Mama Mia

Dragged Hubby to see 'Mama Mia' on Saturday (after I convinced him that 'Dark Knight' would be too crowded this weekend). He thought it was okay (and it did provide an escape from the Texas heat), but I liked it. Must admit that I was frustrated by the way the singing/dancing scenes were shot/directed: mediocre choreography, cameras out of focus at times, and dancing scenes shot with little to no wide-angles. Why bother having dancing scenes if you are filming from the waist up? Overall, I left the theatre feeling happy with the movie, but disappointed in that it had the potential to be even better if it had been under the helm of a 'more-seasoned' director. If you enjoy ABBA music you'll like 'Mama Mia', if not, don't bother.

Mad Men Marathon

Today I'm surviving the Texas heat with the blinds closed, curtains drawn, ac cranked, and the television turned to AMC for a Mad Men marathon. I love this show and can't wait until the new season starts next Sunday. The writing is brilliant. Hubby loves to quote the beatnik's question 'How do you sleep at night' (upon discovering that Draper was in advertising) whereupon Draper replies, 'On a bed made of money.' I love how authentic the show feels with the art direction (costumes, set design, props) from the period. The countdown is on until next Sunday night.

Freedom of Speech

"The best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market...I think that we should be eternally vigilant against attempts to check the expression of opinions that we loathe and believe to be fraught with death."

Oliver Wendell Holmes



"Western governments are becoming increasingly comfortable with the regulation of opinion. The First Amendment really does distinguish the U.S., not just from Canada but from the rest of the Western World."

Mark Steyn



How much do you value the freedom to express your opinion? Check out this New York Times article.

Royal Chef

On July 1st, as I was getting my daily dose of Tim and Meghan on Fox Good Day, I remembered that it was Canada Day. No, it's not that they mentioned it, but they did remind us that it would have been Princess Diana's 47th birthday that day. Yes, it is weird how I know that her birthday coincided with Canada -- although, what's even more strange is that I know Pamela Anderson's birthday also falls on Canada Day.

Fox 4 mentioned Princess Diana's birthday because they had her former chef from Kensington Palace, Darren McGrady, showing how to make her favourite no-bake cheesecake. It looked so yummy that I convinced myself that I should actually look up the recipe and try it at home.

The chef himself was quite personable (ie chatty) on television, but it was difficult to decipher the recipe. So, I had to Google him and find his website, which is called The Royal Chef. Apparently he has also written a recipe book -- which I might have to search for at Borders. Look under recipes and it is listed as 'Greek Yogurt and Strawberry Cheesecake'.

The only thing holding me back from trying it this week is that we are off on a roadtrip today. Plus, it involves using a food processor. Yes, I have a strange fear of my food processor. Okay, it really is not a phobia...more like I am intimidated by my food processor. I had big plans to use it all the time, but the blades are sharp...Maybe it goes back to the time I did props for a production of 'Noises Off' and I had to pulverize a concoction of shredded newspaper, water, and whatnot every night and shape it into tiny sardines on multiple plates. All for the Theatre.

Roadtrip

We're doing a roadtrip to San Antonio today and I'm so excited that I woke up early this morning. The only drawback is that I haven't packed yet...and I hate packing. Hubby has given me a high-noon deadline, so if I'm not packed and ready to go by then...well, he won't be happy. Guess he wants to make it through Austin before rush-hour tonight.

Bachelorette: What Was She Thinking?

Yes, I watch The Bachelorette. No, I do not take it seriously. It adds amusement to my life and I enjoy the man-candy -- I may be married, but I am not dead. But, after last night's episode I am not sure that I want to continue tuning in every Monday evening.

DeAnna's choice of final two men is bizarre. One is a divorced single father and the other is a snowboarder. She is only 26 so I can understand her falling for the snowboarder because he offers tons of fun and zero responsibility. Meanwhile, I question whether she has really given much thought to becoming an instant step-mother. The other strange thing is that I thought she didn't want to move far from her family in Georgia, and she has chosen one guy who makes a living sliding down mountains on a snowboard (not much snow in Georgia) and the other lives in Seattle --the exact opposite corner of the country.

Guess I was shocked last night when she said goodbye to Jeremy. He was the perfect guy with the perfect life, and a southerner to boot. What was she thinking? If she were 30, this is the guy she would have chosen.

The way she spoke to the 'cast-off' bachelors last night was harsh. None of those men deserved to be spoken to that way. They already had been sent home so why did she have to be Ms. Nasty. I hope she gets the life she picks and that karma comes back to bight her.

Big Sur Fire

This morning on the news I noticed that a wildfire is closing in on Big Sur. Apparently the fire that is consuming part of the Los Padres National Forest was started last weekend from some dry lightning strikes. Highway 1 is closed beyond Carmel and homes have been evacuated. Big Sur is a naturally beautiful area with soaring redwoods. Let's hope that not all will be destroyed. Check out the live webcam at Nepenthe, although right now all one can see is smoke.

Gecko Sighting

The Gecko's back in town for another season. Okay, I suppose there is more than one in my neighborhood, but I like to think of the gecko as my very own. It was spotted this morning after my walk and I saw it turn from brown to green on the gate post. I like to think that the gecko brings good luck.

Mad Men

A new season of Mad Men is starting on July 27. Hubby and I have started the countdown. For fellow fans, those who are interested, or for those who do not receive the Sunday New York Times, here's a preview of the article to appear in this Sunday's magazine (a.k.a. one of the reasons to subscribe to the Sunday edition).

Still in Shock

Still can't believe that Tim Russert is dead. It was shocking to read about his passing online just a couple of hours ago. Word is still out on whether it was a heart-attack or cardiac arrest, but it is brutal for this to happen to anyone while at the workplace. Would anyone really want to die at work?

Hot in Hollywood Rocks

Hubby has been in NYC and Boston the past couple of days, and as a result I have had way too much time on my hands, and I have watched way too much television for my own good.

Dare I admit to even watching the Home Shopping Network in the wee hours of the morning because I am an insomniac without Hubby by my side. Yes, while trying to fall asleep Sunday night I discovered Hot in Hollywood on HSN. Yes, I just fell in love with this brand and had to put my self-restraint into high gear so as to not pick up the phone and order the white capris. Ahhh, the white capris that I really want to order....hmmmm....it's love. Basically, Hot in Hollywood takes the latest trends and translates them into affordable pieces. Why? Because who can afford to spend hundreds of dollars on an item that will be out-of-style next year?

In addition to HSN, I discoved Gems TV that really lulls me into sleep and dreams full of bright, sparkly jewelry with gems I've never really heard of before: Tanzanite? Morganite? But, oh, how they sparkle.