Writing

Glamor on the Red Carpet

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The 2009 Oscars Red Carpet (literally)

In 2009, I helped write the Oscars’ Red Carpet pre-show. Standing on the red carpet, I was inches from Beyonce, Daniel Craig, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Taraji P. Henson. They all disappeared into the Kodak theater but I didn’t have a ticket so I stayed behind. Instantly, the Red Carpet became a ghost town. There were a few workers off to the side, already starting to rip up the carpet when I decided to walk the entire length and savor the moment. About halfway down, something caught my eye–a tiny flash of bright white in this sea of red.

I bent down to examine the item and laughed.  Someone had dropped an oval-shaped, scored line down the middle – definitely not a Tic Tac. I took a photo and later googled the shape. It was a Xanax.

And I thought, well, that sums up the evening…. and all of Hollywood in fact. Because when you strip away all the glamor and excitement, the composure and the confidence, you get to what holds this entire industry up… and that’s pharmaceuticals.

SARAH PALIN’S RESIGNATION SPEECH TRANSCRIPT – UPDATED TLC VERSION

July 3, 2009

Hi Sarah Palin’s Alaska, I appreciate speaking directly to you, the people I serve, as your Governor.  People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing’s more important to me than our beloved Sarah Palin’s Alaska. Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine.

I want Sarah Palin’s Alaskans to grasp what can be in store for our state. We were purchased as a territory because a member of President Abe Lincoln’s cabinet, William Seward, providentially saw in this great land, vast riches, beauty, strategic placement on the globe, and opportunity. He boldly looked “North to the Future”. But he endured such ridicule and mocking for his vision for Sarah Palin’s Alaska, remember the adversaries scoffed, calling this “Seward’s Folly.” Seward withstood such disdain as he chose the uncomfortable, unconventional, but RIGHT path to secure Sarah Palin’s Alaska, so Sarah Palin’s Alaska could help secure the United States.
People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing’s more important to me than our beloved Sarah Palin’s Alaska.
Sarah Palin’s Alaska’s mission – to contribute to America. We’re strategic in the world as the air crossroads of the world, as a gatekeeper of the continent. Bold visionaries knew this – Sarah Palin’s Alaska would be part of America’s great destiny.
So to serve the state is a humbling responsibility, because I know in my soul that Sarah Palin’s Alaska is of such import, for America’s security, in our very volatile world. And you know me by now, I promised even four years ago to show MY independence… no more conventional “politics as usual.”  And we are doing well! My administration’s accomplishments speak for themselves. We work tirelessly for Sarah Palin’s Alaskans…
SELECT SENTENCES FROM REST OF SPEECH:

I know I promised no more “politics as usual,” but this isn’t what anyone had in mind for Sarah Palin’s Alaska.

I will support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the right reasons, and I don’t care what party they’re in or no party at all. Inside Sarah Palin’s Alaska – or Outside Sarah Palin’s Alaska.
So I choose, for my State and my family, more “freedom” to progress, all the way around… so that Sarah Palin’s Alaska may progress.
I am determined to take the right path for Sarah Palin’s Alaska even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable.
First things first: as Governor, I love my job and I love Sarah Palin’s Alaska. It hurts to make this choice but I am doing what’s best for Sarah Palin’s Alaska.
Remember Sarah Palin’s Alaska… America is now, more than ever, looking North to the Future. It’ll be good. So God bless you, and from me and my family – to all Sarah Palin’s Alaska – you have my heart.