Let's Do Something New!

Well today a paper came out here In Los Angeles with an article about this lovely blog. I met this person at a new years eve party, and he was so interested in me and the NEW THINGS I was doing on this site, that he interviewed me for  The Canyon News.

Print this article - Email this article Ms Adventure, Rachel Reenstra, Exclusive Interview Posted by Tommy Garrett on Feb 7, 2010 – 10:02:31 PM BEL AIR —Actress, host Rachel Reenstra is a household name to regular viewers of television. However, the beautiful Hollywood star is a lot more than just a pretty face. This week Canyon News caught up with the busy lady and asked her about her career and a charity that is close to her heart. Being a comedian is part of her repertoire as well, so do expect her to be funny. The new-age media maven talks about everything that is important to her and to others. She even teaches us how to give easily to the efforts to save lives in Haiti. Q-Could you tell us about letsdosomethingnew.com? A-“Letsdosomethingnew.com was an idea I came up with last year. After hosting two national TV shows and feeling frustrated that I had no control over content, I asked myself what would be something that I would love to host? What content would inspire people to enjoy life? What would allow people to create an adventure for themselves every day without having to spend a lot of money or time? This will be a combination of the two national shows I already hosted “Ms. Adventure” on Animal Planet and “Designed to Sell” on HGTV. This will be a life makeover show; how to design your life with adventure. This new project is a place people can go everyday to see the new things they can try in their life. I’ll try ONE new thing a day for the entire year and share it with a 3-5 minute entertaining video.” “Why not show people how easy it is to try one NEW thing a day? This way I could also do something new everyday and share it with the world, without worrying if the network approved of what I said or how I said it. I can make it funny, interesting and interactive, so people can go to my Web site and comment on the new things they tried, and also give me suggestions for any new things they want to see me do. It brings joy to my life and I get to share fun and innovative ideas to enrich others lives, just by trying something new!” Q-Your TV work is prolific. What is your favorite role or show that you’ve done so far? And why? A-“I have done Sitcoms, commercials, infomercials, voice-overs and hosting, yet to this day the favorite thing I have ever done was ‘Ms. Adventure.’ I got to travel the world and compare animal behavior to human behavior. Not only could I use my comic skills, but the places and things I got to see changed my life. I repelled into bat caves, snorkeled in the great barrier reef, fed kangaroos, rode elephants and camels and even had wild baboons climb all over me in South Africa. I had a close-up look at natures wonders. I have seen some animals I thought could only be made-up in fairy tales. There are just so many creatures that I had no clue even existed, and to see the intelligence of animals and how they survive was awe inspiring. I love being an actress and a host, but mostly because if you can get lucky enough to get a gig that will expose you to wonders all over the world, your eyes open to how magnificent life is and how lucky we are to be a part of this planet. I feel blessed that I got the chance, and even got paid, to experience the amazing world outside of Hollywood.” Q-I enjoyed you on HGTV’s “Design to Sell.” Are you naturally creative or did you take courses to learn design and interior decorating? A-“I have no clue about decorating, Tommy. In fact, if you ever see my place, you will see my taste has not changed much since college. I love lava lamps, bean bags, candles, hanging beads, bright colors and twinkly lights. Think Austin Powers meets WHOville. I would be a “Design to Sell” disaster. I was hired as a host for the show because the network saw me on Animal Planet and loved my sense of humor. They wanted to bring funny to a design show. Ironically, when I was hired, and turned me into the typical, no personality, cookie cutter host that always asks the same questions and is never allowed an opinion. That is HGTV. They were afraid to explore something different. I did 39 episodes and then I chose to leave. I realized that being on TV was not as important as being able to be myself and not compromise my entertainment skills.” Q-You’ve also done stand-up comedy. Is that as scary for you as it has been for me? A-“Stand-up comedy is probably the scariest thing anyone can do. They say the number one fear (over dying), is speaking in public. I love it and I am not afraid of speaking in public, but what does scare me is doing stand-up in L.A., where there are 30 comics that perform a night and most of them are terrible and you have to wait four hours to go on for five minutes and by that time most of the people have left the building. That part terrifies me. I now do stand-up all over the country, but try to avoid Los Angeles.” Q-What actor or actress have you not worked with that you’d love to have the opportunity to do so? A-“Oh this is easy. I want to work with Ricky Gervais because he is brilliant and exactly my sense of humor. I want to work with Eddie Izzard because he is also one of the most intelligent, funny and talented performers alive. I want to work with Larry David because “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is one of the best shows on television. I want to be on Stephen Cobert and Howard Stern because I do not go a day without beginning with Howard and ending with Steven. And when I say be on them I mean be on them. Physically.” Q-You’ve become involved in the fund raising efforts for Haiti’s rebuilding and humanitarian needs. How can people help? A-“My site letsdosomethingnew.com is very much about many ways to give. In fact, I dedicated one of my ‘New Things To Do’ on the site to Haiti. I made a funny video about how easy it is to text HAITI to 90-999. Everyone texts. In fact I am texting right now while I am doing this interview so truly there is no excuse not to give 10 bucks with one text that takes four seconds. You can always tell people to give but that takes effort, and although people feel bad for the people in Haiti, writing a check to The Red Cross is something most people won’t take the time to do. I like to let people know the easiest way, so we can ensure more people give. Another way to give is through iTunes. If you love music like me you can simply go to iTunes and give that way. Just Google iTunes Haiti. You will see the link that allows you to choose one button to click to give through your iTunes. One hundred percent of the money will go to The Red Cross. Then download Ricky Gervais’s podcast. It’s four bucks and is one of the funniest things I have listened to. Give to the Red Cross and then reward yourself with some laughs. Giving should always be this easy and fun. That way more people will do it.” Running into Rachel at a New Year’s Eve party was a real highlight. Photographs Courtesy: Rachel Reenstra

Aviva Bush suggested that I try to steam a fish in my DISH WASHER!  She told me that it works, and I even read up on the internet, that it is not only possible, but there are directions on the internet as to exactly how this is done. Here are directions for  DISHWASHER STEAM SALMON. (Just click on that and it will show you how.)  However, I used Tilapia, and if you watch this video you can see how I had NO IDEA what would happen. Press play to see the fishes with the DISHES…….

Not much to say here except it was finally TIME. I have reached the age where I think I should feel good about my body and not be ashamed to go and get some pictures of me with my top off.

So here is the video of me doing exactly that. I recommend this to any woman who wants to feel good about herself. Oh yeah, and the pictures just might extend your life if they turn out o.k.

If you like music at ALL you will want to see this–I got to pinch almost EVERY famous person at the GRAMMYS!!! I have NEVER been so close to so many talented, famous musicians in one place at one time….If you did not see the GRAMMYS you HAVE to see this!!!!! And if you did see the Grammys, this is an even better chance for you to see what happened before, during and after the commercials…and  with ME just a few rows back………I even add a snippet from the director of the Grammys telling me what he thought!!!    So come, sit right next to me and enjoy this Reenstra Re-cap of the GRAMMYS LIVE 2010!!!……….

I know you think that its ALL about the performers, but today it is about the others that put this amazing show together….my question is…who is the brain behind all of it?

My new thing today is to continue to go behind -BEHIND-the scenes of the best musical show of the year—- press play and see what is  REALLY  behind it all…..

Well, this is a GREAT something new! I decided to figure out how to get Behind BEHIND the scenes at the Grammys and see what really goes on to make that  amazing show happen!

I made this one a 3 part series, because there was just too much to see and film and editing anything out was difficult! So come with me as I take you way WAY behind the magic curtain….

Press play and see  (your looking at ELTON JOHNS PIANO!)….

Okay my favorite comedian of all time is Eddie Izzard. I have seen him many times, and each time is better than the last. I watched his career rise in the past 10 years. He is now in movies and on TV shows and becoming a bigger and bigger star. If you do not know of him you are missing out!!! He started his career dressed as a “transvestite” or as he likes to say “executive transvestite“  Which explains why my dad does not like him at all. Eddie now dresses normal and his humor is still brilliant….although I do miss the lipstick and eyeliner I had gotten used to seeing him wear.

I have seen him with 100 other Izzzard fans 10 years ago in a small club in L.A. but now he is filling stadiums and it is not so easy to get a ticket. I once even met him after the show and got the chance to hang out with him for a bit then even went to a movie with him and about 8 others….I purposely sat next to him, and watched him (as I ate my popcorn,) rather than the movie. I do love his mind, his intelligence, his humor, and any man that can look good in heels and still keep me attracted, is well, an anomalie to say the least.

Anyway, my NEW THING TODAY was to arrive at his sold out show at the NOKIA in Los Angeles, with NO ticket, and see what it would be like to scalp a ticket. I had never bought a ticket from a scalper before, and had no idea what to expect. As you can imagine, the scalpers did NOT want me to video them, and it all happened so fast I didn’t even have time to pull out my camera. I do know I was NOT very discreet. I walked around with my friend Josh Fingerhut, and suddenly a man popped out and said softly “tickets…who needs tickets…” My excitement overtook me and I screamed “ME!!  ME!! RIGHT HERE!! I DO!! I NEED TICKETS!! ARE YOU A SCALPER???”  He slowly backed away as he whispered….”I’ll be on the corner if you want some.” Then he disappeared. I ran around trying to find my scalper for about 20 minutes. I only had 50 bucks, but after we heard his offer, Josh and I agreed it was a deal we could NOT refuse.

This video is just MOMENTS after the purchase. I was proud. I have now touched the dark side of ticket land. And I liked it. Oh yeah, and Eddie Izzard was BRILLIANT again. As always.

This is a short video summary of what it was like to go without the internet for 24 hours. Press play to see how awful I looked with no internet connection. But I did it. I  made it through.

Thank God for yesterdays internet group therapy.

One of my blog readers asked me if I would try to go without the internet for 24 hours for a NEW THING TO DO. I accepted the challenge. This will NOT be easy.

I could not have done this without group therapy. Press play and see how YOU TOO can get the help you need to survive 24 hours with NO internet.

(I will then post a video when I have succeeded to show what it was like called “how I survived 24 hours off-line”)

This is Judie and Neil Barkan. I met them in my building when I was living in Atlanta last year.  I met Neil when I was in the elevator and it was around x-mas and he just kept shaking his head. I asked him what was wrong so close to x-mas? He said his 40 year old son had just unexpectedly passed away in his sleep of a heart attack. They moved from New York to Atlanta for retirement, but mostly to be near their only son and their grandchildren. Now plans had suddenly changed. My heart broke for him. I decided that as long as I lived there I would be their adopted child. Not that I could ever take the place, but I wanted to be there. From that moment I had meals with them, I brought them flowers on mothers day and fathers day, I hung out by the pool with Neil making bets who could get more tan. He told me stories of his son, of living in New York, of traveling, and of the dream he had of spending his last years near his son and his grandchildren. His dreams were shattered now that his only son Jon had died. As for Judie, well, Judie became the worried Jewish mother I never had. She constantly took interest in my life, and my hosting (designed to sell)…I knew she LOVED “designed to sell”, so I got her and Neil on an episode.They pretended to be ” potential home owners” I introduced them to the entire film crew as my  ”Atlanta Jewish Parents”. And they really were. When my REAL parents came to town we all had a fabulous dinner. When I had to finally move back to L.A. I knew they would be the people I missed the most. They let me stay with them after my furniture had been moved and I still needed a place to stay before I officially moved. They really looked after me. I loved the way they bantered and said exactly what was on their mind. I loved the fun talks and the real conversations we had. I watched them both try to get through the heartbreak of losing their only son,their only child. Judie hid the pain pretty well, but I noticed that Neil could never fully recover from that loss. Judie had a resilience and reached out for support, but I believe the pain was too much for Neil. No one can ever really know the pain that comes from a parent losing their child. It does not seem fair. His body began to break down. He had hip replacement surgeries, and surgery on his heart. I do not think the doctors could fix a heart that was beyond repair. Judie texted me yesterday that Neil had suddenly dropped to the ground at home after a Dr.’s visit. He did not recover. Then she texted that she will always remember how kind I was to both of them.

Neil passed away this past Monday. His heart had just stopped. Judie said that she felt a peace about it because she believed he just did not want to go on anymore. She had just buried Neil next to his son back in New Jersey. Judie wanted to know how I was and what was going on in my life. Suddenly my life, my career, and doing “new things”  did not seem important. It is typical Judie to have this happen and still ask about my life. Today I am really sad, and just need to spend a day remembering. Remembering all the people who have lost someone so important to them, that they never fully recover. Remembering to say a prayer for them. Remembering that life is so precious. Remembering all the people we do love. Remembering to tell them. Remembering strong resilient spirits like Judy. Remembering how powerful connection is. And remembering to remember.

Sorry there is no video today. Just images playing in my mind of good times I had with 2 people who I  Love dearly, and remembering Neil.

I’ll make this simple. Everyone wants to leave their mark, and since I did not have a movie this year at SUNDANCE, I decided to bring the city of Park Lake a new winter sport that they can do between movies, on their way to movies, or just window shopping downtown.  My last night at Sundance I thought this was the least I could do for them.

Press play to see my new winter sport.

Well, one NEW thing to do here at SUNDANCE is to find a famous person and get  them on camera and then get a picture with them. I have never done this before ……and although there many famous people here in L.A. I think that at SUNDANCE , it might be a bit easier to corner someone  I began the day not knowing what famous person I would end up getting on camera, and at the end of the day, I was with ADRIEN BRODY!!

I was hoping he would pull what he did with Halle Berry at the Academy Awards and slop a kiss on me, but a picture would just have to be enough.

Press play to see my star gazing NEW THING….

It’s pretty simple. I am addicted to trash magazines and if there is ever going to be a change I have to DO SOMETHING NEW AND and see if there are OTHER magazines I might be able to read that might be better for my life.This is  a NEW discovery that might be good for everyone. It’s a Magazine called ODE. It talks about how to fight poverty, alternative medicines,GREEN solutions, fundraising,…..etc. Basically how to make the world a better place.

They say this magazine is for “Intelligent Optimists”  That’s me! I am smart. I am Positive. I’m even positive that I am smart! I never even knew there were magazines that talked about what we can do to help, how we can be inspired by incredible people and their stories, as well as just plain make you feel good about the world. This is positive news for a change. The world seems to focus on fear based stories, yet there are so many people out there doing incredible, uplifting things…..and this is what I believe we need to fill our minds with. (although this does not mean  I won’t have the latest info on Tiger Woods…)  Order a subscription today! Here is the link-  odemagazine.com

Oh, and press play to see my endorsement…..

I figured out a NEW way to take my vitamins…..