Last Night's Lost Premiere

Hubby and I have been awaiting the premiere of the new season of Lost for weeks. Okay, well, maybe I've been anticipating it more than Hubby, but we've both been catching up by re-watching last year's episodes on DVD -- where the picture quality is phenomenal.

Last night's episodes was intriguing because we discover that only six people make it off the island as Hurley (flash forward) refers to being one of the 'Oceanic Six', and something mysterious happened on the island because Hurley asked if Jack came to visit him to see if he would tell what they 'did'. So, if only six people were rescued what happened to the other castaways? Were they murdered? Did they decide to stay on the island? (Of course, Locke more than likely decided to stay island-bound.) Or, were they left on the island so the other six people could be rescued? Hopefully we'll get answers by the end of the season, although there are only eight episodes completed before the writers' strike so who knows what will be solved.

Look Out For the Tumbleweed

Dallas is getting some major wind gusts today. DFW reported the wind-speed (is that a term?) at 53mph and delayed flights. It is strange getting weather warnings on television for strong wind; they forewarn of poor visibility due to the dust swirling in the air. I keep expecting to see tumbleweed rolling down our street.

SAG Awards

Thank God the Screen Actor Guild Awards are on television tonight. It's been a long movie award season drought due to the WGA strike, which hopefully will be negotiated and a new agreement signed prior to the Academy Awards. I miss the gowns, jewels, and glamor that comes with these shows, not to mention the overlooked movies that are highlighted and catch our attention. The current red carpet coverage is dull; it makes me pine for the days of Joan Rivers yakking to/at the actors.

Media Ignoring John Edwards

At first I thought it was just because he came in second in the Iowa Democratic Primary/Caucus or whatever it is called. I watched the results on CNN and they downplayed the second-place showing of John Edwards. But as the weeks pass, I'm beginning to notice that the media finds it difficult to even acknowledge that there are three people in the Democratic race. What is the cause of this media-bias against a candidate? Unfortunately, the media is owned/controlled by corporations that are concerned with their bottom-line and John Edwards is running on a campaign focussed on closing the gap between the rich and poor in the US. He has also been critical of health insurance companies, and the way that some big corporations have disregarded their employees, oh, and he wants to get rid of Washington lobbyists. He is also not accepting donations from the aforementioned corporations. Big corporations dread a John Edwards presidency, hence he is the invisible candidate in the eyes of the media. There must be other people out there that realize the huge void in Edwards media coverage, right?

Nip/Tuck: Gina, Gina, Gina

Last night's Nip/Tuck episode really freaked me out when they showed Gina accidentally falling from her highrise rooftop while having sex with Christian. What a total surprise! I had heard that a character was going to die this season, but the writers really wanted you to think it was going to be meth-addicted Matt or poisoned Julia (can't believe the doctors did not test her for toxic substances). Not once did anyone suspect Gina was going to die. I can still see her character falling while calling out to Christian.

Giants? Really?

Still cannot believe that the Giants beat the Packers. The game was in Green Bay and the arctic temps favored the home team. What other team could play in -2F (windchill of -23F) weather? Now the Giants will be playing the Patriots in the Superbowl. Hate to say it, but I will be rooting for the New England Patriots. Anybody but the Giants.

Simmons Out of Apprentice

The only reason Hubby and I have been watching Celebrity Apprentice for the past several weeks is because of Gene Simmons, and now he is gone. We think he purposely did not bring Nelly back into the boardroom because he really no longer wanted to be part of the show, and we can't really blame him. This show is going no where fast and the Apprentice has grown tired. Haven't watched it since Trump installed his son and daughter to oversee the two groups as I'm not a fan of nepotism. Gene Simmons was truly enjoyable to watch as he has a natural acumen for business, and he really doesn't care what people think of what he says or does.

Smokey Elephant

In preparation for yesterday's James McMurtry gig at the White Elephant in Fort Worth I drank copious amounts of coffee. It certainly pepped me up but with a certain edge...Very edgey at the beginning of yesterday evening, and lets just say that James McMurtry music is not mood enhancing. But, all turned out well as Hubby, his colleague, made our way to the Fort Worth Stockyards.

The White Elephant Saloon is an experience in itself as this place has been around forever, or so it seems from the decor and ambience. Straw cowboy hats, with each owner's name attached, are nailed to the ceiling, and photos of visiting celebrities from the world of country music and hollywood are framed on the walls -- apparently Michael Keaton made his mark at the pool table here in the early 90s. Very smokey place, but cigarettes seemed right at home at the saloon although I was surprised at the amount of cigar smokes in attendance. The guys around us were friendly and very big James McMurtry fans.

As for James McMurtry himself, he did not disappoint and turned in a fine performance. It is amazing how he sounds exactly the same singing live as he does recorded. A musician rather than an entertainer his efforts to interact with the audience were hindered by the testy sound equipment, which seemed to slide as the evening progressed. The only downside was the sound quality towards the end; lots of feedback...or maybe he's veering towards an edgier sound.

McMurtry is true to himself and his music -- he follows his own path, and therein lies his strength. Those who have discovered his tunes appreciate his music and crafted storytelling. We had a great time and enjoyed his gig. Hopefully we will have another opportunity to see him perform in the upcoming months.

January Days

Today is an absolutely dreary day due to a lingering overcast sky. Yesterday I made a pilgrimage to North Park and had a fill of retail therapy. January may be full of overcast skies but it is the month of major retail sales as shops try to rid themselves of winter clothing and accessories. Why shop in December when the markdowns happen the next month. Found a great flared skirt and black trousers at Nordstrom, so many racks and so little time. The racks at Macy's can be overwhelming as everything seems scattered.

Going to the White Elephant Saloon in Forth Worth tonight to see singer James McMurtry perform. Hubby was introduced to his work through a colleague, and we listened to McMurtry's music on a road trip to Austin last October in preparation for a November performance in Denton --which was eventually cancelled. This could turn into an adventure tonight..

How To Look Good Naked

'How To Look Good Naked' is a new half-hour television show on Lifetime starring Carson Kressley, that fabulous stylist from Queer Eye. I watched two episodes on Saturday after saving it on Tivo and I love it. The show deals with average women of average weight -- those who fashion themselves after models may view them as fat -- who have self-esteem issues. Carson Kressley shows how their self-perception is askew as most view themselves as two or three sizes than they really are. He helps them accept and love the size they are, while also showing how to wear clothes to flatter rather than hide their figures. In the end, he gets each woman to pose 'naked' (their private 'bits' are tastefully covered) and proves that the way to look good naked is to have confidence and love the body you're in. Of course, having strangers compliment you while your photo is projected onto a building is a huge ego boost for any woman. Love yourself and the rest will follow.

Cowboys Blown Away on Sunday

The Cowboys played so well in the first half of yesterday's play-off game with the Giants. Marion Barber was outstanding and the team really seemed to be on a roll, a victory seemed to be within reach. Unfortunately, they were blown away by the Giants in the second half. They seemed like a completely different team. Romo kept getting hit, which is not a good thing -- you really don't want your QB getting knocked off his feet. Meanwhile, it seemed like none of the receivers could catch the ball or hang onto it. There is always next year, but which team will I cheer for now that both the Cowboys and the Colts have been knocked off?