American Idol Ramiele Malubay Sings Filipino National Anthem

I have not liked Ramiele's funky hair on the show (yes, I am that shallow) and find it distracting despite her lovely voice, so I was pleasantly surprised to see this video, supposedly posted by her cousin, with her 'old' hair! After watching her sing the entire Filipino National Anthem, my respect and admiration for her has really grown! This is difficult song to sing, way too many high notes. Not unlike our own national anthem, which doesn't exactly roll off the tongue smoothly, but maybe that's just me!
Originally posted 3/14/08; reposting because original video no longer available.

If It Weren't So Funny, It Would Be Sad . . .

My best friend sent me this photo in an email this morning. Because I am a cake designer, she thought I "would be the perfect person to get it"! I couldn't stop laughing for a good 5 minutes when I saw this:

When sad cakes happen to Suzannes in the world

OMG, I am laughing all over again just typing this! I found, after not very much research because this photo has been blogged about a thousand times in the last few days, this cake was originally created in October 2007 (note the "Fall" colored flowers and trim) for Suzanne's going away party at her work. Depending on whose blog you read, "Suzanne" either lives in Arkansas or Florida (my bet is on AK). The photo and story made the rounds in October and then resurfaced again in the past week, and I'm so glad, because I missed it the first time!

And here is someone's clever imagining of the cake order being place:

Okay, so this is how I imagine this conversation went:

Employee: "Hello 'dis XXXX-marts, how can I help you?"
Customer: "Yes, I would like to order a cake for a going away party this week."
Employee: "Whatchu want on da cake?"
Customer: "Best Wishes Suzanne." And underneath that "We will miss you".

Actually, it's even funnier if you read the imaginary conversation first and then look at the pic! Pretty much everyone in blog-world agrees that this cake came from a Walmart bakery somewhere, but I'm also guessing that a warehouse bakery like Sam's could have produced the same "masterpiece." For what it's worth, the flowers and shell border on the cake were lovely, considering that it very likely was made by someone who is required to turn out 7 other similar cakes in the same hour.

I guess this cake is a commentary on places like Walmart, where people who may not be native English speakers are required to communicate (in frosting!) in English every day. And I guess you really do get what you pay for, and I say this a wee bit smugly to all those who have ever called me for a price quote for a cake and then complained that they can get it "so much cheaper at Walmart!" Rest assured, my clients will NEVER get THIS cake from me!

I probably won't post this on my business's blog, but I thought it would be funny on my personal one!