Ms. Cheevious in Hollywood

My Zany Years Spent Working in Tinsel Town

Review

Techno Babe Moments – Mother’s Day: A Piper Giveaway

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There’s an interesting phenomena that happens when M.C. Nugget leaves town for any period of time. I’m told by those who spend time with us that the overarching impressions are both of how much fun we have together, and of our extreme individuality. We love each other and we crack each other up, to the point of tears. I’ve almost spit my cocktail across the table in some very fancy restaurants on more than one occasion… but we each have our own taste and personalities. This, you guys, is what they say is healthy.

But when Nuggie goes out of town, you’d think we’d never been out of each other’s sight. He gets all clingy and cuddly and cutesy and stuff.

Ew.

It’s a problem.

I need my space (do I really need to say “insert sarcasm” here?).

Fast forward to now (this morning he flew off to Florida to do his acting thing, and I’m here on my own, sniff sniff). It’s close to Mother’s Day, and the folks at Piper approached me to take a look at their product. They think their little device (which they allow you to name… I named ours Peeper) makes life simpler and less worrisome for moms. I agree. And I think it’s especially cool for SINGLE MOMS, because Piper allows them to keep tabs on what’s happening at home (whether the kids are chasing each other with kitchen knives or sitting quietly like little darlings, studying), right from their cell phones. This is why I’m super excited the Piper People (had to do that) graciously sent me a second unit to give away to one of YOU lucky people! (Only in the US this time… Sorry!)

CAN YOU SAY “FREAKIN’ AWESOME GIVEAWAY”!!?

My first thought for Nuggie and I, and our use for Piper was… PFFF! Now Nuggie doesn’t need to be so dang clingy… .

With Piper, M.C. Nugget can get a piece of me from 3,000 miles away.

And yeah… there’s always that vice versa thing.

It wasn’t until we installed it, and I was using it on my phone, we realized that his phone wouldn’t also connect to the device. At least not in the few seconds we tried to do that.

But here is the run down on Piper:

Piper in the BoxPiper on the Shelf

  1. It’s a home security and home safety device that you connect to with your smart phone via the Piper Mobile app.
  2. It has three security modes: Stay Mode, Away Mode and Vacation Mode.
  3. It has a panic button so you can get help right away.
  4. It has a live viewing button, so you can see what’s happening in its viewer’s range at any time.
  5. For each mode, you have settings to choose from, in the event motion, a loud sound, or a change in temperature is detected: They are:
    1. Record a Video
    2. Notify Me
    3. Notify Trusted Circle
    4. Sound Siren
  6. You only have to add batteries to the unit and you’re ready to go. It’s a very simple and easy set up.
  7. Possible uses: Checking on your slightly grown kids, spying on your lover (did I just say that??? NOOOO…), observing a new babysitter in action, monitoring your house while away… so, so many uses!
  8. And, it works like a charm!

I tested Piper while Nuggie was here in town, and it was eery just how much sound and visual it picked up. I also tested it this morning on myself. It was sheer, utter, silliness, and mayhem. With Nuggie gone there is no one to pull in the reigns, you guys. I’m sorry! But you can see the absurdity (and get another entry to win the unit) by watching (and commenting on) the video here.

Here is how to WIN:

You get one entry into the random drawing for commenting here on the blog, and you get one entry for commenting on the video here. Winner will be chosen on Mother’s Day and announced soon after that here on the blog. YOU CAN WIN THIS FOR SOMEONE YOU LOVE. Just say so in the comment and have their address handy because, if you win, the unit will ship directly to them.

An EXTRA ENTRY for Single Moms:

If you are a single mom, just say so in either of your comments, and you’ll get an additional entry. Sorry folks! Single moms can use this little guy for free more than most! (If you are trying to win this for a single mom you know and love, you must state that in your comment and her first name. The unit will be shipped to that person, so be ready with their address, in case you win!)

 

Here are some more photos… You know… what comes in the box, as well as some screen shots from the app, itself.

 

Piper on the Window Piper Package

Panic ScreenScreenshot_2015-05-03-20-42-28

Screenshot_2015-05-03-20-43-21Screenshot_2015-05-03-20-44-36Screenshot_2015-05-03-20-43-54

 

Good luck everyone! And HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! Winner will be chosen on or after 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 10, 2015!

Don’t forget to see the corresponding video review HERE (you get another entry for commenting there)!

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A COMMENT & BE ENTERED TO WIN!

 

 

 

Surf’s up but I’m tired

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Surf’s up but I’m tired

 

#DailyMischief  #Review

 

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ATTENTION SURFERS: Because I love you, and you’re hot and cool and all, I want to forewarn you that this article is NOT at all about surfing. Not waves, anyway. Just know, you have been warned.

 

SPOILER ALERT: This post offers a trifecta of emotions – Bliss, Excitement and Fear.

First it briefly highlights the benefits of unplugging (BLISS). Then it proceeds to describe some of the very cool products and opportunities (and whacky psychotic thought processes) I’ve gotten for not  unplugging (EXCITEMENT). Finally, it offers you a chance to see at a glance (in another link) all that I do online, so you can get overwhelmed and tired too (FEAR, PEOPLE!).

Warning: This is for PROFESSIONALS ONLY. If you don’t know what you are doing when you are connected to the internet like it’s your umbilical cord, you will most certainly go bat shit crazy.

 

BLISS

I recently stumbled upon an online community called Influenster.com. Influenster is a website that measures your online influence in certain areas, and pairs you with their corporate clients to allow you to try their products and review them. I signed up for the site, because I’m all about getting free stuff for my hard work.

No, seriously.

Don’t think for a second that being Ms. Cheevious is all fun and games (okay, it is – er – I am). Not only does Lisa Jey Davis have profiles on most of these websites, but so do I (and there are clients and other people too), and all of it must be managed in some way.

BUT — just today I read a refreshing, fantastic blog post by one of the stars of The Young and the Restless, Cady McClain which illustrated the incredible peace that can come from unplugging, and the fresh perspective we can gain about life apart from our multiple SCREENS (phone, computer, tablet, television).

I read Cady’s post and thought, I have also been feeling exhausted from all of this social media and online “presence” making!!! 

But even though I know I need to step way from the computer now and then, I didn’t throw the computer across the room, rip the television off the wall or smash my smart phone to pieces (though one could argue it would do me a world of good)!

Hey – and if you actually READ Cady’s post, it isn’t really about quitting social media altogether. It’s about adding all the other stuff back in, and only saying something online if you have something to really SAY.

It’s about BALANCE people. I gotta find my good ole’ friend BALANCE. Please let me know if you see her.

EXCITEMENT

So recently Influenster sent me what’s called a SURF’S UP VOX BOX. They wanted me to test the products inside and let them know what I think. The box had some fun, and what they dubbed as beach-y items — perfect, because I live by the beach.

Here is something I shared on Instagram about the Vox Box, showing all of the fun little products they sent me:

#SurfsUp #VoxBox from Influenster. LOVE IT.

(you can read all the cool stuff I said here).

I even did a little video on Instagram, while getting a manicure with my #SinfulColors polish. I’m a nut, I know.

(You can also watch the 15 second video clip here).

#SinfulColors Manicure. I LOVE THEIR COLORS!
Here are my reviews of the products I’ve been able to put to use so far:

#SinfulColors Nail Polish:

LOVE this stuff. I had ONE manicure with it on June 25, and guess what? I’m still sporting it. No chipping, no fading. A little grown out, but it’s AMAZING. It gets 10 out of 10 (chocolates AND vodkas).

10 out of 10

 

First-Aid #FastRelief Shot Therapy:

This stuff came at a time when I’d been teaching TONS of classes and my hip flexors, knees and other body parts were extremely sore. As a matter of fact, I opened the box and proclaimed to M.C. Nugget “Look at this! I’m going to drink it down right now!” And I did, forgetting to document said test. But it tasted decent and after about ten minutes (or less?) I noticed my pain start to dissipate. This is AWESOME. It has a little caffeine and pain reliever in it, but it’s pretty awesome.  It gets 8 chocolates (because the taste was decent, but not FANTASTICALLY GREAT) and 10 vodkas, because the pain relief ROCKED. I will be using this stuff again.

8 out of 10

 

I’ll be sharing my thoughts about the Covergirl Bombshell Mascara (and all the #bombshelling around town I’ll be doing with it), as well as all the other goodies in the box via my INSANE NUMBER of SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS very soon, if I haven’t already.

This leads me to my last point.

 

FEAR

It’s a damn good thing I’m a sometime publicist because with all of the time I spend PLUGGED IN and managing multiple accounts I really COULD go

Bat Shit Crazy from too much Social Media?

But, the next time you are overwhelmed think about THIS: I manage about 8 thousand social media accounts.

I’m exaggerating, but I can’t even count them.

My days are FILLED with status posting, sharing, photographing interesting events or items, sharing those, responding, surfing the internet for useful tips for my followers and posting again – ALL ON MULTIPLE PLATFORMS FOR MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS.

Then I write blogs, and write articles for LiveStrong and Huffington Post. AND I WRITE BOOKS, YOU GUYS!!! I JUST FINISHED THE LAST PART OF MS. CHEEVIOUS!!!!

It could be seen as pure MADNESS. But it’s my job.

It doesn’t pay in greenbacks but I’ve had offers of a FREE CAR, MY OWN TELEVISION SHOW, have been sent free, cool stuff and more. The greenback pay-off is coming soon, I know it.

How do you think you would fare trying to create and manage an internet footprint like mine? Think of the shoe size of SHAQ and multiply that by about a gajillion (just kidding, of course).

To get a clue about my social media life go here, where I provide at a glance details, ad nauseum, infinitum. 

This internet surfing stuff is where the sh*t gets real, people. Surf’s up. But now… I’m tired.
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Blog content copyright 2014, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious.

Show blogging

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SHOW BLOGGING

 

#Reviews

 

One of the things I’ve always thought would be fun about living in New York City (if that should ever come to pass), would be the immediate and easy access to Broadway shows or theatre in general. That and the subway, but have you heard? Los Angeles has a real-life subway and it’s spreading across town! Squeee!

I actually love all art forms and seeing great plays, comedy shows, interesting films, fine art exhibits and musical performances (or bands and “artists” for you rock stars) takes me to my happy place.

I apparently love to be entertained!

And as long as it takes any form other than me dancing around my living room with a loaf of bread, I’m good.  

But because I live three blocks from the sand in the city of Los Angeles (where the subway has not yet reached), I don’t often get out to see shows unless they happen to be within walking distance (which, in our neighborhood could be street performers singing along to a transistor radio). I just don’t get out as much as I’d like. It is Los Angeles, for goddsakes. Have you heard of the traffic here?

This week was different.

When Monica Davis, a talented actress, comedienne and UC Berkeley graduate (in political science, no less) invited me to review her one-woman show The Monica Davis Show, I have to admit you guys, I was a little excited. Like, get dressed up for “The THEATRE” (insert old British guy’s voice), excited.

I thought it was probably going to be a comedy (I’d seen clips posted by Monica on Facebook that cracked me up) and that it was staged in a small theatre in LA’s theatre row on Santa Monica Boulevard (some of these theaters are so far off-Broadway, they’re smaller than my walk-in closet), but I was excited anyway.

All I knew in advance about the show was the title, and that it was done in a talk show format. It was promoted as Monica’s way to finally “be just like Oprah” — something she dreamed of as a child. I thought the show was truly inventive and fun.  It was produced with a combination of video clips and live performance. “Host” Monica, conducted the interview via big flat screen TV, and “live,” in-person Monica answered interview questions as various incarnations of herself (the Thief, the Hooker, and some other fun and sorted characters).

Going in, I half expected an uproarious comedy, based on what I know of Monica, and hey, it certainly served up some good laughs!  But it was also a sweet, touching, coming of age in Los Angeles piece that tells the familiar tale of single life, family drama and finding the strength to be empowered despite the jerks and the pitfalls. We’ve all been there right?

If you live in or near Los Angeles, and are looking for something fun, unique and cultural to do – I recommend you see The Monica Davis Show.

It runs every Saturday evening through March, 2014 at Studio C Artists – 6448 Santa Monica Boulevard, just west of Cahuenga in Hollywood.

Besides – you could probably do with a little culture, right?

 

And my rating?

This show gets 7 out of 10 Chocolates, because — I just gotta have the FUNNY in my life. Especially now. (Long Story). It was a really great show and well-worth the time, the drive etc… I just decided that chocolates equate non-stop-laughs FUNNY for some reason. LOL! (You’d think vodka would equate funny, because everything’s funnier with more vodka, but no). Don’t get me wrong! This show was incredibly funny! It just had some tears and other emotions too. It was a great all around experience!

Chocolate Rating

BUT – – It gets 10 outta 10 vodkas because,

DAMN GIRL, you are one tough bitch. When I grow up, I think I want to be you.

Vodka Rating

 

Monica Davis ShowMonica Davis Show

DSC02266 DSC02269DSC02270 Monica Davis - The Monica Davis Show

 

Six things to know when you think you’re hot… or not

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SIX THINGS TO KNOW WHEN YOU THINK YOU’RE HOT… OR NOT

 

#Review

 

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When the good people at Hot or Not asked me to take a look at their app, I was intrigued. I’ve been around long enough to remember the days when the Hot or Not website first launched. Oh, the uproar it caused among civilized citizens (among whom I did not belong). I was married at the time and really couldn’t be bothered, but meh… I thought it was a funny idea, even if Bill O’Reilly thought otherwise.

My review of the app itself is below (for you impatient types). I offer some hearty, useful advice for the people who think they’re “hot” but obviously dozed off during “SELFIES 101…”

…but first I think I’ll pontificate:

It is now 2014, and these people decided it was time to up their game. I mean… it’s now an interactive app for IOS* and Android* for goddsakes.

Because I am currently miffed at Apple and refuse to upgrade to IOS 7 on my iPhone, I couldn’t use the app there (first issue). Good thing Nuggie got an Android tablet for Christmas.

In a matter of moments I was signed into Facebook, had the app on the device and logged into the Hot or Not world.

I suppose I should be up to snuff on these dating apps via osmosis. I have a few friends who play around on Tinder, OK Cupid, Match.com etc… But you guys, this has exploded in the five years since Nuggie and I started chasing each other around the living room!

To channel my inner senior citizen here, back in my day, we actually had to be intelligent writers (okay, maybe not) who could build a stellar online dating profile to go anywhere in the Match.com or J-Date communities. We searched the archives of our computers for photos that made us look AWESOME and we perused and poked or prodded others who looked appealing. My girls and I use to join the sites as “free” members. That meant you couldn’t contact anyone. The incessant poking or grinning (or whatever) could continue ad nauseum, but no actual email contact was allowed without a paid membership. We waited until someone who seemed worthy of the twenty bucks made contact, and then we paid our fee for some dating what-what. That’s just how it worked.

Not anymore.

It’s a whole new ball game now, boys and girls.  

Now, you get a FREE APP, you log in, you give the app permission to a) post whatever the hell it wants to your Facebook profile, b) to spend your money, c) read your private diary and d) to claim your first born; Then, voila! You’re up and running! [joking about the money and diary of course]

 

Here are those hearty and useful tips and things to note as promised, and herein lies my review (my rating is further below):

 

1. If you have any “photos of you” on Facebook that are not, in fact you, do not use Facebook to login to Hot or Not!  Otherwise one of your profile photos that will come up on Hot or Not may be your dearly departed mother. Even though she’s a hottie, and may garner you more votes, just don’t.

Dearly Departed Mother as my Hot or Not Pic

 

2. This useful tip is for the app makers. Below is the menu for the app. Ignore the icons along the top (those are icons showing what’s open on the tablet itself). The main thing that’s missing from below is an APP SETTINGS or APP ABOUT section. If I’m going to use an app, I want to know where it’s going to share the information I post or respond to. I also want options to turn some of that shit OFF. I want to know what happens when I “heart” or click when I think someone is “hot.” Does it send them a message? Does it just add to their “score?” These are important things to know. But let’s dissect what the menu DOES

a) LISA JEY – if clicked takes you to the images of you that others will see (as in above image). You can go to deeper levels to see and edit your language and about settings.

b) HOT OR NOT – this is where you peruse peeps and click the HOT OR NOT option based on the various pics that show up for them.

c) CONNECTIONS – I’m not sure how this works, but if you click on this as a newbie, it says “The more you play Hot or Not, the more connections you’ll have!”  I’ve been playing all morning, and I don’t have any yet. PFFF…

d) SCORE – my Score page says my score is not ready yet. It says if I rate other people, I will get rated back. DOES THAT MEAN EVERY GUY I RATE AS “NOT” CAN RATE ME BACK? If that is the case, guess what? NO INTELLIGENT HUMAN WILL USE THIS APP WITH A REAL IDENTITY. Note – I said intelligent.

Screen Shot 2014-02-04 at 11.36.05 AM

 

3) While perusing profiles to either “heart” or to X out of my world for eternity, I stumbled upon a couple of chicks in the mix. While I appreciate the beauty of women, I was not sure how to react to these photos. Do the Hot or Not gods want me to be friends with girls, so they’re showing me some to rate? What happens if I X them out? More importantly, what happens if I “heart” them? Will they think I’m a lesbo?  These are REAL questions by REAL people. Me.

In an effort to be forthright since I am not a lesbian, I clicked “X.” Didn’t want to send the girls the wrong message (the fact I’m doing a review and not really looking to meet anyone on this app, notwithstanding).

Hot or Not... GIRLS?

 

4) I found a very large percentage of the guys on the app to be YOUNG… like 18-20ish. I suppose it’s to be expected, but I couldn’t go there. I have friends who have and would, but NOT ME. I like a MAN with some good EXPERIENCE under his belt (no pun intended).

Youngins on hot or not

5) If you post a photo that has only a portion of your head showing wayyyyy over in the corner of the photo, with some contraption you think we’ll be impressed by — “X.”

 

The "what the heck is this" photo on hot or not

 

6) Guys, if you have a slew of photos on the app, MAKE SURE THE PHOTOS RESEMBLE WHO YOU ARE NOW. Don’t show me one from your days as a rocker twenty years ago, and one of you in the military in your golden days. People (read: GIRLS) want to see what you look like NOW, not a timeline of your life in photos! I realize because of facebook, my photos displayed do not represent me, but you can delete any photos and upload new ones.

Represent who you really are, because if there is any suspicion to the contrary… it’s an X

Three of these things belong together…. but one (or two) of these things just doesn’t belong… Which of these ARE you?

One Person on Hot or Not?

 

MY CONSENSUS & RATING:

Overall, the app works great. It’s not slow or sluggish, and it’s pretty responsive. I believe it would be a much cooler app and more widely appealing if they added some features (suggested above). In the end, I’ll take my cues from a phrase in app itself “The more you play Hot or Not, the more connections you’ll have.” If you view this as a way to frivolously play the “game” of love, and not a serious way to find your life-partner or to define your worth or clout in the dating arena, I think you’ll enjoy it. It’s a fun and different way to connect with some other potentially fun and different people (in some cases that’s the understatement of the year).

RATING:

As a fun diversion or game not to be taken too seriously:

Hot or Not Rating as a Game

In terms of meeting your lifelong partner?

Hot or Not Rating as Serious Relationship App

Download the App and Start Dating at TryHotorNot.com

Check out Hot or Not on Facebook
Enter for your chance to win a $1000 gift card! Enter by February 15, 2014

 

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* IOS refers to the operating system of iPhones and iPads for you non-geeks, and Android is the system on the Samsung Galaxy or any other number of non-Apple smart phones/tablets.