What did I get for Christmas? The stomach flu. Gross. Luckily it was only a 24 hour flu. The first half of Christmas day I was okay - my stomach was feeling strange, but I was able to ignore it, but by that evening there was no more ignoring it. As I drove from Salt Lake City back to Provo after seeing my family, I made it as far as Lehi before I had to have Whit pull off and then I had it coming out both ends in a gas station bathroom...Merry Christmas. That night was horrendous. Poor Whit was great, taking caring of me. The next day I was weak and tired, but so much better. And the day after that I was pretty much back to normal. I am super grateful it was just a quick sickness. It reminded me of being sick at about the same time six years ago when we were on our honeymoon, only that time I remained sick for two weeks, so a couple of days was okay.
Other than that, it was a great holiday. It was so nice to have no responsibilities, to just relax and enjoy the company of my family. Although cold, it was nice being in Utah for Christmas - the mountains looks so pretty covered in snow. I enjoyed playing "Apples to Apples" with my family - seeing my dad get involved and my mom laugh her little head off. I always love seeing my skinny, tall, little nephew, Dylan. I loved sitting by the fire watching classic holiday movies with Whit's famlily like the always perfect The Christmas Story, Uncle Buck and some new movies we watched, W. and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Whit and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary - nothing big, just lunch together, which suited me just fine.
Now I'm back at work - but for only a two day work week which is a nice way to ease back in to real life.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
My Mom used to read "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" to me every Christmas eve and I always loved it. There is something so peaceful about snowy Christmas eves. Although it is cold and the snow is threatening our travel on Christmas, it is good to be in Utah for Christmas, to bundle up in sweaters and scarves, to drink hot cocoa and tea, to see the white all around. I love my family. I love Christmas. Frohe Weihnachten. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Dr. Feel Good
As the end of the year is approaching, here are a few heartwarming articles from 2008:
Kindness of strangers benefits tallest man
8-foot-5 frame gives Ukrainian trouble, but bike, van, PC give joy, hope
PODOLYANTSI, Ukraine - Leonid Stadnik's phenomenal height has forced him to quit a job he loved and to stoop as he moves around his house.
But Stadnik, who Guinness World Records says is the world's tallest human, says his condition has also taught him that there are many kindhearted strangers.
Since his recognition by Ukrainian record keepers four years ago, and by Guinness last year, people from all over Ukraine and the world have sent him outsized clothing, provided his home with running water and recently presented him with a giant bicycle. And on Monday, he got a new car, courtesy of President Viktor Yushchenko.
"Thanks to good people I have shoes and clothes," said the 37-year-old former veterinarian, who still lives with his 66-year-old mother.
In 2006, Stadnik was officially measured at 8 feet 5 inches tall, surpassing a 7-foot-9-inch Chinese man to claim the title of the world's tallest person.
His growth spurt began at age 14 after a brain operation that apparently stimulated the overproduction of growth hormone. Doctors say he has been growing ever since.
While his size is intimidating, Stadnik charms visitors with a broad grin and childlike laugh. He seems at times like a lonely boy trapped in a giant's body, even keeping stuffed toys on his pillow.
Stadnik's stature has brought attention, but he struggles to lead a normal life.
All the doorways in his one-story brick house are too short for him to pass through without stooping. His 440 pounds cause constant knee pain and often force him to use crutches.
Stadnik loves animals but had to quit his job as a veterinarian at a cattle farm after suffering frostbite when he walked to work in his socks in winter. He could not afford custom-made shoes for his 17-inch feet.
No despair
But his fame has taught him not to despair.
A German who said he was his distant relative asked Stadnik for a visit several years ago. On the trip, Stadnik got to sample frog legs in an elegant restaurant and saw a roller coaster at an amusement park — both for the first time.
Shortly afterward, Stadnik came home one day and saw a new computer connected to the Web sitting on his desk — a gift from a local Internet provider. Company workers "sneaked into the house like little spies" to install the equipment, Stadnik joked.
Since then he has made many online friends, including several in the United States, Australia and Russia. Stadnik hopes to learn English so he can communicate better with his Anglophone contacts; currently, he relies on computer translations, which he says are often inadequate.
New bike, new van
On Sunday, an organization for the disabled in his home village of Podolyantsi, 125 miles west of Kiev, gave Stadnik a giant bike so he can ride to the grocery store in a nearby village. The group also presented Stadnik with a fitness machine.
"I have always dreamt that my life and the life of my loved ones ... would become more comfortable," Stadnik said. "My dream is coming true."
On Monday, he traveled to Kiev to get a new, shiny-blue van. Stadnik struggled to squeeze himself into the passenger's seat, his knees nearly reaching up to his face. Yushchenko then briefly took the beaming Stadnik for a drive.
Village authorities have promised to supply gas.
His neighbors joke that they may also benefit from Stadnik's success. "Of course we are proud of him — we may have gas here soon thanks to him," said the 75-year-old Nila Kravchuk.
Since he quit his job, Stadnik has concentrated on managing the family garden and caring for his three cows, his horse and assorted pigs and chickens. He lives with his mother, Halyna, and his 42-year-old sister Larysa.
Stadnik says his dream is finding a soul mate, just like the former titleholder, China's Bao Xishun, who was married last year.
"I think the future holds that for me," he said.
Lost parrot tells veterinarian his address
African grey parrot — missing two weeks — is returned to owners
TOKYO - When Yosuke the parrot flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught — recite his name and address to a stranger willing to help.
Police rescued the African grey parrot two weeks ago from a neighbor's roof in the city of Nagareyama, near Tokyo. After spending a night at the station, he was transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital while police searched for clues, local policeman Shinjiro Uemura said.
He kept mum with the cops, but began chatting after a few days with the vet.
"I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura," the bird told the veterinarian, according to Uemura. The parrot also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even entertained the hospital staff by singing songs.
"We checked the address, and what do you know, a Nakamura family really lived there. So we told them we've found Yosuke," Uemura said.
The Nakamura family told police they had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years.
But Yosuke apparently wasn't keen on opening up to police officials.
"I tried to be friendly and talked to him, but he completely ignored me," Uemura said.
Waitress gets $50,000, car from cranky Texan
‘I still can't believe it,’ Luby's cafeteria worker says of bequest
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - For nearly seven years Melina Salazar did her best to put on a smile and tend to the every need of her most loyal and cantankerous customer.
She made sure his food was as hot as he wanted, even if it meant he burned his mouth. And she smiled through his demands and curses. The 89-year-old Walter "Buck" Swords obviously appreciated it, leaving the waitress $50,000 and a 2000 Buick when he died.
"I still can't believe it," the Luby's cafeteria employee told Harlingen television station KGBT-TV in an interview during which she described Swords as "kind of mean."
Swords, a World War II veteran, died in July. But Salazar learned just a few days before Christmas that he had left her the money and car.
Mouth to meow-th: Mass. firefighter revives cat
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - A lucky cat owes one of its nine lives to a firefighter who revived it with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Al Machado rescued the cat from a burning apartment Tuesday, telling The Standard Times of New Bedford that he saw immediately that it needed air.
Machado began performing mouth to mouth on the animal as he carried it outside.
Video shot at the scene shows Machado bent over, breathing into the cat's mouth several times. The cat, a tiger angora, was revived and resting comfortably soon after.
No humans were injured in the fire. A man and woman whose last known address was the building that burned were arrested and charged with arson, authorities said.
Two other cats died in the second-floor apartment, but two dogs there were saved with the help of oxygen from paramedics and animal rescue personnel. Pets on the other two floors — including a ferret and even some frogs on the first floor — were all saved.
Asked what it tasted like to give mouth-to-mouth to a cat, Machado laughed, grimaced and said: "Like fur."
(Note from me: I love cats. I wish I could be kissing a wee kitty right now.)
Nagging wife, sausage help man win lottery
Young New Zealand couple says they've had a 'rough' couple of years
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A "nagging" wife who pushed her husband to buy a lottery ticket helped scoop the $4.2 million ($7.7 million New Zealand dollar) first prize — with only minutes to spare. The man from New Zealand's biggest city, Auckland, bought his ticket just two minutes before ticket sales closed Saturday night.
"My wife had been nagging me all week to get a ticket, so I when saw the Lotto sign ... I sprinted in to get the ticket before they closed," said the man, who asked not to be identified — normal practice among lottery winners in New Zealand.
"I must have been their last customer of the night," he said, adding that the young married couple had had a "rough" couple of years, reduced to one income after having children.
"I have never been so glad to listen to my wife's nagging," the man said Tuesday.
He discovered their newly won fortune Sunday thanks to his wife's request for a barbecued sausage.
'All I wanted was a sausage'
Out shopping for bargains, the man said he didn't have enough money to buy his wife the sausage she'd asked him for. So he decided to check his Saturday lottery ticket in case he'd won a small prize.
"I could not believe it when they said I was actually the big winner," he said.
When he showed the printout to his wife, she initially thought they had won $4,200.
"When she realized how much it really was, she fell to the floor, and then said: 'but all I wanted was a sausage.'"
Rover, call me an ambulance — dog calls 911
The German shepherd remembered his training and saved his owner's life
PHOENIX - "Man's best friend" doesn't go far enough for Buddy — a German shepherd who remembered his training and saved his owner's life by calling 911 when the man had a seizure.
And it's not the first time Buddy has been there for owner Joe Stalnaker, a police officer said Sunday.
On a recording of the 911 call Wednesday, Buddy is heard whimpering and barking after the dispatcher answers and repeatedly asks if the caller needs help.
"Hello, this is 911. Hello ... Can you hear me? Is there somebody there you can give the phone to," says the dispatcher, Chris Scott.
Police were sent to Stalnaker's home, and after about three minutes Buddy is heard barking loudly when the officers arrived.
Scottsdale police Sgt. Mark Clark said Stalnaker spent two days in a hospital and recovered from the seizure.
"It's pretty incredible," Clark said. "Even the veteran dispatchers — they haven't heard of anything like this."
Clark said police are dispatched whenever 911 is called, but that Stalnaker's address was flagged in Scottsdale's system with a notification that a trained assistance dog could call 911 when the owner was incapacitated.
Clark said Stalnaker adopted Buddy at the age of 8 weeks from Michigan-based Paws with a Cause, which trains assistance dogs, and trained him to get the phone if he began to have seizure symptoms. Buddy, now 18 months old, is able to press programmed buttons until a 911 operator is on the line, Clark said.
Clark said Buddy has made two other 911 calls when Stalnaker was having seizures.
He said Stalnaker's seizures are the result of a head injury he suffered about 10 years ago during a military training exercise.
Stalnaker was not listed in the phone book, and he did not immediately respond to a request through police for an interview.
Fast-food worker returns $185,000 check
McDonald's employee returns check to bank after finding it on sidewalk
NORWICH, Connecticut - Reggie Damone just wanted to jot down a phone number when he picked up what he thought was litter on a sidewalk this week. But what he found was an envelope containing a $185,000 check.
Damone, who receives government-issued food stamps for low-income workers and works at a McDonald's fast food restaurant, said he did not think twice about trying to cash it. Instead, the 47-year-old took a bus Monday from his Jewett City home to a bank and returned the check to the niece of the landlord to whom the check was written.
She thanked Damone with a $50 bill.
Damone said that although he knew $185,000 could pay his rent and other bills for a long time, he was never tempted to try to cash it and splurge.
He says he remembered his mother's words: If you take something, you lose three times that amount —and if you do something good, something good comes back to you.
Kindness of strangers benefits tallest man
8-foot-5 frame gives Ukrainian trouble, but bike, van, PC give joy, hope
PODOLYANTSI, Ukraine - Leonid Stadnik's phenomenal height has forced him to quit a job he loved and to stoop as he moves around his house.
But Stadnik, who Guinness World Records says is the world's tallest human, says his condition has also taught him that there are many kindhearted strangers.
Since his recognition by Ukrainian record keepers four years ago, and by Guinness last year, people from all over Ukraine and the world have sent him outsized clothing, provided his home with running water and recently presented him with a giant bicycle. And on Monday, he got a new car, courtesy of President Viktor Yushchenko.
"Thanks to good people I have shoes and clothes," said the 37-year-old former veterinarian, who still lives with his 66-year-old mother.
In 2006, Stadnik was officially measured at 8 feet 5 inches tall, surpassing a 7-foot-9-inch Chinese man to claim the title of the world's tallest person.
His growth spurt began at age 14 after a brain operation that apparently stimulated the overproduction of growth hormone. Doctors say he has been growing ever since.
While his size is intimidating, Stadnik charms visitors with a broad grin and childlike laugh. He seems at times like a lonely boy trapped in a giant's body, even keeping stuffed toys on his pillow.
Stadnik's stature has brought attention, but he struggles to lead a normal life.
All the doorways in his one-story brick house are too short for him to pass through without stooping. His 440 pounds cause constant knee pain and often force him to use crutches.
Stadnik loves animals but had to quit his job as a veterinarian at a cattle farm after suffering frostbite when he walked to work in his socks in winter. He could not afford custom-made shoes for his 17-inch feet.
No despair
But his fame has taught him not to despair.
A German who said he was his distant relative asked Stadnik for a visit several years ago. On the trip, Stadnik got to sample frog legs in an elegant restaurant and saw a roller coaster at an amusement park — both for the first time.
Shortly afterward, Stadnik came home one day and saw a new computer connected to the Web sitting on his desk — a gift from a local Internet provider. Company workers "sneaked into the house like little spies" to install the equipment, Stadnik joked.
Since then he has made many online friends, including several in the United States, Australia and Russia. Stadnik hopes to learn English so he can communicate better with his Anglophone contacts; currently, he relies on computer translations, which he says are often inadequate.
New bike, new van
On Sunday, an organization for the disabled in his home village of Podolyantsi, 125 miles west of Kiev, gave Stadnik a giant bike so he can ride to the grocery store in a nearby village. The group also presented Stadnik with a fitness machine.
"I have always dreamt that my life and the life of my loved ones ... would become more comfortable," Stadnik said. "My dream is coming true."
On Monday, he traveled to Kiev to get a new, shiny-blue van. Stadnik struggled to squeeze himself into the passenger's seat, his knees nearly reaching up to his face. Yushchenko then briefly took the beaming Stadnik for a drive.
Village authorities have promised to supply gas.
His neighbors joke that they may also benefit from Stadnik's success. "Of course we are proud of him — we may have gas here soon thanks to him," said the 75-year-old Nila Kravchuk.
Since he quit his job, Stadnik has concentrated on managing the family garden and caring for his three cows, his horse and assorted pigs and chickens. He lives with his mother, Halyna, and his 42-year-old sister Larysa.
Stadnik says his dream is finding a soul mate, just like the former titleholder, China's Bao Xishun, who was married last year.
"I think the future holds that for me," he said.
Lost parrot tells veterinarian his address
African grey parrot — missing two weeks — is returned to owners
TOKYO - When Yosuke the parrot flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught — recite his name and address to a stranger willing to help.
Police rescued the African grey parrot two weeks ago from a neighbor's roof in the city of Nagareyama, near Tokyo. After spending a night at the station, he was transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital while police searched for clues, local policeman Shinjiro Uemura said.
He kept mum with the cops, but began chatting after a few days with the vet.
"I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura," the bird told the veterinarian, according to Uemura. The parrot also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even entertained the hospital staff by singing songs.
"We checked the address, and what do you know, a Nakamura family really lived there. So we told them we've found Yosuke," Uemura said.
The Nakamura family told police they had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years.
But Yosuke apparently wasn't keen on opening up to police officials.
"I tried to be friendly and talked to him, but he completely ignored me," Uemura said.
Waitress gets $50,000, car from cranky Texan
‘I still can't believe it,’ Luby's cafeteria worker says of bequest
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - For nearly seven years Melina Salazar did her best to put on a smile and tend to the every need of her most loyal and cantankerous customer.
She made sure his food was as hot as he wanted, even if it meant he burned his mouth. And she smiled through his demands and curses. The 89-year-old Walter "Buck" Swords obviously appreciated it, leaving the waitress $50,000 and a 2000 Buick when he died.
"I still can't believe it," the Luby's cafeteria employee told Harlingen television station KGBT-TV in an interview during which she described Swords as "kind of mean."
Swords, a World War II veteran, died in July. But Salazar learned just a few days before Christmas that he had left her the money and car.
Mouth to meow-th: Mass. firefighter revives cat
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - A lucky cat owes one of its nine lives to a firefighter who revived it with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Al Machado rescued the cat from a burning apartment Tuesday, telling The Standard Times of New Bedford that he saw immediately that it needed air.
Machado began performing mouth to mouth on the animal as he carried it outside.
Video shot at the scene shows Machado bent over, breathing into the cat's mouth several times. The cat, a tiger angora, was revived and resting comfortably soon after.
No humans were injured in the fire. A man and woman whose last known address was the building that burned were arrested and charged with arson, authorities said.
Two other cats died in the second-floor apartment, but two dogs there were saved with the help of oxygen from paramedics and animal rescue personnel. Pets on the other two floors — including a ferret and even some frogs on the first floor — were all saved.
Asked what it tasted like to give mouth-to-mouth to a cat, Machado laughed, grimaced and said: "Like fur."
(Note from me: I love cats. I wish I could be kissing a wee kitty right now.)
Nagging wife, sausage help man win lottery
Young New Zealand couple says they've had a 'rough' couple of years
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A "nagging" wife who pushed her husband to buy a lottery ticket helped scoop the $4.2 million ($7.7 million New Zealand dollar) first prize — with only minutes to spare. The man from New Zealand's biggest city, Auckland, bought his ticket just two minutes before ticket sales closed Saturday night.
"My wife had been nagging me all week to get a ticket, so I when saw the Lotto sign ... I sprinted in to get the ticket before they closed," said the man, who asked not to be identified — normal practice among lottery winners in New Zealand.
"I must have been their last customer of the night," he said, adding that the young married couple had had a "rough" couple of years, reduced to one income after having children.
"I have never been so glad to listen to my wife's nagging," the man said Tuesday.
He discovered their newly won fortune Sunday thanks to his wife's request for a barbecued sausage.
'All I wanted was a sausage'
Out shopping for bargains, the man said he didn't have enough money to buy his wife the sausage she'd asked him for. So he decided to check his Saturday lottery ticket in case he'd won a small prize.
"I could not believe it when they said I was actually the big winner," he said.
When he showed the printout to his wife, she initially thought they had won $4,200.
"When she realized how much it really was, she fell to the floor, and then said: 'but all I wanted was a sausage.'"
Rover, call me an ambulance — dog calls 911
The German shepherd remembered his training and saved his owner's life
PHOENIX - "Man's best friend" doesn't go far enough for Buddy — a German shepherd who remembered his training and saved his owner's life by calling 911 when the man had a seizure.
And it's not the first time Buddy has been there for owner Joe Stalnaker, a police officer said Sunday.
On a recording of the 911 call Wednesday, Buddy is heard whimpering and barking after the dispatcher answers and repeatedly asks if the caller needs help.
"Hello, this is 911. Hello ... Can you hear me? Is there somebody there you can give the phone to," says the dispatcher, Chris Scott.
Police were sent to Stalnaker's home, and after about three minutes Buddy is heard barking loudly when the officers arrived.
Scottsdale police Sgt. Mark Clark said Stalnaker spent two days in a hospital and recovered from the seizure.
"It's pretty incredible," Clark said. "Even the veteran dispatchers — they haven't heard of anything like this."
Clark said police are dispatched whenever 911 is called, but that Stalnaker's address was flagged in Scottsdale's system with a notification that a trained assistance dog could call 911 when the owner was incapacitated.
Clark said Stalnaker adopted Buddy at the age of 8 weeks from Michigan-based Paws with a Cause, which trains assistance dogs, and trained him to get the phone if he began to have seizure symptoms. Buddy, now 18 months old, is able to press programmed buttons until a 911 operator is on the line, Clark said.
Clark said Buddy has made two other 911 calls when Stalnaker was having seizures.
He said Stalnaker's seizures are the result of a head injury he suffered about 10 years ago during a military training exercise.
Stalnaker was not listed in the phone book, and he did not immediately respond to a request through police for an interview.
Fast-food worker returns $185,000 check
McDonald's employee returns check to bank after finding it on sidewalk
NORWICH, Connecticut - Reggie Damone just wanted to jot down a phone number when he picked up what he thought was litter on a sidewalk this week. But what he found was an envelope containing a $185,000 check.
Damone, who receives government-issued food stamps for low-income workers and works at a McDonald's fast food restaurant, said he did not think twice about trying to cash it. Instead, the 47-year-old took a bus Monday from his Jewett City home to a bank and returned the check to the niece of the landlord to whom the check was written.
She thanked Damone with a $50 bill.
Damone said that although he knew $185,000 could pay his rent and other bills for a long time, he was never tempted to try to cash it and splurge.
He says he remembered his mother's words: If you take something, you lose three times that amount —and if you do something good, something good comes back to you.
Cinema
We are doing well with our movie viewing. At this time of year all the good movies are coming out and the list was growing ever longer, but this weekend we had some good viewing (thanks to some screeners) and besides Slumdog Millionaire (see below) we saw The Reader, starring one of my favorites, the beautiful, Kate Winslet. It was an interesting story, but super sad. The young German actor, David Kross was very impressive. We also saw Milk. It looked really great. Sean Penn acted the hell out of it. We are coming along. Oh, we love the movies.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Slumdog Millionaire
We saw this movie last night and it was fantastic. Awesome script. Great casting. Please please go see this movie. Funny, sweet, sad, beautiful. You will enjoy it.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
SNL
Hugh Laurie hosted Saturday Night Live last night. He's adorable. This was a fun sketch:
It was also Amy Poehler's last show. Maya Rudolph made an appearance as well in Bronx Beat, which was so funny, but unfortunately not online, save for a small clip of Hugh breaking. Those two ladies are great.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Heavy Boots
I just finished the book, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. This is a blog, so I need to use words, but really words can't express how great this book is. It's painful, funny and sometimes the poignancy of the way things were written was almost too much for me to handle. Thanks for the recommendation, Chelsea. Now I recommend it to anyone else who might be reading this. But you don't have to take my word for it...
Monday, December 8, 2008
12th Rehearsal Photos
Today the Huffs sent us some photos from 12th Night rehearsals. It was so much fun. I miss this group.
Christmas Card Alternate Photos
This is the first year we are sending out a few Christmas cards, hopefully, if I get around to actually mailing them. We had a little photo shoot at Warner Bros. One set was a sleigh, one was the old Central Perk set from Friends. Here are a few shots we're not using:
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Not a Crook?
We went and saw Frost/Nixon today and it was great. I loved it. So interesting. Great cast. Frank Langella and Michael Sheen were fantastic.
Friday, December 5, 2008
So she poured out the liquid music of her voice to quench the thirst of his spirit.
Tonight I've been youtubin' some of my favorite singers and just generally reveling in some of my favorite female musicians. I guess I just wish I could have any one of their voices. I'm posting below a clip of Diana Krall. I was blown away from the first time I heard her open her mouth at a concert I saw in high school before anyone even knew her name and I still love that smoothe as honey voice. This clip is her performing another great lady, Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You" - it makes me want to cry - it's perfect. (The song also always reminds me of Truly Madly Deeply where my favorite actress, Juliet Stevenson sings a bit of the song with Alan Rickman - that's really neither here nor there, it's just where I first heard the song):
Some of my other favorite voices:
Barbra Streisand: power and passion
Lea Salonga: pure (I want to have that voice!)
K.D. Lang: crazy rad quality (check out the album "Drag")
Linda Ronstadt: one of my favorite songs of all time, "Blue Bayou"
Allison Krauss: sweet, unique sound
Patsy Cline: so many good songs
Heart: my karaoke go to
Joni Mitchell: already mentioned above, but must say "River" is another of my all time favorites.
Norah Jones: some romantic songs there.
All right, enough of this. Thanks, Musicians, for makin' life rad.
Some of my other favorite voices:
Barbra Streisand: power and passion
Lea Salonga: pure (I want to have that voice!)
K.D. Lang: crazy rad quality (check out the album "Drag")
Linda Ronstadt: one of my favorite songs of all time, "Blue Bayou"
Allison Krauss: sweet, unique sound
Patsy Cline: so many good songs
Heart: my karaoke go to
Joni Mitchell: already mentioned above, but must say "River" is another of my all time favorites.
Norah Jones: some romantic songs there.
All right, enough of this. Thanks, Musicians, for makin' life rad.
I feel the earth move under my feet
I just felt what was, I believe, my first earthquake...and it was scary. People who grew up in California are probably used to the feeling, but for me it was new and freaky. You didn't know there was an earthquake? Well, that's because it was tiny. I was nowhere near the epicenter and it only lasted a couple of seconds, but it was enough. I was sitting in my apartment by myself and when it happened I didn't quite know what to do with myself, I went and stood in a doorway, but really by the time I got there it had stopped. Man, I better man up, because I will, undoubtedly, be in some doozies at some point in my life in LA. I was actually a little bummed when I slept through an earthquake last year - I was curious - but I am officially over that. Earthquakes are scary. I did not like that.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thanks and Weddings
Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. We went to Utah last week for the festivities. I love Thanksgiving. I love waking up in the morning and watching the Macy's parade in my pajamas. I love smelling the turkey in the oven. I love seeing my family. I love eating all the comfort foods I want: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, pie. We ate our T day meal at my Mom's house - it all tasted fantastic. I made a chocolate pecan pie which is so decadent and good. I probably shouldn't be writing this a few minutes before lunch, my mouth is watering.
(not actually my pie, but a picture from the recipe I used for my pie)
Brighton (Whit's youngest sister) got married on Tuesday. It was a beautiful, dream wedding for her. She looked wonderful and we had a great day. We had a very yummy rehearsal dinner Monday night at a Thai restaurant - I love me some Thai spices! I now have a new brother-in-law, Jordan Phelps. He's great. I'll post some pictures when I get them.
I saw Twilight a second time while in Utah, as part of a girls night out with some family. I was able to sit back and enjoy it with less judgement the second time through. We also went to Bolt with the fam. - I like seeing my little, adorable nephew, Dylan, smiling as he watched it. It was a cute movie.
One morning I went for a walk and found my way into the mountains in Provo. It was a wonderfully foggy morning and looked amazing. It was nice getting a little taste of nature again.
Other than that, we relaxed, ate, hung-out and just generally had a nice, relaxing time. I can't believe we go back in about three weeks for Christmas!
(not actually my pie, but a picture from the recipe I used for my pie)Brighton (Whit's youngest sister) got married on Tuesday. It was a beautiful, dream wedding for her. She looked wonderful and we had a great day. We had a very yummy rehearsal dinner Monday night at a Thai restaurant - I love me some Thai spices! I now have a new brother-in-law, Jordan Phelps. He's great. I'll post some pictures when I get them.
I saw Twilight a second time while in Utah, as part of a girls night out with some family. I was able to sit back and enjoy it with less judgement the second time through. We also went to Bolt with the fam. - I like seeing my little, adorable nephew, Dylan, smiling as he watched it. It was a cute movie.
One morning I went for a walk and found my way into the mountains in Provo. It was a wonderfully foggy morning and looked amazing. It was nice getting a little taste of nature again.
Other than that, we relaxed, ate, hung-out and just generally had a nice, relaxing time. I can't believe we go back in about three weeks for Christmas!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Official
Since we lost our digital camera a while ago we have been camera-less, we bought a disposal digital camera and just got the photos back - so, better late than never, here's my official I have a grown up job with my own parking space picture:
Hoorah!
"It's true! An Arrested Development movie will happen.
Reliable inside sources confirm to me that producers Mitch Hurwitz and Ron Howard have signed deals to do an Arrested movie with Imagine and Fox Searchlight.
Sources tell me exclusively that the major motion picture is budgeted at $15 million. (Translation: It will be awesome.)
"Yes, it's a go," an Arrested castmember who asked not to be named tells me. "We're all very excited. And it will happen with or without the holdout."
Wait a minute...The holdout? Yes, I'm also told exclusively by multiple sources that one of the show's original castmembers has not signed on to the movie...
"Yeah, [he or she] might not do it," an actor says of this costar. "However, I do know that we will do the project with or without [him or her]."
Guesses?
The good news is that aside from this actor (who, sorry, cannot be named), I'm told that all of the other main castmembers have committed to be a part of the big-screen project. And, yes, the show will go on.
So just to make sure it sinks in here: Arrested Development is coming back. For real. On the big screen. As a major motion picture.
Doesn't that make you fans so happy you just want to hug your "anal-rapist"? (Meaning Tobias Fünke, aka David Cross, aka the show's resident analyst/therapist, naturally.)"
Monday, November 17, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Another WB Sighting
Let me just say, I have an eagle eye when it comes to spotting people. A couple weeks ago I saw Clint Eastwood walking along, which was awesome. Today I was sitting reading my book at lunch and I saw Christian Bale. Literally no one else noticed him. He had on sunglasses, was thin and inconspicuous, but my trusty eye immediately recognized his gorgeousness. He went into the commisary, but as he was sitting right by the window I was able to be a shark back and forth a bit and do some staring. He looks fantastic in real life, beautiful hands, great dimples. It was an exciting one for me. He really is a wonderful actor, never disappoints.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
I'll Fly Away
One of my favorite shows of all time, certainly my favorite drama, is I'll Fly Away. It was on NBC for two seasons from 1991-1993 and then aired on PBS and some other smaller stations for a short time after that, but then it was gone. I have longed to see it ever since. Every few months I search online to see if anywhere has released it, but to no avail. I'm not the only fan out there, but I guess the fanbase isn't seen as large enough to warrant releasing the show on dvd. I love this show. It was beautiful, well-written, wonderfully acted, fantastic message, great relationships. I keep hoping I'll find it...someday. Last night I had another in an ongoing series of dreams about meeting Sam Waterston, so it got me thinking about the show again.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Too Much For One Heart
Miss Saigon is one of my favorite musicals and Lea Salonga is one of my favorite musical singers - she has such a clear, pure voice. This song was cut from Miss Saigon, but in my estimation may be the most moving and beautiful of the musical. If you know the show, you'll recognize the tune as it is re-used in the song "Please". This is another post that I am putting up really so that I can listen to this whenever I have the inkling to:
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Yes We Can
For a while I have had a hard time feeling proud to be an American. I wondered why the country seemed to have no concern for being an intelligent, forward-thinking, peace-loving source in the world. I felt more and more separated from the ideals the country appeared to be promoting. After today my hope is restored. My faith in the American people has returned. I love being a part of this country on this historic day. It's a strange and wonderful feeling to be excited about the President. As Obama has mentioned it won't be an easy road, he won't be perfect, but it's amazing to have someone leading our country who is good and honorable and intelligent and in tune with the world around him and the America of today. I am honored to be an American and to call Barack Obama my President.
A few highlights from his speech:
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer....
It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day....
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century...what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can.
A few highlights from his speech:
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer....
It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day....
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century...what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Birthday
Whit and I had a fun-filled birthday weekend. On Saturday I threw Whit a semi-surprise birthday party. "Semi", because he knew something was happening, "surprise" because he didn't know what exactly. We had the party in a wharehouse of a friend. We projected Empire Strikes Back on a huge light balloon. People sat on road cases and ate some of Whit's favorites: hot dogs (of the Chicago variety), popcorn (from a rented popcorn machine), and cheesecake (cheesecake factory). As Whit approached the party we filled the room with fog and it was a fantastic moment when Whit entered through the mist to see friends, family, Star Wars and popcorn surrounding him. I am not good at planning or attending parties, but I did my best and I think it turned out well. Happy 30th Birthday Whit "life of the party" Hertford.
Surprise!
Orb of Star Wars:
mmm...cheesecake factory wishes":
On Sunday we celebrated my style: Whit and I went to Disneyland. There really is nothing I love more than spending the day with Whit at Disneyland. I am lucky to be married to a guy who is not too cool for D-land and who loves endulging in the child-like pleasures of the park, as I do. It rained in the morning, but cleared up pretty quickly and turned into a beautiful day.
We started off the day by almost getting into a fight with an overtly abusive father who was dropping f-bombs on his sobbing five year old daughter like there was no tomorrow. We considered kidnapping the girl, but the a park employee deemed it better to let the idiot walk away.
We had lunch at the Blue Bayou - we love it. The gumbo is spicyliscious. Enjoyed Mint-Juleps. Shared the Monte Cristo.
The new Toy Story carnival shooting ride in California Adventure was the longest line of the day, but super fun. Whit kicked my butt (you are competing at hitting the most targets).
Pirates is still my favorite - although the 2nd time on it I was annoyed by the teenager robots in my car, well annoyed isn't even the right word, I was really amazed and flabbergasted. Their sickeningly stereotypical teenage voices kept their banal conversation droning on despite anything and everything that was going on around them. Banjo player, fire flies, boat = bla bla bla. Talking skeleton, plunging down into wet darkness = bla bla bla. Canons firing, misty air = bla bla bla. Animatronic pirates and animals singing, dancing and shouting all around = bla bla bla. No change in tempo, no comments of observation, no awed silence, no giggles, no screams - just dead. That and the texting. Better keep texting. "I don't know if I get reception down here" - No girls! You're in a dark cave surrounded by skeletons and dubloons - probably not a great place for phone service! I hate teens of this generation. Maybe I sound like I just turned 79 not 29, but seriously the generations below me can blow me. Okay, that's harsh, but it is just sad how devoid of creativity and enthusiasm a lot of them are. So there was that rant. I feel better. Back to the awesomeness of the day.
Haunted Mansion was Nightmare Before Christmasized - new addition was the smell of gingerbread in the great hall.
The Matterhorn was very fun, it makes me laugh to squish Whitby.
Our 2nd time on Splash Mountain turned into a 2nd and 3rd time as there were no people in line and they sent us around twice in a row. I learned I can control my face extremely well while falling straight down all for the sake of a comedic picture.
Space Mountain is always fantastic. Tower of Terror always awesome. Indiana Jones always thrilling.
We ate way too many treats (dole-whip and churro - yum). We went on all the rides we wanted to go on, looked in all the shops we wanted to see and laughed a plenty.
It was a great birthday weekend. Thanks to all who helped to make it happen. Now on to enjoying my last year of the '20's.
Surprise!
Orb of Star Wars:
mmm...cheesecake factory wishes":
On Sunday we celebrated my style: Whit and I went to Disneyland. There really is nothing I love more than spending the day with Whit at Disneyland. I am lucky to be married to a guy who is not too cool for D-land and who loves endulging in the child-like pleasures of the park, as I do. It rained in the morning, but cleared up pretty quickly and turned into a beautiful day.
We started off the day by almost getting into a fight with an overtly abusive father who was dropping f-bombs on his sobbing five year old daughter like there was no tomorrow. We considered kidnapping the girl, but the a park employee deemed it better to let the idiot walk away.
We had lunch at the Blue Bayou - we love it. The gumbo is spicyliscious. Enjoyed Mint-Juleps. Shared the Monte Cristo.
The new Toy Story carnival shooting ride in California Adventure was the longest line of the day, but super fun. Whit kicked my butt (you are competing at hitting the most targets).
Pirates is still my favorite - although the 2nd time on it I was annoyed by the teenager robots in my car, well annoyed isn't even the right word, I was really amazed and flabbergasted. Their sickeningly stereotypical teenage voices kept their banal conversation droning on despite anything and everything that was going on around them. Banjo player, fire flies, boat = bla bla bla. Talking skeleton, plunging down into wet darkness = bla bla bla. Canons firing, misty air = bla bla bla. Animatronic pirates and animals singing, dancing and shouting all around = bla bla bla. No change in tempo, no comments of observation, no awed silence, no giggles, no screams - just dead. That and the texting. Better keep texting. "I don't know if I get reception down here" - No girls! You're in a dark cave surrounded by skeletons and dubloons - probably not a great place for phone service! I hate teens of this generation. Maybe I sound like I just turned 79 not 29, but seriously the generations below me can blow me. Okay, that's harsh, but it is just sad how devoid of creativity and enthusiasm a lot of them are. So there was that rant. I feel better. Back to the awesomeness of the day.
Haunted Mansion was Nightmare Before Christmasized - new addition was the smell of gingerbread in the great hall.
The Matterhorn was very fun, it makes me laugh to squish Whitby.
Our 2nd time on Splash Mountain turned into a 2nd and 3rd time as there were no people in line and they sent us around twice in a row. I learned I can control my face extremely well while falling straight down all for the sake of a comedic picture.
Space Mountain is always fantastic. Tower of Terror always awesome. Indiana Jones always thrilling.
We ate way too many treats (dole-whip and churro - yum). We went on all the rides we wanted to go on, looked in all the shops we wanted to see and laughed a plenty.
It was a great birthday weekend. Thanks to all who helped to make it happen. Now on to enjoying my last year of the '20's.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Undecided
Quote by David Sedaris....
"I don't know that it was always this way, but, for as long as I can remember, just as we move into the final weeks of the Presidential campaign the focus shifts to the undecided voters. 'Who are they?' the news anchors ask. 'And how might they determine the outcome of this election?'
Then you'll see this man or woman -- someone, I always think, who looks very happy to be on TV. 'Well, Charlie,' they say, 'I've gone back and forth on the issues and whatnot, but I just can't seem to make up my mind!' Some insist that there's very little difference between candidate A and candidate B. Others claim that they're with A on defense and health care but are leaning toward B when it comes to the economy.
I look at these people and can't quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention?
To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. 'Can I interest you in the chicken?' she asks. 'Or would you prefer the platter of shit with broken glass in it?'
To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked."
"I don't know that it was always this way, but, for as long as I can remember, just as we move into the final weeks of the Presidential campaign the focus shifts to the undecided voters. 'Who are they?' the news anchors ask. 'And how might they determine the outcome of this election?'
Then you'll see this man or woman -- someone, I always think, who looks very happy to be on TV. 'Well, Charlie,' they say, 'I've gone back and forth on the issues and whatnot, but I just can't seem to make up my mind!' Some insist that there's very little difference between candidate A and candidate B. Others claim that they're with A on defense and health care but are leaning toward B when it comes to the economy.
I look at these people and can't quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention?
To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. 'Can I interest you in the chicken?' she asks. 'Or would you prefer the platter of shit with broken glass in it?'
To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked."
Friday, October 31, 2008
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