DC and Back Again--Day Four

...and another day of commercial shooting for Viv. This time Cory went with her, so I don't have as many details about this day. I do know she did some 'man-on-the-street' interviews and was completely comfortable with the idea of approaching complete strangers and asking them questions. Amazing! They spent the second half of the day indoors at another location. (thank goodness, as it was another cold day!)

Sullivan and I had a nice breakfast at the hotel restaurant, The Palette. I had to laugh as Sullivan scoffed out loud to the server about the five dollar glasses of juice. My beloved oatmeal was $7. Of course I'm sure a lot of it had to do with the fact that we were at a fancy hotel, but overall food is very expensive in Washington DC. I suppose this is how they make their money, as most of the museums are free and amazingly enough the souveniers in the museum gift shops are surprisingly inexpensive as well.

After our meal we walked three blocks from the hotel to the nearest Metro station. I was quite proud of myself, I was determined to figure this out all by my little self. Hey, I used to be on my own here and in L.A., took the train from New Jersey into NYC all by myself without knowing where to go or what to do years ago....but that was years ago. It's funny how once you get older, and especially when you have children, you get more paranoid and afraid to do things. I guess you just pay more attention to all of the bad things that could happen to you along the way as you get one day closer to death and have someone else to watch out for. But! That was not going to stop me! We found the station and took the escalator down. I had no clue how to work the ticket system, luckily there was a group of people who had just figured it out and were very helpful. Before I knew it we were on the blue line making for the Smithsonian stop. Fun!

I have to say, it was not easy to tell which way to go once we got off the train. There aren't many signs marking the way, and the signs that are there are pretty vague. All of the museums are in a row, and they are not well marked from across the way--so it's hard to know what's what. Luckily being a woman I have no problem asking for directions, so I just stopped some passerby and they were very helpful. (everyone was very nice in that town, I will say.)

Knowing what a little scientist my son is and how he is fascinated with the solar system, Sullivan and I went right to the Air and Space Museum. What a cool place! He was definitely in his element with all of the airplanes, space shuttles and paraphernalia, models of the solar system. There were many 'hands on' things for kids to do. I have to say though, my personal favorite room was the one that had choice things from the American History Museum temporarily housed in it, as it was being renovated at the time. Dorothy's ruby slippers, Lincoln's top hat he wore the day he was shot, R2D2 and C3PO, even Carrie Bradshaw's laptop were among the many cool things displayed. I was pleasantly surprised at how cool it was to actually see those things in person.

After lunch at the in-house loft-style McDonald's which gave a great view of the area, we jumped back onto the Metro and headed back to the hotel. Mission Accomplished! At that point Sullivan and I just chilled at the hotel until Vivian and Cory got back. Once again we were pampered with room service as the celebrity and her dad came back right at dinner time, and once again an early night was called to get some sleep for the next busy day. Barbara stopped by the hotel room with a fruit basket to say her goodbyes as she was leaving the next day. She was so wonderful! Even though she was done with her part, it had been decided that the Fallon team would indeed shoot a couple more spots on their own--cameraman Josh stayed another day, which was great. The days had flown by, it was hard to believe we were approaching our last already!

DC and Back Again--Day Three

Up bright and early for a 6:30 call time on Vivian's first day of her commercial shootl! She and I started out by meeting everyone down in the lobby of the hotel. We soon crammed into a couple of vans and were taken to the first location which was in front of the Whitehouse. We went right into an RV outfitted solely for the purpose of film-making, complete withOUT a bed in the back for the perfect wardrobe fitting/changing room. It wasn't anything fancy, but I sure wasn't complaining. It was warm, cozy, and I had my breakfast brought to me from the nearby Craft Service catering truck parked down the street. I had asked for oatmeal if they had it, a bagel if they didn't....I got both. nice.

After hanging out a bit and chatting with driver Lee, studio teacher Lorena, and Tony, the other actor that would be in the first commercial shot, Vivian got bundled up and we all walked down to the location. It was still a couple of blocks down the street, as we weren't allowed to park any closer to the Whitehouse.

It was a jam-packed day, frought with all sorts of things that could have caused major trouble. Protests, noisy street workers just yards away, barking police dogs, cold temperatures and even colder winds. Thanks to Neel Lattimore, ex-Press Secretary for Hilary Clinton and now working on this project, a few phone calls to the Whitehouse at least took care of the workers for a while. As for everything else, the crew just soldiered on.

And let me add that my daughter soldiered on like a professional through it all as well. At one point I watched her on the monitors and just could scarcely believe she was mine. Not that I didn't think she could do it, but to the surprise of everyone she nailed her lines and her performance every time, almost always the first time. People passing by, all of the noises, the cold, even me standing right in front of her and watching, she ignored it all and was truly in the moment. Whether she chooses to do this as a career or not, I dare say she was made for it. And for a parent that is both an exciting and scary thing.

Everyone on the crew couldn't have been nicer. They were so attentive to Vivian's needs, even to my needs. Thank God for feet warmers, is all I can say. And broadcast producer Michaels snowpants, which he so graciously took off of his own self to let me wear the entire day. !! Barbara Kopple, the director, was amazing. She was so great with Vivian, made her feel totally at ease. You can tell she's worked with kids before, that's for sure. No Hollywood attitude there--she was so warm and down to earth.

After a catered lunch in a nearby church basement, we headed over to the second location--in front of the capitol. (sadly, my camera's battery power went out so I don't have any photos from there! :-( ) There snow was whipping by horizontally at some points, the wind even knocked an open umbrella into the tidal basin--which totally struck my funny bone. Through it all Vivian never complained and did an amazing job. We were all happy to wrap things up and head back to the hotel when they got everything they needed.

After such a long day of shooting for us and more museum-hopping and hotel staff schmoozing for Cory and Sullivan, room service was definitely on the menu for dinner. Actually, Cory and Vivian wanted some Subway so he went and got that for them and Sully and I enjoyed delicious chicken dinners from silver platters. An early night was called once again to get ready for the second day of shooting.

DC and Back Again--Day Two

Ahhhh. It's so nice to wake up in your own bed and house after being away. It doesn't matter how enjoyable your trip was, Dorothy was right-on when she said "there's no place like home." (although I will say I do miss the room service coffee that was brought up to me in a silver pot. that rocked.)

Day 2 of our Washington DC adventure was basically a 'free day', as the actual shooting of the commercials didn't start until the next. They wanted Vivian there early for her to have the fittings and meetings with Barbara, so the great thing was that she had that day to do some sight-seeing. Even though she wasn't on set, Vivian was still under SAG guidelines to have some 'school time', however. Thankfully Lorena agreed with our thinking (and Vivian's teacher's, as well) that taking in the educational opportunities that are abound in that city would definitely quality as learning! So at 10:30 Lorena met Vivian and I in the lobby for just that. She had Vivian pick 2 things that she wanted to see the most, and she chose the National Aquarium and the Holocaust Museum. (you gotta love that about my girl.) Obviously even an entire week isn't enough time to see everything!

Our hotel was in a great location, definitely walking distance to the Whitehouse. We started off there, before we went to the nearby Aquarium. At first look the Aquarium was not all that impressive, both Vivian and I agreed. Even our Discovery Bay at the Minnesota Zoo seemed to have more to offer, as the Washington version consisted of only a semi-circle of small tanks in the dingy basement of a building. Upon a closer look, however, we ended up really enjoying our stay there. Since the tanks were so small, each one only had a few specific things inside them and the creatures were so easy to see. I saw things I've never seen before...mollusks, a four-eyed fish, a small red octopus...even two (dare I say cute?) alligators named Munchy and Crunchy.

After some lunch at a nearby food court we decided to jump onto the 'Tourmobile', a bus which takes you all around the sites. It's a very cool thing, as you can ride the entire way around which takes about 2 hours, and also have the option to jump on and off at any time to check out the various places. Since we didn't have much time left, we decided to try this to at least see what we could see. We got about 2 blocks, and then we were at the Holocaust Museum. Knowing this was something Vivian wanted to experience--and probably the one thing I wanted to do the most while I was there, as well--I suggested we at least hop off and just take a quick peek. Well, let's just say that one can not take a quick peek at the United States Holocaust Museum. We were probably there about 2 hours and still felt like we rushed through a lot. I was totally impressed with it, it was amazing. The main exhibit spanned three floors, you started at the top and worked your way down from how it all started to the liberation. Then it opened up into the Hall of Remembrance, where there was an eternal flame in the back center of a circular room, and all around candles one could light in honor and/or memory of a loved one. I held it together up until that point, it was quite emotional. Poor Lorena, I think we sort of took her through that against her will but she seemed genuinely glad she did it in the end. Not exactly an uplifting afternoon! Vivian and I picked up some cool necklaces that were made by a survivor, and I also bought a car mezuzah! :-) May We Never Forget, indeed.

Needless to say Lorena was way past her time (bless you, Lorena!) so we hustled back to the hotel. Vivian was to have her 'getting to know you' time with Barbara and we needed to get back for that. I left them to hang and went up to the room to meet up with Cory and Sullivan and hear about their day spent at the Mint and the Museum of Natural History. Anyone who knows Sullivan and his fascination with money and coins can only imagine how he was in his element at the Mint!! When Vivian returned Cory's friend Steve Tulk, who lives in DC, came to the hotel and we all went for dinner to the Old Ebbitt Grill. It was such a cool place! The food was great and it had a fun historic atmosphere. After eating, it was relaxing and having Vivian go through her lines for the next day--her first day of shooting! Coreman had drinks with Steve down in the lobby as the rest of us went to bed early--call time was an early 6:30 AM. I had planned to go with Vivian for her first day, Cory would go with her the second. Once again Sullivan was making DC the Windy City instead of the Capital City, and it took a while to settle him down so we could get some sleep!

Oh hey, I forgot to mention also that the night before Cory and Vivian went with a few of the Fallon folks to get some footage of the President's motorcade as he sped by for the State of the Union speech! I guess that was quite cool to see. Whew, all of the days and events are running together, even as it's fresh in my mind I'm still trying to remember what happened when.

DC and Back Again--Day One

Hey there! Here I am, back from a whirlwind week out in Washington DC. We were living large, let me tell you. First the Upper East Side, and now this. Two high-falootin' trips within 6 months, how lucky am I?! This one was courtesy of my amazing daughter, who landed the role of spokesperson for a very important campaign and it involved 3 days of filming for some upcoming commercials. That my friends, is all I can tell you about it...but it could very well be a pretty big-time thing. It's very exciting! Since we really had 5 jam-packed days I won't try to cram it all into one post, but go day by day instead. (knowing how much I can blab I'm sure all of you are wiping your brows and saying, "whew!")

So! Let me start by saying that he flight into DC was uneventful...and that is wonderful news. As many of you know, we tried flying with Sullivan 2 or 3 years ago and it did not go so well. Let's just say we were on the plane maybe 10 minutes and had to convince the flight attendant to open the door back up and let us out. You can imagine that they frown upon that, so in turn you can imagine just how freaked out Sullivan must have been. I swear I could hear a silent cheer from the other passengers as we carried our screaming panicked toddler down the aisle and out the door. The poor guy. But that is all in the past now, as he flew like he'd flown all his little life. No problems at all-- in fact, he had a ball. He got his flight certificate, his wings, even a free bag of trail mix and the pilot's autograph to boot. I also had a great flight. I was a ball of nerves up until I got on the plane. Then upon sitting down I had the weirdest calm just come over me. I don't know what happened, but I'm not going to question it! It was great!!!!! We landed and I was feeling pretty spunky indeed.

We flew with Char, one of the many wonderful Fallon team members that went along on the trip. (Fallon is the advertisting agency) There was a van driver there to meet us and we got our luggage lickety-split. Before I knew it we were at the Madison Hotel, on 15th and M Street. We met up with more Fallon people in the lobby and then went up to check into our room. I have to say our room was quite small, especially for the 4 of us. But no matter, we weren't going to be in the room much anyway! Overall it was a very nice hotel, and the people there were fabulous.

After getting unpacked a bit and taking a peep at the production office, Vivian and I met the studio teacher down in the lobby. Vivian was required to have a certain bit of schooling each day, and the first order of business was to get over to some office building to get Vivian her work permit which I guess is required of any under- aged child about to do some kind of work. Teacher Lorena Bow was fabulous. I knew I liked her right away. A retired school teacher from right there in DC, she had never done anything like this before...but that didn't stop her from taking care of business and being right on top of things. She was amazing. We found our way around the building and it took a while to get the permit. Meanwhile Lorena's hugging just about everyone we passed by, she knew everyone! We got back to the hotel and by that time they only had a little time to get some studying in before Vivian's fitting. They went down to the lobby and got to work while the rest of us just hung out in our room.

We all went up to the 15th floor of the hotel for Vivian's fitting, which was basically in a hallway right outside of a meeting room! Vivian would dart into a nearby bathroom to try on different outfits for Ellen, the wardrobe person, and then she'd take her into the meeting room where everyone from the production was talking about the upcoming shoot. That was the first time I got a glimpse of Barbara Kopple, the acadamy award winning director that was working on the commercials! Very exciting!!! After they decided what would work best we went back up to the room and ordered room service for dinner. Nice! Nothing like sitting on your bed and eating delicious expensive food on silver platters. You gotta love it. We all tried to get to bed early, although sleeping was not easy. Not only were we in a new place, different beds and excited about the days to come, our gassy boy made sure we were all down-wind, so to speak. Never a dull minute in a hotel room with a family of four, that's for sure.

My next post will be Day #2! I will let you go with this revelation...for whatever reason I can honestly say that my Fear of Flying is completely gone. I don't know what happened, but I was not even nervous one bit before the flight home and it was the easiest thing ever. ?? I feel like a new person, FREE! It's the best feeling ever.

Sister Something

Ahhh, it's nice to wake up to beautiful snow--we haven't had enough of it this winter, and that feels mighty strange living in Minnesota. Of course snow can be a downright pain, but it sure is pretty and if it's going to be butt-cold we may as well have something nice to look at.

Well, other than taking care of the logistics of planning for a trip, we also bought a new car. What?! you say. But of course you shouldn't be surprised at this point. I'm not. In fact it's been such a saga that I barely even batted an eye signing those papers yet again. We ended up trading in Phat Thunder. I know, you lose money that way, but we had exactly ONE person get in touch with me regarding it and he offered about 3K less than we were asking. It's just not a good market right now, and even though we had the extras and had put money into it, it still couldn't compete with newer models that had less miles, heated leather seats or no. I could have been patient and just waited until spring, of course...but me, patient?! But also, as you know, more time just means worth less. ug.

So I've got my Forester. It's older and has more miles than the Scion did, but being a Subaru, I'm just not that worried about that. I'm not going to work myself up this time that it's the best, the be-all-end-all...like a bad love-life, I'm starting to get too jaded to let myself get attached. This time I'm going to go slow, ease myself into the romance. As they say in the magazines, don't live like celebrities do...stay a bit more private about your love for your partner and it will probably last longer.

This car-love thing is starting to get a bit creepy, so I'll move on. But the next business will be giving her a name. This one is definitely a her, going with the whole Subaru=Lesbian theme that I've been told about. Going with the Subaru means 'sister' in Japanese tip that "Snowed in in Montana" most graciously gave me (whether or not that is something worthy of snopes.com is still to be determined, but even if it's untrue it's still funny.) I think it must be Sister something. I thought about Pat's suggestion for my own name changing, Loveless--as in, Sister Loveless. But I don't want to give ol' Subaru a complex or anything, or put a curse on myself that she doesn't love me. Even though that's a kick-a metal name. I'll have to think on that one, give it some time. But she is black--black pearl no less. Nice. Very Pirates of the Caribbean-ish. (speaking of curse!) Maybe we'll need to go with a pirate theme? If anyone has any good suggestions, bring 'em on! Oh, and sorry I don't yet have a real photo of her to post...right now she's covered with snow!

It will be hard to leave her for a week now that I just got her, that's fo sho. We leave the day after tomorrow! Crazy. This will be quite an adventure. I'm not sure if I'll have to time to post again before I come back. So rock on, people, and have a good week.

The Lame Brain Strikes Again

Or, lack-of-brain that is. I was so proud of myself...I had remembered to stop in the bank as soon as I got to Byerlys to get a bunch of one dollar bills for our upcoming trip. I knew that if I waited until after my shop I would completely forget to do it. I go into the bank and realize that I don't have the bill that I wanted to change. sigh. The Lame Brain Strikes Again! I swear I have turned 50 instead of 40.

But in my brain's defense, there has been so much to organize and get ready for in my head for our trip next week! We'll be gone for 5 or 6 days, so that's a long time to plan for. Schools to call, pet-sitter to nail down for Digby, mail to stop, last minute travel things to buy....and that's just the beginning. Plus just the thought of the whole plane ride is enough to turn my brain into a blob of goo. I don't like to fly--forgive me, but I just don't like the idea of being in a tube in which I can't open the windows or decide to get out and stretch a bit if I like. But this girl's gotta keep it together. I can't be freaking out and then telling my kids that flying is fun and a great way to get from point A to point B. Damn being a good example! When did I sign up for this?!

But I'm sure once we get to the 5 star hotel we're staying at--hence needing the one dollar bills, for tipping purposes!--and get involved in museum going and hanging out on commercial locations, that will all be forgotten. Then it will be time to get back on another plane to come home. But of course I'll be looking forward to that--you know how no matter where you go and how good of a time you have, there is just nothing like your own bed. And let's face it, sharing one bathroom with 3 other people is gonna get old.

From Pat to Phat to Flat

Nice. I came into the weekend laughing with Steph over coffee, and left it laughing with her, Kim and Kim's brother Pat with the latest Feminine Hijinx recording we did last night! Yes, Pat joined us down in the naughty pine--our 3rd guest in a row!--and there was indeed much hijinx a-happenin'. It was a bit on the long side, but it's so hard to keep it short with guests! (unless of course we have a rezzie, like with Cousin Ann..!) Just too much fun to be had--and in this case, too much sister-dirt to dish. Ow!

For more somber news, however, Phat Thunder has been plutoed. (for those of you not in the know, the 2006 word-of-the-year 'plutoed' means to demote or devalue something.) I am not laughing about that. Phat Thunder has become Flat Thunder. Or maybe Phat Blunder. Well, there is nothing really wrong with it, but once again it's just not the right car for us. It has lost it's magic. I know this comes with all things new as they age, but some things age better than others. We just plain need more room, that's all there is to it. Without going back to an SUV, I think the next choice will have to be a *gulp* wagon. A Subaru Forester Wagon. I know, I know, SO not Metal. In fact I was informed last night that owning one of these actually makes people think you are a lesbian. Now that's interesting. That will be a new twist on things...a Metal Lesbian Mommy. Hey, whatever works. As long as I'm happy in my car I don't care what you call me. So, if anyone out there is in the market for a tricked-out Scion xB, let me know...! The saga continues...

My Lips and the Inner Bitch

So I began my Friday with fuller lips. No, I didn't get any injections or anything, ug. No Melanie Griffith lips for me, no-siree. But I bought this very cool make-up bag at Sephora yesterday and it had some fun samples in it (by the way I totally recommend this bag...it's so fun and funky, with a detachable handle can also be used as a little purse, and most of the proceeds go to the VH1 Save the Music cause! Yeah! It's totally rock and roll...!) one of which was this Big Fatty Lip Plumper. Now, not to brag or anything, but I think my lips are just fine the way they are. They aren't big, they aren't small, they are just proportional to my face. I never really gave them much thought, to tell you the truth. All I know is that when Meg Ryan decided she needed full lips, that was a bad choice. So I was skeptical about this stuff. But you know, a freebie is a freebie and it's always fun to try new things, so I thought, what the hey? So try I did. I was a little nervous because in reading reviews about the product it told you it could sting and to be very careful to to go outside of the lip or that area will also become red and puffy. nice. But I soldiered on. You know, not a big deal. It turned my lips a nice pink color and I felt a slight tingle, but overall it wasn't much of a change. Thank God, no Melanie. So probably not something I'd buy, but fun to try anyway.

So my lips and I went to meet Steph to resume our Friday morning coffee at our usual place. Yeah! With the holidays and the kids home from school, we hadn't been in a while. I was missing it big-time! As always the time flew and we laughed and laughed. A particularly funny thing was Stephanie telling me that she had an epiphany in bed last night as she was agitated and having trouble dozing off--she basically realized she was indeed a bitch and upon this realization was able to settle down into a deep comfy sleep with a smile on her face. OMG I laughed so hard at that, that's so great! That mental picture will plant a smile on my face for this entire butt-cold dreary winter's day. What a great way to start a weekend! And so inspirational...Embrace Your Inner Bitch!!!

Forgetful 40--Bah!

Once again, idiot 40-year-old me forgets my camera at the most inopportune moment. Vivian had her commercial photo shoot yesterday and I would have loved to capture the fun on my own film (or, memory card!!) but alas, I left it at home. Bah! Of course I couldn't reveal to you any hints about what this is for since it's all still so secretive at this point....but the behind-the -scenes shots wouldn't have given anything away. I did get this photo of Viv when we got home, basically this is exactly what she looked like in the photos....just my Vivian! :-) No make-up, just lookin' like the 10 year old girl that she is. That's a good thing.

I have to say, being there yesterday was just a blast. Everyone working on this project is so nice and fun to be around. Being involved in that sort of production is totally something I could see myself doing, I just felt like I was in my element there. With a smidgen of film experience, band/theater experience and just overall creative energy I wonder if it's something I could get myself into?? It's definitely a thought....and thinking I continue to do, as I try to come up with what I will do when I grow up. Being an at-home Metal Mommy has been the best job in the world I could ever do and I wouldn't have it any other way whilst the kids are young...but the quest for the perfect Me Job is always in the back of my mind, for when Sullivan hits school full-time next year. Of course I want the dream job that all stay-at-home Mommies want when they return to the work force...something fun, (and for me, creative!) challenging, feeling like you're making a difference, and done by 4:00 when the kids get home from school. sigh. It's a tall order.

New Year, New Room!

Woo hoo! We are totally re-doing our living room and let me tell you, it is becoming one swank space if I do say so myself. (and I do.) We've decided it's time for a change with our furniture...and of course new furniture will eventually mean new paint. I grumble at this, not only because I HATE painting, but because if you recall we painted the entire living room not so long ago. We'll keep the brown wall, but the rest will be a sort of Wedgewood blue...eventually. Probably not until spring, when we can throw open the windows and let out the fumes. (it has been quite spring-like here lately, but one never knows when the temp will drop...and it recently did!) Just the removal of the old piano that was never played made us able to put our furniture where it hadn't gone before--and it totally opened up the room. Right now I hate the fact that everything is white, off-white and brown, it definitely needs some color....but all in good time my dear, all in good time. I just had to put Ms. Coach on the couch, it seems like she belongs there. :-)

So if you are feeling bored with your digs, just move things around and it can feel like a whole new place. You don't even necessarily need new furniture...even before we got the new stuff just moving the stuff around that we had was a breath of fresh air. Maven Kim had some great ideas--and she is the expert in moving furniture! :-)

For the Northern End

So this morning I'm getting ready and I realize I really need some Preparation H. What?! you say. Eeeeuuu, you say. Too much information! you say. It could definitely seem that way, but I'm not talking about putting it on in...well, you know. This cream is for bags, not piles. Bags under my eyes.

You can imagine my surprise and laughter when I opened up a tube of P.H. as a Christmas gift from my dear friend Stephanie. Kim (who also received one) and I both thought it was a hilarious joke. But actually this is the Canadian brand, for some reason (you'd have to ask Stephanie, I quite forget why) is better for the cause than the American brand and it does wonder on the puff under one's eyes. Who knew?? But I guess it makes sense. Leave it to Stephanie to have such inside information (no pun intended!!)...not only is she the Priestess of Pate, but also the Priestess of All Things Beauty.

Not only can I thank her for the butt cream, but also for this amazing Foundation Primer, made by Smashbox. OMG, this stuff is The Bomb, highly recommended. Another Christmas present from Steph, you wouldn't believe how it feels. Rub it on your fingers and you feel like you are touching glass. It leaves the smoothest base on your face, so your foundation goes on like buttah--looking as flawless as this 40-year-old face can look. Truly amazing stuff. I am both blessing and cursing my friend for giving this to me, as now I am HOOKED and this will now more than likely become another monthly purchase for my beauty product arsenal.

So there it is, my friends. Things I recommend not for down south, but the Northern End.

Another Fabulous Forty

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEPHANIE!!! My dear friend turns 40 today, and this photo pretty much emcompasses how we ALL feel about reaching that inevitable milestone...go Steph! She and her husband John most generously took us ALL out to celebrate last night at the amazing Chambers Kitchen, downtown Minneapolis. (meaning Cory and I, Kim and Brian.) The fact that one of Stephanie's request for her birthday was for all of us to go out is just about the sweetest thing...and talk about getting to benefit from someone else's birthday! But then again, it was MY 40th birthday, too...;-) Have I mentioned that...??

Upon arriving at the restaurant we were taken down to a lower level over to a round table/booth in the corner....how did they know to put us as far away from other guests as possible?? As it is I think we were getting some disapproving looks from others for our loud raucous laughter. (okay...MY loud raucous laughter.) But do we care?! No! We had a ball. The food was amazing, the wine was superb, and the warm molten chocolate cake I had for dessert was to die for. Our water glasses were never more than half empty at any moment...and we were even given the choice of three different kinds of water to drink! After dinner we walked out to this courtyard area--surrounded by the rooms of that Chambers Hotel. We were transported to another city as we talked around a giant fire pit of which the flames came out of black pieces of glass that looked like crystals. Next to this was a little hut-like building complete with a bar made of ice and carved ice tables to set your drinks upon. The night was beautiful, considering our temps have been practically spring-like lately. How lucky are we? It was truly amazing, and it could not have been experienced with better friends. What a way to start out a new year!

So, happy happy birthday, my friend. No one could be more fabulous at 40--or any age!!--than you.

An Oprah Rant

I have to say I love this recent critic's criticism of Oprah's generous 40 million dollar donation to open a school...in Africa. It's hard to pick on anyone who gives money to the poor--I mean, for sure no matter how you slice it that is a very good thing and more people with lots of money should be doing more of it. That said, I totally agree with this woman's perspective on the whole Oprah thing.

This woman's main question is, "why Africa, when there is plenty who need here in our own country?" I saw this interview on CNN and the interviewer was basically saying that it's Oprah's money...she has a right to give it anywhere she sees fit. Of course this is true, but her motives are irritating. She claims that she visited schools in our own country and was appalled at the kids' requests when asked what they needed...iPods, sneakers, things of the like. When this question was asked of the kids in Africa they replied with 'school uniforms so they could learn'. At first thought I can understand Oprah's feelings....but who made our American children the way they are?? They are products of our society, and who can blame them for asking for those things?? If the children in Africa had access to these things, wouldn't they do the same? You can't even compare them, it's practically like two different species. And the critic brought up an amazing point...if Oprah is so offended about what our American children feel like they need, then stop giving those things away on your shows. Stop giving away high-priced cars and products and start giving away scholarships. AMEN! I'm the first to agree that our children are totally spoiled and most of their priorities are in the wrong place. So is that the time to turn our backs on them and go do good somewhere else? No. That's when they need the most help. They are the future of our country and are not beyond hope. They need good role models, which are few and far between this day and age.

I guess it all comes down to my feeling--and granted, this is my own opinion--Oprah can be giving to others but there is definitely an element in there that it is all about herself. I've felt that way for a long time about her. Yes, she does many good things for many people but she sure makes sure you hear all about it. If you read her magazine--of which she is ALWAYS on the cover, every month--you can't miss all of the good deeds she's done because it's mentioned all over the place. In many ways she is a good role model--she has come so far being a woman in the place that she is and apparently had her own demons to fight to get there--and I do admire that. But there is a falseness there I just can't shake, and it bugs me!

So there it is. My Oprah rant. Not that most of you probably even care, but you know, sometimes it feels good to sit down at your computer with a cup of tea and just type away about some random thought.

Happy, Not Crappy

Happy New Year! Let's hope yours is happy, not crappy. I have to say I have a pretty good feeling about ol' 2007 for me.

Last night was perfect. A gorgeous snow, deviled eggs, playing a game of Blokus with my family. Then Coreman and I started the behind-the-scenes DVDs of LOTR once again. Why not start the new year off with a bang?! I did not even make it to midnight, I knew I wouldn't. Vivian did manage to wake me up at the stroke of twelve however, with a "Happy New Year, Mommy!" Ahhh, youth.

This year has started out nicely enough...just Digby and I up before anyone else in the house, sitting by the roaring lightbulb (our electric fireplace) with a cup of coffee watching dark blue gradually turn lighter outside and the beautiful fairytale-like snow on the trees. I turned the 'Mellow Mix' to shuffle our living room ipod and was greeted by Al Stewart's "Time Passages". Normally I'd hit 'fast forward' quicker than you could say Frodo Lives upon hearing Al Stewart--so not metal--but I thought it was pretty fitting for the first song of the new year, so I let it pass.

Yes, 2007 could be a good year indeed. Exciting things happening for Vivian with her commercial work (which automatically becomes exciting things for me, of course!) my fabulous new Mod Pod Music web site that my husband is putting together that's going to be up and running soon, Warbride music finally up and available on that website (I'm feeling optimistic!), just more great days with my fam. I am a lucky woman indeed, and I am so grateful for all that I have. Of course my life is not perfect by any means...but in this hectic world that can be so hateful and depressing I sure have a safe little warm haven here, surrounded by family and great friends. Now THAT makes for a good year.

I hope all of you also have a lot to be thankful for as you say goodbye to the old year, and a lot to look forward to in the new.