FLORIDA....

Ah....Florida. Um, I'm not a huge fan. I was surprised when I had a good time in Ft. Lauderdale and I had a wonderful time in Orlando but I am convinced it had to do with my good friend Casey being there and helping me mantain my sanity. West Palm...west palm, west palm. two words really, hate it. It's freaking hot! Some people are like "i just love Florida weather its the best!". If "the best" in there description means "Hot just like the firey pits of hell" then yes, its the best. I walk maybe 5 minutes to work and I am drenched with sweat. I know all of you that know me are saying "well Dustin you are just a heavy sweater" and yes, yes I am. However, In this situation I am NOT the only one sweating and just once this week i would like to make it to work with a dry shirt! Is that to much to ask? I guess I will have to bring another shirt to change into. And pricey, who lives in this place called "west palm". I'm assuming I am in the wealthy area of town. And on that note-oh dont get me started. to late! My company manager knows what I make for a living, she sends the pay roll into the office every week. She knows I cant afford a neighborhood like this. Lord! I go out to eat (which i have only done once) and I dropped $15 on myself (not including tip) for a wrap and a tab-yes tab, no diet cokes in this land. And that was me being cheap. to be fair, it was one of the most excellent wraps i have ever had. It was a chicken southwestern wrap from this place called "Field of Greens". In any event, that didnt stop me from wandering around for a grocery store. And here I sit with my hot pot....they say chicken noodle soup is good for the soul right? At this moment I'm just wishing it to do something for my attitude.

Slurpee boy!

In my obsession with the slurpee girl, I ran into slurpee boy by mistake! This was me when I was just a little one.

Disney World

I am currently in Orlando, FL and having a wonderful time. My friend Casey is touring internationally with Sesame Streets "Everyone Makes Music". They are on a break right now so he came to visit me this week! It has been so wonderful to see him! Also, Chris Harper who is also doing the international tour came to Orlando to say hello to everyone. they both toured with "Elmo's Colroing Book" last year and it is so great to see them both! I have missed them terribly.Wednesday Casey and I went to Disney World, woohooo! Casey used to work there so we got in for free...I love free! We started at Animal Kingdom where Casey used to perform in "The festival of the Lion King". We saw that show and walked around, it was a little rainy. Next we went to the Magic Kingdom and went straight into "its a small world" and then to the "haunted mansion" per my request. Also a visit to swiss family robinsons treehouse, which has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. Last part of the day was at Epcot....um....we did what we will refer to as "drinking around the world". For those of you that have never been they have this section of the park that is the world with a bunch of different countries. We started in Mexico with a Margarita. Then Norway and onto China, Germany and then Italy. Then we visited America where the "voices of liberty" (an accapella group) performed and they were amazing. Did I mention at this point I had picked up a new drink in every country? So....onto Japan...mmm....sake. Marocco, (I was half full at this point and didnt know where the hell I was) France and we stopped for dinner and a delicioius beer sampler in the United Kingdom. Last but not least was good ole Canada. Ahhhh....I love beer. And that was my day at Disney World!

Just Like Heaven

The story of a girl in a como whose spirit is sort of stuck in limbo waiting to see if she will return to her body or not. In the mean time spends most of her days with the guy now subletting her San Fransisco apartment. It was wonderful to see Reese Witherspoon play someone besides Elle Woods. Dont get me wrong, I love me some Elle Woods but i was a little frightened that Reese's character of Elle had become what Alicia Silverstone's character of Cher in Clueless had become-the end of her career. Was that cruel? Nah, its not cruel if it's the truth. Seriously, poor Alicia Silverstone. But anyway! Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo were both excellent in this movie. The script moved along very well and I cared about the characters. Go see it if you have some time on your hands. If you miss it in theatres at least rent it.

Barrel Fever

As I have said David Sedaris is one of my favorite authors. This book was one of my least favorites by him. He usually goes through a book in a format of short stories and refers to each story from time to time through other ones. Thats just his way. But this one is strictly short stories and essays that do not conncect in any way shape or form. That may work for some of you but i need something to get me through to the end of the book. If I am going to commit from the begining I need hope there is an ending worth reading. In any event, some of the stories were very funny but just when they got me laughing they ended and another one began. Still love Mr. Sedaris and I am now starting his most current release "Dress your family in corduroy and Denim". I will let you how it is, until then you can pick up "Me talk pretty one day" or even "Naked". they were both favorites of mine. I'm waiting to read "Holidays on Ice" until the holiday season. happy reading to you all, who knows how long I can keep this up.

Elmo's Coloring Book Tour Dates

Come check out the show! Find out when and where at www.sesamestreetlive.com or www.vee.com and www.ticketmaster.com ELMO LOVES YOU!

Slurpee Girl in a Slurpee World!

This little girl is the poster child for 7-11 and I think she is adorable! This is her enjoying one of my favorite beverages-a tasty slurpee! mmmm....slurpee...Ill get one now.

The Lovely Bones

This is different....me reading that is. So, since I started touring last year I have also started reading more. Yes-its true, I swear! I even have a favorite author, David Sedaris. But this last book I read was by Alice Sebold. I had been hearing about it over and over again from people. The last book i heard so much about was "the DaVinci Code"...boring, i mean...bring a book-oh wait, i had one and it WAS the boring part. I know some of you liked it but i couldnt get into it. "The Lovely Bones" was excellent from start to finish for me. The characters were drawn out so well and everything flowed so well that I couldnt put it down. I'm no book reviewer but I do suggest it.

"I wish you all a long and happy life"

Dawn D at Vee

This is my good friend Dawn that I miss terribly! She was my company manager last year on Sesame Street. She is now the company manager for Sesame Street International tour "Everyone Makes Music" and the company manager of the touring production of "Clifford the big red dog". I am hoping i get to see her in december as our tours will be four hours apart and she said she might be able to come visit. This pictureof her and I was taken at a resaurant in Los Angeles called Shabu Shabu which means "swish swish". It was one of my favorite dining experiences EVER! She was there along with my good friend Casey D who was accompanied by Chris. We each had our own pot of water in front of us and our entree came to us in raw form and we cooked it ourselves. It was delicious! And since you were cooking it yourself you really took your time eating. you filled up but you didnt eat to fast. It felt like we were there for hours! I had a wonderful time, if i remember correctly Chris was falling asleep but the rest of us were very much awake with conversation and great food. Miss you DAWN!

Good eats...

So... some of you may remember i spent a brief time in Atlanta, GA a couple years ago. During my time there I was fortunate to get to work at "The Flying Biscuit Cafe" which is located in Midtown and in Candler park. I worked at the one in Midtown. This restaurant was one of my favorite waiting table jobs ever! they make THE BEST breakfast and everything they use is organic. I even got a cookbook for christmas from my mom a couple years ago from the restaurant. I have yet to be able t make anything out of it as good as they do-but i have tried! if you are everin Atlanta you MUST go to the Flying Biscuit. We passed through on our tour last week and it was one of my first stops when i got into town. I myself had a turkey burger. I know that seems boring but they have the best! I have to have a side salad with their balsamic dressing, also outstanding. And of course, a biscuit! Best biscuits ever and you put there special "Cranberry Apple Butter" on it-awesome! Check them out! www.flyingbiscuit.com
Also when i was in Atlanta I went to Benihana's japanese steakhouse. Now, you can find one of this in almost every city. It brings the japanese art of having food cooked at your table into the mainstream. The idea was first brought to the U.S. in 1964 and was unheard of. Since then it has grown into a major success. I myself had a wonderful time and had a couple great martinis that were made with sake. I had sushi, but other people at the table ordered entree's that were prepared in front of us. It was a good time. Check one out if you get the chance! www.benihana.com

um....life is funny.

Casey...

This is my friend Casey Daigle. He toured with me last year and I love him to pieces! This year he is touring internationally with Sesame Streets "Everyone Makes Music". The last stop they had was in Japan. He plays Telly Monster and Mr. Noodle and he is brilliant! He is currently on a break until they go to Holland in December. In the mean time he has been busy choreographing some stuff in his hometown of Lafayette, LA. And he just filmed his first commercial today for Van Eaton/Romero Realty. I just wanted to say im proud of him and introduce him to everyone. He is coming to vist me in Orlanda next week and I can't wait! I miss him!! I dont have anyone to get into trouble with this year.

Usueless facts...

*Almonds are members of the peach family.

* If you have three quarters, four dimes, and four pennies, you have $1.19. You also have the largest amount of money in coins without being able to make change for a dollar.

*Charlie Brown's father was a barber.

Accident Prone.

It's no secret. I'm accident prone. VERY accident prone. The latest one is a skinned up knee. Well, two skinned up knees, skinned up toe and a skinned up stomach. The knee is kinda bruised as well. But as i have said in the past even before the trips to the emergency room "I'M FINE!", and i am. I would like to point out that this is a lovely trait passed on from my good pal Christina who usually breaks or spranes her ankle 1 or 2 times a year. However, it seems that since I have started having my accidents (starting with the 6 stitches in my face) that her accidents have ceased. So....I think she passed it on. I in turn think I may have passed on my misfortune to my roomie back in Chicago, Niki. I love this girl with all my heart and miss her a TON! I recieved a phone call last night and the first words were "I think I pulled a Dustin". And she has. Niki went to a new dance studio last night to take a hip hop class and just after signing the injury waver form (from what i got from the story) she fell up the steps. um...she fell up TWO steps, not a stairwell, just TWO steps. That is the sort of detail that renders this "pulling a Dustin". She had to use my crutches that i had from an accident in the fall of 2004, where i honestly fell on a crack in the sidewalk. No lie, I wasn't allowed to walk for 3 weeks. Anyway, she used the crutches to get to work and is probably heading to the hospital as I type. Think good thoughts for my friend Niki at this time. As for myself, i fear the next accident and live by the philosphy that....shit happens.

7-11 and YOU!

I just want to say that when touring the country it is lovely to see something familiar in every city/town such as your neighborhood 7-11. Since my neighborhood changes every week and sometimes twice a week 7-11 always puts a smile on my face. Slurpees have been a favorite since childhood and being in Florida right now it certainly is a delightful tasty treat. I also wanted to post this picture of the little girl eating a cookie that i found on the 7-11 website, just because, well, i think its damn funny! Go treat yourself to a slurpee ya'll! and a cookie? If that little girl didnt eat them all...she looks hungry.

Exorcism of Emily Rose

So I am in Atlanta and I went and saw The Exorcism of Emily Rose last night. There's not much i can say. Laura Linney was excellent. And the girl playing the possessed Emily Rose (Jennifer Carpenter) was very good as well. It was creepy and its a true story....need I say more? As I have said before, you know by the title if this is a movie for you.
For more info go to:

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/exorcismofemilyrose/site/

Reba News!

Just to let everyone know Reba has a new single out called "You're gonna be". Its from her new album coming out November 22nd. The Album is a collection of thirty three #1 hits and two new singles including "you're gonna be". Naturally the album is called "#1's".
Next up, December 13th is the release of the second season of "Reba" on DVD! Woohoo!!! Christmas is coming and if i dont see anything at that point my birthday is February 21st! I do accept gifts by mail or by giftcard for that matter.

Bert is evil...

I love my job, but sometimes at work....I feel like Bert looks in this picture.

KATRINA

You can STILL help! Call 1-800-HELP-NOW or go to www.redcross.org

Useless Fact of the day...

*The Paomnnehal Pweor Of The Hmuan Mnid.
Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch as Cmabrigde Uinervtisy,it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are,the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm.Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Useless Facts....

Here are some useless facts for the day...

*Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words.

*The original game of "Monopoly" was circular

Headshots

Everyone has been asking me who did my headshots, so here she is ladies and gentlemen-Maia Rosenfeld! She is brilliant! Based out of L.A. but she does also make trips to Chicago. So check her out! Go to www.letsdoshots.com

KATRINA

You CAN help! Go to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-HELP-NOW

Whats in your CD player?

What's in your Cd player these days? you know how sometimes you get really lucky and you stumble upon a cd that you put in your cd player and you never really take it out. Oh sure, you will occasionally switch it out for a breif taste of something else but that is by no means the end of the "flavor of the week" cd. My current one is Shelby Lynne's-Suit Yourself. She has always been an amazing artist to me, even back in the day when she was doing strictly country. Since she branched out with 2000's I am Shelby Lynne I have been kind of hot and cold with her. The album that followed in 2001, Love Shelby was painful. So painful that i didnt pick up 2003's Identity Crisis until AFTER I bought Suit Yourself which was released this year in May. Shelby produced this album herself as she did with Identity Crisis. The best part is that the tracks were intially layed down in her own home near Palm Springs, CA. There was no digital wizardry here, just minimul knob twisting and maximum heart. I love the entire album but some of my favorite tracks are; Go with it, where am i now, I cry everyday, i wont die alone, you dont have a heart & Iced Tea. Shelby has this off the cuff ongoing studio banter which makes you feel, as the listener, like a fly on the wall in an incredible recording session. So give it a listen if you get the chance!

4.5 out of 5.

KATRINA

I know we all wish we could do something. Here's one way you can go about it. Call 1-800-HELP-NOW or visit www.redcross.org for more information on what YOU CAN do. They need our help. I am down here in the southern states and there are refugees all around me. I hear a new story everyday and its devestating. Even $5 can help. Check out the website or call!

Tour Dates

This picture to your right cracks me up! "Sing out Louise!" Check out the tour dates and come see me! www.sesamestreetlive.com , www.vee.com , or www.ticketmaster.com

Walkin' in Memphis...

Hey Everyone,
We just left Memphis yesterday. We had a great time! And we were finally in a nice venue with great audiences. The first few venues were kinda small and the sound was really terrible. So this was wonderful for us. We stayed in Memphis, TN but we actually played in Southhaven,MS. More than 10,000 people that evacuated because of Katrina were also in Memphis. There are many people here in Atlanta as well. We are supposed to play New Orleans in a couple months but I dont really see that happening. I will have more to follow on that. When we arrived in Memphis we caught the tail end of the hurricane with a huge storm and power outtages. Tuesday morning the sky was clear as can be. Strange how something can cause so much damage and just dissapear. We were asked why we didnt cancel, our thoughts are with the victims of Katrina but we also know there would have been many dissapointed children that wouldnt get to see elmo if we cancelled. We ended up giving out free tickets to hurricane victims. Hopefully we were able to put some sort of smile on there face as brief as it may have been.

"How You Durrin'?"

If I haven't told you yet I'm tellin ya now! Go visit www.shirleyqliquor.com do it...NOW! It's Hilarious! You wanna go to "video and audio clips" as well as the "My baby daddy" video. And dont ferget to ax yo momma how she durrin!