Encounters at the End of the World

At the outset of Werner Herzog's documentary Encounters at the End of the World, he declares "The National Science Foundation had invited me to Antarctica even though I left no doubt that I would not come up with another film about penguins." Approximately an hour later into the film, we see...penguins.

Well, it's not like you could do a documentary about the South Pole and not mention penguins. Herzog attempts to put his own spin on the penguins in a decidedly non-Happy Feet way. He asks the scientific expert about gay penguins (actually, maybe that IS a decidedly Happy Feet reference...) and about penguin insanity.

It turns out that penguins can become disoriented--or "deranged" as Herzog puts it--and to prove the point the film shows a solitary penguin eschewing both the colony camp and the feeding ground to head inland towards the mountains 70 km away, even though it means certain death.

Penguins aside (and Herzog spends only about 5 minutes of the 101 minute long film on the subject), the film focuses on what Herzog terms the "professional dreamers": those who spend their lives living and working in the austere, harsh and desolate place. According to one of those dreamers, "If you take everybody who's not tied down, they all sort of fall down to the bottom of the planet.." and another muses, "...this place works almost as a natural selection for people that have this intention to jump off the margin of the map, all we all meet here where all the lines of the map converge."

But the real star of the film is Antarctica itself--the harsh and sparse topography above the ice and the diverse and alien habitat under water. Herzog captures the breathtaking and majestic beauty of the continent. But along with the beauty comes the ugly reality of global warming which Herzog sees as the beginning of the end of human life on this planet.

Availabe at Amazon.com, the two-disc DVD set contains the feature film complete with audio commentary from director Werner Herzog, producer Henry Kaisel and cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger; the featurettes Under the Ice, Over the Ice and Dive Locker Interview, South Pole Exorcism and Seals & Men; plus an interview with Herzog conducted by Jonathan Demme.

Three Reasons to Watch Leverage

1. It got a pretty good review from Tom Shales of the Washington Post.

2. They're running a promotion where you could win $100,000!

3. And the best reason to watch: My friend Hollie is featured in an upcoming episode!

Leverage premieres commercial-free tomorrow night at 10 pm on TNT--and then moves to Tuesdays December 9th.

derma e and the Thrilla of Vanilla

derma e scores yet another knockout with its Vanilla Bean Revitalizing Toner. Winner of Editor's Pick Award for Best Facial Toner from Beauty With a Conscience, the toner is the latest in a long line of award winning derma e products to receive recognition.

Naturally (no pun intended) I had to check out this anti-oxidant righ formula that contains skin-loving ingredients such as pycnogenol, green tea and the yummy smell of vanilla bean!

While the formula is indeed gentle on skin--what with soothing aloe, hydrating NaPCA, calming allantoin and moisturizing glycerin--it also is quite effective at keeping pores clean and toned.

And like all derma e products, it's paraben-free, cruelty-free and comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.

Ugly Betty/The Office - Bad Amanda and The Surplus

Is anyone else wondering why Amanda is still living with Betty? Rent-free no less. Coming home from a major shopping spree, Amanda is informed by Betty, "Buying stuff on sale...that's not exactly saving money."

Meanwhile Willie has developed a school-girl crush on Connor--babbling incoherently every time she's in his presence. I guess you could say Willie is silly over him. (Or I could say it. You probably wouldn't stoop that low...) Wilhelmina waxes rhapsodic about Connor's many appealing qualities: his ruthless business sense, exquisite fashion sense..."Tantalizingly large hands," affirms Marc.

A cash-strapped Betty asks Daniel for overtime, but gets the opportunity to pitch an article idea for ModeNY.com instead. Her idea of how to have "fun" in New York City for no money draws yawns and snark, but Amanda's take on "How to Blow $10k with Spending a Cent" gets the two mismatched roommates paired up for the piece. Betty's conditions: nothing illegal and it has to be something a typical Mode reader could do. "I get it. No crimes. Real peeps." Amanda says.

Despite Claire attempting to slap sense into Daniel, he and Molly get even closer--to the point of almost kissing. This is all the ammunition Wilhelmina needs to work a scheme to drive a wedge between Connor and Molly using Daniel. Prior to this, Willie had almost given up on having a man in her life. Until Christina informed her that her unborn child will be a boy.

Amanda and Betty's night on the town included loading up on free high-end cosmetic samples, designer fashion worn with the tags tucked so they can be returned later, noshing at an art exhibit and being picked up by two fellow exhibit-attendees and whisked out for an expensive dinner. With Heidi Montag's Fashion playing in the background. (Heidi Montag? Seriously? I guess the licensing fee came cheap...) Betty feels guilty for indulging at others expense--but as it turns out, dinner is on her as the suave and slick dining companions slip out and leave her and Amanda to pick up the tab. (Hmm...anyone not see THAT coming?)

Thinking quickly, Betty is able to get the manager to comp their meal in exchange for a mention in their article on ModeNY.com. But her and Amanda's elation is short-lived when Amanda realizes that the scummy scammers not only left them to pay the bill, but stole her wallet as well. And because Amanda was carrying Betty's rent money, that was stolen as well.

Betty finally grows a backbone and lashes out at Amanda and her irresponsibility, but later Ignacio tells her that she could learn a little from Amanda's free-spirited example. Daniel is so impressed with Betty's article about the experience, he offers to make it a regular feature--and advances her the money for her rent.

Betty forgives Amanda--especially after she finds out that in an attempt to become more responsible, Amanda has taken a second job.

Personally, I think Amanda rocked the suspenders...

Ironically, while there was a shortage of cash in Ugly Betty's world, The Office was dealing with a budget surplus. "Why don't you explain it to me like I'm an eight year-old?" Michael asks Oscar. Then after Oscar explains it Michael says, "Why don't you explain this to me like I'm five?"

What it came down to was $4,300 that needed to be spent by the end of the day--or the Scranton branch would have their budget for next year reduced by $4,300. Oscar suggests a new copier, but when Michael announces that decision to the rest of the employees it goes over like a lead balloon.

Pam wants new chairs and so does Stanley. Jim votes for a new copier. Toby wants radon testing 'cuz it's a silent killer. "You are the silent killer," responds Michael dismissively. Pressed to make a decision, Michael says "I swallowed all your ideas. I'm going to digest them and see what comes out the other end."

Meanwhile, Angela and Andy tour Shrute Farms to see what Dwight has planned for their upcoming nuptials. Angela wants the manure removed from the barn, Dwight says the manure covers the stench from the slaughterhouse. "Dwight, if we pay extra could you slaughter the entrees the day before?" Andy negotiates.

The copier vs. chairs factions lobby for Michael's decision through shameless flattery. Pam threatens Jim if he doesn't come over to her side; Jim smirks as Pam struggles with the ancient copier.

Michael attempts to pass the decision on to Hank the security guard. When that doesn't work out, he tries to get corporate boss David Wallace to be the bad guy. Wallace informs Michael that if he returns the surplus, he gets to keep 15% of it. Michael hates disappointing his staff, "but I love Burlington Coat Factory!"

During a demonstration of the wedding ceremony, Dwight arranges it so that he marries Angela and Andy acts as unwitting witness. Angela initially admits to Dwight she made a mistake picking Andy, but when she hears that Dwight duped her into marrying him she gets angry and storms off.

Back at the office, Angela kisses Andy passionately in front of Dwight--then heads out, obstensibly to get an annulment.

The chairs win over the copier but Jim is no sore loser. He hands Pam a sheaf of papers to make copies. Four sets.

Don't Just Make the Holidays Special, Make them UNIQUE!

It can be tough to find that special someone the perfect gift. You don't have the time or talent for handmade and gift cards are too and impersonal. How do you manage to get people on your gift list something as individualized as their personality? Something that says different, special and one of a kind?

Unique Los Angeles is an independent design and gift sale occurring next weekend. You can get all your Christmas shopping done in one place! The exciting two-day shopping event showcases independent design talent at great prices. Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Unique Los Angeles brings together 200 of the best designers, artists and merchants.

Here are the details:

December 13th & 14th, 11 am – 7 pm
California Market Center (Penthouse)
Downtown Los Angeles
110 East 9th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90079

$5 per ticket
(children 10 and under are free)

50% of ticket sales benefit CREATE NOW, a local arts-based charity for high-risk youth

If you go to the event, make sure you check out Julia Bristow Jewelry and tell Julia I said "Hi!"

Pushing Daisies - Comfort Food

Even better than the Pillsbury Bake-Off has got to be the Comfort Food Cook-Off complete with the Best in Belly Blue Ribbon. On last night's episode of Pushing Daisies, Ned and Olive join forces to compete in the cook-off--and solve a crime, while Emerson and Chuck teamed up to clean up the messy consequences of her impulsive action.

Said action involved the resurrection of Chuck's father. The first thirty seconds elicited the revelation that Dwight Dixon was indeed a dangerous man. The second thirty seconds were supposed be to give Chuck a chance to say a final good-bye to her Dad. But parting a second time was too much for her to bear, so she quickly concocted a scheme. She put a glove on her Dad's hand and told him to play dead (after being buried twenty years, he's had plenty of practice...) and that she'd come back and dig him up later.

Which she did. "I'm not going to start craving human flesh, am I?" asks Chuck's disoriented Dad.

At the cook-off, Ned and Olive attempt to dethrone Marianne Marie Beetle, the muffin queen. "Losing doesn't make you a loser--oh wait, it does..." Marianne taunts Olive. "I'm gonna win that blue ribbon and wrap it around her neck and strangle her with it," seethes Olive. But their efforts were interrupted by the untimely death of another rival, Colonel Likkin. Dipped in batter and deep-fried, the Colonel was more than merely dead. "He's extra-crispy," whispers Ned.

After hearing that the Colonel's secret fried chicken batter recipe died with him, Ned decides to revive the Colonel only to find out he didn't die of a heart attack but was murdered. Ned decides that he and Olive will team up to find the killer. Olive's excitement has her fantasizing about threatening suspects with a gun leads Ned to comment, "Technically I don't believe you can blow someone's brains out through their mouth." "Wuss," replies Olive.

Their investigation leads first to the Waffle Nazi ("I don't speak German. I speak English mit a German accent!"), then cook-off saboteur Marianne Marie Beetle and finally to the perp himself, Leo Burns ("He's a dreamboat...well, a tugboat," said Olive) who incessant gorging on Colonel Likken's fried chicken made him twice the man he used to be. Maybe three times the man he used to be...

Meanwhile, Chuck and Emerson set out to find out which poor soul replaced Chuck's Dad in death. Turns out it was dangerous Dwight who was just about to pick Chuck and Ned off with a rifle in order to retrieve the pocketwatch. Chuck can't quite feel vindicated by the cosmos, but Emerson quickly puts in perspective with his eulogy:

"Here lies Dwight,
here lies his gun,
he was bad
and now he's done."

While trying to track down Chuck after winning the cook-off, Ned notices movement in his old home. Inside he discovers Chuck and her Dad.

The show was filled with snappy banter but the best moment was the writers sneaking in another opportunity for Kristin Chenoweth to sing. Elated at solving the murder and winning the Best in Belly Blue Ribbon with the Piemaker, Olive burst into song. The Bangles Eternal Flame to be exact.

It's never sounded better...

Daryl Hall and John Oates - Live at the Troubadour

As Daryl Hall opens the Hall and Oates performance at the Troubadour, he reminisces about the last time the duo played the L.A. club--35 years ago when they opened for Harry Chapin. "This is the first place we ever played in Los Angeles...and nothing has changed in here, man!"

The May 2008 performance was captured Blaze TV with 10 remote-controlled HD cameras creating audio and visuals that allows the viewer to experience the performance as if they were inside the crowded LA club. The result was released in three formats – DVD, Blu-Ray, and a 1-DVD/2-CD combo, via Shout! Factory on November 25th.

I've a soft spot in my heart for Hall and Oates--She's Gone has long been one of my favorite songs. Although the performance does a great job of covering the breadth of the pop duo's career, it excludes two notable tunes--Back Together Again, their ode to Neil Sedaka and Do What You Want, Be What You Are which exemplified the Philly soul sound they were known for:

Do you believe in hot cars,
Leather bars, or movie stars
Is that what's real?
Payin' dues, earth shoes, Chicago blues
Is that how you feel?

It ain't a sign of weakness to give yourself away
Because the strong give up and move on,
While the weak, the weak give up and stay...

Still, there are a lot of great songs in the CD/DVD collection including some of my faves like the bittersweet Rich Girl, the upbeat poppy You Make My Dreams and of course, one of the ultimate break-up songs, She's Gone. The full listings are as follows:

CD Disc One:

1. Everything Your Heart Desires (Daryl Hall)
2. When The Morning Comes (Daryl Hall)
3. Family Man (Tim Cross/Rick Fenn/Mike Frye/Mike Oldfield/Morris Pert/Maggie Reilly)
4. Say It Isn’t So (Daryl Hall)
5. It’s Uncanny (Daryl Hall)
6. Had I Known You Better Then (John Oates)
7. She’s Gone (Daryl Hall/John Oates)
8. Getaway Car (Gary Haase/Billy Mann)
9. Cab Driver (Louis Brown/Alan Gorrie/Daryl Hall)

CD Disc Two:

1. One On One (Daryl Hall)
2. Sara Smile (Daryl Hall/John Oates)
3. Maneater (Sara Allen/Daryl Hall/John Oates)
4. Out Of Touch (Daryl Hall/John Oates)
5. I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do) (Sara Allen/Daryl Hall/John Oates)
6. Rich Girl (Daryl Hall)
7. Kiss On My List (Janna Allen/Daryl Hall)
8. You Make My Dreams (Sara Allen/Daryl Hall/John Oates)
9. Abandoned Luncheonette (Daryl Hall)
10. Private Eyes (Sara Allen/Janna Allen/Daryl Hall/Warren Pash)

DVD Performances:

1. Everything Your Heart Desires
2. When The Morning Comes
3. Family Man
4. Say It Isn’t So
5. It’s Uncanny
6. Had I Known You Better Then
7. She’s Gone
8. Getaway Car
9. Cab Driver
10. One On One
11. Sara Smile
12. Maneater
13. Out of Touch
14. I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)
15. Rich Girl
16. Kiss On My List
17. You Make My Dreams
18. Abandoned Luncheonette
19. Private Eyes

Extras:

All New Interviews with Daryl & John

Since it was recorded in May, sadly there's no rendition of Jingle Bell Rock, but the recordings would be a great holiday gift for any Hall and Oates fan.

Heroes - The Eclipse, Part 2

Episode eleven of the third season of Heroes was probably one of the most frenetically action-packed of the series to-date--cross-cutting between Claire fighting for her life in an emergency room, Nathan imprisoned in a South American jungle, Elle and Sylar on the run from a vengeful Noah Bennet and Hiro locked in a bathroom because he doesn't want to grow up.

Holed up in Sam's comics reading all the available issues of the Ninth Wonder series by the late Isaac Mendez, Hiro and company figure out that the loss of their powers may be temporary--ending with the eclipse. (Well, duh!) The whole comic book store scene was supposed to be a surreal meta of the whole story within a story that is the hero's journey. It was actually a bit too self-referential for its own good in my opinion...

While Hiro was getting his memory back via the comic book retelling of his heroics, Nathan was being rescued by Peter and the Haitian. Regaining his powers, Nathan charges Samedi. But part of his powers seem to be indestructibility as Samedi quickly recovers from being slammed into a jeep. The Haitian, however, takes over and completely erases his brother's mind.

Peter and Nathan have a brief tender brotherly reunion--but Nathan tells Peter he's going to Pinehearst to help Arthur distribute abilities to the masses. And then he flies off leaving Peter and the Haitian behind.

Mohinder can't determine why everyone's powers have disappeared. "You keep talking but all I hear is blah, blah, blah," Flint tells him. Mohinder decides since his molting has stopped, there's no reason for him to stick around with Arthur. So he beats the @#$% out of Flint and escapes--heading to reunite with Maya. But as he arrives at her door, his molting returns and he slips away before Maya can see him.

I thought we'd seen the last of Maya, but apparently not...

Mohinder slinks back to Arthur who muses that the "eclipse has shown us all exactly who we are--angry, desperate and weak..."

Elle and Sylar enjoy some tender moments. Inexplicably, although Noah Bennet's gun site was trained on them during a kiss at the end of last week's episode, apparently he let them not only finish kissing but indulge in activities of the horizontal persuasion before unleashing a volley of gunfire upon the two.

He manages to hit Elle, but the two escape with Bennet in close pursuit. "You've bled a trail of breadcrumbs," Sylar tells Elle as he tries to bandage her up in the first aid aisle of a drugstore. Meanwhile, Noah's daughter Claire is fighting a case of sepsis in the hospital--which stuns the hospital staff as Claire's system is infected as if she's never been sick.

Sylar sets Elle off in a freight elevator as he faces Noah Bennet alone. As Claire flatlines in the hospital, Noah and Sylar proceed to beat the @#$% out of each other. (It was a pretty violent episode all in all...) Noah Bennet manages to get the upper hand and with Sylar dazed from his blows--and as Elle looks on--he slits Sylar's neck.

At home Claire reproaches him for not being there while she was fighting for her life. "I died," she tells him. And she did--but as Mom Sandra looked on, Claire's bullet wound magically healed and she was revived with the end of the eclipse. (Sort of like that scene in E.T. when the flowers come back to life--only this one didn't make me cry...) Noah freaks realizing that if Claire died and was resurrected, then Sylar--who has the same regeneration powers--probably has as well.

And so he had. Both Sylar and Claire have arrived at the Bennet residence to retrieve Claire and bring her back to Arthur. "They're not your parents," Bennet tells Sylar. He explains to Sylar that Arthur and Angela are leveraging his Mommy issues in order to use him as a weapon.

At the comic book store, Hiro sees a scene that shows him with Claire. He teleports away leaving Matt and Ando behind. According to Seth Green--there is a rumor that one more 9th Wonder comic book exists. That Isaac Mendez bequeathed it to a bike messenger.

I guess we'll be meeting up with him in a future episode.

As Sylar starts to telekinetically slice Bennet's neck, Hiro teleports in and teleports Sylar--and then Elle--out of the Bennet residence. He comes back for Claire--and teleports with her back to the past. To Devereaux's balcony on the day that Hiro's father put baby Claire into Noah Bennet's care for safekeeping.

Meanwhile, Sylar and Elle share another tender moment--until Sylar asks Elle if Bennet was lying about his parents. "Nobody ever really changes," Sylar says sadly as he starts to slice Elle's skull open.

No more warm and fuzzy Sylar? Sigh.

It's that time of year again...

Okay Santa, I've been a very good girl again this year. You didn't do so hot on last year's wishlist (Thanks to my sister Laurie, the first three items can be crossed off the list...), but maybe you'll do better this time around.

This year, the list is a bit more practical (although I'm still open to finding Clive Owen underneath the Christmas tree...) and includes some items from last year's list that I'm still jonesing for.

1. I still need a good digital camera. I've been close to just buying one for myself, but I freeze when it comes to pulling the trigger on the purchase. Basically I want an idiot-proof point-and-shoot camera. Quick shutter speed, image stabilization, optical viewfinder, ability to take pictures in bright daylight or at night, pocket-sized and very affordable.

Anyone have any suggestions?

2. To accommodate my LOST obsession, seasons 1-3 on DVD. I wouldn't mind season 4 as well, but I'm especially wanting to revisit the first couple of seasons to see what I might have missed the first time around.



3. The other day the light bulb in my bathroom blew out. The only chair I have to stand on is my computer chair. Which swivels. Ever tried to change a light bulb while standing on a swivel chair? It's a challenge. This mini step ladder with project tray would be a godsend.





4. Somehow I've survived for years without owning my own fax/printer. It would make life a lot easier to have one around.


5. One of these draft dodgers thingamobs would be great. Yeah, it doesn't get all that cold in SoCal. Which is why buildings here generally aren't insulated. It doesn't necessarily have to be a cow.

Although the cow is kinda cute.

And as far as last year's list goes, the iPod speakers, Calvin and Hobbes collection and even the vaccuum cleaner are still up for grabs.

And hey--as long as we're wishlisting here, I'll take that guest house, functioning pancreas and world peace, too.

Desperate Housewives - Me and My Town

Seven people died in the club fire that we saw on last week's episode. Or, more accurately--seven EXTRAS died in the club fire.

But the upside of the tragedy is that while doing a cat scan on Carlos' head to assess his injuries, the doctor notices something. "Please tell me it's not my hearing. I'm already down to four senses!" Carlos says. But it's not his hearing--it's a bone fragment that's been pressing on his optic nerve which may be the reason for his blindness. He arranges for Carlos to have surgery to possibly regain his sight.

(Didn't I say that Carlos wouldn't stay blind permanently? Okay, I did predict he'd regain his sight before the end of last season, but I wasn't too far off...)

Unfortunately the happy news upsets Gaby who worries that Carlos won't be attractive once he can see how she's lost her looks post-childbirth, etc. With a month prior to surgery, she goes on a crash diet--and makes the girls go along with her. Personally, it seems to me that both Juanita and her younger sister could afford to lose more weight than Gaby needs to...

Carlos is excited at the prospect at seeing Christmas lights (That's a sight that always makes me happy, too!), but Gaby warns him that the lights may have lost their luster. Carlos assures her that the reason he loves her and married her has nothing to do with her looks telling her the story of when he decided he wanted to marry her. "You know when I decided I wanted to spend forever with you? About two seconds ago. Up until then, it was touch and go..." she tells him.

An unwanted side effect of the fire is the injury to Orson's nose. It causes him to snore. "Robustly" as Bree puts it. She tries to convince him to get surgery to correct the issue, but Orson is afraid of going under anesthesia. "If we can't share a bed, it's going to affect the intimacy of our marriage," Bree tells Orson. "If I die, it will have the same effect!" Orson replies.

Orson is tired of sleeping on the sofa, so he tries to wheedle his way back into the marital bed with Bree by telling her that chamomile tea will alleviate his snoring. Well, actually it's not the tea that will eliminate the noise, but the drugs that Orson adds to Bree's cup. But Bree has already taken a sedative, so Orson tells her the tea will only counteract the effects.

The sedative makes Bree oversleep and nearly miss her cooking demonstration to promote her book. To further complicate matters, she gulps down the drugged cup of tea Orson left on the nightstand. It's not quite Lucy and the Vitameatavegamin disaster, but it's close enough and it becomes the final straw for Bree who insists on Orson getting the surgery.

Orson's doctor notices his reluctance and Bree explains that in a marriage, there's a balance of power. After they leave, the doctor calls his significant other and says, "Promise me we won't become one of those couples who make each other crazy!" And Bree's son Andrew at the other end of the line tells him, "You already make me crazy."

Speaking of secret couples, Katherine visits Mike in the hospital with a plate of macadamia nut cookies. "I burnt the first batch and I wasn't sure you'd appreciate the irony," she tells Mike. She's still apprehensive about coming out in the open about their relationship--especially since she hasn't broken the news to Susan yet. Leaving Mike's room, she runs into Susan in the hallway--but hedges when Susan asks who she was visiting.

She checks in on Mike and nicks one of his cookies. But she ends up spitting it out when she realizes it's made with macadamia nuts and not white chocolate (like the abomination that is white "chocolate" is so much better than macadamia nuts!). She notices how evasive Mike is about telling her who made him the cookies and guesses that he's dating someone. When Mike won't tell her who his new girlfriend is, she figures out it's someone she knows.

She confides in Katherine about who she suspects is the new squeeze and Katherine avoids correcting her assumption. But when she takes a bite of the macadamia nut cookie Katherine offers her, she realizes it's Katherine who's dating Mike. She's upset with Katherine, but becomes even more upset when Katherine tells her that Bree knew all along about the affair.

When she confronts Bree, Bree tells her that Susan is really angry with herself because she actually didn't want to end her marriage to Mike. She tells Susan to "either tell Mike how you feel or move on." Susan apparently decides to move on and calls Katherine to give the couple her blessing. She's not up for hanging out with Katherine, however, so obviously this isn't over.

While Susan and Katherine's friendship may be a bit shaky, Dave has gained a new ally in a very grateful Mike Delfino. He thanks Dave for saving his life and promises him free plumbing for the rest of his life. Mike tells Dave he wants to repay him for what he did and Dave tells him that since his brother died (the brother who Mike killed in prison!), he hasn't had a really good friend. "Can you handle that?" he asks Mike. Mike says he can.

It almost seems like Dave is deeply conflicted about the tragedy he caused because he spends most of the show walking around in a daze. He's questioned about the fire by the police--who haven't figured out the identity of the body burned in the storage room. Later, Edie tells him there's a rumor that Porter Scavo started the fire. She says she always knew Porter was bad news. "Trust me, I'm a really good judge of character." she tells her psycho husband.

Yeah, Edie--you're Sherlock Holmes when it comes to spotting sociopaths...

Lynette and Tom have their suspicions about Porter as well--especially after Lynette admits to Tom that Porter threatened Warren Schilling's life just prior to the fire breaking out. They both decide to protect Porter no matter what. As part of her plan to protect Porter, Lynette offers Anne Schilling a wad of money and a ride to the bus station. As she drops Anne off, she tells Anne not to call Porter--even after the baby's born. "There's no baby. Never was." Anne tells Lynette.

Seems like skanky Anne and scummy Warren were a match made in heaven...

Porter unsuccessfully tries to get a hold of Anne. He lies to Lynette about who he was calling when she comes into his room to talk with him. (What was up with the torn jeans Lynette was wearing? Hideous.) Lynette asks Porter point-blank if he started the fire--telling him that she can't help him if he lies to her. He tells her he doesn't know who set the fire. He also admits that he lied to her earlier and that he had been trying to get in touch with Anne Schilling. He asks Lynette if she knows where Anne went. Lynette tells him that she doesn't.

I guess that truthfulness thing is a one-way street...

But Lynette isn't the only one lying. Dave goes to the police and at first it seems like he's had a change of heart and plans to confess. But instead he rats out Porter Scavo to the police telling them that he saw Porter exiting the storage room just before the fire started.

Ah Dave--you may think you've pulled one over on Mike, but you've yet to face the wrath of Lynette...

Milk

The Oscar race is on with most of the potential contenders being released in the next few weeks. Gus Van Sant's portrait of gay activist and political martyr Harvey Milk is sure to scoop up its share of nominations.

First and foremost would have to be Sean Penn's terrifically subtle and sensitive portrayal of the title character. Vocalization, mannerisms, facial expressions--all the small details add up to a performance where Penn's natural charisma is focused and channeled in such a way that he doesn't just play the role, but inhabits it.

But Penn's character study is not the only uncanny likeness in the film--as the subtitled epilogue wraps up the film, pictures of the various cast members are flashed along with photos of the actual person they were portraying. Some of the resemblances are amazing...

James Franco is deliciously adorable as Milk's partner, Scott Smith and Emile Hirsch plays an impishly mischievous Cleve Jones. Everyone in the cast is top-notch and their ability to convey the sense of the times and place historically is matched by the great production design of Bill Groom and costumes by Danny Glicker.

Through the talents of Groom and Glicker (along with set decoration by Barbara Munch) combined with archival footage, we are transported back to the 70s where times seem completely alien and yet not so different from today. Back then it was Prop. 6--today it's Prop. 8. But while the numbers have changed, the basic issue of gay rights--human rights--is the torch that Harvey Milk carried.

The movie provides a solid history lesson--to those of us already seeming condemned to repeat it. Unfortunately, that may be its biggest flaw. For in trying to accurately convey the events leading up to Milk's election to San Francisco city supervisor, the script by Dustin Lance Black gives short shrift to the intriguing characters, personalities and relationships which fueled the movement.

Although much detail went into illuminating Harvey Milk's life (or at least the last eight years of it...)--from the recreation of the Castro Camera Shop which was the birthplace of his activism to the real-life Danny Nicoletta and Cleve Jones acting as consultants for the film, many of the supporting characters ended up being drawn in broad, impressionistic strokes.

Still, it's a good film and an important film--one that measures not only how far we've come, but how far we still have to go as well.

No Shortage of Nuts Here...

A while back I posted about my run-in with a rather brazen squirrel. Then I read about my friend Jennifer's experience with an aggressive bushy-tailed creature and I'm thinking, "I know that squirrel!"

(But seriously, I live in West Los Angeles and Jennifer's over in Venice so it's doubtful the little guy traveled seven miles or so to harangue her as well...)

This article in the Washington Post may have the answer to our squirrelly squirrels: No nuts makes them nutty.

Forget the birds, people--feed the squirrels!

(Only not by smearing peanut butter on your window screen! That's just asking for trouble...)

And while we're on the subject of squirrels, my sister sent me this Dilbert strip which is highly relevant to my life right now:

The Entourage Marathon - part 2

Since I don't have cable, I'm forced to watch some of my favorite shows in marathon sessions. Well, "forced" is not quite accurate as I actually prefer immersing myself in a whole season in one fell swoop.

Thanks to the generosity of my buddy Davey K., I got to catch up with season five yesterday. When I last saw the boys, Vince's passion project Medellin was an unmitigated flop at Cannes. Season five traces Vince's (along with his trusty pals Eric, Johnny and Turtle) journey from oblivion to getting back in the game.

One of my favorite things about watching the show is all the inside jokes and insider info, the backstabbing and the behind-the-scenes of the Hollywood machine. But this season the show veered all over the place--so instead of Malibu and Rodeo Drive, we got Mexico and Joshua Tree.

Changes in season two: Drama's up while Vince is down; Eric's got two new clients at his management agency--in addition to Vince, a young comic named Charlie and...um, someone else (Last season he was briefly managing Anna Faris, but she ended that after he admitted he was attracted to her...); Turtle's got a girlfriend (Jamie-Lynn Siegler of The Sopranos...right--like we're supposed to believe that!) and Ari is Ari--except for a brief moment where he almost succeeded deceased nemesis Alan Gray to become head of the studio.

Actually, there was an attempt to show a more warm and fuzzy side of Ari Gold this season: devoted father, protective husband and loyal friend. But let's face it--Jeremy Piven's Ari Gold is most fun when spewing his vindictive rants. Usually in the direction of long-suffering assistant Lloyd.

It was good to see Rex Lee getting billed with the rest of the regular cast members this season (along with Perrey Reeves who plays "Mrs. Ari"). Piven's Gold is nothing without Lee's Lloyd. Whether he's talking Ari down from a mushroom-induced hallucination or talking him out of taking the studio head position, Lloyd is more than just a foil or straight-man.

Well, he's certainly NOT a straight-man...

While Entourage has always been a bit of a fantasy-land, there were a couple of missed notes by the writers which had me irked: in addition to the highly unlikely hook-up between Turtle and Jamie-Lynn Siegler (sorry Jerry Ferrara--I'm just not buying it...), there was the scene where Turtle is looking at the classified ads in a newspaper to search for a job. The only thing more astonishing than Turtle looking for a job, is the fact that anyone would use classifieds in a NEWSPAPER to find one. In L.A. no less!

Have the writers not heard of Craigslist?

Earlier in the season, the writers made use of Drama using an Apple MacBook to converse via webcam with his French girlfriend. So obviously the writer are aware of the internet, etc. Another outdated piece of technology was Turtle's use of a landline to have phone sex with girlfriend Jamie-Lynn. How many times have we seen Turtle attached to his cellphone? It seems an odd stretch just to make the pay-off of Turtle's mother listening in on the other extension...

While as always there were cameos galore--Ben Silverman, Gus Van Sant, Martin Scorcese, Jeffrey Tambor, Frank Darabont, a blink and I missed it Michael Phelps and even Mark Wahlberg himself (executive producer of the show loosely inspired by his Hollywood experiences...), the most intriguing performance was Stellan Skarsgard as Werner Vollstedt.

Watching Skarsgard as the tempestuous, mercurial, genius, fictional director, I couldn't help but wonder who he was REALLY supposed to be. Werner Herzog? Some people on the IMDB message boards wondered the same thing. The consensus seemed to be that it was Wolfgang Peterson, who directed Wahlberg in The Perfect Storm, who was being lampooned.

Another intriguing moment: when Vince asks Ari if he thinks he's a good actor. And Ari, without spinning as he usually does, replies that he signed him because he thought he'd be a great movie star, not because he was a good actor. That moment inspired an interesting post at The Daily Beast on whether or not Adrian Grenier is a good enough actor to play a bad one.

Whether or not Grenier--or Vince Chase for that matter--is a good actor or not is beside the point. Entourage is an ensemble piece--and the ensemble works. It's a testosterone-charged version of Sex and the City. Same penchant for designer clothes and assorted bling. Same comraderie. Instead of bitchiness, you get macho posturing and practical jokes.

It's a boy thing.

It was nice to see Debi Mazar reprising her role as Vince's PR agent Shauna and the brief reunion between E and Sloane (Emmanuelle Chriqui), Beverly D'Angelo's ball-busting Barbara Miller and most especially, Constance Zimmer's Dana Gordon being promoted to studio head, but all in all, Entourage--like Hollywood--is all about the boys.

Vicariously Salivating...

Back east, this was what my sister prepared for Thanksgiving dinner:

"We had a turkey that I brined for two days and basted with maple syrup.

A dried fruit (figs, apricots, and tart cherries) stuffing.

Shallot and mushroom gravy with a ton of sherry and marsala for good measure.

Brussel sprouts roasted with butternut squash, cipollini onions and pancetta.

Sweet potato casserole (no mini-marshmallows here, I top it with apple wedges caramelized with brown sugar and butter and then top that with a pecan crumb topping… then I had more for breakfast this morning!).

Spinach casserole with a parmesan, gruyere gooey topping.

Mashed potatoes (I don’t eat them, but I figure that they are tradition to some).

And my intensely, immensely addictive cranberry sauce made with pinot noir, OJ, and spices including juniper berries!"

On the west coast, this was my Thanksgiving dinner:

A take-out turkey sandwich from Cafe 50s, coleslaw, diet ginger ale and some squares of dark chocolate for dessert...

At least I don't have a food hangover...

Better than Retail Therapy!

It's Black Friday and the masses have descended on the malls. We all know retail therapy can make you FEEL good, but I've found a different kind of therapy that makes you LOOK good as well.

Therapy Systems.

I've been using two products from the recently re-formulated Line Tox line: and Line Tox for EyesLine Tox for Lips. Although the clinical sounding name represents the innovative and effective combination of ingredients in their products, the newly revised formulations of the Line Tox products eliminates parabens, mineral oil and phthalates so it's kinder and gentler to your skin and the environment as well.

In addition, Therapy Systems products are never tested on animals.

The Line Tox for Eyes claims to reduce puffy eyes in 15 days. It definitely made the skin around my eyes smoother! I was tempted to slather the rest of my face with it given how great the area around my eyes looked...

Apparently the active ingredient in Line Tox for Eyes is Eyeseryl®--a fast-acting, super-peptide complex specifically developed to reduce the appearance of puffy eyes and dark circles. In combination with hyaluronic acid, extracts of grapeseed, green tea and eybright and vitamin A, Line Tox for Eyes is a potent product for fighting the signs of aging where they show up first: the delicate skin around our eyes.

Line Tox for Eyes smells great, too. According to Therapy Systems:

"While most of our products do smell great, they do not have added fragrance or synthetic perfumes. Whenever any of our products have a scent, it is because that product contains an ingredient that smells good but that also actually does something."

I'm guessing the source of the scent in Line Tox for Eyes is the neroli oil.

Line Tox for Lips combines Argireline® and hyaluronic acid to increase collagen and elastin production. Imagine--increasing collagen without the injections! Nourishing moisturizers such as shea butter, aloe and allantoin are also featured ingredients--soothing and hydrating lips.

I definitely feels a slight tingling action when I apply this to my lips. Not a stinging Lip Venom irritation, but a more subtle feeling of activity. It makes my lips look smoother--and smoother lips look fuller and plumper.

Like the Line Tox for Eyes, Line Tox for Lips is a winner--and a keeper!

You can find Therapy Systems products at Henri Bendel, Blue Mercury stores, The Cosmetic Market and online at TherapySystems.com.

Pushing Daisies - Robbing Hood

Ned's father hasn't yet resurfaced on Pushing Daisies, but at the end of last night's episode Chuck's Dad was about to make an encore appearance after being dead for twenty years.

The potentially gruesome reunion between Chuck and her Dad was precipitated by the ongoing presence of the mysterious Dwight. Dwight, in the process of romancing Chuck's Aunt Vivian, discovers the perky waitress at the Pie-Hole is Vivian's recently deceased niece. He presents the evidence of his discovery--a laminated obituary--to Olive Snook who in turn alerts Ned and Chuck.

While Vivian is enchanted by the dashing Dwight, Lily is less than enthralled by the ex-con. "I don't trust him further than I can spit. And I can spit!" she declares to Olive. Later, she chases him off by aiming a shotgun at him telling him, "It's time to nip you in the budding romance."

Following Dwight's exit, she goes to visit niece/daughter Charlotte's grave only to be distressed to find freshly overturned dirt. She assumes--correctly--that Dwight dug up Chuck's grave to retrieve the pocketwatch that was buried with her. Dwight is in possession of Chuck's father's watch--but the only thing he found when he dug up her grave was an empty coffin.

Lily goes to Dwight's hotel room and finds the watch and steals it back. Upon seeing that the watch is missing, Dwight assumes Chuck took it and sets out after her--armed with a rifle.

My favorite parts of the show:

Olive Snook channeling Zsa Zsa Gabor as she plays the part of a Hungarian heiress to set a sting.

Chuck explaining to Ned and Emerson why she let Rob Wright go: "It was an act of charity--there were puppies involved!"

Ned sulking while the trio spies on the widow Hofer: "Stakeouts are only fun when there are binoculars for everyone."

Next week's episode seems to be taking a page from Seinfeld--but instead of the "Soup Nazi" it's the "Waffle Nazi."

Only six episode left. Sigh.

No waffles for you!

Things to be Thankful For

1. My siblings: James who calls and never fails to amuse me, David who reads and comments on my blog regularly and especially Laurie, who sent me a bunch of Christmas music CDs to get me in the mood for the holiday season.

2. My health: After just getting over a nasty cold, I am once again reminded about how we often take being healthy for granted. Breathing (unimpeded) is such a joy...

3. The fact that the USA has collectively regained its sanity after 8 years of George W. Bush.

4. Craigslist--which has provided me with a new job, new TV and endless hours of amusement...

5. Sweater weather. We're not quite there yet here in Los Angeles--but it's coming!

What are you thankful for this year?

Spin City - Season One on DVD

Hard to believe it's been only a little over 10 years since Spin City debuted on ABC. Now Season One of Michael J. Fox's return to network TV is available on DVD. Not so coincidentally, the 4 DVD-set of the comedy about politics was released on November 4th...Election Day.

I got to experience a bit of nostalgia in re-watching what was one of my favorite shows in the 90s. I mean, how could you not love Alex P. Keaton all grown up in the form of Deputy Mayor Michael Flaherty? The great cast also included Barry Bostwick as the clueless mayor Randall Winston, Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller's Day Off), Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights) and Richard Kind (Mad About You).

The series was nominated multiple times for the GLAAD Media Award and won in 1997. Michael Boatman's stereotype-busting (as opposed to the predictability of Will and Grace) portrayal of Carter Heywood was one of my favorite parts of the show. Indeed, Heywood's railing against the inequality in regard to the issue of gay marriage seems particularly timely 12 years later.

The DVD-set contains all 24 episodes of season one, all-new interviews with Michael J. Fox, the series creators and the ensemble cast, 7 episode commentaries and Highlights of The Paley Center for Media Seminar featuring Gary David Goldberg and Michael J. Fox in 1996. It was a painful contrast to see the likable actor at the height of his popularity in 1996 vs. a more current interview where the ravages of his struggle with Parkinson's disease is evident.

All in all, however, the trip down memory lane is a pleasant one. Before the earnest idealism of The West Wing, there was this light-hearted look at politics. Smart, witty with a super ensemble cast and the impeccable comic timing of Michael J. Fox, Spin City still stands the test of time.

Save Billy!

This is from my friend Dave, who works at the Los Angeles Zoo.

How cool is that? How many people do YOU know who work at a ZOO?!!!

(If your workplace SEEMS like a zoo, that doesn't count!)

Without further ado, I give you Dave:

KEEP BILLY THE ELEPHANT AT HOME!

Dear America:

Right now, pretty much as we speak, animal rights people are on the verge of elephant-napping. Billy the Elephant, who has lived at the Los Angeles Zoo for decades, was just weeks away from moving into his new home at the Zoo when people whom I disagree with somehow managed to get the Los Angeles City Council to rethink the move.

How the heck did they do that? Two years ago the Mayor asked the council to look into whether Billy should move and the council voted 10 to 2 to leave him be.

What changed? Nothing. It’s just that the zoo is close to providing Billy his new home and I don’t know how the heck they have stirred the pot again.

But it’s our job as elephant supporters to stand up for Billy and be counted. Let him stay in the world he knows. The zoo has spent $10 million of a total of $40 million or so to give him a new home. We must finish Billy’s home for his sake.

Now some people say this new home isn’t big enough. But this new home is as big as the one at the San Diego Zoo but they’re not trying to close them down—yet. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums supports this new home at the zoo. And if you would take the time to educate yourself about this, you would too!

Let’s stop tearing our zoos apart and build them. Let’s provide zoos the resources they need to help the animals of this world survive. And thrive. And educate. And perpetuate.

Once they take Billy away who will be next? The lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

Billy is a living symbol of what we can do to help others like him. Elephants are disappearing from this world, and Asian elephants more than the others. And in order to help get the word out we can have Billy help us. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Check out—L.A. Zoo.org.

And then write to your council members and let them know you want Billy to stay home, and not be elephant-napped.

Or you can see the Council Meeting at YouTube.

Take a stand for Billy.

I know that if he could take a stand for you he would. He’s that kind of elephant.

Sincerely,
dave k."

Heroes - The Eclipse, Part 1

Somehow they're planning to drag this storyline out over two episodes. Last night was about the Heroes (and villains) losing their powers. No doubt next week, their powers will return.

Claire wasn't the only one who realized she was the catalyst--Arthur enlists Sylar to retrieve the indestructible teen. Elle volunteers to tag along and help. "Let's go get the cheerleader!" she says.

Not quite the same ring as "Save the cheerleader, save the world"--I guess villains aren't as good with slogans.

Over in the camp of the good guys, Nathan and Peter are off to get the Haitian, Matt Parkman needs to find Hiro and Claire is delivered to the care of dear old Dad.

Matt has the easiest job as Hiro and Ando deliver themselves right to his doorstep. Ando asks Matt to "fix" Hiro--who still thinks he's ten. Matt attempts to do his brain mojo thingy but he can't read Hiro's mind 'cuz it's all in Japanese.

Kind of a limited ability there, Parkman.

Meanwhile, Daphne's surprised to see Ando alive. And Ando is just as surprised to see the Nemesis at Parkman's place. "I'm not a nemesis, I'm a good guy now," Daphne tells him. But Daphne freaks out when Hiro shows no hope of improvement and she speedsters right back to Lawrence, Kansas. Hiro, Ando and Matt teleport to a corn field outside of Daphne's family home and then the eclipse comes and strips them of their powers.

Hiro and Ando set off in search of a comic book store in order to see what's coming up next for them. At Sam's Comics they not only find the latest issue of Hiro's adventures, but Seth Green as well. Back at Daphne's farm, Matt gives a sappy speech through the door (thank god it didn't include the line, "You complete me...") and Daphne tells him to come in. Without her powers, she's not only not a speedster, she can barely walk and needs leg braces and crutches to even move about.

The eclipse also affects Nathan and Peter who plummet into a body of water on their way to track down the Haitian. The Haitian is tracking down a Level 5 escapee by the name of Samedi. As it turns out, Samedi is the Haitian's brother. Which begs the question:

How is it that the Haitian's brother has a name, while the Haitian is merely known as the Haitian?

Even without his powers, Samedi is powerful enough to capture Nathan. He was waiting for Senator Petrelli's arrival having been tipped off by Nathan's Daddy Dearest, Arthur. Arthur in turn was tipped off by the duplicitous Tracy. But Angela seems to know what Tracy is up to...

The only one experiencing positive benefits from the eclipse is Mohinder, who stops molting. After peeling off a gooey slime, Mohinder appears to be cured. He still has to deal with Arthur and company--who are pissed and want their powers back.

Claire and Noah hide-out at Stephen Canfield's (aka Vortex Man) house and have some father-daughter bonding time as Noah teaches Claire how to power kick ass. Sylar and Elle are re-enacting their own twisted version of True Romance, but when they show up to snatch Claire they are left powerless by the eclipse. Elle grabs a gun and shoots the cheerleader--who can no longer heal herself.

Noah kicks the $@#% out of Sylar and scoops his daughter up and runs out the door. Noah manages to get Claire home and stop her bleeding, but when he leaves to take care of some unfinished business she starts hemorrhaging badly again.

Elle helps set Sylar's broken bone and they two share a passionate kiss (Like we didn't see THAT coming!) while Noah Bennet trains the scope of a high-powered rifle on them.

My Shopping Spree

Did a bit of damage at Martin + Osa yesterday. I love their clothes--but although they're not too expensive, they're usually priced just a bit more than I'm willing to pay.

But today they were having an extra 25% off clearance items. Yay! I bought this Textured V-neck sweater in Raffia Cream. It was originally $69.50, then it got marked down to $49.95. Still too rich for my blood--but with an extra 25%, I finally gave myself permission to buy it.


This 2 x 2 rib Henley sweater was also a steal. Originally $59.50, it was marked down to $24.95 with an extra 25% off. The lightweight knit will make a great layering piece underneath a jacket or over a camisole.






With the weather cooling down finally in L.A., I guess I've got sweaters on the brain. I love the soft warm red color of this Ultra-Soft Soy V-neck sweater called "Juicy Red." It's not quite red, not quite coral. It's made of cotton, rayon, soybean and 2% cashmere.






The last piece I acquired was this Silk Charmeuse Skirt. This one I'm not so sure about...It's very pretty, but I'm not sure how much wear I'll get from it. I bought it to go with a pretty sweater that I got from the Gap earlier this fall, but it may be going back.

So while my closet is fuller with my new acquisitions, my wallet's a little bit lighter.

What can I say? I'm a sucker for a good sale!

Quantum of Solace

Although a critical disappointment, the latest installment in the James Bond franchise has managed to rake in over $100 million domestically. For those jazzed by Daniel Craig's debut in the reboot, Quantum of Solace offers more of the same: car chases, boat chases, chases on foot, chases in the air, blood, carnage and a brawling, badass Bond.

Quantum fills the bill as far as it goes with the bombardment of set pieces starting with a car chase through a narrow tunnel on a Italian mountain road and capping it all off with flames and pyrotechnics of an exploding Bolivian enclave. It's BAM! POW! ZAP! right out of the gate and the action doesn't let up--until a bit of a lull in the middle of the movie and a relatively anti-climatic ending.

Critics whined about the darkness of this vengeful, grief-stricken Bond. The double-entendres, the hedonistic misogyny, the high-tech gadgets are largely missing from this version of the franchise. Frankly, I don't miss any of that.

What I did miss was a sense on the edge of my seat tension. Marc Forster's forte is not action, and it shows. The action sequences were intricate and well-choreographed. But, the way they were shot and edited made it confusing to watch. Too bad. A lot of talent and effort went into the construction of these set pieces--Daniel Craig even sustained injuries during filming. But what ended up on screen was such a muddled jumble, the fabulous stunt work and special effects couldn't be fully appreciated.

Forster also was obviously profoundly affected by the Kristallnacht scene in Cabaret. He uses the cross-cutting technique twice in Quantum. But instead of heightening irony or illuminating paradoxical parallels, it just adds to the confusion.

Also missing from the film was a worthy villain. Mathieu Almaric was suitably slimy but he was no match for the charisma of Craig's Bond. This installment revived the super-secret evil organization--known as "Quantum." It's the same-old spy shtick complete with a world domination agenda, double-agents, elite membership and secret decoders rings. (Okay, not decoder rings--but hidden earphones deposited in special opera swag bags. Yeah--it didn't make much sense to me either...)

And finally, Stevie was right: The theme song sucks. Alicia Keys' and Jack White's voices do not blend well together making for a oddly clashing dissonance. I doubt this one will make it onto a Best of Bond collection...

It wasn't a bad action movie, but it didn't live up to the promise of Casino Royale. Hopefully now that avenging Vesper's death is out of Bond's system (and perhaps with a better action director), his future adventures will get back on track.

Kid-Snapping Cell Phones

I've always thought it would be cool to have GPS embedded into my belongings. That way if another walks off with one of my items, I can track them down and kick their ass.

Yes--some fantasize about achieving greatness, I dream of vigilante justice for misdemeanors.

In today's Washington Post, there's an article about the unplanned ramifications of cellphone thievery--which involves the thieves using the cellphone's camera (which are obviously much better than the camera in my cellphone!) to take photos of THEMSELVES!

With some cellphone cameras having the ability to automatically upload the photos taken into the owner's Flickr account, there now exists a way to track your stolen cellphone other than trying to dial your own number--or even GPS!

" How tantalizing, to think that while we continue to live our lives, our phones go on entirely new adventures...David McDonald of Melbourne, Australia, was...more curious than angry, when he logged onto Flickr earlier this year and found that his phone, pickpocketed a few days before, had recently attended a street festival. There it was, "having its own little field trip," cavorting with guys McDonald didn't know, in a neighborhood he'd never been."

Hmm--If I stole someone else's cellphone, all they'd probably have to look forward to are pictures of my thumb...

Ugly Betty/The Office - When Betty Met YETI/Frame Toby

Okay, a couple of weeks ago Betty bonded with Amanda and now during last night's episode our favorite misfit shared a warm and fuzzy moment with Marc. Hmm--if Betty's becoming friends with the Besties, who will her nemesis be? Especially given the exit of Kimmie Keegan earlier this season...

Wilhelmina's set her sights on Connor. "He's me," she tells Marc. "He's the Male-a-mina!" Marc gushingly agrees. Willie's plan involves getting Connor alone--a meeting with advertisers located in Florida. After the meeting, she plies him with wine. But Connor resists temptation and remains faithful to fiancee Molly. Much to Willie's chagrin. While Connor's away on business, Daniel stands in for him with a presentation to Molly's elementary school class.

The love quadrangle continues...

But the main focus of the episode was Betty's attempt to get accepted into the Young Editors Training Initiative aka Y.E.T.I. Unfortunately she's gotten a late start and has only 48 hours to create a magazine. Against the better judgment of her friends and family, she choose fashion as the subject. But when she finds out that Marc is also submitting a presentation for the program, she quits.

Ignacio convinces her to continue with her presentation--but to change from fashion to a magazine concept that better reflects her personality. After staying up all night, Betty finishes the presentation--but, not only is Daniel not available for her run-through, he misses the deadline to submit a letter of recommendation.

Her presentation, however, goes off without a hitch. Betty pitches "B Magazine"--instead selling women an image of how they should be, her magazine celebrates women the way they already are. I think I'd subscribe to that! She's riding high after the presentation--until Marc enters, entourage in tow. His glossy concept is "A-List Magazine," a smart and insightful exploration of celebrity culture. He's even got an article by David Sedaris and the sponsorship of Badgley-Mischka.

Betty sees her chance to rise in the publishing industry stall in a fantasy sequence where she imagines herself still working as Daniel's assistant in fifty years. But a call from the Y.E.T.I. people brings the good news that Betty has been accepted into the program. The bad news is that Marc has not--because Y.E.T.I. never accepts two applicants from the same magazine.

Marc lashes out at Betty claiming she was accepted to fill a racial quota. Betty calls Y.E.T.I. and they don't deny the claim. She is unable to take joy in being accepted to the program under those circumstances, so she drops out in order that Marc may attend.

Better late than never, Daniel intercedes to set things right. By telling the committee that Betty worked for Player magazine, he's able to circumvent the one applicant per magazine rule and his effusive six-page letter of recommendation didn't hurt either.

And so Marc and Betty will be attending Y.E.T.I. together. Former nemeses turned BFF.

Speaking of nemeses, Toby returned to The Office last night. Actually, he'd been back for a week before Michael noticed--but when he witnessed the former and now current HR manager back from Costa Rica, his howling could be heard blocks away.

So Michael and Dwight conspire to come up with a plan to--as the episode title suggests--Frame Toby. Before coming up with the plan to get Toby fired, Michael makes an attempt to be friendly. "But that is like trying to be friends with an evil...snail," Michael bemoans.

First they try to set Pam up to be sexually harassed by the hapless Toby, but Pam reads the note she was supposed to hand Toby and refuses. Next they try to goad Toby into fighting. But that doesn't work either. So, as a last resort, Dwight convinces Michael to buy drugs and plant them in Toby's workspace.

After Michael clumsily negotiates a drug deal for $500 worth of weed, Dwight tips off the police using Andy's name. But when they show up, Michael has second thoughts about the plan and backs out at the last minute, admitting the bag of green is his. Or more accurately, the bag of GREENS, as what Michael bought for $500 was a plastic baggie of Caprese Salad. "Welcome back, Jerky Jerk-face," Michael tells Toby.

But while Michael and Toby may have reached a shaky detente, Ryan dumps Kelly to go to Thailand. But he wants to have sex one more time--and if she can give him some money, that would be amazing. Maybe he's just trying to avoid cleaning the microwave. Maybe he's trying to avoid Kelly. In any case, Kelly agrees.

On the Jam-front, Jim buys his parents house for him and Pam--without telling her. "You haven't told the missus about the castle?" Andy says incredulously. When Creed finds out that Jim's new (old) house is near the quarry, he tells Jim that they're neighbors. "We should hang out and throw things in it," he says.

When Jim presents the house to Pam, he shows her how he's converting the garage into an art studio for her. He hopes this will mitigate the shag carpeting, the unmovable clown picture on the wall, the creepiness of sleeping in his parent's master bedroom. But Pam loves the house.

Ugly clown picture and all.

Bridging the Gap

Received a special offer from the Gap the other day. I just have to spend another $441 on my Gap credit to be upgraded to Silver status. The benefits of Silver status include:

• Free online shipping
• Choose your own Sale Day
• Special Gap Silver events like Triple Rewards

According to the missive sent to me by the Gap, I am "so close."

One needs to spend $800 on their Gap card to qualify for silver status. I'm not even halfway there, and yet I'm "so close."

Guess you don't need basic math skills to be in marketing...