Best Movie I’ve Seen in Ages

After seeing the movie, Julie & Julia this weekend, I have decided that I have a new role model in Julia Child. In fact I’ve been walking around the house saying “Bon Appetit!” in a very high pitched voice followed by a little chortle. Just that in itself seems to elevate my mood. I may even decide to start wearing pearls. The movie was probably the most charming and inspiring piece of film that I have seen in some time. Not to mention, it was laugh out loud funny throughout. Meryl Streep just keeps getting better and better – in fact the entire cast was entirely engaging. (that Amy Adams is a doll!) I will see this one again and again. So, if you haven’t seen it yet, (in my humble opinion) - it’s a must-see!

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The World’s Gone MAD

  I know I have anyway. The countdown in underway on my calendar for the Premiere of Mad Men’s Season Three and it’s only one week away!  If you’re a Mad Men Fan (like I obviously am), be sure to set your DVR, TiVo, VCR (or whatever) to AMC, Sunday, August 16 at 10:00pm.

Murphy, Anna and I have already made plans for our Premiere Party. We’ll make a 60’s meal – I’m thinking a Tuna Casserole dish and maybe I’ll try one of the Old Fashions that Don Draper is always drinking. However, we have all agreed that there will be no chain smoking! If you have Comcast, you can catch up right now on all the Season Two episodes on On Demand.

Or, you may need to call in sick on Monday, August 10 to watch the all-day Mad Med Marathon on AMC.

For even more fun go to this link www.madmenyourself.com

I did it and turned it into my screensaver while I count down the days to August 16. Go Mad!

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KRIS WINS!!!

How fun would it be to be a producer on that show and come up with ideas for the duets. Kris and Keith Urban was a great pairing. I thought Kris could learn some good moves from Keith. When Adam came out in those 12 inch platform boots and the crazy shoulder apparatus we knew we were in for something – we all screamed with delight when KISS joined him on stage. I loved how relaxed Kris and Adam seemed when they sang “We are the Champions.” Even though it was certainly more of an Adam song, they were both great performing it together with Queen. How apropos. It was surprisingly Old School when it came to some of the guest stars like Rod Stewart, Steve Martin, Lionel Ritchie, Carlos Santana & Gene Simmons. But I did hear the other day that the median age for American Idol viewers is 43. (which is 11 years older than the median age when the show started) 

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Top 13!

Yeah~~ Finally!…….we are through the audition process and onto the real competition. I found my interest waning a bit throughout the last couple weeks with so many mediocre performances. I did keep reminding myself that this was still auditions. The Wild Card show last night was the best so far, probably because this group had risen to the top through the process. Well, with one possible exception. I think you know who I mean ~ Tatiana, of course. I can’t decide if she had “upped” her medication or if she forgot to take it entirely. Certainly, she was there for the drama of it all. And that girl’s got drama!

I’m happy that my favorite from last night, Matt (the bluesy guy) made it. And I did love the twist at the end when Anoop, with head down started to depart the stage when Simon called him back and announced that this year it was going to be a Top 13 and Anoop was in. He’s so cute. They did say they were going to change it up this year and it does make it more fun to have a few surprises. We’ll start our Office Pool next week which always adds to the fun. Hope my FAVS do well.
Go Danny! Go Matt!

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Hollywood Week on A.I.

Now that American Idol is back I’ve noticed my winter blues are starting to subside. Over here in Spokane, we have been following intently because one of the stars of the audition shows is a local girl. Quirky, but cute Rose Flack lives in Rathdrum, ID about 30 miles from Spokane. Even Simon was taken by her and uncharacteristically said “There’s something about you that I absolutely love.” After watching the “Group” show (what drama!) last night though, it seemed her chances were doomed by being grouped with “Bikini Girl.” Now she’s a piece of work. It’s not hard to imagine that anyone would crack under those conditions and Rose certainly suffered and was ultimately cut. Well, it was fun while it lasted. 

One of the stand-outs for me is Danny Gokey (whose young wife recently passed away) because he is SO good, is cute (like a younger Robert Downey, Jr!), sweet and sincere, has overcome personal tragedy and his best friend Jamar is at his side. Jamar is great too. The pretty boy rocker with straight black hair certainly caught my attention too. Everyone at the office is excited to watch it all play out. Are you watching?? Any favorites?

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Mad about Men!

Obsessed is what I am…..with the TV show “MAD MEN.” I first discovered the show when I was recovering from my appendectomy earlier this summer and I’ve become an avid fan and trying to convert everyone I know to watch. The show is a period piece set in the early 1960’s about the advertising industry and the men and women who worked in it. The creator is fanatical about everything from the costumes to all the set props being authentic to the period. The level of smoking and drinking that went on during work hours as well as the double standards between men and women are pretty shocking. It’s amazing how much our culture has changed in a seemingly short period of time. The characters and their relationships are complex and fascinating. I’ve since bought the first season on DVD and the commentaries by the creator, actors and designers shed even more light onto issues of the time as well as insight into the characters.

I have a variety of people that I discuss the show with (we may need to start a Mad Men Anonymous program soon). Because there are so many levels to the show, it is always enlightening to compare notes with other devotees. We all have different perspectives and catch different nuances and are moved by different experiences and sensitivities of the characters. Season Two has proven to be a little darker than the first season, but peeling away some of the surface layers of the characters and witnessing the unraveling has got me sucked in even more. I believe the level of acting is so nuanced and rare for a television series. I have my DVR set for Sunday night to see how many Emmy’s the show rakes in after being nominated for 16. I’m on the edge of my seat awaiting the next episode…..

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True Loyalties revealed

OK, last night was a major dilemma. There was a programming conflict between American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. There was a one hour overlap of the two shows. I discussed my concerns at the office yesterday and Tom pointed out that it was like having a Date with two men on the same night! Something like a plot from an old “Three’s Company” episode – one date is in the kitchen and the other is in the living room being distracted by the antics of “Jack.” I thought that was a great analogy but unfortunately since my personal life is more about my TV addictions than dating – it’s also kind of tragic. I don’t know – maybe that is fortunate – not that I really date - but when I’m on a date that sucks – I find myself longing to be home in my PJ’s watching TV.

Anyway, back to my point. I do love both shows and in fact may be clinically “addicted.” So last night was the true test of where my strongest loyalty lied. American Idol had an advantage because it started an hour earlier – so I was deeply sucked in by the time 9:00 rolled around. (my one redeeming activity of the evening was that I got in a 50 minute(!) work-out on the Treadmill while staring at the TV)

I thought maybe I could switch back and forth during commercials – but luck would have it that they seemed to be in commercial at the same time. So that strategy failed…

I think what ultimately swayed me was I needed to be able to make a completely informed decision for our American Idol “pool” at the office the next morning. We are putting a buck on our guess each week for who will get “the boot.” So American Idol won out. Luckily I caught the last 30 min of Dancing after A.I. was over (Pricilla Presley did surprisingly well!).

This week I have to put my dollar on Kristy Lee Cook to go. After being “tested” in this way – even without the “pool” – I realized American Idol would have won out. As I re-read this blog so far I also realized that it has about the same “depth” as most reality shows these days. Apparently, I’m sinking to a new cultural low. Me and about 30 million other people!

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A.I. is back!

The void in my life is being filled again. The sad part of that is the void is being filled with Simon's cynicism and devilish grins, Randy's flip "street-talk," and Paula's mysterious analogies. But somehow, I'm still "hooked." At least when we're at the point in the show now where we get to watch people who can actually sing. (past the painful auditions) Even though the judges make me crazy and the contestants are subjected to humiliation courtesy of Simon's whims - I still watch - and now in High Def! You can read the pain on their faces when it's Simon's turn to pass judgment - I get so nervous for them. And I actually yelled at Simon through my TV screen last week when he told the kid who got the boot that he shouldn't pursue a music career. Talk about kicking someone when they're down and then mak e him sing through his devastation. I can  imagine former contestants forming support groups for Post Traumatic American Idol Syndrome. (a new disorder is in the making)
But the biggest contest in the world is back on and I once again am fulfilled on some level that was missing during the show's hiatus. 
I haven't got all their names down yet and don't have all my favorites determined (it can change from week to week!) - but pretty soon they will be household names and will provide satisfying Watercooler fodder at the office. 
I will say that the 17 year old kid named David charmed me with his first performance. Oh, and the hottie from Australia certainly got my attention. 
Let the games begin!

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Video how-to: Holiday Decorating

My recent appearance on KXLY's Good Morning Northwest demonstrating Holiday Centerpieces, Gift and Decorating Projects.

Snow Daze Table Runner and Polka Dot Napkins
Fleece Throw and Pillow
Fabric Covered Gift Boxes

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The Big Dance-"Off"

I was traveling and multitasking the last two weeks of “Dancing” – but still watching faithfully (even though not blogging about it.) I had all the ladies over last night for Turkey Soup, salad and wine and to watch the big Dance Finale. And, it was kind of a bust! The best word I could come up with to describe the show was “awkward.” Typically the Free Style has been the big dance event of the evening – but with the exception of Helio – they seemed a little weird. Maybe Mel and Marie were a little “danced” out – we can only imagine how exhausted they must be. Thank goodness for Helio’s final dance – I think it saved the show.

Having watched the entire season – in my humble opinion, I still believe the Mel was the best dancer of the season. And Helio is a close second for combining charismatic showmanship and technique. I guess we’ll find out tonight. It will be good to have a little break now for the Holiday until American Idol starts up. Phew!

(Oh, and Julianne and Maksim – best professional competitors of the season too!)

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