Happy Holidays-Merry Christmuse!

Well folks Happy Holidays to all! May you find much to inspire you to stay sane during this time, as well as inspire you to have a wonderful New Year!

I would say I'm going to try to post more blogs, but well let's be realistic, I hope I will but who knows?!?!

For now safe travels, and enjoy time spent with family and friends.

It's the most wonderful time.......

Well folks and so it begins. Yup that time of season, where all of your plans are screwed up by family members. So while most folks in New England (well at least the ones I know) are hoping to sit on a couch in pajamas, watching the Patriot's game at 12:30, they'll actually be forced to conform to some required tradition of spending time with family even if you don't want to.

Now I've been fortunate in that I have never had to worry about traveling during Turkey Day or Christmas cause most of my family lives local. But consider this,since I see them pretty frequently why do I have to spend one more day with them? Sounds good on paper but it never works in reality. So, alas, here I am, catering to nieces who want Strawberry/Rhubarb pie (going to Wilson's in Lexington the day before Thanksgiving is oh so fun); planning on DVR'ing the Patriots game cause I have to pick up my Aunts during the game (getting them out of their Ms. Havisham apartment is a blog unto itself); and knowing that I'll be hearing various family stories that I've heard 95 thousand times before.

So am I bitter? Well hell yes I am. Will I be bitter all day? Most likely not. And that's what the Holidays mean to me: Realizing your family can suck one minute and then be fun the next. And be happy that they are around so when you do want to hang out with them, you can. So embrace, focus, and center. It'll all be over in 24 hours, really. Wow, could this someone be the end of a Walton's Show? Nah, I don't think so.

Enjoy the holiday and time spent with your family, friends, significant others, or Football!

The Hills are Still Alive.......

Ah indeed can you smell that fresh mountain air? Well you should be as today marks the day that the The Sound Of Music opened on Broadway in 1959. As a kid this was my favorite musical and movie for quite some time. Now I did listen to the Broadway Cast album with Mary Martin and Theordor Bikel but the movie is what I love. Why? Well because I always wanted to sing like Julie Andrews (good god who wouldn't?) and I wanted to marry Christopher Plummer. Yup at the ripe old age of 6 I knew I was destined to love men with amazing voices, actors and 20 years older than me. (ooh ha-thanks cause that's going real well for me in the real world). When I went to visit my aunts I would spend forever holding that Soundtrack album cover and perfecting my yodeling skill in "Lonely Goat Herd". Anyway, I could sit here and describe everything I love about the music and the movie and maybe I will at a later date, but right now I just want to give a bit of a shout out to something that I'll always hold dear in my heart. This is something that I never grow tired of seeing, makes me still smile when Lisel sneeks out of the house and meets Rolf and sings "16 going on 17" and makes me still hope that one day somewhere in the future I'll be meeting my "Christopher Plummer" in a gazebo. sigh...oh well

Also to note, for anyone who has a chance to see "Fraulein Maria" by Doug Elkins do so. It's a joyous celebration of The Sound of Music and when I saw it as part of the ArtsEmerson season at the newly renovated Paramount, I was struck by how wonderfully diverse the crowd was. I had a dude in his 20's next to me with a Red Sox cap singing to "Do Re Mi", a very sweet elderly couple chuckling during the dance to "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria" and everyone watching in wonder at the wonderful and amazing dance set to "Climb Every Mountain". And that's what's amazing about The Sound of Music. It still can bring joy to young and old alike, and inspire the creation of more artistic wonders. Thank you Rodgers and Hammerstein. Job well Done.

Our little boy's all grown Up!

In light of the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" (part 1) I figured I'd post this photo of Daniel Radcliffe in his upcoming role in the Hammer horror production of the Gothic thriller, and very popular British Ghost Story, "The Woman in Black." Little Harry is all grown up (well he's only 5' 6" or so so he didn't grow that tall) ...but well you get the drift....

A short blog is I guess better than no blog. One of the things I'm trying to work on is to get motivated to get a bit more constant in my blog entries.....well we'll see how it goes.

The Pumpkin King

Halloween is right around the corner and now that the weather in New England has decided to cooperate and return to fall (a comfortable 50 instead of 71+ degrees outside), things are setting up for a great Sunday Trick or Treat day.

Considering how Halloween has become so sanitized for kids now, trick or treating in Malls, after school programs etc. and fewer and fewer are going out at night around neighborhoods, I wonder if kids today really enjoy it as much as folks my age did. When I tell folks I barely remember what I did yesterday I truly mean it, but there are some memories of my "kid life" that I do remember and look back fondly on:

1) my first costume, Princess of course with those nasty smelling plastic masks that are now forever band as safety hazards. Come on where's the fun in trick or treating without the fear of suffocating. My brother Paul was so patient escorting me that year (kindergarten)-thanks Paul.

2) Getting to go out at night w/out parents or siblings. Yes, something that is definitely not allowed now, groups of 4 or more just walking from 8-10pm by themselves no parental units in site. That's right, I use to either do my neighborhood with friends, or get a ride to one of my friend's houses, and do their neighborhood. No parents accompanied us, it was just the "use your flashlight, stay on the sidewalk and come home before 10" speech. I mean wow the freedom and liberation, all part of what makes Halloween great -being someone else, being reckless, thinking something may be just around the corner, a bit of an adrenaline junkie yes? Plus back then it wasn't strange to behold multiple groups of kids between 5-10 walking around, there were tons of kids out.

3) Coming home to find the light out in front of the house cause we ran out of candy. It use to be a badge of honor to see which street had houses that had to shut off the lights first, more kids, candy ran out fast -somehow that made your house special.

4) Hating your costume but still having fun. I was a Gypsy for 5 years (I swear) running. My mother really wasn't sew queen or imagination queen so long peasant skirt and blouse plus some of her costume jewelry and there I was Stephanie the Gypsy. But I never got to walk with a Chrystal ball or say "beware of the moors and stay on the road." oh well. After that, my sister's pep squad outfit turned me into cheerleader for another 5 years or so running, so original or funky costume wearing was not part of my experience.

5) Having wonderful neighborhood moms. Thank you Mrs. Shattuck for dressing up your outside porch with cobwebs, witches faces in a Chrystal ball and scary music. Thank you Mrs. Allard for inviting us kids in asking us about our costumes, making warm apple cider and serving it in a punch bowl and having a plate of homemade cookies as treats.

6) Thanks UNICEF for working on my catholic guilt, "geeze I have to ask for funds for UNICEF and half the folks are saying candy or donation, my god the choice the choice"!

7)Not so "kid" moments: having a party for my niece who has a bday on Oct. 27 (two have their bdays on that date actually)and seeing them dressed up as ninja turtles, the most sorry ass Cinderella dress (sorry Marianna you're usually ace these things, but yikes) and then my nephew Jason as the best Eddie Munster ever (what a widow's peak he had)

8) Casing out houses near one brother with nieces and nephews cause the neighbors gave out King size candy bars. WHAT? King Size Candy bars? You heard me, KING SIZE!

9) Finally, my favorite memory ever. 1 hour into walking around with Jason, Tracy and Rachel. Jason so happy to be dressed as Dr. Grant from Jurassic Park, with his hat, red bandanna scarf, khakis and blue shirt. We even put a homemade JPark badge on his shirt. Well sadly most folks took one look and said, "Oh Indiana Jones, how cute." The downfallen look on his face at each of these visits was heartbreaking after an hour of them. Then, one of the last houses of the night, two teenage girls answer the door. They seemed to be transplanted valley girls, but god bless them they were awesome. One look at Jason and the both squealed "Cool! Dr. Grant- that's so neat" The smile that lit up his face and all the way through his big brown meatball eyes...I thought my sister was going to tip them for figuring out his costume, after we both gave them a hug. When we told them how people thought he was Indiana Jones their response "Duh, how stupid, he has no whip!"

Ah Halloween, I miss you-and hope that even in this day and age of precautionary and limited trick or treating kids out there are making their own fun memories....

The Game is afoot again!

It would take me a bit to write a blog that's worthy of the show that I saw last night. And since time is tight, I will just tell you that do yourself a favor and check out the new Sherlock Holmes Mystery on PBS Masterpiece. They're brilliant updates of the famous sleuth and his mysteries. Everything is being done right: casting, writing, and adding modern twists with a nod to the history of the character. It's the most enjoyable thing I've seen on TV since discovering Top Gear, ah the joys of those Brits doing things right. Do be forewarned the producers worked on Dr. Who, so they're are indeed parallels & similarites, but hell Dr. Who really is a type of Sherlock Holmes from Outer space!!!

Apologies for not going more in depth, but there's plenty of buzz about the show on the internet, so it's easy to find information on the show. PS, what's not to admire in a show that contains the following line: "I'm not a psychopath. I'm a very high functioning sociopath." ...

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

In the face of recent Hollywood breakups, I feel compelled to clear the air with the following announcement: Rumors at TMZ of the separation of musical admiration by Stephanie T. for Josh Groban are confirmed. The official statement follows: "Outside of Rick Rubin being a shitty producer for Josh based on the two released singles from his upcoming album, over the past few years, awaiting the new album, we've grown apart. I no longer find the continued use of falsetto as awe inspiring, and the "Bridge Over troubled water" wanna be compositions are tiresome. I wish nothing but the best for Josh and his seeming desire to try and revisit Paul Simon's Graceland years. I will always look back with fondness on my IPod sleep mix featuring his work through Awake. I hope to use this time to reflect on happier years." Confirmation on Groban's playlist being overtaken in # of times played by Muse's H.A.A.R.P. on ST's Ipod was not forthcoming.

Ode to Elomi

Okay, it's been about three week + that I haven't written a blog. I've been away for most of that time, on vacay in CA. Went with family to visit family and headed to San Diego, San Francisco, Vegas (for the first time!), and ended up in the happiest place in the world (no not Matt Bellamy's house-sigh) Disneyland. Along the way we made stops in San Jose (the Winchester house!), a Nike Missle site and a visit to my Aunts old apt. in Brentwood, oh and Rodeo Drive too.

Now with all of this you'd think I'd have plenty to write about, and I do (even a Muse concert). But for now I'm going to keep it simple and send a shout out to Elomi. Now who/what's Elomi you may be asking? Well it's the name of my Bra manufacturer that's who. Yes, Elomi and the uber underwire (I had no idea it was Uber before the trip) made my 5 airport visits quite exciting. Yes that's right folks for the five airports I traveled through on this trip (that's 5 plane rides in 16 days) I was pulled from the security line 5 times (batting 1,000-much better than J.D. Drew!) and had to be personally searched. Why?; cause my freakin' underwire bra seems to be made of kryptonite underwire that's why. I mean, I understand that the TSA's have to do their job, and I want them to, but honestly, by the third time, I wanted to ask for a note from my bra maker, or the other TSA's who felt me up noting that I posed no threat to anyone other than hitting myself in the face if I didn't wear my underwire bra. Good lord, my sister got use to pulling my bag and shoes from the scanner while I had to sit in chair get entire body checked, and say 20 times, no I have no metal on me or in me other than my underwire freakin' Bra!!!

Elomi, I need support but really? I mean what type of underwire is it? My sister yelled at me and told me I should have worn my sports bra. Oh that would be comfy-I can't breath in that freakin one, and it has front wire hooks, can't imagine what would have happened to the scanner with that one on.

There you have it, trip story #1. Thank you Elomi for making my travel time exciting, and for giving those 5 TSA attendents the time of their life (I'm sure)....

Next on list of trip stories, "Vegas: tramps, sirens, Manilow, and lots of "Cirqe de so crappy" stuff".....

Signs of the Apocalypse........

Really I mean, do I need to say more?

Just in case your eyes are trying to deceive you because if they didn't at least try to-your head would be exploding, I present to you an actual novel that is available for purchase at a book store: the Tudor (as in Kings/Queens of England) VAMPIRE novel. How silly of me, Henry VIII was a vampire hunter and the queens he beheaded must have been Vampires....OH MY GOD...even for my twisted mind this is just...well, I'm speechless.....

This & That

Three short bits for today:

1) You so silly.......
Every year MIT students pull pranks and cart up something spectacular to land on top of the famous Great Dome. This year it's.....a Tardis!! Yes, Dr. Who finally recognized for saving the world many times over as well as his brilliant scientific mind. Mind you I've yet to watch one episode featuring newbie (well he's really #11) Matt Smith. I now have 15 episodes DVR'd but I just can't bring myself to watch. I will continue to miss David Tennant for a bit more-then go for it on some type of weekend marathon viewing.

2) Acting Schmacting!!!
For some time Law and Order and all its spin offs have offered tv viewers the chance to see some wonderful Broadway actors strut their stuff as guest stars including John Cullum, Raul Esperanza and Patti LuPone (and who can forget the wonderful Jerry Orbach as regular Lennie Briscoe?) Well a few Cable shows seem to have joined in the fun, particularly those produced by Alan Ball: Six Feet Under & True Blood. Now I never watched Six Feet Under, but it made Michael C. Hall a star (MC in Sam Mendes Cabaret (after the wonderful Alan Cumming). Now True Blood is sporting two wonderful performers Sam Trammell (Sam Merlotte) and Dennis O'Hare (Russell Edgington). Being a regular we've seen Sam in action before, but this year's story line (ooh I hate his brother) has allowed him to really shine. Sam was a best featured actor nominee for his performance in the 1998 revival of Eugene O'Neill's "Ah Wilderness" (and kudos for casting another Broadway actor J. Smith-Cameron as his Mom). As to Dennis O'Hare, good lord, is anyone chewing up scenery with more relish than Mr. Vampire King of Mississippi? I had the good fortune of seeing Dennis O'Hare in "Take Me Out". Now I love baseball, but his wonderful performance of someone who slowly learns to love the game made me fall in love with baseball all over again. The next year I saw him w/ Charlotte D'Amboise in "Sweet Charity" (Ms. Christina Appelgate was in the midst of anklegate at that point). He was simply a joy to watch with all his geeky awkwardness, which makes his "over the top" performance in TB even more of a delight to watch. So yay to Alan Ball...and yay to Broadway!!

3. Crazy Good!
I'm thinking of checking out the french film Mesrine: Killer Instinct. based on real french criminal Jacques Mesrine. Folks who know me may wonder why since I hide my face under my shirt during any type of violent scene in movies. Well I'll tell you why-Vincent Cassel. This french actor is plain crazy ass (in a good way!)...check out Brotherhood of the Wolf (a most amazing movie-great B horror film); Eastern Promises as the not so smart & crazy arse son of a Russian mob leader. Cassel has a pretty amazing physicality and is very charismatic. He's married to Monica Bellucci, who along with Isabelle Adjani I consider the two most beautiful women in the world. Seriously-they should bottle their genes..enough of my aside...Cassel is always fascinating to watch, and I hear that he gave an amazing performance in this film and its part 2 coming out in another week or so (I think).

Hair today...gone tomorrow.....

Hm, blogging's a lot harder than I thought. Sometimes it's time issues (okay it's mostly time issues), sometimes it's "what to write about issues", and sometimes it's a combination of both. And if I'm to be honest, lastly it's "lazy arse" issues. So for today I'm submitting something of no worth, but what has fostered a number of heated arguments with friends,family,even strangers over the past few weeks:

Tom Brady's Hair:

Wow how can anybody hate Tom Brady with long hair. I mean, really? Does anybody recall his season two picture? Geek to the max, short and parted in the middle. I think they've band it from the web because it was so horrible!

I've always adored long hair on guys anyway (no not to the "glam hair band" level please!). I mean, Jack Wild in HR Pufnstuf (or was that the beginning of my obsession with English men?); Michael Praed as "Robin-the Hooded man" back in the 80's. Barry Gibb (good lord that's sad isn't it). Caveat: There is a point when the long hair needs to be cut, I'm talking to you Barry. Um let's see John Taylor-but I always liked Simon better, and he had kinda short hair, but looks better with longer short hair..etc. Oooh and Eduardo Palomo (Juan Diablo in Corazon Salvaje)....sigh....poor Eduardo (totally ready to become a cross over hit in US before he sadly died). Anyway you get my point, long hair in, crew cuts need not apply. Yup that's it. How much more can I discuss long hair? But I mean if the bible has an entire story about long hair vs. short hair Mr. Samson and Ms. Delilah, there's gotta be something to keeping the locks long, no?

Waffle King is back...ahhhhhhhhhhh

I was going to continue writing about songs and how they define moments and relationships in one's life, but at 11:23pm I can honestly say I don't have much life left in my brain for tonight, and what's left of it has been thrown for a loop because as I sit here watching the NFL channel yup....wait for it...Brett Favre is dominating the news (and he hasn't even reported to training camp nor played one f'in pre-season game.) For the love of God, Brett Favre is the Anti-Christ, shave his head closer than usual, check his butt cheek under his Wrangler jeans and you will find 666 stamped both places. This man has ruined so many football season for me, and I'm not even talking about his play, I mean the media coverage that follows this man who outside of being the anti-Christ defines "Waffler" the best. MAKE UP YOUR FREAKIN' MIND you ass....I don't CARE I JUST DON"T AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..it drives me crazy.

I could be more coherent about my reasons why I dislike him so much (Screw the loss by the Pats to Green Bay I blame that one on Parcells for throwing his team under the bus!!) but I really can't. I mean I think I'm a rational person, but when it comes to Brett Favre I lose it. This guy is heralded by some as the best QB ever...WHAT???!?!? Well if you consider the # of interceptions as defining the best. Clutch player, clutch interception thrower..ahhh and for those records he's broken, well if you played fball for as long as "Methuselah" Favre has, you'd break some too. Considering this is a team sport why oh why does Favre get a pass for hanging at this point-what-three teams out to dry? And if I were a Green Bay fan I would spit at Favre if I ever saw him. Hell I'm not a Green Bay fan but I'll spit at him for y'all! Retire already..oh my god, they're showing him landing in Minnesota,and getting into a red Bronco, where the hell is OJ when you need him!!! Ahhhhh.....I can't take this, I'm going in my room to watch my dvr'd SNL with Muse.....sometime soon I promise I'll get back to my dissertation on songs etc. but for now really I just need to go find a happy place

The Song Remains the Same....or Does it?

I've just finished reading "Love is a mix tape; Life and Loss, One Song at a Time" by Rob Sheffield. I highly recommend it. It's a wonderful (and sad yes) exploration of the power of Music and how it can define/earmark important times in your life. It was great to read the list of mix tapes at the beginning of each chapter, and how can you not love a book that includes The Blow Monkey's "Diggin Your Scene" in one of the mixes?

After finishing the book, I began to think about some of the mix tapes I've had in my life, and a lot of what I remembered were "sleep tapes" featuring songs from The Blue Nile, Japan, The Lover Speaks, Marillion, good lord stop me or I'll start listing every single British Band I listened to in the 80's. And by the way, no sleep tape would ever be complete w/out The Who's "Love Reign O'er Me". In thinking about this, I have to say, I've realized I'm not so much a mix tape but an "in for the penny, in for the pound" gal. What exactly does this mean? Well, once I find a song I like-I play it to death, what do I mean by death? A few month's ago, in a matter of days, after I bought Muse's incredibly campy, kitchy, wonderfully bombastic "Neutron Star Collision" on Itunes, I had listened to it 1,567 times (this of course included nights that I put the Ipod on repeat and let it run all night). Songs by Keane, Sissel and Espen Lind (don't even ask about that one right now) and The Killers have suffered the same fate. I could listen to '39 by Queen gadzillions of times. My former work colleague Scott was a good sport always, he put up with lots of song "overkills".

I'm in the midst of watching the Patriot's first pre-season game against the Saints. The second quarter is about to start and they're already on the second stringers. Even so, I'm about to head back in to watch, so I will continue my dissertation on types of songs another day. But I'll give you a preview, next up "the couple song", and for me it features a heterosexual life partner and a 70's story song.....start guessing (no it's not Wildfire for the love of god.)

So, child, make the choice. which movie shall it be???

Hard to believe that it's August 10th (Duran Duran Appreciation day-What?!?!?! I know that's a whole entire blog topic on it's own-but I digress). So as the summer continues to roll by at an amazing pace, I wanted to pay homage to something that has come up in a number of conversations recently; the "Go to Movie". What am I talking about? Well, you all know it, that one movie that you can watch constantly- no matter how many times it's on, what scene you come in on, etc. Most importantly, it's the one that when you're up at 2 in the morning you're praying to see as you flip through the on screen guide, cause you know if you'll find it it's even better than having a warm glass of milk. A few minutes of your "go to" and you'll be ready for sleep soon. It's comforting to know that it's out there; something you can always go back to in times of stress (yes- I mean watching YOU Red Sox!). For the summer, the go to movie for my best friend Gina has always been Jaws. And that's one I really can't agree with more. It's classic, still one of the best "scary" movies around (note scary, not gory). With great performances by Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss (before he became a self parody) and especially Robert Shaw (who should have won best supporting actor if you ask me!).

While I'll always love Jaws (forget "Shark Week" really), my current favorite "go to" movie this summer has been Hellboy II: The Golden Army . Trust me, I've seen this sucker about 50+ times since it's been on cable. Guillermo Del Toro's visuals can't be beat, and it's a great story. I mean humans vs. mythical forces (or in this case elves who live in the Forrest-no Not not LOTR elves-but really kinda similar)... Love vs. Hate, acceptance vs. rejection, living alone or living with someone (seriously Liz and Hellboy's relationship is key here)! One of my favorite reasons to watch this is for the scene featuring the stunning image created to represent the Angel of Death... If I could get this as a Halloween costume trust me I would...Its sheer awesomeness is amazing. Oh, and how can you not love a movie that features Barry Manilow's "Can't Smile without You" as a central soundtrack piece, and includes these awesome lines?

Hellboy: You're in love. Have a beer.
Abe Sapien: Oh, my body's a temple.
Hellboy: Well, now it's an amusement park.
Abe Sapien: No, no, no. The glandular balance of...
Hellboy: Just shut up and drink it, would you?

So folks, what are your "go to" movies?

¡feliz cumpleaños!

Okay short and sweet today. Happy Birthday to Raul Malo, former lead singer of The Mavericks, a totally misunderstood band that was categorized as "Country" but so much more. Mr. Malo has one of the most beautiful tenor voices in the business. He is comfortable singing ballads, swing, rock w/ a bit o' country, as well as Latin influenced music, plus he has a great Christmas CD out! His control, timbre and pitch are amazing. He loves playing and plays most anywhere, which is great and a curse, because most of the time now it's small places where the crowd can sometimes drown out the wonder of his vocals. A good friend and I saw him at the Paradise in Boston a few years back and wondered why he wasn't playing to a bigger audience, and really why he's still not necessarily well know. It's a shame because his talent is amazing.

Because he sings such a variety of styles I bet you can find a song of his you'll enjoy (he's even sung Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual"). There are plenty of clips out there of him. I'll leave you with one of my favorite.

It's written in the Stars........

I was pleasantly surprised when I got a call today by one of my favorite work colleagues who chastised me (but really only in the most lovely way) about not having blogged since Tuesday. Good lord, I'm already a slacker and I haven't even blogged for a full week! I apologize. So here I sit, thinking what shall I blog about, because honestly, the ole' blog muse is not sitting on my shoulder. I thought, well I can review the Keane show I went to on Tuesday, then I thought, naw, I already talked a bit about them. And really all I can say is they're great, love them, and why does Tom Chaplin have the most god awful hair cut, really. Then I thought, I'll write about Tom Colichhio, he of "Top Chef" fame who has ruined me for any other steakhouse once I visited his Craftsteak in CT. Or I could write about how much I am going to miss a former work colleague of mine who's moving out to the West Coast, but I'm really not up to any of that which requires some modicum of brain function which I'm sadly lacking today, and the last subject will just make me plain sad.

I am therefore resorting to discussing my current obsession right now, which is Matt Bellamy of Muse. Well not so much talk about him, but explain why he must be brought to understand how perfect I am for him (screw the Kate Hudson episode-really). Do you know why I'm perfect for you Matt Bellamy? Well, because our zodiac signs-Gemini & Libra-(I'm Libra!) match, that's why you crazy hoot. Since you're always writing about the stars, and looking to the sky and all that's such a blatant reference to finding love blah blah, bleck, I figure well, if our horoscope signs match it's meant to be!!! Therefore, I present my case to the world and Mr. Bellamy-listen well:

Fact #1: "As air signs, both are optimistic, cultured and have a wide range of interests. They’ll have plenty of shared adventures as they explore the world and open each other up to new interests and points of view. In fact, one of the greatest strengths of this relationship is how each sign can help the other grow."

I want to grow Matt, truly I do!!

Fact #2: "Gemini and Libra both love to entertain, which means they can share their happiness with the people they care about. They make a beautiful pair, and with their grace and elegance they bring with them sophistication and style wherever they go. Their optimism and enthusiasm bring life to any situation, and they shine when in public together."

Grace and Elegance (my god those are my middle names!) Shine in Public!!! Indeed, and I'll take you to someone who knows how to cut your freakin' hair right!!!

Fact #3: "Gemini and Libra are kindred spirits, sharing a bond so strong that they are inseparable. They are equal partners in love, work and play, and they understand and complement each other in everything they do. They also have a great admiration for each other, which fuels both their passion and their respect for each other. And because they connect both intellectually and emotionally, they are one of the strongest and most compatible teams in all of the zodiac."

Oh my god, Jerry Maguire was right "You Complete Me!"

I rest my case. Wow, that was exhausting. All of this so makes sense. Especially when I explain why I fell in love with him in the first place. Visual representation of the moment, please refer to video below: 06-10 seconds in. Keytarcaster folks, that's what it comes down to. Totally rational-no????

Across the Pond...........

Tonight I'm going to see Keane at Bank of America Pavilion. I was lucky enough to catch this band on SNL a few years back (at least SNL is still good for something considering their skits continue to be way hit or miss extravaganzas, and can someone please pull Seth Meyers out of the News-god awful-never found him funny, never will). If you don't know Keane they're a Brit band whose first album here Hopes & Fears rose up the charts on the strength of great melodies, piano as the featured instrument on its tunes, and the wondrous pure vocals of Tom Chaplin. Three recordings later, the band is experimenting a bit more with their sound, and while to me the results have been mixed, they put on a great show, (I've never seen someone work the piano as hard as Tim Rice-Oxley, primary composer for the band). How can you not like a band who sites Depeche Mode, a-ha, The Beatles, U2, R.E.M., Radiohead, Simple Minds, Queen, and the Pet Shop Boys as major influences. Incidentally, Tom Chaplin has always reminded me of a Hobbit, which has stuck with me as his nickname. I honestly have no idea why I call him that since he's actually a tall Brit, but I've been told, indeed from the side, and with his older, longer hair cut he does indeed bear a passing resemblance to Billy Boyd (Pippin). Right now he's sporting a rather too short, unattractive hair cut. Only Matt Bellamy of Muse beats him for bad hair right now (Bells- stop getting hair cut with a Flowbie will ya!) As far as I know there are some tkts left for tonight's show ($10 I think), so give yourself a treat and check them out.

PS, I can't resist, Happy B-Day to Tom Brady. Kraft, sign him already will ya!!!!

A date that will live in Infamy..

No not that date, but July 31, 2004. I still remember driving with my sister on 128 past the Burlington Mall. Trade deadline in Baseball, thank god, no one we liked was traded. Oops MLB on XM radio announces Nomar Garciaparra is involved in a four-team deal and heading to the Chicago Cubs. WHAT???!!!! I turn to my sister and both of us in voices that we believe may have deafened dogs miles around yelled "They traded NOMAR????. I still cannot express the emotions that went through me that day. I was taught to love and cherish (and hate, yes hate them when they sucked) the Sox by my oldest brother since before I can remember pretty much anything else. My favorite player before Nomar was #24 Dwight Evans, and I was still bitter that his career didn't end here but in Baltimore. Now one year after Grady "Freakin" Little blew our chances to head to the World Series they were trading away what was one of the best players in baseball before injuries to his wrist, and what was pretty much the only attraction (along with Pedro Martinez) during the lean years of Sox teams?

Sure, some of you will say "Well the Sox won the Series that year without him, so what?" Sure, some will say "He got what he deserved being a cry baby with the media." Others will sight steroids as the cause of his downfall and injuries. He won't make it to the hall of fame etc. But you know what folks, he never ever treated us fans bad. He WAS the Red Sox and despite everything management did to try and make us fans hate Nomar, the majority of us love him, still do, and LOVED the fact that he retired as a member of the Sox. Did this mean I didn't cheer when the Sox won the Series in '04 and '07 hell no. Does this mean I never found another player to love? No way-hello Kevin Millar-(sigh). But it didn't stop me from missing him and wishing he was there on the field in St. Louis when we won the Series. It didn't stop me from missing him during the '04 ring ceremony that just happened to take place when we played the Yankees next opening day. Nomar will always be one of my favorite Sox players, no matter what anyone says. And that's the biggest lesson I think I learned that year. Statistics-and honestly-wins only count for so much in baseball. As so aptly put in "Damn Yankees"-You gotta have heart.... and Sox fans and Nomar wore their hearts on their sleeves and then some when he came back to Fenway.Thank you Nomar, for everything....

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.................

I'm giddy....really nothing else, just giddy. Oh and screw the long hair haters.

Henry VIII & Vampires....oh my

No no no, trust me, I'm not going to start talking about some new mash up novel like "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" (though that one was funny-but the rest oy-I had to stop when I saw one featuring Mozart and Vamps!). Anyway,on July 28th, 1540, Thomas Cromwell, the First Earl of Essex was executed by Henry VIII. Cromwell rose to power during "The King's Great Matter" a nice way of saying he helped Henry dump his first wife for #2 (if only Anne Boleyn knew what was coming), while collecting more money from the church putting it in the king's coffer,and helping to kick start The English Reformation.

But enough history. I mention Thomas Cromwell because of the date but more importantly because it lets me point out a fantastic actor who brought subtly and humanity to his portrayal of Cromwell-as opposed to the usual "rat w/ no conscience" approach that's usually taken. Now the portrayal was in the god awful Cable show "The Tudors" (I promise to explain my distaste for this show later really)by British actor James Frain. Frain has another tie to Tudor history via film, he played the Spanish ambassador in the watchable but again totally historically inaccurate Elizabeth (plus it had the yucky Fiennes brother in it-Joseph). Frain this year is featured in "True Blood" as the "psycho as all hell" Vamp Franklin Mott. Seeing this actor switch from all restrained Englishman, to "Crazy Ass to nth" power has been a hoot. So thank you James Frain for making history and vamp stories fun to watch!

Check it out if you don't believe me...Really....(note: strong language in clip)

Musical Theater Manna From Heaven....

Oh My God.... Today I just read the following on the TheaterMania website that a new Broadway musical based on the Pedro Almodovar movie Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is scheduled for previews this October. And why should this be of importance? I'll tell you why, its going to star F'ing Patti LuPone & Brian Stokes Mitchell that's who, along with other great folks such as Sherie Rene Scott and Danny Burstein. But I mean, La LuPone AND Stokes in one musical. My good lord I can't take it!

How can I write about Muse one day (well okay not really write, but reference) and Musical Theater the next? Well that's how crazy I am. I mix it all up baby! I'm so giddy with this news, I really can't relate more.

For those unfamiliar with Musical Theater let me just say this is like an Ali & Frazier fight bill! If you do not know the work of Stokes or Ms. LuPone, know that they are by far and above some of the best actor/singers on Broadway. Stokes can make the phone book sound good, and Patti, well she's plain electrifying in everything she does. I could go on about seeing Stokes' last performance in Kiss Me Kate (truly a "raise the hair on the back of you neck" moment) or LuPone's command of the stage in the revival of Cole Porter's Anything Goes but for now, I just want to bask in the wonder of this news, and figure out when I'm going to NYC in the fall.

Here are a few videos to explain my wonder:

Monday Morning Blues

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life

Berthold Auerbach....

Sometimes there's just no help for it. You think a day is going to be great, especially when the weather is lovely, but then it's one of those where you wish you hadn't gotten out of bed. In those instances Music is what gets me through the day. Over the years many artists and many music genres have worked to keep me sane, happy and off the 10 most wanted list. Maybe I'll think about making a list of my favorite music pick me ups through the years, but for today I'm just including a bit of what's currently rockin' (or keeping steady) my world. I'd write more, but Music is a funny thing. It can instantly create a bond between a huge amount of strangers or it can speak specifically to an individual in some way that really can't be described or explained, it just is. Today is a "no words day for me"....so here goes.... More about the music on another day definitely!

Any Given Sunday....

Ah Sunday..the day when one finishes up weekend chores, reads the NY Times and manages to attempt to complete its crossword puzzle, visit the family that's local, or just chill before heading back to work on Monday. But while you may be enjoying these particular pass times do you know what I'm doing? Waiting for football. No folks, not World Cup futbol-sorry despite the best efforts of the vuvuzela I still find soccer almost as boring a sport to watch as golf- I mean the "NFL where's Peyton Manning so I can boo his sorry arse off the field" football. ASIDE NOTE: Okay, Peyton Manning seems like he's a semi decent guy,his commercials are sometimes funny-though there are way too many, but as a Patriot's fan there's a genetic marker in me that makes me hate all thing Manning including Archie, Eli (don't get me started) even the bro who didn't make qb plus those bros do whine a lot. Anyway, I'm sitting here worrying about whether Wes Welker really should start training camp or be put on the reserved PUP list. I'm also concerned over the fact that sports radio guys are making fun of Tom Brady's hair cut. My thought, he's won 3 Super Bowls, you've won none, he can wear his hair anyway he likes. I'm also thinking get a contract signed with Tommy Mr. Kraft. I'm also praying that Laurence Maroney finds a set of you know what and runs his arse off this year. I guess part of it is that I'm not much of a summer person. I'm part of the 10% Italians who burn and not tan. My hair also grows the size of Texas in Humidity. Really, I can give Pam Grier's 1970 fro a run for the money! So while folks currently are enjoying walks on the beach and Ice Cream at Richardson's, I'm waiting to take out my Belichik hoodie, wrap myself in my Patriot's snuggie, and sit down for a good game!

You Ah a Big Fat LiAH...............................

Okay, I have to say it. Whoever said that going to they gym would invigorate you is a big fat LIAH......... I just came back from a 45 personal training session otherwise known as self-inflicted torture with a 20 year old with a 18 inch waist. She's the sweetest thing possible but considering that if I sneezed directly on her she'd probably be blown through the window like Leslie Neilsen was blown through the bridge when the wave hit the Poseidon, I continue to ask myself what the hell am I doing. I know I know, this is what one is suppose to do to live a healthy lifestyle. Yes, yes, I know I should feel better that I can walk longer, faster, without sweating like Don Johnson did in the TV mini series "The Long Hot Summer"...but honestly I just don't. You can wrap it with pretty paper, and tie a nice bow on the whole conversation but when it comes down to it, I hate the fact that I have to workout. I hate that I seem to be genetically blessed with no metabolism whatsoever. My sister and I joke that we'd be kicked off "Survivor" because other players would think that we were hoarding food as they all began losing weight while we somehow miraculously gained weight. We're also convinced that we would be the only ones to gain weight as well climbing Mt. Everest.

So what's the conclusion to my whining? Well, I'm not going to stop going to the gym because I've yet to see an attractive mumu, and that's where I'd be headed if I stopped going. I will continue to rage against my genetic make up that has given me Jason Varitek thighs, giving me the ability (most likely but I never tried) to climb mountains with goats for days. I will continue to quietly curse any and everyone I think is thin through no effort of their own. And I will smile sweetly at all ( but mentally be bashing heads) of those who wax poetic about the beauty and wonder of excercise. I just don't buy it. That said, in the immortal words of my zen Master Bill Belichick "it is what it is", which is why I just signed up for my next 7:45 training session.

And so it begins........

Well folks here we go. Where this blog will take me and you? Who knows? Okay, from that first line you can tell this will not be a blog about poetry since my rhyme schemes are almost as good as those of Charles Hart in "Phantom of the Opera", oops sorry. What this will be is a chatty site about all things that interest me!

You may ask, why should I care? Honestly maybe you won't. But I've got a bunch of likes that range the gamut: Three Stooges, English History, All things Sports (well except Basketball, soccer, golf..okay I like baseball, football & tennis, oh and ice skating of course. As well as music (opera, Muse, The Who, Duran Duran, U2, The Ring Cycle, Broadway Musicals, Josh Groban (I can't believe I just wrote that). Did I mention I like Muse? Did that up my cool factor? Anyway, you get the point, I'm a little scattered, a little eclectic. So in the immortal words of Margo Channing ""Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night" Well, hopefully not so bumpy, but fun, I hope you enjoy visiting now and then to see what's up!