Tracy Kornet's Blog

"Mother, this is absolutely incredible. I am floored." That was Nicole's text message last Sunday, sent during first official photo shoot as a UCLA Bruin. This relatively recent, annual tradition with the women's basketball team is rumored to cost tens of thousands of dollars. More importantly, it is intended to set the tone for a season of excellence. Her brother calls these pictures "over the top." Her dad is not a fan of the long hair and makeup. I will always prefer her hair in a ponytail, so I can appreciate her cheekbones. Yet I must share a key story behind the scenes of this photo shoot. Location: Quizote Studios in West Hollywood The girls are getting the full hair and makeup treatment, emerging one by one for their individual pictures. It's Nicole's turn to put on "her blues." She sees this jersey for the first time. Nicole emerges from the green room into the open studio, where production assistants, ba...

If you want a quick pick-me-up, buy a nun her morning Starbucks. I went skipping through the Nashville airport, after the sweet sister behind me blessed me for it Friday morning. It was 5:45am. My daughter had just boarded a plane back to LAX. My husband was heading to Louisville to coach his high school girls in a weekend basketball tournament. Coach Kornet with his Harpeth Hall Varsity Girls I was heading to NYC for a last-minute, musical fix with some girlfriends. Bucket List Billy Joel, Madison Square Garden It was probably midway through May sweeps last month when I realized I had to escape the heaviness of the news breaking all around us. Just for a weekend or two. Something to put some positive balance back in my life. I tell you what, speaking such dark details, out loud, for hours and hours on end, used to go in one ear and out the other. But the terror attacks, drug-related crimes, and acts of hate and abuse are really starting to get to me. ...

I've become quite adept at identifying "good tv dresses." Which means I have about 50 sheath dresses in loud, solid colors. But I have long struggled to try different dress styles or piece together separates. I am often at a loss choosing the right necklace and earrings. I consult my husband almost every day before leaving the house and ask "gold or silver? Long or short? Does this actually work together?" For the last 18 months I have relished the help of the uber-talented Danielle at Dillard's at Green Hills. The store sponsors my wardrobe, which means every day I get to wear something shiny and new on Channel 4 News at 4, 5, 6 and 10. This is a gift beyond measure. Danielle is the one who suggested last Friday to wear a long, gold necklace with this new, blue layered Tahari dress . This dress is an example of something I wouldn't have chosen on my own. It's layered and a clingy material.  I thought silver jewelry was an automatic w...

John, Nicole & Luke on Venice Beach They burst through the door and plopped on my bed at 6 am this Memorial Day. My two handsome, long-limbed sons had just landed on the red-eye from LAX. In newly-adopted, thick Boston accents John and Luke proceeded to share story after story about the fun stuff they did while visiting their sister. I lay there in bed laughing my head off, while they deliriously recounted tales of the drunk lady on the plane, shooting baskets on Venice beach, and needing to throw up after eating the world's largest pumpkin pancakes. I felt so much like my mother. How many times would I come in from a party or high school show, plop on her bed, wake her up, and tell her all about it. My mom would be so entertained. She'd soak up every word, with this massive smile sprawled across her face. I especially loved it when my brother(s) would be in there with me, razzle-dazzling her with stupid details and uproarious laughter. Now I totally g...

Mother's Day weekend wine tasting with my Johnny  Oh, these college years. They're like an insidious torture device. First, you're forced to let your kids go after the super-glue-bonding, high school years. Just when you finally get used to the quietness and same-ole, same-ole routine of you and your spouse, they come back to visit. They fill your home with hi-jinks and laughter, only to leave again. You can barely bear the silence. Then they come back for a weekend like Mother's Day and smother love and kindness all over you. Luke and John making me feel SO VERY LOVED on Mother's Day And then they leave again. And don't even get me started on May.  Luke has been out of school for almost the entire month. Luke playing the theme from The Office. Over and over and over again. I have been RELISHING the meal making, constant conversation, delightful expressions and bonus hugs. But in two days he'll be gone again. What th...

What a day for a drive! I may have stayed in a one-mile radius from my garage, but dang, did I make the most of it. As I headed home to get ready for work, a man next to me at the light on West End looked over and asked, "Was that you singing back there? I thought you were yelling at me!" Duh! My one-year free subscription to Sirius radio delivered Gloria Estefan followed by Sheena Easton. Of course that was me screaming back there! (Clearly, my voice has gone to pot 'cause it used to be called singing!) I've been prepping for two talks/speeches I'm giving next week, which always seems to fire me up. Nashville Area Panhellenic Alumni Association Luncheon Richland Country Club The responsibility to share a SOMEWHAT substantial message pushes me to read more, which ends up causing me to assess my life and, more often that not, make some changes.  This time around, it's helped me realize I might be on the right track. That'...

Every parent knows the anticipation of expecting a new baby, the intense mix of anxiety, fear, and excitement. I've been a mother three times. Waiting to hear if your son's team made the NCAA Tournament feels pretty much the same way. These last two months have been the most mentally and emotionally exhausting in recent memory, especially after the disappointment that was losing the first game of the SEC Tournament. The number of times Vanderbilt has switched between "Joe Lunardi's Last Four Teams In" and "Joe Lunardi's First Four Out" has been head spinning. Who gave this Joe Schmo such power? Forget Trump. The dude should run for President. The Kornet house has been a Hampton Inn this basketball season: non-stop visitors, excited for Luke and supportive of the Vanderbilt Commodores. We have done our best to accommodate and are happy to share the unique experience with friends and family. Most of the time. However, when times are tough, ...

Senior night at Liberty Christian School, Lantana, Texas My girlfriend Susan said she saw a picture my daughter posted the other day and said to herself, "They are such a close family." I consider her words one of the world's greatest compliments.  It's been simmering in my head ever since. It's reminded me of what's truly important throughout this roller-coaster, emotional day. Vanderbilt had another rough game at 11am in Austin, Texas. This is not easy as a fan, much worse as a player or coach, and totally grieves you as a parent! Trust me. What I celebrate, though, is how Luke's big brother John was there in attendance. His big sister woke up early in Los Angeles to make sure she cheered on her best friend. I just got off the phone with Nicole, in fact. The description of her day is what inspired me to sit down and write. The girl is something else. Her UCLA team is playing out of state. As a transfer she can't travel with t...

I try to watch my language for a variety of reasons, the least of which is that my station could get fined, and I could get fired, if it happened on live television. So I am perplexed why people seem genuinely uncomfortable with my recent use of the P-word in print. P-U-B-E-R-T-Y. Really? This makes you uncomfortable? It got me thinking about the root of many of our most serious societal ills: how if it makes us wince, we just won't talk about it. Rape. Molestation. Sexual harassment. Sexual assault. Discomfort with these definitions--and confusion over what this feels like, and what to do next--only compounds the fear and shame. If it's male-on-male rape, some say it's even more perplexing to process. Your masculinity is questioned. Add the male physiological response--the fact a man's body responds to certain acts automatically, yes, even when he's being RAPED--and you can only imagine how confusing that must be. As a male rape victim told me last ...