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

Steve Nash is Funny

If you wonder why he's my favorite, this is why:





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.

Poor Thing

Sweeney Todd & Mrs. Lovett, Halloween '08:


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.

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."