I love seeing George Clooney act his ass off in a good film.  I was getting really tired of seeing him star in films with good friends, rather than seriously act in them.  I saw Up In The Air this morning with my friend Ana and we just kept whispering “ooh” to each other, and not only because George, at any age, is still sexy as hell.  Today he reminded me just exactly why he became a movie star in the first place. 

I really loved Up In The Air, it was full of dysfunction, air travel, relationships, and my god, that famous George Clooney smile.  (Side note: I’m sitting here putting my hand on my heart, taking a moment, and sighing, as I think about that million dollar smile.)  The film, on the surface, was about the horror of people losing their jobs, and about the people who let them go for a living.  Having lost my own job this year, having been in love with George Clooney since he starred on The Facts of Life, having known the film was shot in Detroit Metro Airport (DTW, the same airport that was almost blown up by a terrorist on Christmas!) with real people who lost their jobs, as well as being a former flight attendant who loved living out of a single suitcase, I knew liking the film was going to be a sure bet for me. 

Besides all of the obviously reasons, I enjoyed this film for what lied beneath – growth, role reversals, honest emotions, and the ending which I can’t tell you about.  And, that damn airport scenery, I’m a sucker for airports.  Anyone with a background in frequent flying can appreciate this film, but more importantly, anyone who can appreciate good acting can appreciate this film.  I don’t care if this film has already been nominated for six Golden Globes, because my feelings about how great the chemistry is between George, Vera Farmiga, and Natalie Keener is what matters to me.  I’ve never been a person to see a film based on what someone else has written about it, but if you are, let me tell you the acting is fantastic in this film, and being a former protectionist and movie theatre manager, I’ve got that film geek critic deep inside me.  I’ve only seen four films this entire year in theatres (Five, if you count Whip It, but that was a free sneak peek) but I watch at least one movie every day of my life.  I’m telling you that is one of the best films I’ve seen all year, and I hope you go see it soon. 

Here is a taste of dialogue from the movie.

Ryan Bingham: [on getting through airport security] Never get behind old people. Their bodies are littered with hidden metal and they never seem to appreciate how little time they have left. Bingo, Asians. They pack light, travel efficiently, and they have a thing for slip on shoes. Gotta love ‘em.
Natalie Keener: That’s racist.
Ryan Bingham: I’m like my mother, I stereotype. It’s faster.

Now, on to George Clooney, I Heart You

I really wish I could say this is me and George Clooney together in a party store in LA, but I can say that is really me, in a party store across from The Kodak Theatre where I poised for and purchased a scanned picture of me and George.  Probably the best thing I’ve ever purchased for $10!  Trust me, I’d never pose in a Forrest Gump t-shirt and with a sweaty hairstyle with that hot mess of a man.

The Facts of Life was the first time I saw George Clooney.  Having only loved one other Italian movie star, he quickly replaced John Travolta as my new Italian Stallion boyfriend.  He has remained there until I got my real life one, then married him.  Well, George is still there, but you know what I mean.  Is it a coincidence George and hubby both have the roman haircut, the salt and pepper hair, the dark eyes and brows and those great smiles?  MMMM …. maybe, maybe not …

Remember George on Sisters?  I can remember spending my entire junior year of college studying every Saturday until Sisters came on. 

Then, a little show called ER aired.  OMG, I have never had that strong a lust for a tv star like I had for Dr. Doug Ross.  Doug makes McDreamy look like Ritchie Cunningham.  Oh, I was addicted to George and this show for so many years.

All I know is this – I have finally forgiven George Clooney for making Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen.  George, you have made my #1 spot again on my movie star boyfriend list.  Good to have you back at the top!

Congrats to Kris in DC.  I’m always a sucker for animal photos!!!

I can’t believe it is almost 2010.  It seems like just yesterday everyone was rushing to the store to buy bottle water and planning for the millenium.  Remember how people were freaked out the world was going to end?  I think this decade has went faster than any other decade I’ve lived in.  Then again, I’ve only made it through 70s, 80s, 90s and now the 00’s.  By the way, is the correct name for this decade the 00’s?  Or is it just the 2000’s?

I thought it would be really cool to list The 100 Best Things of the Decade.  In no particular order:

1. Michael Jackson’s posthumous come back.  I never thought that he’d have a come back after the sex scandal.  Sad it was after his death.  Even more sad is that his come back has allowed his children’s faces to finally be shown, and gave his brothers their own reality show.  Hey, it is not a perfect world we live in.
2. Chelsea Handler – She gave us two books, one tv talk show, and she brought midget back.  God bless her.
3. Arrested Development - It only lasted a few years, but it was the funniest damn tv show that no one was watching.  Without out it, we wouldn’t have Jason Bateman (aka Teen Wolf II) back.
4. Glee -  I am a proud Gleek, and every week I can’t get enough of those singing kids.  I am not ashamed to admit I have downloaded three Glee songs from iTunes.
5. 30 Rock – Sure, everyone loves Tina Fey, but I think Alec Baldwin has never been funnier. 
6. Mad Men -  The images, the fashion, the drinking, the womanizing, and Don Draper.  Enough said!
7. Harry Potter - Who doesn’t admire this boy wonder?  I just love the movies (I haven’t even read the books yet, because it will spoil the movies for me.  I know, it’s weird, but it is what I do.) and can’t wait for the last ones, as I think the whole story line is phenomenal.  When I finally begin to read the books I know they will be as fantastic as I’ve heard they are.  
8. DVR Players – Thank you for being a friend and allowing me never to have to fast forward or rewind tapes again. 
9. Blogs – Without them how would I be sharing this awesome list with you!
10. Digital SLR Cameras – This was the decade they became affordable.  I dragged my feet but now I’m in love!
11. JJ Abrams – Dude, how did I ever live without you and your tv shows? 
12. LOST - What will I do once you end next May?  I am so sad thinking about finally learning just what the hell the island is.  I’ve enjoyed the speculation more than anything.
13. Chick Lit - Sure, I love my brit lit, memoirs, literary fiction, non-fiction and classics, but with this fun book genre reading has become just a little more fun.  Can’t get enough. 
14. Sex and The City -  OMG, I am such a huge fan of this franchise.  Me and my girls watched this show and had dinner every week, every year it was on.  (Of course I am a Carrie Bradshaw and my Mr. Ghetto is my Mr. Big.)  We got the biggest kick seeing the bridge Big and Carrie were on in Paris when we were on our honeymoon.  I don’t think I know a single person who doesn’t like this show.  The books were decent, the movie was alright, but the tv shows were unbelievable.  What an impact on the decade!  And soon, teenage Carrie books.  Can’t wait.
15. The Office and The Office -  Loved them both.  So happy “Jam” is finally married!
16. Laptop computers -  I am in LOVE with my new 17.3 inch laptop that has vision enhancement up to 200%.  I can finally see what the hell I’m typing!  I can’t believe how easy it is to write in bed or while watching tv with it.  Remember the old days of AOL and dial-up?  I just wish I had somewhere to travel with it, the battery lasts five hours. 
17. The West Wing -  I never watched it until my Political Science Professor used to play it before class.  Now I’m hooked and have to catch the reruns every chance I get. 
18. Memento – I always say the best movie decade was the 90s (shocking, but true) but this movie was like nothing I’d seen before.  What a way to tell a story.  Bravo!
19. Jason Bourne -  Way to get some biceps Matt Damon.  Who knew you’d be the guy who kicked ass on screen.  We all thought it was going to be Ben. 
20. Augusten Burroughs - This is the decade I discovered the man who had a more dysfunction childhood than I did.  Yet, he managed to make me laugh while reading about his terrible childhood.  How?  The man is a national treasure.  Go out and read every friggin book he’s ever written, and do it now, but please start off with Running With Scissors first.
21. Haven Kimmel – I never read a funny-yet-dysfunctional memoir written in a child’s voice.  I was just blown away when I read it, and you will be,too - A Girl Named Zippy.  Haven writes everything from poetry, children’s books, literary fiction, memoirs, fantasy, religion, and soon she is releasing a horror novel called The Farm.  I CAN NOT WAIT.  Just ask yourself what other writers can write in this many genres and still be that fabulous?
22. Green Bags – Best tv infomercial product ever?  Perhaps, perhaps. 
23. Keeping Up With The Kardashians - Have you ever seen a family more willing to self promote themselves.  I swear I think Kris used that wedding pic with Ryan Seacrest in it just to create a buzz.  You have to appreciate their efforts, no matter how annoying and fake it all really is.
24. Donnie Darko - Time travel and Jake Gyllenhall.  Do I need to say more?
25. Ewan McGregor and Moulin Rouge - The singing, the dancing, and my movie star boyfriend Ewan McGregor in love and all earnest.  Who knew he and Nicole Kidman could actually sing?  This movie is more visual than emotional for me, but I love it more each time I see it.  Ditto for Ewan.
26. Eminem and The Real Slim Shady.  Wow, what a song, a video, a moment in time, and a performer.  I couldn’t get enough of him during the first part of the decade. 
27. Moby – Love the way he got success by having all his songs in commercials. 
28. The Sopranos – Sadly, I’ve never seen the last season of show.  I know, I know!  I’m getting there, but what I’ve seen was FANTASTIC, and all my Italian relatives love it, too.  Who doesn’t really? 
29. Six Feet Under - Dark, dysfunctional, and totally relatable.  God, how I miss Nate.
30. Patrick Dempsey (Aka McDreamy) and his hair making a comeback – I’d say Grey’s Anatomy, but it got real stupid once Isiah Washington left.  Loved Patrick in Can’t Buy Me Love.  I just love him as McDreamy.  Ah, McDreamy, you make me happy!  I wish for a Neuro Surgeon as hot as you. 
31. The Girls Next Door – I have no idea how or why I started watching, but once I did I was hooked.  Not a huge fan of the new girlfriends, but who could really replace Bridget, Holly and Kendra?  I wish I knew Bridget in real life, she knows how to plan a party and gift.  Got some mad skills I want to master.
32. Children of Men – It doesn’t matter that it’s star Clive Owen is hot, or that the plot is fantastic and futuristic yet totally believable.  This movie is all about that last action sequence being filmed in one single take.  I think it is like 20 minutes long. 
33. Reeces Puffs Cereal - Yummiest cereal ever, and not terribly fattening, either.
34. Battlestar Galactica - Katee Sackhoff, you played the hell out of Starbuck.  Miss you girl!
35. Family Guy - Is there nothing they won’t make fun of?  I just laugh and laugh. 
36. Kid Rock - Not only is he a great musician, a true music fan, but he is one charitable dude.  I have inside scoop and he just rocks for so many other reasons besides musical ones.
37. American Idol - Thankfully the next season hasn’t started yet so I can include it on my list.  I’m done watching after seeing Paula booted, but I had some great times watching.  I love to sing, I love shows about singing, and I can’t help but notice exactly who has the most success from this decade – AI singers.  What a show, and I’m sorry to have to step away from it. 
38. TomKat and the Couch Incident - Never could stand Tom Cruise off-screen and after the spring and summer of 2005, not a soul questioned my trepidation.  That dude kills me.
39. Sawyer from LOST – Who knew being bad could be so good for a man.  Love him, love him, love him.
40. Alice Seabold – Who would have believed a rape survivor would publish two fantastic novels about rape and have one of those novels become a major motion picture?  Plus, she was Lucky enough to actually identify, prosecute and convict her real life rapist.  Side note: I haven’t seen The Lovely Bones yet, but I’m very interested in Peter Jackson’s vision & agree with him for chosing to take the rape, murder and dismemberment off-screen.  I’m more interested in the rest of the story, anyway. 
41. The Dixie Chicks – They were fantastic yet they got a real bum deal because one of them spoke her opinion.  Big frakkin’ deal!  Look at what other singers get away with these days – rape, domestic violence.  Such a shame, and I miss them terribly!
42. Kill Bill I and II - I’m not sure which one I like better, the bloody crazy violence of the first film or the tender moments of the second one.  Why the hell hasn’t Tarantino come out with a cool box set?  I’ve been waiting patiently for years now, YEARS!
43. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay - Read this on vaction a few years back.  He had me at Wonder Boys, but hello gorgeous.  I never thought a person could write a book about jewish culture, comic books and magic so well. 
44. Napster – It was fun while it lasted.  I loved the idea of just getting one song rather than buying the whole album.  But by the time iTunes rolled around, I was sick of the novelty.  I feel the iPod has killed the album, so you’ll see no shout outs to either on this list.
45. Gladiator – I am not sure what I enjoyed most, my big boy Russel Crowe’s acting, Joaquin Phoenix almost stealing the film from Crowe, or sitting in the airport during the Oscars and hearing Elizabeth Taylor announce Gladiator in the most sing-song way and everyone laughing about it.
46. Lindsay Lohan is a Firecrotch - I’ll never be able to watch any movie of hers again without thinking this.  Best TMZ episode, ever.  I can think of no name worse than calling someone a Firecrotch.
47. Pine scented reed diffusers - Thanks for allowing to me to fool myself into thinking my fake tree is the real thing.
48. Inglorious Bastards – Thank god I saw this film last week.  It wasn’t what I expected, and it was way better than I could ever imagine it would be.  I have a special place in my heart for war movies.
49. Flat Screen TV’s – Who knew watching movies at home could even be enjoyable?  My 40 inches makes it tolerable.  Thank you for helping out an unemployed movie fanatic who only got to see three movies in theatres this entire year. 
50. Crack is Whack -  I know it is Whitney, I know.
51. Hot Mess - I was so sick of seeing this as profile names on MySpace.  Still, it was fun to hear someone on reality tv be called this.
52. The 40 Year Old Virgin – Back when I wasn’t sick of these buddy comedies with outrageous plots, this little gem showed up and rocked my socks off.  I especially enjoy the little indian co-worker listing all the dirty names for sex.  OMG! 
53. Jennifer Weiner – Bringing love to fat chicks everywhere. 
54. The Jane Austen Book Club – Bringing love to Jane Austen and book clubs. 
55. The Time Traveler’s Wife – Bringing love to time travel.
56. Gossip Girl - Bringing love to rich upper east side New York prep school kids.  XOXO! 
57. The Real Housewives – Bringing love to rich, insecure, plastic, catty, crazy and immature housewives who have way too much free time on their hands.
58. Fergie and The Black Eyed Peas – Getting better with age. 
59. Life With My Sister Madonna – Finally, the world hears just exactly how rotten she was to the people closest to her. 
60. Juno – Oh Diablo Cody, I wish you would stick to projects closer to your masterpiece.
61. OMG -  Best abbreviation, ever!
62. They keep me rollin’ – I actually heard my eleven year old sing this to himself last week.  If he knows it, everyone knows it.  
63. That’s How I Roll – Also a gem of a catch phrase.
64. Mr. Darcy – No, the new one, Mark Darcy.  Oh, how I love thee, let me count the ways.
65. Bridget Jones Diary -  Is there a more perfect story about a chubby british single career girl who got a lawyer to love her, just as she is?
66. Yes We Can – It was great until it wasn’t.  When he wrote a letter to Michael Jackson’s family, I lost respect.  Ugh.  And I’m still scared of national healthcare, even if I’m a Democrat, darn it.
67. Friends ending – Why, oh why?  It was so good.  Thank goodness for reruns.
68. Jon and Kate Plus 8 - Even though I can’t stand the parents, this show was fantastic the first two years, then fame ruined it.  Long before every tabloid in town slammed Kate or Jon, I was saying that the show had gone to far and needed to end.  I wish those Gosselin kids the best of luck with those two moronic parents. 
69. Yeah! – Usher, you rock! 
70. Almost Famous – Best “ode to rock music” movie, ever.  And, it is semi-autobiographical.  And, it won an OSCAR!  Where are you Cameron Crowe?  Come out, come out, where ever you are!
71. Red Carpet Events - Better, more beautiful, and definitely more interesting dresses.  Remember when the most talked about dress back in the day was a Bob Macki?  Ladies these days know how to rock it on the red.
72. Get a Mac Commercials -  How cool is Justin Long for sticking with them?  My favorite is the latest, when the “P.C. Guy” is wearing all the old back-in-the-day outfits.  
73. School of Rock - Love this film, and we even have a School of Rock in Michigan.  I so want to go to one of their concerts.  Something about kids playing rock music drives me mad.
74. Kathy Griffin - The girl knows how to pull herself up by those boot straps.  What a comeback, all by poking fun at herself while poking fun at others. 
75. Hey Ya!  – OutKast, you do make me want to shake it like a Polaroid picture.
76. Atonement – I am ashamed to have to admit here that I haven’t read the book.  However, when I saw C-U-N-T typed on that huge movie screen, I can assure all of you that the audience gasped audibly.  Men in the 1940s did not write letters like that back then to their girlfriends. 
77. Missy Elliot - You gave me the dirtiest song to shake my ass to (Work It!) and I loved every minute I spent dancing to it.  Thank you for causing me to tear my skirt up to there on accident one very drunken birthday night.
78. David Sedaris – You rock my world with each book I read of yours. 
79. How To Save A Life – What The Fray did for the season ender of Grey’s Anatomy was amazing.  Best episode, hands down, ever, and partly due to this song. 
80. Rachel McAdams getting hit by that bus in Mean Girls – You gotta love her spunk by still going to the dance afterwards.
81. Michael Moore – How could I not love you?
82. 8 Mile and Lose Yourself – Not only did metro Detroit get a rude awakening by this movie and song, but Eminem got Oscar cred.  Awesome!
83. Legalized Gay Marriage in the U.S. – How can any of us judge others the right to love one another legally and be entitled to make legal decisions and receive benefits from their spouses? 
84. The Van Halen reunion tour - I saw grown men openly weep.  It was the only concert I have worn jeans and tennis shoes to, as I knew I could be comfy and no one was going to notice.  All eyes forward on Eddie Van Halen.  Never in my life have I heard a guitar solo so beautiful, so powerful, so emotional.  And I have seen Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page, Angus Young, Geddy Lee, Keith Richards, and most of the other guitar heros live in concert.  To think, that was the first tour Eddie was sober.  I have goosebumps as I type this.   
85. That’s Hot – So stupid, but so a part of this decade. 
86. Miracle on the Hudson - Honestly, as a former flight attendant I was trained that a plane could landing safely, float, and we could evacuate an entire plane on the wings.  I didn’t believe it was possible until I saw it with my own eyes.  All I can say is WOW!
87. Argyle Making a Comeback – Loved in way back when and I love it now.  Got a cute argyle sweater waiting for me for Christmas Eve.
88. Tramp Stamps -  Totally against them, but love hearing people make fun of them.
89. In Da Club - 50 Cent (aka Fiddy) you made so many clubs nights (And, car rides) much more fun. 
90. Reese Witherspoon – Girl, I didn’t think you could top the work you did in the 90s.  My heart is breaking for you since you and Jake broke up, but hold that Oscar of yours every night and it’ll help. 
91. Chuck Palahniuk – You just keep turning em out and amazing me year after year. 
92. Bald Britney Spears - I feel cruel for saying it now, but when it was happening, I couldn’t get enough off it. 
93. Global Warming – People, it is real, and more of you are realizing it.  I don’t know how the rest of you refuse to believe in it. 
94. George Clooney -  Looking good.  I have forgiven you for making Ocean’s 12 and Ocean’s 13 since you came back to ER for the last season.  We have been in love since The Facts of Life, Roseanne and Sisters.  I can’t wait to see Up in the Air, because I think you are getting an Oscar nomination for this.  I love it when you act seriously rather than act with friends or to have fun. 
95. Love is a Mix Tape -  Who knew a book by a nerdy rock critic about his wife’s sudden death and the mix tapes they made could be so damn good?
96. Hot In Herre – Nelly, you always made us want to take off all our clothes at my annual Halloween parties. 
97. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – Having an ethnic family of my own, I could relate.  Turns out so could the rest of the world, too. 
98. Watching local news anchor woman in High Def – Never had I expected having this much fun watching the news.  OH.DEAR.LORD.  I never want to be filmed in High Def, NEVER!
99. The March of The Penguins -  Have you ever felt more sad for an animal?  I mean, come on, no other animal has it this bad?  I can’t take those dead penguins just laying on the ground, frozen. 
100. 9/11 – Will we ever forget those images?  Those falling bodies?  The unity the country felt for a few months?  I went to Ground Zero nine months later and spent three hours crying in the rain.  I can assure you that you would have done the exact same thing. 

A big thank you to Vinyl Village, who let me “borrow” this quiz.  However, he borrowed it from another blog, so please feel free to borrow it from me or of course list your own answers in the commetns below. 

1. Have you ever mooned/flashed anyone? How long ago?

I don’t think a stranger has seen my bum since high school, as I can’t remember doing it but we were happy go lucky fat girls and skinny dorks so I’m sure I did on a dare.  I don’t have any funny flash stories of my own, but my sophmore year dorm at Michigan State had the best naked race where all the guys would tuck and run with pants around their ankles throughout the first floor.  That was hilarious … and a little bit scary.

2. Pick an animal that best displays your personality.

I am definately a wild mustang that has been broken.  Still get the urge to be wild at times, but I just sit in my barn, eating hay, and longing for the days when I could run free in the desert.  Actually, I saw a pack of wild mustangs running in the Mojave desert and it was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen, so of course that is influencing my answer, as I’ve always also been part nerd, too. 

3. Do you mail out holiday cards, and if so, how do you pick the list?

Every couple of years I take a year off, and this was supposed to be the year, especially since we are cutting back due to the loss of my job.  However, I found a cute pack of ten holiday cards for a dollar and sent those out with a family picture to a select few.  Which makes me sad, because then I feel snobbish ignoring a buch of other people.  Normally send out about 40 -45 plus co-workers.

4. How often do you wear something sexy to get attention (lingerie, low cut dress, silk boxers, etc…)?

Seriously, that is a hilarious question for me.  Um, Never!  I wouldn’t know how to be sexy, unless that includes black eyeliner and big hair.  Cute or attractive, sure, of course I like to be that, but sexy?  Not me.  The only reason I ever wear something low cut is because I sweat when I’m hot and I need cool air on my exposed chest, plus I have no boobs, so shirts don’t hang right on me.  Here is an example of how not sexy I am: I knew my husband for a week when he wanted to stop by after work.  Most chicks would have gotten all ready … and I warned him I was already in glasses, had no makeup on, and in my Hello Kitty pj’s, so he best prepare himself to see me at my worst.  He still came over, lol. 

5. Have you ever tasted breast milk SINCE you were an adult?

Gross, I never have and never will.  What I find funny is that Kendra spilled the beans on Hank last night and said he had tasted hers.  OMG, poor Hank.  How embarrasing she told on him.  GROSS!

Bonus: Do you like “talking” when you have sex?

I never kiss and tell, lol.

Double Bonus: If Santa is a guy, how is it that he never seems to get lost?

Because Ms. Claus is in charge and driving that sleigh of his!

Yes, it is official: Jon Gosselin and Kate Gosselin are finally DIVORCED and their sham of a marriage is legally over.  The kids and Kate get to keep the house TLC gave them, and Jon gets to keep on being a douchebag, so all is well in the universe.  Anyone see Jon’s latest stunt?  He stood on the side of the highway to allow TMZ to film him saying he can’t say anything on camera.  Way to go Jon, way to go! 

All I care about is that the papers are signed, and these two idiots are divorced! 

Kate and Jon couldn’t have given me a better birthday present.  Kate and Jon Gosselin, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Perhaps on this day next year I can read all about Kate Plus 8 getting cancelled.

I almost pooped my pants this morning when I got a phone call asking me to audition to be in a movie tomorrow as a featured extra!  Ok, the pay was only going to be $80, but I was going for the adventure and the chance to meet the dude pictured below on the left.  The best part was that the director had “hand picked me” out of “hundreds of extras” to be cast as the ex-wife of a “major movie star.” 

And I was going to be feautured on the movie poster.  Just look at who else was going to be in the movie.  Sigh.  I was going to be the coolest step-mom ever if I met someone from “The Office.” 

I’m a huge movie fan, former movie theatre manager and projectionist, so my inner geek was doing cartwheels today.  I have been having a streak of bad luck, and I thought today was the day when it was all going to change.  Whaw-waaay ….

To find out what went wrong, and why I came “this close” to becoming famous, please watch my video.  It’s a little lame and I come off dorky because I kept forgetting where the camera is on my new laptop.  Still, friends and blog friends will enjoy a glimpse of Beatrice.  Although, hubby made fun of me for filming in in my new cupcake pj’s.  Too bad, I am a dork, and who cares.  Enjoy!

Don’t wait, enter the Christmas/December Holiday Photo Contest now! 

From December 15th until noon on December 23rd, email me your best Christmas/December Holiday photo.  The best photo (Or photos, if there are just too many to pick one) will be displayed on my blog with your name and blog link (Or Flickr or Facebook or whatever social networking site you want me to link to) by midnight on Christmas Day. 

You can send me funny holiday pictures, cute kid holiday pictures, adorable animal pictures, scenic holiday pictures or even holiday decor pictures, but no naughty pictures, please. 

Contest rules:

• One entry per person, and you have to be the photographer and owner of the picture you submit.
• JPEG format only.
• Email entry must include your name and link.  If you do not include a link, I won’t be able to share it.  
• No “naughty” entries, please. 
• If you are listed as a winner, I’d appreciate a link back to my blog to help you brag and to help me get new readers! 
• Anyone who links to this contest blog post via Twitter, Facebook, or their own blog, etc. before December 23rd and sends me a copy of their link via the comment section below will get ”extra consideration” when I make my final judgment for the winning/winning photographs. 

Some of you may remember that tiny little book The Nanny Diaries which became a runaway sensation that sold over 2 million copies and became a major motion picture staring Scarlett Johansson and Laura Linney.  The same book that garnered praise such as “a national phenomenon” (Newsweek), “impossible to put down” (Vogue), and “diabolically funny” (New York Times).  If you were a fan then, you will be delighted to hear that Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Krauss have written the sequel, Nanny Returns, and it’s due to hit bookshelves today, December 15th.

Nan returns to the Upper East Side of Manhattan twelve years after we left her after her meltdown via nanny cam.  She married ”Harvard Hottie” and traveled the world with him while he was working with the UN.  Nan was tired of traveling from county to country, so she convinces Ryan to move back to New York so they can begin their life together in a more normal way.  They settle on Harlem, and as soon as I read that, I knew they were in for some trouble.  My first problem with this book is that as soon as Ryan mentions he is ready for kids, Nan is suddenly backpedaling and is not sure she is ready to be his baby momma.  As a former Nanny, I’d think she’d be chomping at the bit after living in huts in Africa.  She is not ready because she is starting her own consulting business and trying to get their pit of a house in order. 

The next issue I have with Nan’s character consistency.  One minute she is terrified to go into Ryan’s parents apartment at 721 Park, the same building as the X’s, but literally the next minute she is ready to jump back into Grayer X’s life.  He’s 16 and in trouble, with a little brother named Stilton in tow.  Why would Nan be ready to do this, especially after traveling the world and growing older and wiser?  Even worse, the situation she has at her new consulting job is horrid and I don’t understand why she’s stand for all of this.  Before I know it Nan suddenly turns back into “Nanny” and her life becomes all about the X’s, Ryan has gone MIA, and Nanny loses her way again, and nearly loses much more than that.   

Check out Emma and Nicole’s website here.

I was so damn happy to receive my copy of the new Norah Jones CD The Fall this past week!  I really enjoyed listening to it, not only because it was so good, but also because I haven’t listened to any new CD’s in about two years.  I love music and own around 2,000 CD’s but ever since I realized I was going to lose my job, I’ve cut back on buying music which totally sucks.

I’ve been a fan of Norah’s since her first CD Come Away With Me broke.  I love a girl who can write her own songs, play her own instruments, and sing, just call me old fashioned.  If you remember, she earned five Grammys for that album.  Not too shabby for a new artist, right?  Plus her daddy (Ravi Shanker) was BFF’s with my beloved George Harrison, and any friend of his is a friend of mine.  Also, Ms. Jones got great news on December 11th when she was named Billboard’s 60th Artist of the Decade.  I like her music and especially her fourth album because it is so peaceful, but yet powerful and relaxing all at once.  My favorite new song on her disk is You’ve Ruined Me.  Here are the lyrics:

You’ve ruined me now
But I liked it
But I’m ruined
Do you have a plan
‘Cause I’m in your hands

You’ve ruined me now
Though I liked it
Now, I’m ruined
I had no choice
When I heard your voice

I know you said
“Can’t be misled”
Now I’m the one
Whose face is red

You’ve ruined me now
Though I liked it
Now, I’m ruined your chocolate eyes
Like buttons of lies

You’ve ruined me now
Though I liked it
Now, I’m ruined
I’m trying to part
With what’s in my heart

You’ve ruined me and how
I thought I liked it
But I’m ruined
My whole world’s now
Turned upside down

I heard me say,
“I’m going away”
But now I write
You everyday

You heard me say
“I’m going away”
But I’m on the floor
Outside your door

You’ve ruined me now
You’ve ruined me now

You’ve ruined me now
But I liked it
But I’m ruined
Do you have a plan
‘Cause I’m in your hands

The Fall

1. Chasing Pirates (Norah Jones)
2. Even Though (Norah Jones/Jesse Harris)
3. Light As a Feather (Norah Jones/Ryan Adams)
4. Young Blood (Norah Jones/Mike Martin)
5. I Wouldn’t Need You (Norah Jones)
6. Waiting (Norah Jones)
7. It’s Gonna Be (Norah Jones)
8. You’ve Ruined Me (Norah Jones)
9. Back To Manhattan (Norah Jones)
10. Stuck (Norah Jones/Will Sheff)
11. December (Norah Jones)
12. Tell Yer Mama (Norah Jones/Jesse Harris/Richard Julian)
13. Man Of The Hour (Norah Jones)

I’m surprised I don’t hear her music featured on TV shows.  I think anything from this album would be perfect for a show from either Gossip Girl or The Good Wife.  She doesn’t appeal to just one age group, which is what all musicians should strive for.  Everyone keeps referring to this album as her “break-up album” since it is her first album after her longterm relationship with her bassist Lee Alexander, but I personally think of The Fall as smokey and sweet, like a great rib dinner.  You can never get too full from devouring it.

I feel this is the perfect Christmas gift for either a friend or loved one.  Ms. Jones shines on this album, and you hear much more of her guitar playing than her pounding away on piano.  The Fall is full of humor, love and playfulness as well as seriousness and heartbreak.  On Man of the Hour Jones playfully sings the following:

But I can’t choose between a vegan and a pothead

So I chose you

Because you’re sweet

And you give me lots of lovin’

And you eat meat.

To buy the new Norah Jones CD The Fall, just click here.
 
Or, if you just want to buy singles on iTunes, such as her first single Chasing Pirates click here.
 
Norah’s upcoming TV appearances:
December 15 – NBC – Tonight Show w/ Conan O’Brien

December 16 – ABC – Jimmy Kimmel

December 21 – E! – Chelsea Lately
 
To visit Norah’s official website, click here.

The new SpongeBob SquarePants DVD just came out this past week and it has over 300 hours of fun.  The DVD includes a 2-disc set that features 24 Spongy Stories as well as the SpongeBob history song.  I’ve had a ball watching it with the kids over the past few days, as we are all fans of the ‘Bob.

My favorite episodes (I try to sleep in on Saturday mornings & don’t catch every show) include Krabby Road

Spongicus

And, Gone

Here is a quick episode recap to help convince you to fall in love and buy this DVD.

Disc 1:

• Spongicus - Plankton turns the Chum Bucket into a realistic replica of the Colosseum, complete with a man-eating lionfish!  So silly I could have died. 
• Suction Cup Symphony – Squidward’s inspiration for his musical entry in the Bikini Bottom Symphony Orchestra competition…SpongeBob and Patrick!
• House Fancy – Jealous that Squilliam’s on House Fancy, Squidward lures the show’s producers to his fancier house. Desperate to make his home presentable, Squidward lets SpongeBob help.
• Krabby Road - Plankton forms a band that includes SpongeBob, hoping SpongeBob will write a song revealing the Krabby Patty ingredients.  Being a huge music fan helped me to fall in love with this episode.
• Penny Foolish – Mr. Krabs thinks he sees SpongeBob pick up a penny from the ground – a penny that should be HIS!
• Nautical Novice – Before a class trip to the Nautical Museum, SpongeBob memorizes the entire history of boating. Isn’t that reason enough for Mrs. Puff to give him his license?
• Not Normal – SpongeBob becomes “normal.” And boy, is it boring!
• Gone – It’s the strangest thing. SpongeBob’s awakened to find everyone in Bikini Bottom is gone!
• SpongeBob SquarePants vs. The Big One – Swept out to sea by a giant wave, SpongeBob and pals must learn to surf, or be stranded on a remote island forever!
• A Life in a Day – SpongeBob and Patrick add adventure to their dull lives by “livin’ like Larry.” And boy does it hurt! 
• Sun Bleached – SpongeBob and Patrick can’t attend the biggest party on Goo Lagoon because they aren’t tan…yet!
• Giant Squidward – Squidward’s Kelp Grow garden spray makes everything it touches HUGE!
• No Nose Knows – Patrick returns from the surgeon with a nose and experiences the smell of stink.
• Patty Caper – SpongeBob and Patrick are on the case when the Krabby Patty secret ingredient goes missing!

 Disc 2:

• Plankton’s Regular – Plankton has his first regular customer, but Mr. Krabs wants him at the Krusty Krab!
• To SquarePants or Not to SquarePants – Can it be?! SpongeBob’s shrunk his last pair of square pants, only to find no store has any others! And without his square pants, will anyone recognize him?
• Squid’s Visit – Squidward says he wouldn’t leave the comfort of his home to visit SpongeBob. So SpongeBob redecorates the pineapple to look just like Squiddy’s place!
• The Splinter – When SpongeBob gets a stubborn splinter, Squidward threatens him with being…sent home!
• Slide Whistle Stooges – Patrick and SpongeBob use their new slide whistles to add sound effects to Squidward’s every move!
• Boating Buddies – To regain his impeccable driving record, Squidward has to attend boating school…with SpongeBob!
• The Krabby Kronicle – Mr. Krabs creates a tabloid with SpongeBob as ace reporter. While SpongeBob wants to write the truth, Mr. Krabs wants “wild and juicy” – true or not! 
• The Slumber Party – Pearl asks Mr. Krabs to leave the house so he doesn’t ruin her party. To keep an eye on things, Mr. Krabs sends SpongeBob to crash the bash!
• Grooming Gary – SpongeBob gives Gary a makeover to compete in a pet show, and Gary can’t stand the primping. As it turns out, neither can any of the competition.
• Truth or Square - On the Krusty Krabs’ Eleventy Seventh anniversary, the entire crew finds themselves locked in the restaurant’s freezer! It’s going to be a really cold trip down memory lane. Featuring hilarious never-before-seen flashbacks!

To visit the Official SpongBob Website click here.
 
To purchase this DVD for Christmas, just click here.

Which list are you on?  The Naughty List or The Nice List?  My sweet cat Beatrice is on The Nice List for sure.  Just look at her here, what a little angel.

Today Santa told me that I was on The Nice List, since I had spent the day volunteering to photograph children for charity.  Since I already got my combo Birthday and Christmas Gift (Yep, I have a birthday the same week as Christmas) I believed him, as I had gotten a very nice new laptop.  When the first picture the elf took of us didn’t turn out and I had to go back up on his knee I told him you don’t want me sitting back up on your lap again, I’m too much woman for you.  He chuckled and told me no, I like it, so now I’m thinking Santa himself is on The Naughty List. 

The Girl from the Ghetto

Will you be watching Sunday December 13th @ 10:00 pm?  I know I will be!!!

My favorite dysfunctional tv family is back on E! for another season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians so turn on E! tomorrow, Sunday, December 13th at 10pm for the one hour season premiere.  If you come back and post a comment after my show review later that night and the next day, you may be a lucky winner of a Kardashian poster.  I’ll post more details with my show review.

Will Scott and Kourtney make it?  Just who is Scott fighting with during that promo?  Why does Khloe, Kris and Kim hate Scott so much?  Will Kim be able to handle that her sisters are moving forward and becoming a wife and mother?  Will her and Reggie get back together and get engaged?  Just how much is Lamar Odom willing to spend on Khloe’s dream house?   

Watch the special sneak peek, just in case that first trailer wasn’t enough.

According to E!, Kendra Wilkinson from The Girl’s Next Door and Kendra has given birth to baby Hank.  He weighed in a 9 pounds, 5 ounces.  I just hope the baby doesn’t have her laugh.

You go, girl!

Hard to believe she just moved out of the Playboy Mansion this past April, married Hank Sr. in June and now she is already a mother.  Reality tv moves so fast.  It was just Sunday night when I saw her pickle and ice cream baby shower.  Yes, I’m sad to admit I watched this season of The Girl’s Next Door.  But I miss my old girls, and one of them was usually on. 

A long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away) I started collecting magnets from my travels.  I went with magnets mainly because they are the cheapest thing in the gift store, except for post cards, and I collect those too.  Here is my collection.  I wish I was smart enough to collect Christmas Ornaments like my friend does.  She has the coolest tree every year and I’m so jealous of it.  Does anyone else out there collect magnets?

Here are my local and international travel magnets.  The picture doesn’t do justice to my bah relief Paris magnets, darn it!

These are my “nature” magnets.

And, the Superheros.  Sadly, we don’t have Spider Man.  Why not?

Who can guess where this picture was taken? 

Also, you have to name the sculpture and the artist.  I’m making it tough, sorry.  Winner gets to go to The Henry Ford with me for free, but we must go by the end of the year.  First person who comments with the correct location, artist, and sculpture name wins.  Good luck.

Seriously, does anyone have Common Sense anymore? 

None of us are perfect, and we all have our sad little moments of being idiots from time to time.  Still, I think we all could benefit from reading this book.  There is a reason it was written way back in 1776.  Human nature is still the same.  I see and hear things in my life, on the nightly news, on E!, in the papers, in the blogs, on Facebook, on the phone, and especially on Bravo TV (Still, I can’t get enough of those Housewives of Orange County) that disturb me on so many levels.  What do you readers think?  What have you seen that illustrates why this book needs to be mandatory reading for all of us? 

Recently, my friend Doraz gave me this lovely award.  I try, I really try.  Thank you so much Doraz, I’m honored to receive it.  And, I’d like to honor the following bloggers who represent their own unique styles of blogging by passing this award along to them as well, as I enjoy their blogs dearly whenever I get a chance to read them.

• Writebrite, who mixes cool hobbies, life struggles, and yucky health stuff. 
• TV Snark, who carried on the Gosselin torch when I gave up on carrying it.
• Hockeychic, an old friend and great blogger who talks about everything.
• Bingo, who corners the market on book chat and giveaways.
• Teeni, who not only creates the coolest things and writes about them, but who is also a great blog friend to all who know her.
• Jen 512, who has handled an international crisis very well and still manages to entertain us, despite now living in a foreign country.
• Loving the Tasmanian Devil, who writes beautifully about life raising children (and a husband) with Aspergers.

Fellow bloggers, please feel free to pass along this award to those you feel are deserving.  Thank you for entertaining me, and Doraz, thank you for thinking of me!

First, let me put you in the mood with this song that inspired this blog post.

For those of you who have been wondering where I have been in blog world, I’m here at home, just busy and stressed out like crazy.  I’ve been working on blog posts, but haven’t been able to post any in the past week or so.  Five minutes ago my eye doctor’s office called and they told me I got abnormal results for my peripheral vision field tests for both my eyes, so I have to go back to his office on Wednesday to “reevaluate” what is going on.  My dad  and both his parents were legally blind.  I figure this is happening to me because of the rare genetic disease Mayo Clinic told me I “probably” have, a connective tissue condition involving the loss of collagen in my body, which is the root of all of my health issues.  I am praying to god I won’t lose my vision, or my driver’s license.  Keep you posted … 

But, at least I’ve been doing some fun things, volunteering and visiting with old friends over the holiday.  Just last night I went to a fancy charity club event where I volunteered as an auction girl.  For someone who has been in pj’s for the past two months, this was THRILLING to put on a dress and make my hair big.  I love, love, love this new dress, which I got for $33 on overstock.com.  Don’t hate.