Wednesday, Surviving “Paradise” day and away we go!

Posted on July 23, 2014 by susan

It is Wednesday (hump day) and also Surviving “Paradise” day at last!  So away we go with my shameless self promo day but first….let’s look at some Pop Culture and Sports…

I am very impressed with the quality of ABC Family Network and their programming.  Just finishing up watching last night’s episode of Chasing Life on my DVR.  This is a really good show!  I also love Melissa and Joey ( I mean I LOVE Melissa and Joey) which airs on this network during another time of year!  Tonight, a new show, Young and Hungry airs at 8:00 pm EST.  This show is cute!  It is feisty and entertaining and the star, Emily Osment, a food BLOGGER, is a pistol!!  Also tonight, one of the best shows on TV, Motive airs on ABC at 10:00 pm EST.  Tonight, Flynn will tell Vega the truth about her past relationship with Sgt. Cross.  This show rocks!!!  The most popular detective show in Canada and it is so good!!  It fills the Nashville time slot during these summer months.  I hope they keep it coming!

Moving to Sports…sad news out of Denver…Broncos owner must step down due to Alzheimer’s.  I love that John Elway was not afraid to shed a tear when he spoke about it…nothing wrong with a man who is not afraid to show his emotions!! (Think Roger Federer, we all know I love FED!)  Wish the best to his family in this most difficult of times.

Moving to NBA news…Where will the “Love” go?  That is the burning question and it refers to Kevin Love, of the Minnesota Timberwolves who has opted out of his contract and is currently a free agent.  Will he go to the Bulls, wait, Pau Gasol is there!  Will he join King James in Cleveland and play for the Cavs along with Irving (a trade for first round pick Wiggins could make that happen)?  Or will he stay and resign with the Timberwolves?  Why, oh why, will someone not go to LA and play with Kobe???  With Pau gone, Kevin Love could be the choice to help the Lakers.  I just don’t get it…I know there are $$$ issues, but still, it can be worked out and who would not want to play for the Lakers in LA??  It would help if they would get this new Head Coach thing out of the way…Byron Scott is rumored to be it.  I hope so, good choice and I believe Kobe approves.

Finally, Surviving “Paradise” day on Wednesday.  Please check out my book (yes, Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver) at Amazon.com.  It is available in paperback for $8.99 and kindle edition for $3.03 ($3. dollars people!!).  It is funny, entertaining, relevant, and sure to make you laugh.  Check out the HOME page at this website along with the BUY THE BOOK option on the menu bar.  By the way, I had an epiphany!  I know who would be awesome as the horny, inappropriate cop in this story if we can get it on the big screen!  It is a secret…let’s wait and see what may happen!

Until tomorrow (that would be Thursday for anyone else out there who is also confused), have a great night!!


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It is Tuesday…and this is a test..a test of…

Posted on July 23, 2014 by susan

It is Tuesday…and this is a test…a test of this website!!  We were having a few technical difficulties but I think everything is OK and the site is loading quickly and ready for your reading pleasure.  Everyone out there…let me know if you experience any problems..my web guy is on standby.  Thanks.

So, Tuesday night is a very interesting TV night this summer.  We have Rizzoli and Isles on TNT (love Angie Harmon, who could forget Jason Sehorn of the NY Giants proposing to her on Letterman, oldie but goldie moment) and then Perception with Eric McCormack (of Will and Grace fame).  I really love this show with Eric McCormack, great new show for him.  Also, there is Chasing Life on ABC Family Network.  Heartwarming, heartbreaking and wondering..happy ending??  Also Tyrant on FX.  This show is really interesting, Jim Caviezel stars and it is also a bit “disturbing”.  Anyhow, a whole lot of good TV on Tuesday, and that is why we have a DVR!

I got to the theater near me and caught the hilarious and entertaining movie, Sex Tape.  Gee, that was really Marshall (Jason Segel) from How I Met Your Mother?!  Hard to believe and Cameron Diaz, well she was totally in her element, so funny and real!

Tomorrow is Wednesday…that would be Surviving “Paradise” day!  Also, that great detective drama Motive is on ABC at 10:00 pm EST.  But, not there yet, still Tuesday.

Speaking of not there yet…the start of college football season is a mere month away.  So hard to believe.  SEC Media Days, ACC Media Days all going on and still, I am thinking about tennis…the Rodgers Cup in Montreal, the hard court event in Cincinnati and then The US Open.  (There is a “little” tennis tournament going on in midtown Atlanta as we speak!!)  So much to take in in the near future…sadly I must soon start another PT endeavor (not exactly one of my dreams, but one must do what one has to do???) but not to worry…I will be right there covering the opening weekend of college football and will let nothing keep me from covering the US Open, will be ready and watching, especially the quarters, semifinals and the final.  So hoping “Mr. Federer to serve” is greeting me from my TV when the weekend of September 6th – 8th rolls around!  He is, after all, still THE ONE!! (for me and many others!)

Really wish the LA Lakers would name a coach…it just has to be Byron Scott.  All the signs point to it but still no official word.  Ah…LA, I love LA and I really loved Palm Springs..remember..the wonderful four days at Indian Wells.  I really hope “we” can do it again next year!meatIndianWells1

So, until tomorrow (Wednesday, Surviving “Paradise” day) have a great rest of your night!!


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Rory Mcilroy claims British Open title!

Posted on July 20, 2014 by susan

Rory Mcilroy claimed his third major championship at the “tender” young age of twenty five, winning the British Open today.  He hoists the coveted Claret Jug and is the third youngest player to do so (behind Tiger and of course, Jack!).  Rory has led throughout the tournament live from the Royal Liverpool Golf Club and has looked unflappable.  Tremendous performance!!  He finished play at -17 with all four rounds under par.  Second place was a tie between Sergio Garcia (runner-up once again) and Rickie Fowler (love Rickie!) at -15.  Then let’s hear for one of the “old guys”, Mr. Jim Furyk, Mr. Consistency who came in at -13.  Finally, two guys at -12, Mark Leishman and current world #1 Adam Scott.  (Tomorrow, Rory will move to #2 in the world golf rankings!)  Finally, Charles Schwartzel and E. Molinari round out the top five at -11.  As for other notables…Phil Mickelson made a nice run today and finished at -5 (began today at -1) while world number 10 and all of twenty years old, Jordan Spieth from Texas finished at -2.  And then there is the Tiger tracker…not a pretty picture sad to say.  Tiger finished up his play live from Liverpool at +6 (ouch!) and shot a final round of 75.  Not a great second outing back for Tiger after recovering from back surgery.  Also, his first golf major appearance of 2014.  All congrats to Rory!!  That being said, I would like to see Tiger get back on track!

In the interest of “fairness”, karma, whatever you want to call it…Rory’s former fiancee, tennis star Caroline Wozniacki celebrated her first title in nine months.  She defeated R. Vinci to win the Istanbul Cup final, 6-1, 6-1.  Good for her..you go Girl!  It is also her first WTA title this year!

Tonight…Unforgettable airs at 9:00 pm EST on CBS.  It is a good one..check it out!  I really hope to get to a theater near me tomorrow…Sex Tape is what I plan to see!

Enjoy the rest of your day and evening!!


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Rory Mcilroy on cruise control at British Open

Posted on July 19, 2014 by susan

Rory Mcilroy is on cruise control at the British Open, leading the field by 6 shots and appears poised to win his first Claret Jug.  He started the day in the lead at -12, and playing along side Dustin Johnson, he went on to extend that lead, finishing up at -16 atop the leaderboard.  Rickie Fowler, that cool, laid back kid from California, made a strong run but then fell back and finished in second at -10.  Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson both came in at -9, tied for third.  The rest of the top of the leaderboard…Victor Dubuisson (wh0?) at -8, E. Molinari at -7, M. Manassero and current world #1 Adam Scott at -6.  The #1 ranking is up for grabs after the completion of tomorrow’s final round..contenders…how about Bubba Watson, who is nowhere to be seen in this field!  Anyhow, not a good day for Tiger Woods, but not a disaster either.  Tiger finished at +3, shooting a 3rd round of 73 in this his first major of the year after rehabbing from back surgery.  Once again, he birdied his final hole to make things look a bit better.  Let’s face it..Tiger is out of this tournament and Rory, barring some kind of huge debacle, appears poised to win his third major (he has won the US Open and the Masters).  But, there is still one more round to go.  Rickie Fowler made a strong surge at Rory but then faltered.  Other notables..Jordan Spieth is at -3 and Phil Mickelson (last year’s Champion) is at -1.  This is definitely Rory’s Championship to lose.  Guess the whole engagement break up with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki is now behind him as he is literally playing lights out…a run away freight train on the Royal Liverpool Golf Club course.

There is one more round to be played, but the guy from Northern Ireland looks like he is primed and ready to hoist the jug and claim his third major.  Stay tuned…as of course, things can go array when one least expects it.  Still, looks like Mcilroy will be the 2014 British Open Champ.

Until tomorrow!


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Rory is the leader of the pack!

Posted on July 18, 2014 by susan

Rory Mcilroy is the leader of the pack at the British Open after day two.  He shot his second consecutive round of 66 and sits atop the leaderboard at -12.  He made seven birdies today after six yesterday.  Meanwhile, Tiger Woods had a dangerous and adventurous route to barely making the cut.  The triple bogey was downright ugly and after 17 holes, he was at +3 with the projected cut at +2.  His first birdie came on 18 and Tiger survived with a round of 77, finishing at +2 to make the weekend at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.  The low round of the day belonged to Dustin Johnson, a very impressive 65.  After round two, the leaderboard looks like this: Mcilroy -12, D. Johnson, -8, F. Molinari -6, Ryan Moore -6, Rickie Fowler -6, Sergio Garcia -6, Charles Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen (together again!) at -6.  Some other notables, Jim Furyk at -5, world #1 Adam Scott at -3 and Lefty at Even Par with a round of 70.

So, to the weekend we go…live from Liverpool!

Happy Friday!


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Live from Liverpool…day one!

Posted on July 17, 2014 by susan

Live from Liverpool…The Royal Liverpool Golf Club…day one of the British Open is in the books!  Rory Mcilroy with a round of 66 is in the lead at -6.  A beautiful sun filled afternoon in England saw Tiger Woods start off a bit poorly, bogeying his first two holes then rebound to finish with a round of 69, -3 on the day.  He also hit a fan in the face with one of his drives off the tee.  Still, all in all, not a bad day at all for Tiger in his first major of the year.  Tiger won the British Open the last time it was played on this course, that would be in 2006.  The Leaderboard after day one looks like this: Mcilroy -6, M. Manassero -5, E. Molinari -4, B. Koepka -4, F. Molinari -4, J. Furyk -4, S. Garcia -4, Adam Scott -4 (current world #1), S. Lowry -4, Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods and six others, -3.  Jordan Spieth is at -1 along with H. Mahan and M. Kuchar.  Lefty (Mickelson, last year’s winner) is at +2 after day one.  Tomorrow the action continues live at 4:00 am EST (yikes!) but not to worry, there is a replay afterwards that is a bit more favorable to us on the east coast in the USA!

From Lakers land…you all know I am a Lakers fan…still no commitment on hiring Bryon Scott as the new head coach.  The rumor mill has him all but hired but no official announcement.  Meanwhile, the Lakers off season moves have been hugely disappointing!  No Melo, no LeBron and word is Kevin Love will likely stay with the Timberwolves.  Meanwhile, Pau Gasol is headed to Chicago.  They did acquire Jeremy Lin from the Rockets along with a first round draft choice and also picked up Carlos Boozer.  Nice to have Linsanity head to LA but really, Kobe needs some help!!!!  Oh well,  hopefully it is forthcoming in some fashion and I really like the idea of Bryon Scott as the next head coach!

The big names in tennis will reconvene in August prior to the US Open in NY!  First at the Rodgers Cup in Montreal and then in Cincinnati.  Gotta love the US Open hard court season!!  GO FED!

Until tomorrow….

P.S. Congrats to Kevin Durant (MVP) on winning the Best Male Athlete Award last night at the ESPY Awards in LA.  Loved that green jacket!

Also, SEC Media day taking place in Hoover, Alabama.  Can you believe College Football season is just over a month away??? This year…a playoff to determine the National Championship!!!!  WOW!  Have you all seen the “Rudy” commercial?


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Surviving “Paradise” and Tiger is back!

Posted on July 17, 2014 by susan

Today is Wednesday, the day I shamelessly promote my book Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver.  Also, live from Liverpool (Royal Liverpool Golf Club that is)..the British Open gets underway tomorrow and Tiger Woods is back!

First, please check out my book Surviving “Paradise”!  It is available at Amazon.com for $8.99 in paperback and $3.03 in kindle edition.  Follow a southern woman who relocates to a new town full of great expectations (in southwest Florida) – only to be met by a ridiculous set of people and circumstances.  For more info, please check out the Home page at this website.  Also, the Buy the Book option on the menu bar will take you directly to the link at Amazon!

Tomorrow, very early…4:00 am EST to be exact, the third golf major of the year gets underway.  Tiger Woods has rejoined the party after missing the first two majors this year due to his back surgery.  So, should be very interesting to see how Tiger performs along with the rest of the field at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club Thursday through Sunday! I really do hate these events overseas where the time difference makes for a few viewing issues!  Still, Tiger missed the cut at his first event back (Quicken Loans Championship) so look for him to be ready to make a run at this British Open!

Tonight…I just cannot sing the praises enough of the detective show Motive.  It airs on ABC at 10:00 pm EST (the Nashville time slot) and it is really sassy and smart.  Love Vega and Flynn as partners!  I really think it is the best of all the detective shows…and I like quite a few of them.  Check it out!

Enjoy your night!!

P.S. Shame on me..almost forgot!  The ESPY Awards air tonight on ESPN live from LA!!


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Melo a Knick, Gasol to Bulls, Germany wins World Cup

Posted on July 13, 2014 by susan

Melo will be staying in New York, calling himself a “Knick at heart” while Pau Gasol announced on twitter that he was headed to the windy city…Chicago Bulls.  Melo signed a 5 year/122+ million dollar deal it was confirmed this morning.  King James signed a 2 year/42 million dollar deal with the Cavs and has an option to become a free agent next summer.  His agent says he is fully committed to staying in Cleveland! (?)  OK…no word on Kevin Love yet, the Heat appear to be in the lead for the services of Deng, but as one can see from just the past couple of days, this NBA free agency signing business is in a constant state of flux.  Unfortunate unlucky losers so far…LA Lakers.  Does not make me smile for sure!

World Cup action today…the Final…#allin or nothing!  Very powerful German team vs. L. Messi and Argentina..Messi calling this game the most important of his career.  Yes..I think maybe so.  Most are picking Germany as the favorite but I am pulling for Messi and Argentina.  Should get underway around 2:00 pm EST.  Yesterday, more heartbreak for the host country Brazil, as their beloved soccer team fell to the Netherlands in the battle for third place, 3-0.

Until later….

And it is Germany!!  2014 World Cup Champions!  “Super Mario” Goetze (the last sub in off the bench in extra time) with the winning goal!  A lot of opportunities for Argentina that were squandered.  Sad for Messi!  Wanted it for him but this German team has been so powerful!  Congrats on their 4th World Cup…first team to cross the Atlantic and play in the Americas and win the Cup…well done!!

P.S. Very cool to see LeBron and Kobe at the World Cup..nice to see superstars in one sport watching and supporting another!


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King James is going home..who’s crying now?

Posted on July 11, 2014 by susan

King James is going home…back to Cleveland, to the city where he grew up, played high school basketball, played for the Cavs (#1 draft pick), took them to the playoffs (2006-07) and won two MVP awards…then broke their hearts with “The Decision”.  Now, hearts in Miami are breaking with “the Decision II”!  It has to not be a shock…LeBron loves Cleveland, he was disappointed with the way some things went at the end of the season in Miami…and you had to know in his heart of hearts…he would one day find his way back to play for Cleveland and hopefully win a Championship for that city as well as finish out his career.  He even buried the hatchet with team owner Dan Gilbert…the tweets coming out are of a very different variety than what was said after King James announced he was leaving and taking his talents to South Beach.  But let’s also get real about this, Kyrie Irving as point guard, Andrew Wiggins out of Kansas their pick in this year’s draft, three first round draft picks in the years ahead…this is a pretty picture for the Cavs moving forward.  King James is now returning to lead the merry band to the promised land, or at least so  they all hope in this city that really does deserve some love and some success.  Hey, even the Browns are hoping Johnny Manziel can help rebuild a once proud and successful NFL franchise.  So, good for you LeBron, I like this “Decision” better than I liked the first one.

As for the rest of the “Big Three”…no one likes it when the band breaks up but that is what is definitely happening.  Chris Bosh appears headed to a lucrative deal with the Houston Rockets.  As for Wade…no real word yet on his plans.

Elsewhere..what will Melo do?  Sources say he is leaning towards resigning with the Knicks…bad decision!  I know Phil Jackson is now there in the front office, but come on Melo…go to LA (who would not want to go to LA???) and play with Kobe!!  His wife works in the entertainment industry and they spend a lot of time in LA anyway.  Kevin Love is also a free agent, would love to see him wind up in a Lakers uniform.  As for Pau Gasol, (come on people, show Pau some LOVE), he wants to stay in LA, especially if they get Melo to sign on and play with him and Kobe and the rest of the young Lakers. (There is a new report that Melo has narrowed his decision..Knicks or Bulls?)  Not confirmed.

Guess we will wait and see…news continues to come out in dribbles so we should hear more “decisions” in the coming days!

Happy Friday!

In the never ending change of the NBA free agency landscape…latest has Chris Bosh ready to accept a huge deal to stay in Miami with the Heat?


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Surviving “Paradise” on Wednesday

Posted on July 9, 2014 by susan

Surviving “Paradise” on Wednesday…I am actually going to lead with this today!  Please check out my book Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver!   It is available at Amazon.com for $8.99 in paperback and $3.03 in Kindle Edition!  Follow a southern woman who relocates to a new town  full of great expectations – only to be met by a ridiculous set of people and circumstances.  For more info…check the Home link at this website and also the Buy the Book option on the menu!  Thanks.  It is funny and entertaining and hopefully on its way to good things in LA in the not too distant future!!Surviving Paradise

Big game today in the semifinals of the World Cup…Argentina vs. the Netherlands.  A lot of people pulling for the “Orange” but I am pulling for Messi and Argentina!  Action just about to get underway!

Tonight..ABC at 10:00 pm EST Motive!  One of the best detective shows you will see on network TV.  Love Flynn and Vega..they are a match made in heaven (but no romance involved).  Top rated detective show in Canada.  Love this show!

Until later…

World Cup update: Argentina advances over the Netherlands in the “penalty kick” phase…Maxi Rodriguez gets it done.  First time into the World Cup final for Argentina since 1990.  So…got a great bet going…$50 to me if Argentina wins…I lose $10 if Germany wins!  I like it!!  (Germany is a very powerful team!)  Final on Sunday..can’t wait!


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