Windows rolled down, hands-free Jetsons bluetooth on, ipod plugged in and Kleenex box in the back seat, this is how Pinot and I roll. Pinot, naturally, is my brand new shiny burgandy-wine colored 2009 Honda Accord, and this Friday marks the five month anniversary of our adventures together. What adventures you say?

We've been to Dodger Stadium. Many times. Now, Dodger Stadium is old, I admit. If you don't know where you're going it would be a bit frustrating, there are a lot of stairs (I mean, A LOT) and your $15 parking fee gets you roughly 1.3 uphill miles from the actual stadium. That being said, it's beautiful, has perfect sight lines no matter where you sit and a hot Wetzels Pretzels "Sinfully Cinnamon" is proof there is a God. So is our record (#1 in MLB, you know). Go Blue!

We've been in downtown L.A. I've had a few L.A. Conservancy tours at Union Station and there have also been Race/LA events around Little Tokyo and The Pueblo / Olvera Street. Last week I had the pleasure of taking 2 downtown newbies and 2 out-of-towners on Jill's Patented Downtown L.A. Adventure. There's nothing quite like seeing people's faces when they walk into the Bradbury Building for the first time. Hell, it's what I look like every time - awe and dumb-struck.

We've been in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. In addition to my regular hikes, I had the once-in-a-lifetime pleasure of watching an hour 1/2 sneak preview of Ken Burns' National Parks documentary on the big screen in a National Park, surrounded by mountains, stars natural and human, Park Rangers from all the CA National Parks (Yosemite represent!) and Ken Burns himself. Then we had catered dinner and drinks in the old Paramount Ranch ghost town. Truly, you cannot make stuff like this up. Did I mention it was free? National Parks: America's Best Idea premieres this September on your local PBS station.

We've been to the ArcLight. At Sunset and Vine deep in the heart of Hollywood sits the greatest movie theatre in L.A. You pick your seats ahead of time, the popcorn is buttery perfection and they show no commercials or pre-movie ads. Since it is home to screenings of every shape and color, I'd say I pay only every 1 in 3 times I'm at the theatre. This year it hosted all my Paley events and the most memorable first-run films I saw were Watchmen and Star Trek.

We've been to the Stahl House. There are some things that are impossible to put into words, and sitting in architecture history in the Hollywood Hills watching fireworks literally fill the horizon is one of those things.

We've been on PCH. As the Red Hot Chili Peppers once said, "Blue, you sit so pretty west of the one /Sparkles light with yellow icing / Just a mirror for the sun." One is the number of the Pacific Coast Highway, which begins its true coastal path in Santa Monica, CA. To me, it's a road to get from my home to Malibu or into the mountains for a hike. I'll admit, though, it's a damn nice road, sparkling sand and ocean water shining to one side, high mountains on the other.

We've been to work. My two mile round-trip commute leads me to a place that is never dull, rarely predictable, always comforting, always sad, always happy and always full of unique and completely wacky people. Myself included.

We've been to Century City. This is the greatest mall in L.A., which is saying a lot. It's the closest Apple Store, so if I have to schedule a Genius appointment I usually make a day of it. It's all outside and the food court is made of glass and has a Lawry's Carvery and free wi-fi, which means I can eat a big slab of prime rib outside in a cushioned chair while surfing the net. Heaven.

We've been to Cedars Sinai. This is the giant fancy schmanzy hospital in Beverly Hills where all the celebrities go for anything. I was not a patient, but was delivering flowers for the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days, and was pretty much a rat in a maze with a giant dolly carrying bright yellow flowers. Whenever I actually located the doctor on my sheet (Dr. Adams, West Oncology Level 4, Sub-section B, room 1208-C, for example) their smile was cheese enough for me.

We've been to a strip club. Okay, okay, not in the strip club, but next to it. My Big Sunday volunteer project this year was in an area of the Valley that I'm still not sure I could get to again without a map. All I know is that there were warehouses, Armenian pastries, a lot of signs in Korean and Spanish and at some point I passed the Television Academy to get there. "Don't kid yourself E, North of Ventura is Hell's waiting room" - Drama on Entourage speaking a plain truth.

We've been to an overlook. The new Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is a nice 15 minute walk from my home and from it you can see everything listed above and much more. It's quite badass.

We've been home. And that's where I scraped the front of Pinot while pulling into my parking spot. Dammit.

My television recommendations for the coming hot summer months, in airdate order:

So You Think You Can Dance on FOX
already on Wed 8/7c Thurs 9/8c
I don't start watching this addictive reality show until the finalists are down to the Top10. A terrific show for dance lovers, pairs of dancers are put together and draw dance genres out of a hat. Every time I hear "Bleeding Love" I see Chelsea and Mark's hip-hop and for "No Air" I see Katee and Joshua's hip-hop from last season - let's hope there are more memories this season. Please note that FOX is also doing a fall edition of the show for the first time this year so there'll be another go soon enough!

Royal Pains on USA
starts Thursday, June 4th 10/9c
I haven't seen any full episodes of the show, but based on excerpts it looks like good fun. Mark Feuerstein (a.k.a. Cliff from The West Wing) is always easy to watch and the concept seems solid. Mark plays Dr. Hank Lawson a "concierge doctor" to the rich and semi-famous residents of the Hamptons. I'm assuming he's quirky, the patients are quirky and he's got a quirky team around him. After all, this is USA - "characters welcome."

The Closer on TNT
back Monday, June 8th 9/8c
Predictions for the season: Flynn and Provenza will be awesome. Brenda and Fritzy will have marital ups and downs. Suspects will be caught. The Daniels / Gabriel shit will hit the fan. Chief Pope will be dour about something. Welcome back, Major Case!

Merlin on NBC
starts Sunday, June 21st 8/7c
This was on BBC ages ago, and NBC basically just bought the rights to air it stateside. I heard nothing but good things when it originally aired in Britain. It's essentially an origin story on the "infamous sorcerer of Arthurian legend...in the mythical city of Camelot." The two leads of Arthur and Merlin are teenagers in other words. If you aren't already intrigued, Anthony Head plays one of the other main characters. I've missed you, Giles!

The Philanthopist on NBC
starts Wednesday, June 24th 10/9c
They only made 8 episodes of this show, so it's more like a mini-series. The three leads are James Purefoy a.k.a. Mary Antony from Rome, Jesse L. Martin a.k.a. Det. Green from Law & Order and Neve Campbell a.k.a. Neve Campbell. I'll definitely check out the first episode at least. The gist of it is that a "billionaire playboy turned vigilante philanthropist" decides to take all his money and start doing good stuff out there in the world. You don't see that everyday on tv, is all I can say.

10 Things I Hate About You on ABCFamily
starts Tuesday July 7th 8/7c
Your eyes do not deceive you, they have gone and turned 90s teen comedy masterpiece 10TTIHAY into a....tv show. On ABCFamily. I have to watch the pilot at least. God help us.

Leverage on TNT
back Wednesday, July 15 9/8c
Man, I love this crazy-ass show. It is the definition of escapist entertainment. A little mini "Ocean's Eleven" every week including impossible storylines, characters you are really invested in, and crack teamwork. I pretty much laugh at everything Hardison does or says, especially when he's doing his odd couple thing with Elliott. Also love Parker and her "people skills." A classic Hardison: "If you set off the lasers I'm running like a bat out of hell, I pray you can keep up. Just sayin'." Oh, one more..."Have you ever been to Kiev? The cake maker of Kiev whoop all our ass, this is the BUTCHER."

Psych on USA
back Friday, August 7th 10/9c
There's goofy, there's goofier and then there's this show. Police "psychic" Shawn and his best friend since grade school Gus work together to see who can work the most 80s references into a 40-minute episode. Bonus points to Timothy Omundson who plays the deadpan straightman to perfection.

Mad Men on AMC
back in August
Well, I'm not sure what year it will be when our beloved period piece starts anew but no doubt everyone will be miserable. I mean, that's how it goes at Sterling Cooper, yes? Since last years' devastating season finale ended I imagine there have been staff and title changes at the agency and Betty probably had her damn baby. As for Peggy and Pete? Well, Pete better be alive for one. Sigh. Here's my post last year in defense of Pete Campbell

Here’s to friends.

Here’s to California sunshine. Because California women apparently take it with them so that even when its’ been raining weeks and weeks it doesn’t actually rain when I’m in town.

Here’s to flowering trees. And petals falling off like rain drops and blowing in the air like colorful, fragrant confetti. And covering your car so you look like you should be in the Rose Parade.

Here’s to Star Trek in D.C., The Office in Rhode Island and Lost at 35,000 feet. Wait, I just got that. I watched the Lost finale on a AIRPLANE. Hee.

Here’s to postcards on vacation and that elusive hunt for postcard stamps that inevitably results in me just saying “fuck it!” and using regular stamps.

Here’s to Brit Pop.

Here’s to Little League games in the middle of Connecticut farmland, and lacrosse games in Rhode Island. And to not knowing what lacrosse games for youngsters are called. ‘Lil Crosse? Pee Wee Lacrosse? Junior Crosse?

Here’s to history.

Here’s to moss. And sea air. And remaining firmly convinced the Atlantic is more salty than the Pacific. Is this true?

Here’s to satellite radio in rental cars. I love you 60s on 6. And Classic Vinyl. And The Pulse Pop 12. And I love you even more for always having the song title and artists available. My itunes library loves you for this as well.

Here’s to cottages. Real ones with wooden doors and four rooms next to ponds and bays, and surreal ones with marble gardens and a staff of 20 next to cliffs and manicured great lawns.

Here’s to ships. And sailboats. And rowboats.

Here’s to doormen that protect me from crazy street guys.

Here’s to musicians in tuxes with cellos on public transportation.

Here’s to finding my “in” to talking to guys at bars in Philly. And Boston. And Boston again. “What was the Dodgers score last night?”

Here’s to New York City. Or should I say NYC NOW?

Here’s to spotted pigs, marinated cows, clam chowder, pasta carbonara, movie popcorn, grits, cheese, vodka, vodka, and vodka.

Here’s to brownstones, mansard roofs, one way streets, grillwork and street lanterns.

Here’s to Kyra Sedwick on the people mover at Dulles and Spring Awakening cast members on the streets of Boston. And to the SA guys for smiling and saying thanks when I was like “heeeeey guys!”

Here’s to the Green Monster.

Here’s to brown exit signs – national parks, national monuments, state parks, historic markers, historic walkways. And to no entry fees on weekdays apparently.

Here’s to bridges. Drawbridges, George Washington Bridge, Memorial Bridge, Art Deco Merritt Parkway bridges, Mystic Bascule Bridge, Pell Bridge, and Zakim Bridge.

Here’s to seeing “In the Heights” on Broadway and the next day driving through Providence, switching the radio to the Broadway channel, a long pause between songs and then…”Lights up on Washington Heights, up at the break of day / I wake up and I got this little punk I gotta chase away…” That was so cool.

Here’s to jaw-dropping OMFG.

Here’s to my feet. Because my rough estimate is that I walked an average of about 10 miles a day.

Here’s to gardens. And squares. And commons. And parks. And forests.

Here’s to tolls. Not really, though.

Last night at the PaleyFest - Fringe! Museum clip? Dawson's Creek Breakfast Club episode from season one - ha! Big screen epsiode? "The Transformation" a.k.a. Porcupine Man. Panel is the three musketeers, Jbrams, Roberto, Alex and two other producer guys. And I call him Jbrams because that's what Jennifer Garner called him at the Alias Paley Festival many years ago. Meeeemories! Anyway, Jbrams thanked the audience for coming right at the beginning, which no one else ever does. He's just so Jbrams! Ken Tucker was the moderator, which is like tv writing royalty. There was no mention the whole time about Charlie, Astrid or Broyles, which made me a bit sad. Nonetheless, follow the cut!

( Two Aussies (that's Anna & John) and a Canuck (Josh) go into a bar... )

Back from Big Love night at PaleyFest. Man oh man, there is only one Harry Dean Stanton. And he is pissed Roman is dead. They showed a clip package of the whole 3rd season rather than a single episode, which was cool. It was also cool that Grace Zabriskie and the cast were in the row right behind me watching it. Verdict - they think Nicki is hilarious as the rest of us do. "Satan made me do it!!" got a huge laugh. I'll admit I'm a little more tired than usual when writing this recap, so I'll probably edit it later with more stuff I remember. Now - on to the polygamy!

( Follow the cut to find out why 'If you're an asshole you end up in Nicaragua' )

It's Paley Fest time! Tonight I had the pleasure of attending my first event 'o the season, with the amazingly beautiful in person cast of The Mentalist. They showed the episode "Bloodshot" which I was happy about because we got to see the sweet Rigsby/Van Pelt "you're not dead" hug scene on the big screen. Apparently they wrapped shooting today and Tim Kang was doing the last scene, so he wasn't there - boo! I would've really liked to see his real life personality. Amanda and Robin were the only two people on the panel with American accents. Museum clip of the night was a HILARIOUSLY bad accented Robin Tunney clip from "Dream On." OMG too funny. I tried to break down the stuff I remembered into categories, which is a new thing. We'll see how it goes...
( I psychically predict you will follow this cut )

After 30 years I finally attended my first-ever Opening Day! There were stealth bomber fly-overs, stabbings in the parking lot (!!) and a CYCLE! In a 11-1 routing of the Giants, the Dodgers and their fans provided non-stop entertainment. A dove almost died, I was nicknamed Van Damme and a guy proposed right down the aisle from me - not a bad afternoon.

I left my apartment two hours before the first pitch was scheduled to occur and basically made it my seat just as the festivities began. It took me about 45 minutes just to get from the freeway into stadium parking lot - a distance of maybe 1/4 mile. Due to this insane gridlock I had to give up on getting to my secret free parking and pay the $15 official parking fee which I HATE paying for multiple reasons, the least of which is that it's 15 freaking dollars.

Once I was in my seat they announced that the Dodgers would be coming out from the stands when they introduced the roster. This was a pretty cool idea, but probably even cooler for the fans at field level. I just have this image of Andre Ethier chilling by the beer cart until the called his name and he got to run through the seats to the field. Anyways, this was how I learned my boy Blake DeWitt had been sent down to the minors. Again. I understand the reasoning (this way he'll play every day) but his continual major/minor ping-pong thing has got to be frustrating.

The loudest roar from the crowd the entire day was not for Manny or even for Hudson after his cycle, but rather for veteran Dodgers announcer Vin Scully when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The man is truly a living legend (and the namesake of FBI agent Dana Scully from The X-Files) and I will admit I got a little misty when he strolled out on the blue carpet. Yay Vinny!

A few little things I noticed: The CPK strike meter is gone. They used to have a K go all around the stadium and end up on the end of CPK when there was a strikeout. It was pretty much the cleverest promotion tie-in ever and now it's gone! In other nit-pick news, they used "in action" shots on the big screen when people were up to bat, rather than just their press head shot. I'll admit I really liked that change - there's only so many times you can look at the same headshot. Yes, even for someone like Cole Hamels (stop being hot, Cole!)

It was a great game and being there for the cycle was very cool, although I didn't realize it until they announced it. The double was during the 4th inning where almost everyone got a hit or scored, so I kindof forgot about it.

So I've breathed in the grass, got those leg muscles ready for the hikes up to the reserve level sans escalator and vowed to never pay $15 parking again. It's baseball season!


Andre makes his way through the crowd during lineup announcements after (I assume) waiting by a concession stand

This picture was taken pretty much just one section above where I was sitting. Pretty, huh?

There is a scene in the Battlestar Galactica mini-series that gets me every time I watch it. Captain Lee Adama and Secretary of Education Laura Roslin sit facing each other and he simply asks "how far down?" She tells him she is 43rd in the line of succession. A few moments later Roslin receives a printout. Upon reading it she matter-of-factly stands up, puts on her jacket says that they need a priest. The next shot we see she stands utterly overwhelmed, but resolved. Hands shaking but forcing her voice to be strong Laura Roslin takes the oath of office and becomes President of the 12 Colonies.

I started out watching BSG for a kind-of odd reason. Jamie Bamber was on one of my favorite shows of all time, Horatio Hornblower and I saw his pretty mug in the ads for this new Sci-Fi show, so I though I'd give it a try. Little did I know what I was in for. By setting the show in space and utilizing human and cylon battles, BSG has been able to tackle pretty much every hot-button topic of our time in an intelligent and interesting way. Racism, assisted suicide, cloning, torture, abortion, faith, labor strikes, 9/11, terrorism, politics (oh boy politics), war, peace, loyalty, religion, marriage, fathers and sons, brothers and sisters, cults, duty, honor, betrayal, love. I could go on for days here.

One of the simple things that caught my breath each week was the humanity count in the credits. The simple idea and reminder that in BSG's universe we as a species would be down to around 50,000 souls was always there. When the number would go up and down depending on the previous week's ep it was always a little touching. How happy I was when they found the Pegasus and it jumped so high, and how sad that after this seasons' coup it is always so low.

A few of my most memorable things from Battlestar Galactica:
-Yes, "frak" as cuss word has entered my lexicon for some time. It's quite useful.
-The end of season 2 a.k.a. The Year in Baltar's Hair and Starbuck's "Fight them until we can't."
-Dee shooting herself
-Every time Starbuck and Apollo would go all "wonder twins, powers activate!" Love those two.
-The Adama Maneuver. Dear god, the Adama frakking Maneuver!! Awesomeness.
-Puffy Apollo (why, show, WHY?!)
-Tricia Helfer's face when ChipSix sees the Six they've been torturing on Pegasus for the first time
-"No more Mr. Nice Gaius!!!" Haaaaaaaaaaaa! I love you James Callis. Seriously.
-Saul MF Tigh in pretty much all scenes on New Caprica and the results a.k.a. season 3
-Helo & Sharon (well, Athena) making hybrid babies on Caprica. Hott.
-All Along the Watchtower

The L.A. Times had a feature this week about celebrity fans of the show and Jesse L. Martin had my favorite quote: "It's one thing to write about the world we live in. It's another thing to create a world to tell a story about the world that we live in." True indeed Jesse, true indeed.

Thank you BSG for many years of thought-provoking entertainment. Can't wait to see the end of the story.

Here are those awesome credits:

…who marvels at the simple act of precipitation. Rain!! AAgh! What’s going on?!! The sky is falling!!! Literally.

…who has dreams involving the Jonas Brothers. Now, we weren’t doing anything illicit, I think they were helping me shop for something. But nonetheless.

…who reads all the online gossip about the latest Bachelor scandal even though I’ve never watched a single minute of The Bachelor.

…who thinks 80 is pretty young. This is a good thing I think – I have perspective.

…who is a familiar face at the local bar. They don’t all yell “Jill!!” when I come in, but the bartenders (cheapest shrinks around) know enough to ask me about baseball, Dad and work, so that’s good.

…who may have to leave a passive-aggressive note on her neighbors’ front door saying “DON’T smoke in the hall right outside my door – it makes me sick. Thank you.”
(if you are not familiar with the time suck that is passiveaggressivenotes.com I encourage you to visit)

...who links to youtube videos that will probably be taken down for copyright violation before anyone can watch it. But if not - I love this song!!

"Well, the way they make shows is, they make one show. That show's called a pilot. Then they show that show to the people who make shows, and on the strength of that one show they decide if they're going to make more shows. Some pilots get picked and become television programs. Some don't, become nothing. She starred in one of the ones that became nothing." -Pulp Fiction

One of my favorite things about pilot season is reading through the tag lines and wondering what the hell will become of these ideas. Here are the ones that sound the most intriguing to me this year. These are all dramas ordered by networks. Any of these something you would watch?

( Click here for the list )

Wonderful, weird and wacky things can happen when you have no set plans or obligations, not to mention a $5 daily MTA pass.

On Saturday after attending the 1 year old b-day party of World's Cutest Baby (his official name) I met up with a friend at the historic Egyptian Theatre for a lecture on the history of Hollywood. The Egyptian is located on Hollywood Boulevard smack dab in what I will respectfully call...TouristVille. Grauman's Chinese (where folks put their footprints in the cement) is about 4 blocks west and Hollywood and Vine is about 10 blocks east. When I parked my car a gentlemen dressed exactly like Heath Ledger's Joker parked his car next to me. Scary, but I hope he made a lot of money because he looked perfect.

So, after the lecture my friends' friend had emailed him regarding a certain event that was happening. It seems that there was going to be a subway tour of a band named Killsonic. They were going to get on the Red Line in the Valley and ride it all the way to Union Station, getting out occasionally to play 20 minute sets. One such set was taking place at the Hollywood and Highland metro stop about one block from the Egyptian. Naturally intrigued we planned our schedule so that we were at the station around when we thought they would arrive. Sure enough, after assisting tourists for about 10 minutes what should we hear but a freaking marching band coming up the stairs. Four accordions, one tuba, three trumpets, two saxophones, three drummers and stuff I'm sure I'm forgetting made up a ragtag New Orleans funeral / avant garde / jazz improv / bone fide circus band thing. They played an awesome set so we did what any normal person would do - jumped on the train with them.

At each stop their posse grew, and each stop was unique in the crowd that gathered to hear them and the numbers they played. When we reached MacArthur Park it was dusk and I desperately needed a RiteAid. Apparently no one speaks English in MacArthur Park (note to self: learn Spanish), so off we went on foot until we found a drug store. By that point we had little hope of getting back to the band by the time they got on the train again. So, we went to the nearest bus stop heading in the direction we needed to go. Thanks to our daily metro pass we were soon off and reached Pershing Square. Of course, the bus stop is on the complete opposite side of the square than the metro stop, so I will never forget DU and I running across the square until we could hear the horns, sighing and realizing we had caught up with them. We high-fived and started dancing when we reached the show.

As the band and their now massive posse got off at Union Station we headed down the train tunnel, out into the waiting room and finally ended up by the information booth where they played one last set. DU and I had some drinks and got back on the subway alone, no posse in sight. Five hours after leaving TouristVille we arrived back. Our feet were sore and the station seemed eerily quiet without a marching band surrounding us. One thing is for sure, I'll never forget waiting on a subway platform while an accordion player leads a revival and we all shouted "amen!" louder and louder as the train rolled in to the station.

While working late Friday I felt what can only be described as a sonic boom going through my body. It was short and powerful and I got an instant headache. I couldn't really figure out what had happened but I thought maybe the rental group in the room next to me had dropped a really big table or something.

Uh, apparently not:
"An earthquake struck at 7:42 p.m. Pacific time. Reports are saying the quake was a magnitude 3.4 and was centered locally in Marina del Rey, California. Reports coming in from Twitter showed people feeling the quake in Santa Monica, Culver City, Marina del Rey and Venice beach.

Many people on Twitter said they felt a sharp, but quick jolt. "Super short, but kind of strong," tweeted Kate Kook, who said she was a few miles from the epicenter.

The Los Angeles Fire Department reported no immediate damage or injuries. "We had a few people out in the city of Santa Monica," said spokesman Brian Humphrey. The LAFD is on contract to take Santa Monica's 911 fire/paramedic emergency calls. "The media callers vastly outnumbered the public callers," he explained.

However, it appears the earthquake downed some power lines in Santa Monica. Sgt. Jacob of the Santa Monica Police Department said they assumed they fell because of the shaking. "We got the initial call after the earthquake," he said over the phone. Otherwise, there were no other reports of damage or injuries."

So, the only thing I could think of when I found out what happened? This:

Help! I am new / certified pre-owned car shopping for the first time ever and need any and all advice and tips you can pass on. I am clear on the whole "don't let the dealer suck you in" front, but nitty gritty things like:

What questions should I make sure to ask?
What things should I be sure to do during a test drive?
What features should I make sure the car has?
Fine print to read before I sign anything, etc.

Of course, the financing stuff is a whole 'nother confusing ball of wax, but that's down the road a bit.

I've done massive internet research (edmunds, consumer reports, kelley blue book, j.d. power) and looked in-person at all my six finalists. I also got quotes from my insurance agency and there's a $15 difference between the highest and lowest quote so that's not drastic enough to really rule any out. I am planning to do test drives in the next few weeks and hopefully narrow it down to three.

So, click on the "Leave a comment" button on the next line and grace me with your mighty wisdom. Please.

Greetings folks! Thanks to real life taking over, until last Friday I had not seen a movie since MT and I went to see Happy-Go-Lucky in mid-November. For me this this is like no oxygen or something, especially since all the Oscar-bait movies come out in December. How could I render judgement if I hadn't seen anything?! Thus began the Oscar-bait movie marathon (ongoing). Since Friday:

Slumdog Millionaire
A fun, sad well made film with a fabulous sense of place. I love Bollywood movies and this has a lot of aspects of those, plus some truly awesome casting. "All I wanna do...{ching ching} is take ya money..."

Milk
Interesting as all get-out; long but you don't even realize it and full of fascinating parallels to present-day Cali. Also- Emile Hirsh cracks me up.

The Wrestler
Oof. Hard to watch in many ways but throughly engrossing. Mickey Rourke deserves every accolade his ass is getting.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Soooo beautiful. Loved seeing New Orleans shown with such love. A really moving film.

Doubt
Blah. I would never choose to pay to see this one, and thanks to a screener I didn't have to. PSH is great, but morality issues don't sit so well with me in movies - I want to be entertained. I can see how this would have been a great play and very worthy of the Pulitzer it won. Roger Deakins is my cinematographer boyfriend, nobody does austere landscapes better. Brrr.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Ah, to be young, wealthy and beautiful traveling abroad and enjoying my life of leisure...If only I could spend the summer in lovingly and beautifully filmed Barcelona and have someone as smokin' hot as Javier Bardem hit on me. Alas, I am not Scarlett Johansson (a.k.a. Mrs. Ryan Reynolds). Also, the voiceover in this movie is annoying as heck but I still enjoyed the film overall. Cue the spanish guitar of seduction, maestro.

Gran Torino
Deceptively simple. I not a big fan of Clint "no frills" Eastwood movies, but I certainly enjoyed this one. Highly recommend.

Will be updated as I see them:

Revolutionary Road

Rachel Getting Married

Any recommendations or reviews from readers? I've got until next Wednesday the 21st to catch up - Oscar noms are announced Thursday the 22nd at 5:30 a.m.

This post is dedicated to Dad, who's going home from the hospital THIS week - yay!

The last month of my life has been quite...interesting. Scary, exhausting, happy, fun, stress-filled and eye-opening for sure. I have been back at home with my Dad for his chemotherapy treatment for lymphoma. If going through cancer and chemo wasn't enough, he also had a non-existent white blood cell count which lead to pneumonia and a "mystery illness" which involved a 102 temperature, a trip to the emergency room and what is now going on one week in the hospital. This hospital visit involved doctors saying things to me like "time will tell" and other variations that are really, REALLY not things you want a doctor to say about your Dad, especially one as awesome as mine.

Fortunately this Wednesday we got to move out of the Critical Care floor and up to a general floor. Even more fortunately the "mystery illness" was solved on New Year's Day and as a result I literally jumped up and down and did a cartwheel while waiting for my cab at LAX. These actions caused the cab stand guy to inquire if I'd won the lottery, to which I replied "kindof."

I will never forget taking my Dad's temperature around Christmas and seeing it was above 101 degrees. This meant we had to call the doctor (even though it was 7 a.m.). I asked my Dad "are you ready for whatever this day's going to bring?" and he responded "no." I said "nonetheless, here we go - tallyho!" I am proud of my Dad for being funny, nice to nurses and (relatively) patient throughout this process. Sure, he has gotten angry and scared, but he is well within his rights to do so. I, too, am proud of holding myself (relatively) together and only completely spazzing out one or two times. All this being said, Dad is now on the mend as they know how to cure the "mystery illness" and I thought I'd share I few things I now know as a result of this whole thing...

-truly, truly appreciate every moment you have with your parents because even though you'd like to think their indestructible, they're not
-why people watch absolutely mindless entertainment. When I would get home every night from the hospital anything more serious than "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" or the current Lifetime Movie Network Christmas themed schmaltz fest was too much for me
-while watching the latest episode of House on my DVR I actually understood about 3/4 of the medical jargon spoken
-cooking in a big, double-ovened kitchen for someone is so much better than cooking in a studio apartment kitchen for yourself
-some doctors are way, WAY better at explaining things than others
-the power of The Jonas Brothers. On my daily drives to and from the hospital "A Little Bit Longer" was played over...and over...and over again. It either woke me up or kept me awake, and was stress-relief each and every time. But don't just take my word for it. From Rolling Stone: "The boys' fantastic third album is steeped in the fuzzed-up guitars, three-part harmonies and cotton-candy choruses of Big Star and Cheap Trick. Power-pop die-hards awaiting the genre's commercial saviors must reckon with the fact that the messiahs have arrived . . . and they're a Disney boy band."
-attending a professional sporting event for a sport you do not follow at all (i.e. NBA basketball) can be both surreal and fun. Thanks to AM for this hospital distraction attempt, which I do think was successful mainly due to the Rockets' oh-so-cute mascot "Clutch" (youtube link to clutch being adorable)
-hospitals nowadays are like living in the future. They bring all the x-rays to you, and everything is in these little computers and they scan your I.D. wrist-badge before all procedures big and small to keep track of what they've done. They also have room service for meals. You order whatever you want whenever you want it!
-the human body and mind have an amazing capacity to operate on four hours of sleep

Here's to 2009 - bring it on!

Happy Holidays to anyone who reads this blog! I hope you have a wonderful time wherever you may be!

In one month season 5 of ABC's ridiculously addictive and well-acted drama Lost will begin! Lost is the one show on all of television that I read NO spoilers, interviews or articles about. In fact, if I even see an article I rip it out of the magazine so there's so chance I'll accidentally skim some spoilers. The only things I've seen are the promo picture and trailer below, which I'm happy to share with you!

The premiere is a two-hour event starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21st. Yay to Lost apparently not being on Thursday this season and returning back to its original Wednesday home, especially since I won't have Pushing Daisies to keep me warm on Hump Day. According to EW "while plans are still being finalized, sources indicate Lost will launch with its first two episodes aired back-to-back, not a single, two-hour opus like its season finales."

(click 3 times to see a nice, big version)

Since Lost is one huge puzzle/midfrak I'll have to start my re-viewing of the final eps of last season to get up to speed on what the H is going on. 'Til then, enjoy the awesome trailer below:

I know you've been waiting with bated breath, so here they are! Just like last year, these are simply moments that I remembered and appreciated the most over the past year, some in great episodes, others in not so great ones. I'm not including election or Olympic coverage, this is solely fictional tv.

10. Fringe - "The Equation"
Our favorite mad scientist Walter Bishop has a sad moment of clarity after his extended visit to a mental hospital. When commenting that his friend "went on and on like an incoherent loon" he pauses and asks Peter "Son, is that what it's like when you talk to me?" The non-response of "let's get you home" is all the answer he needs. Simply put - John Noble is badass.

9. Pushing Daisies - "Comfort Food"
It's extremely hard to pick one from this series, but how about the moment when The Pie Hole wins the Comfort Food Cook-Off Best in Belly? Donned in bright turn-of-the century soda fountain garb, Ned's shock and Olive's glee make this a super sweet moment. The fact that The Chenoweth sings "Eternal Flame" a minute later doesn't hurt either.

8. House - "House's Head"
In an episode filled with psychedelic imagery, clues masquerading as dreams and vice versa, House voluntary takes drugs guaranteed to overdose him into a hyperbrain state. In his dream / vision / memory he encounters a woman who repeatedly asks him what her necklace in made of. Finally, House and we the audience "get it" -the necklace is made of amber. And Amber is dying.

7. Jericho - "Termination for Cause"
Wearing a blood-stained shirt, Stanley silently signs his goodbyes to his deaf sister Bonnie in the morgue. Filled with grief and love, he thanks her and offers up a "tell Mom and Dad I love them." He ends with his first audible non-signed words of the scene - "I love you." Sniff.

6. Greek - "Three's A Crowd"
In the last 15 seconds of the episode Kappa Tau bursts into Rusty and Dale's dorm room to kidnap pledge Spitter for Hell Week. Pajama clad Dale sleepily offers a "hi Chip" to which Cappie awesomely responds with a grin and "hi Dale" as we cut to black.

5. Lost - "There's No Place Like Home, Part Two"
As Jin frantically waves from the deck of the freighter Sun screams at the pilot to set the helicopter back down to get her husband. He refuses and the freighter blows up, leaving us with a ball of flame, Sun's truly gut-wrenching screams of anguish and me sobbing on my couch.

4. How I Met Your Mother - "The Bracket"
The entire Barney bracket montage, but especially the 2nd round battle between "fake baby" and "lost at sea" which Ted finally interrupts with a bellowing "I WAS THERE, TRUST ME! IT'S FAKE BABY!"

3. Mad Men - "Meditations in an Emergency"
Peggy & Pete's final scene.

2. Gossip Girl - "Summer, Some Kind of Wonderful"
Blair and Chuck in what I can only call the mint colored tree grove of despair. The first of many scenes this season where these two characters took out my heart and stomped on it a bit, with Ed & Leighton acting their asses off.

1. Lost - "There's No Place Like Home, Part Two"
As the Lostaways' raft reaches a patrolling ship, we hear "Ms. Widmore" spoken by the deckhands and dare to hope Penny will appear. She does, and she and Desmond's disbelieving and loving reunion is as uplifting and happy as tv gets.

I don't want to sound too much like a spokesperson for Amtrak here, but I freaking LOVE the train. In the past year and 1/2 I have gone from L.A. to Portland, D.C. to N.Y.C. and now L.A. to Houston. All trips were lovely, relaxing and beautiful. The next trip you've got, check out the Amtrak schedule and see if you can swing it. Now, obviously you have to have the extra time because these are not 100 mph speed trains a la Japan. In fact, quite often I feel like I could do a hobo run alongside the train and pretty much keep pace. That being said, you can have 5 bags plus all your carry-on stuff, there's no security line and did I mention it's relaxing?! Even in coach you have so much more room than on a plane - it's bliss for these long legs.

Just because it amuses me, the two movies I watched on train trip were Live Free or Die Hard Sunday night and Enchanted Monday night - similar, eh?

( Train Pictures Click Here! )

On this lovely long weekend I took the time to backup the contents of my laptop including my itunes library. Transferring the library to my external hard drive took around 45 minutes and as it was happening I got curious about my purchases this year, so I peeked around a bit.

This is easy and fun for all - just click your account name in the upper right corner of the itunes homepage. Once you're on your Apple Account Information page, click the Purchase History button, then you can sort it by month and date. Thus, in about 10 seconds you can see all the stuff you've bought this year.

So, without further ado I give you my Top Ten Singles Purchased in 2008 in no particular order. Videos can be found by clicking the song name:

1. Four Winds- Bright Eyes - from the album Cassadaga
The lyrics of the song make my head hurt but if I just listen to it without thinking about it, it makes me happy

2. Blockbuster- Sweet - from the album The Best of Sweet
This one was on my "itunes song of the day" desk calendar (thanks Sis) and it is a wonderful 'walk to work' song

3. She's Got You- Patsy Cline - from the album Sentimentally Yours
Listening to my Patsy Cline Greatest Hits tape in my car led me to upgrade this perfect song to my digital library

4. When it Rains- Eli Young Band - from the album Jet Black & Jealous
I heard this on the radio and wrote some of the lyrics down on the notebook in my car (always stashed in the glove compartment for this reason). Once home I googled and discovered the name of the band and song. The single was not available the first time I looked, but heard the song again a few months later, checked and there it was. Memo to artists releasing your first studio album: put it on itunes when you release it!!

5. Hello (American Idol Performance)- David Cook - Single
Don't watch AI but Big Sis sent me a youtube link to this performance and I was like "awesome" and it was purchased pronto. Cookie!

6. Not While I'm Around- Manoel Felciano, Patti LuPone - from the album Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street 2005 Broadway Revival Cast
Saw the stage show and loved this number, then rented the movie and didn't like that one too well. I hunted around on youtube and itunes and this was the version available that was closest to the stage one I saw. This is a classic 'sing-along very loudly while cleaning' song. Bonus points for being especially dramatic and British during the speaking parts as I am :)

7. Troubadour- George Strait - from the album Troubadour
I'm pretty sure I just heard this on the radio and it was purchased instantly - what a song!

8. Leavin'- Jesse McCartney - from the album Departure
Both the EW and Rolling Stone reviews of this album singled out this song. Then one day while watching music videos OnDemand (under "Music" on your On Demand menu) I saw the song title and said "humm, let's try it." Needless to say, the addictive pop sugar of this one got to me and after watching the hilarious video about four times in a row I gave in and bought the song.

9. Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine - from the album Rage Against the Machine
Got the old tape out thanks to Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitar Songs" issue. Another tape to digital upgrade soon followed. Nothing better when you're having a bad day and need to rock out.

10. Work - Jimmy Eat World - from the album Futures
Someone used this in an awesome Jim & Pam fan video and this song and many other Jimmy Eat World songs were purchased as a result. Yes, I said Jim & Pam fan video. I know.