I'll Take Romance

I have been catching up on my DVr'd shows (did I just again use a noun as a verb?) and finally finally saw the last two episodes of "Glee" I don't know why I waited - maybe there was a part of me who wanted to savor them. I am glad I did, though. I just watched them this evening, in a relaxed and open mood, and I think it helped me enjoy it more. The "Funeral" episode is a bit manipulative, and I suspect they did it to give Jane Lynch a "meaty" episode to submit for the Emmys. (And please - she should be nominated for Lead Actress) The "new York" episode, however, was, for me, one of the best in this uneven year for them. I know a lot of people weren't fans of this episode, but maybe there's a bit of nostalgia there for me. I missed NYC much more after watching the show. And the bit about Finn/Rachel romantic comedy - that was pure perfection for me. New York never looked more romantic, and it held memories of a New York City filled with romance, one of the descriptions for me of a city I once knew. And it was almost ironic - they lost because of love, Rachel's dreams shattered because of a kiss, just right after her telling Finn she needs to choose her "dream." And the song choices, for once, fit so well. I loved how the men sang "Bella Notte," one of my favorite songs. It gave an old-fashioned vibe to that scene pretty well, and well, I am just a sucker for old fashioned kind of love. (Sigh. Sometimes I still hope there's someone out there for me) I loved how they ended the series - with hope, secrets, romance (Still) Kurt and Blaine, Rachel and Finn, even the pleasantly unexpected Sam/Mercedes pairing (Why do they have to hide their romance, though? And how can they meet in the parking lot when Sam is homeless?Does he have a car?) All in all, a perfect cap to a year of some highs and lows...See you in September... 

"A master of patience is master of everything else."

- George Savile

Madly,Truly

I truly hope I am not coming down with something. This morning I woke up with an upset stomach, and I don't even know what caused it. Now tonight I have this feeling like I want to throw up, andI even skipped dinner. Just now I woke up and felt a little hungry, so I just had a slice of banana bread cake (from Goldilocks - they are delicious!) I hope I don't have some kind of stomach virus. I learned today that we are off on Friday. Yay. Well, it's Good Friday so I really should just chill and reflect, but I will try to do something interesting. Or I may just stay in and sleep. It's the same thing sometimes. This whole weekend I caught up on the Blu-Rays of the last season of "Mad Men" and it was a great season artistically. Jon Hamm consistently gave a superb performance in each and every episode, and I hope he wins something for it. And Elizabeth Moss has warmed up to me after all these years while January Jones' petulant Peggy got just a little bit tiresome (or maybe that was the point) I am glad that Matthew Wiener struck a dea with AMC for two more seasons, as I am glad to follow where these characters go. 

Faith goes up the stairs that love has built
and looks out the window which hope has opened.
~ Charles Spurgeon

Never As Good As The First Time

Saw the American version of "Skins" tonight on MTV, and...why do they do this? This british show was a favorite of mine, and the American version's pilot episode is an almost verbatim copy of the British pilot episode. I think that will be their biggest mistake. People, like myself, who love the British version will think this is just a poor copy - these characters are forever etched in mind.  I think it would have been more interesting if they "adapted" it more than copied it - made it more relatable to American audiences, for example. I personally don't think the average American - Middle America, if you will - will understand the machinations of the British working class, so why even bother? And compared to MTV's other hit, "Jersey Shore," these Skins kids are just too .... boring. I don't know if I will remember or be inclined to watch the next episodes. 


Speaking of television, I am watching the first season of "Hot in Cleveland," and it's just...bad. It has a great cast: Wendy Malick, Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeds, Betty White! But the writing is so sub-par and even though I loved the "innocence" of the multi-camera sitcom set-up, I can't help but feel it's a little dated. I love classic and vintage like the rest of us, but dated, I don't know if I can do. 

"It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know."

- Henry David Thoreau

I Dream Of Camille

I woke up this evening from a nap, and I had the most bizarre dream, and it involved Camille Grammer. The details have become sketchy since, but I swear she was in my dreams. Or should I call it nightmare. Of course, I woke up twenty minutes before this week's episode of RWOBH, where she talks about her breakup with Kelsey. It's all just so weird and bizarre. Pipo and I agree that she is fascinating and prefer her over Kyle. 


And I shipped - well, ground-shipped - the first box today. It was sort of a struggle rolling it with my cart through the snow, but I persevered, and I am ok. At one point, I tripped with it, and the metal cart hit my shin, but I recovered. Now I see that there is a big black and blue bruise on my knee. I mistakenly pressed it, and it was painful!

"Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning."

- Joseph Campbell

Showgyrrrr

So I had a great date with myself last night to watch Bette Midler's show "The Showgirl Must Go On" on HBO. I was actually looking forward to it, since I don't think I have seen Bette Midler live since "Diva Las Vegas" and for my money, among all the "divas," she is tops for live performance. Well, bottom line is that I wasn't disappointed with what I saw last night - this is the fiery, irreverent Bette I have always loved, although age does catch up with everyone, since I have never seen her so...exhausted, I guess is the most appropriate word. She jokes about it, but I get that she isn't entirely unserious. The Colloseum stage at Caesar's Palace almost dwarfs her, but all in all she makes the most of it. I can just imagine what kind of barn that space is.  She has a pretty big show that fills it physically, but in content I wish it was just a little more vast. She sings all the "hits," and I am sure that is a great crowd pleaser, but I feel like she didn't throw a bone for all of us "fans" who have been with her from the very beginning. For every "Wind Beneath My Wings" that we have to suffer through, I don't think it would have hurt to have inserted a "Surabaya Johnny," for example. Still, this is entertainment to the highest degree, and watching her is seeing a living legend in action. They don't make 'em like they used to, folks, so we should just sit back and enjoy it while we still can. 

Reboot Redux

1. So, yeah, I have been mildly following the gay storyline on the 90210 reboot, and it's been sort of interesting, if only because they picked the cutest guy, Trevor Donovan, to be the gay "token." But as cute as he is, his acting is just so wooden that you just kind of squirm when he is on. His on-screen partner, Kyle Riabko is much better, but they have zilch chemistry and you really do not believe that they would be attracted to each other. Oh, and I think I am just watching this because I *refuse* to watch DWTS and give ratings to Bristol Palin. Never, ever, ever. 


2. I have been catching up (via Netflix) on "The Good Wife," and I am hooked. I have never thought twice about Julian Marguiles but she is fantastic here, giving great nuanced performances episode after episode. It's not your traditional drama, it also has layerings of family drama, and even a romantic angle in a lot of unexpected twists and turns. Ridley Scott produces and directs episodes, apparently, so it has some pedigree. I am really impressed and Juliana is deserving of both her Golden Globe and Emmy.  And yeah, Josh Charles is still cute. 

"A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral."

- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry,

I Bet Me

Meh. The Project Runway finale this evening - boring, and I found that I really do not care anymore who wins. They made Michael C. the "hero" the whole season only to eliminate him just before the finale. And it would have been fine except the designers who beat him had lackluster collections. And the wretched Gretchen, all smug and entitled-feeling bitch winning the whole thing. It really does seem to be a fix - a woman winning on the Lifetime network! And the judging this time is so horribly fake.  They're lucky I even have it on. And special guest judge - Jessica Freakin' Simpson? Couldn't they get someone more qualified?


One of my favorite places in New York City is The Strand Bookstore, specially the basement where they have galleys and ARC (Advanced Review Copies)  for $1.99.  Basically these are the  books that are sent to newspapers and magazines for review purposes so sometimes they have no covers, or the artwork may not be the same as the final book. They even say that these advanced proofs may not even be finally edited.  When I first started buying them, they were just 49 cents, but inflation inflation inflation.  Anyway, in this section you get to find books that range from current bestsellers to obscure authors that are up and coming. I love discovering writers this way. A lot of times I would choose titles that later become hits. I have not been there in a while only because I have a huge pile of these things, and I really need to speed up on my reading. Today I went, and told myself I will only get three titles. Of course, the most difficult part was editing my pile, and I "compromised" and got five titles. See - I am making a bet with myself that I will finish at least two books a week. I am also challenging myself for that to be the lowball estimate. Ideally, I would want to finish five, but good luck! I will keep everyone informed of my progress (or non, although I don't want that to be the option) 

"Life does not accommodate you, it shatters you. It is meant to, and it couldn't do it better. Every seed destroys its container or else there would be no fruition."

- Florida Scott-Maxwell

Thunder, Lightning

There has been non stop thunder and lightning for about four hours now. I know I saw it on the weather alert thingie I read but usually these things last about half an hour or so, and I must admit I am actually getting kind of spooked about it. And there was hail earlier that was really pounding on my window - I was concerned it would crash and break. This is really weird weather we are having. 


So, I just watched Week 2 of this A-List show on Logo, and even I am surprised by how I am seeing Reichen. He seems to be the sanest and most likeable person on the show. I must say that all the other cast members are so loathsome you really cannot choose who you despise the most. But, is it really sad to say that I am now hooked on this show? I really don't know why I keep on why I will keep on watching this trash - probably because of all the beefcake shots!


And this homophobic Carl Paladino character running for Governor of New York. Isn't the state one of the bluest of the blues? Why the why is the Republican party endorsing this crazy fool? I mean, even Elizabeth Hasselback seems to be against him! 

Grace comes into the soul,
as the morning sun into the world:
first a dawning, then a light, and
at last the sun in his full and excellent brightness.
~ Thomas Adams