tour guide.  That was just last week – and stay tuned soon for a video and/or photo blog!

6. My ability to create and see the fruits of unending possibilities. We do create our lives each and every day.  As a matter of fact, we have, each of us, put an inordinate amount of time into creating everything in our lives in this very moment.  I’m creating an ooie-gooey chocolate brownie with pecans right about now!  ha ha.  Just kidding.

7.  YOU.  People who read, are intelligent, have a voice, and express it.  Love you people!

8. My country.  I get to say and write about whatever the hell I want, and that is a fantastic outlet! 

9. Food, Booze, Sex, Parties, Fun Events, Stilettos, Sunscreen, Makeup, Fashion, Travel, Adventure, Good Hair Days. (What?  You didn’t think I’d let those slip through did ya?)

Now go out and create a REALLY GREAT DAY for yourself, would ya?  Don’t worry about anyone else’s day – just yours.  I am off to New Mexico to sing with my three sisters and Maven’s daughter at Maven’s memorial service.  I miss her so very much – but I am grateful for the imprint she left on all of us – but mostly for that which remains of her on me.

Love you people! MMMMMMPPPHHHHUUUUHHHH!!!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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Blog content copyright 2009, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious

Certifiably Fit … Oh Yeah …

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I am always flattered and get a huge grin on my face when people ask me about my fitness routine.  It usually happens when I’m at the beach or in some sort of attire that reveals my arms or abs, and goes something like this:

“What did you do to get those abs, girl?”

OR

“You’ve got some GREAT arms!  Do you work out?”

OR

“I wanna know what diet YOU’RE on!”

Why am I so flattered, or why the huge grin?  Well, DUH.  I work HARD.  It is so great when someone else notices!

So, the answer – to put it simply – is, first, I love food – all kinds.  And I eat it (in moderation, generally).  But most importantly, I LOVE physical activity.  And if you’ve ever been physically active on a continual basis, and doing something you really ENJOYED, you know what I’m talking about.  I feel sluggish and jiggly-puffy (as MC likes to call it) if I don’t get out and DO something physical.  That may include anything from walking or riding my beach cruiser on the beach to an hour on the elliptical stair climber at the gym, followed by abs, arms and legs strength training.  But my absolute FAVORITE workout is found at SPX Fitness.  And I am now a CERTIFIED SPX Fitness Instructor!  WOO HOO! Yep!  I did it.  I went through the training, and am now an instructor of this incredible fitness method!

What does that mean?  Well, watch out people.  If you make it to LA and attend one of my classes, you WILL feel it (during and long afterward).  If you continue in the regimen, you will NOTICE the difference very quickly.  You’ll have abs, definition in your arms, legs and calves, and a sculpted, leaner body as a whole.  It’s simply fabulous!

You can see a video of this incredible workout here (look for the Rockit Body segment):

Rockin My Body!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryaZCrS-W-Q

Fun workout.  Awesome results.

That’s it for this week, people!  Have a FIT and FANTASTIC weekend!  I am off to teach an SPX Fitness practice class!  WOOP WOOP!!

Love you people!  Mmmmmmphhhuuuuuhhhhh!!!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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Blog content copyright 2009, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious

Maven: Vibrant. Vivacious. Zesty. Full of Life.

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Christian author Barbara Baumgardner quoted this fabulous anonymous quip about death:

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow. What a ride!’ ”

She quoted this in her journal/article (book?) called  My Fantastic, Final Journey, about her final time on earth battling cancer. That saying became Barbara’s “slogan” until the day she died in 2005.

And that “slogan” epitomizes my sister, Mary Louise “Mimi” Sherwood Larimore (a.k.a. Maven here in Ms. Cheevious-land) who passed away on Tuesday, August 10, 2010, after almost 7 years battling Ovarian Cancer.  She absolutely, unequivocally LOVED life – with every ounce of energy she had. And she LIVED her life to the fullest – even when the cancer was at its worst.

Another sister, Blu and I were talking about it, just after Maven died, and Blu choked out, behind the tears, “And… she  had such a wonderful husband!!  He would have followed her to the ends of the earth!!”  I tearfully agreed, and as I pictured the happy couple that they were, I added, “Actually, she would have followed him too… that’s just how they were”  We both agreed.  What a rare thing to find these days.

So – I’m going to tell you a story that sprung from this. Believe me – I mulled over how to tell it – or whether to tell it at all.  But when I thought about my sister – who was my biggest fan and supporter… who planned to send messages about me to Oprah Winfrey every single day of her life, because she thought I should be one of the authors in Oprah’s book club…  just as soon as she felt better – well, for THAT sister, and because I knew Mimi would get such a laugh and a kick out of it – I decided this story had to be told.

It was in that moment, talking with Blu, that I also thought about just how lucky I, MYSELF, am.  I thought about how my man, M.C. Nugget would do anything for me.  He’s just that type of guy who comes from good stock… his mama brought him up right. He is loving, loyal and a true friend – to men and women alike.  If he knows of hard times in a friend’s life, and can do something about it – he does. It’s that simple.

So, in that moment I thought… ‘hmmm… that’s kinda how Nuggie and I are…’

Over the next day or so,  that very thought is what brought a smile to my face more than once – even in my pain. I felt so very lucky – and felt that Nuggie was pretty lucky too.

On one such occasion, when I had a silly grin on my face for no apparent reason, and Nuggie gave me a curious look, I retold the story to him — of how I knew he would follow me to the ends of the earth… with a few qualifiers, of course, like “Not that you would ever NEED to follow me to the end of the earth, honey…ha ha!”

And in a flash – in true M.C. Nugget form, he said, “Well, I might follow CLOSE.”

I laughed and added, “Yeah, and I might STALK you to the ends of the earth, if you’re not careful!”

He continued with the pièce de résistance, “Is there a BAR at the end of the earth? I’d follow you if there’s a bar!”

I laughed and said, “Ya’ gotta figure, anywhere I go, you can count on there being a bar, honey!”

“Well, if not, at least I would be able to SEE you from the BAR closest to the end of the earth.”

Ahhh… true love.

We laughed a lot from that, because that’s who we are.  We love to laugh.

And that was Maven and her hubby! They laughed, and joked, and enjoyed life.  Every ounce of it.  She CERTAINLY skidded to her death sideways, her body worn and tattered… but DEFINITELY able to say “WOW… What a ride!”

Her love for life and her spirit lives on in everyone she knew and touched.  Everyone who was privileged to joke and laugh with her… to dance with her at a party – when she would make fun of herself and try to look like a 60’s go-go dancer, or when she would razz people and get a chuckle out of it…. or talk baby talk and whine to get her way… then chuckle about it.  Anyone who knew her generosity, thoughtfulness and deep love and devotion for her close friends and family – well, they were all blessed tremendously.  We all knew it was just who Mimi was… warm, accepting… fun… and infectious.  And we all wanted to be a part of it.

Maven. Vibrant. Vivacious.  Zesty. Full of Life.

I hope to live life as full and as vibrant as Maven did.  I vow not to let things slide or put important things off for another day —  I promise to LIVE as if every moment is my last — and to make SURE everyone in my world knows that I love them.  I am determined to go after my own personal “bucket list” and not put it off for the last chapter in life.  I don’t know when that last chapter is, and I’m not taking any chances.

Mimi Sherwood Larimore - a.k.a. Maven

You live on forever in my thoughts and in my heart, and in the thousands of things that remind me of you, Mimi. It hurts my heart deeply and sharply to even say that.  I still don’t truly believe you are gone.  You were and are an inspiration.

Love you sissy!  Mmmmmmphhhuuuuuuhhhhh!

xoxoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

a.k.a. Your baby sister, Lisa

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Blog content copyright 2009, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious

Here a Mom, There a Mom, Everywhere a HOT Mom

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We interrupt our regularly scheduled blogging to bring you a HOT mom picture.  Yes, we (and by we, of course, I mean me.  Here in Ms. Cheeviousland, I am pretty much royalty, so I’ve adapted the third person “royals” speaking style. Just an FYI.) were going about our daily blog business, writing about the state of the economy, and how it does or does not affect us, when we were just a bit distracted by some hot mommy pics.  This is what we aspire to people!

Hot Mom Jessica Alba

There were tons of shots.  This one (above) was our favorite.  You can peruse more here.

Anyhoo.  Just thought we’d send you a “hump-day” inspiration.  If you are as hot or hotter than Ms. Alba, well, yay for you!  But if you are like most, and still only strive to be in shape and personally sexy, then this should inspire you to get your bloody arse in shape now, shouldn’t it!?  Get on it people.  God knows we’ve been working our “arse” off five days a week… pilates, yoga, stair climbing, weight training, SPX Fitness, you name it!  Then again, we can’t complain.  We DID, after all, make it past the first cut of the Lingerie Football League tryouts for the Los Angeles Temptation, did we not?  We wrote about it (and posted a video of the tryouts) in the post “Lingerie… Football, That Is.”

Okay – enough of the “we”  crap!  Really girls… I post hot photos like this, not only for the cheap thrills and excitement you or your significant “other” can derive from them (or perhaps you AND that person), but also because of the sheer reality, that WOMEN WATCH OTHER WOMEN.  Why?  Because a) we appreciate beauty and hotness, and b) we WANT to BE that pinnacle of beauty and hotness.

Whether you agree that Jessica Alba is HOT or not, you will agree that she has a fantastic body, right?

So here I am again, preaching to the choir, I’m sure, but GET ON IT LADIES!!  (And to my male readers: please just appreciate what I’m doing here).  I’ve said it before, but if you really truly want something (like a hot body) you’re the only one who can really MAKE it happen.  Get to it.  Then report back.

Love you people!  Mmmmmmphhhuuuuhhhh!

xoxo,

Ms. Cheevious

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