Question for Sarah Palin: WWJD?

I just stumbled onto Bob Lefsetz's Blog courtesy of Seth Godin who quotes a portion of his blog entry titled Jesus was a Democrat.

Damn straight!

I always found it ironic that the party touting "family values" and spouting so-called Christian morality is the most un-Christian like when it comes to the basica idea of WWJD?

The Republican Party has long been every man for himself--none of this "love thy neighbor" crap for them.

Judgemental? Check.

Compassionate? Are you kidding?!!!

Jesus was about helping the poor, the sick, the children. Loving one's neighbor. Judging not lest ye be judged. He was anti-greed. Anti-war. Anti-materialism. Anti-capitalism.

He preached faith, not cynicism. Love, not moral superiority. And hope, not fear.

Lefestz took the title for his post from a new Everclear song:




Art Alexakis for President!

War Greatest Hits Live Releases 10/14

Coming up on their 40th anniversary, the band WAR is releasing their first new album in fourteen years. Actually not just an album, but a double-CD, DVD and Blu-ray recording of a live performance at The Grove in Anaheim, CA in December of 2007.

I knew of several of the band's hits: "Spill the Wine," "Why Can't We Be Friends?," "The Cisco Kid" and of course, the ubiquitous "Lowrider" which comedian George Lopez used as a theme song on his sitcom calling it the "Chicano National Anthem."

What I didn't know about WAR:

1. They hail from Long Beach, CA (same as my buddy Stevie!)

2. They're one of the first and most successful crossover bands fusing rock, funk, jazz, Latin music, R&B and reggae.

3. They boast a multi-ethnic line-up in addition to their fusion of musical styles.

4. International history was made when “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” was played in space, as NASA beamed the track to Soviet cosmonauts and U.S. astronauts in 1975.

5. WAR was the last band to jam with Jimi Hendrix before he died.

For a taste of the new release, check out this medley:



WAR Greatest Hits Live is available for order at Amazon.com.

Indie Cred Now Equals Indie Dread

Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post has a most excellent article about how indie films--once known for their unique voice and style--are falling into the same formulaic cliches that plague their big-budget studio counterparts:

"Call it "There Will Be Hamburger Phones": More than 20 years after American independent cinema entered its latest Golden Age, what started as a fiercely autonomous cinematic response to Hollywood and its dominant genres has become a genre itself. And like all genres, the indie aesthetic is rife with its own versions of the hackneyed conventions, tired tropes and cliched themes that weigh down the most predictable action spectacle or by-the-numbers rom-com."

She takes on Napoleon Dynamite and Juno in her astute and insightful critique of what used to be the way to escape the usual paint-by-number drivel.

I've nothing more to add other than "What she said" and read the article!

Hamadi Hair Products - Tested on Actresses, Never on Animals

A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to witness Jamal Hammadi, hairdresser to supermodels and celebrities, in action at an event at Vert, the eco-chic beauty boutique.

The first thing that struck me was that Hammadi, who spent years styling hair for runway shows and amassing an elite clientele before launching his own product line, looked to be all of nineteen years old. The second thing that struck me about the preternaturally youthful stylist, as he did lightning quick makeovers for some audience members, was his intuitive expertise in finding the right shape and style based on hair type, texture and the person wearing it.

For Hammadi, it's all about hydration--as well hydrated hair is stronger, healthier and easier to manage. (I can certainly attest to that given that my hair is so much easier to deal with when it's not looking and feeling like a dried out Brillo pad!) So his product line features super moisturizing treatments such as his Shea Hair Cream, Shea Spray and Healing Serum. Even his shampoos cleanse hair gently without stripping it dry. Hamadi products are made with 100% Organic Essential Oils and Plant Extracts like Clary Sage, Rosewood, Ylang Ylang, Verbena, Lemon Grass and Bergamont.

The exotic essential oils give his products a luxurious smell and feel. The crown jewel of his line is the multi-purpose Shea Spray. During his demonstation, he used it frequently and liberally to dampen hair in order to style it. Hammadi recommends washing hair as infrequently as possible in order to maintain its natural oils and letting hair dry naturally and then using a blow dryer or other tools to style it. This is where the Shea Spray comes in handy in dampening nearly dry hair to aid in styling.

The Hamadi line of haircare products is available at Hamadi Beauty or at Vert.

Ugly Betty/The Office - Crimes of Fashion and Business Ethics

Last night's procedural-inspired episode of Ugly Betty was about as exciting as watching a rerun of Law and Order--for the third time.

Not sure exactly what's falling so flat--the move to NYC (for the show AND for the character of Betty), the subtle switch to a more natural look for the show (From make-up to scene transitions--there's been a bit of a "toning down." Anyone else noticed it?) or has our favorite fish out of water doing so swimmingly that we've nothing left to root for?

Let's just call it a bit of a slump for now. The episode was largely forgettable except for a few saving graces:

1. The exquisite scene transition using the telenovela to segue from Hilda and Ignacio arguing about her illicit relationship with Coach Diaz to the Mode Security Guard watching a television monitor. Very slick.

2. The Wilhel-mannequin. Amanda gasps in horror thinking Marc has killed and stuffed Wilhemina. "But you put her in Tahari?!!!" she cries.

3. Speaking of the evil one, Vanessa Williams did a great job of letting a glimmer of humanity come through when Willie finds out from Christina that Stuart is dying. Nicely played.

4. Rebecca Romijn's maternity leave was deftly executed with Alexis (now truly "big as Texas" with the producers not even TRYING to conceal Romijn's pregnancy...) being carted off to jail for pushing Christina down a flight of stairs.

5. And the total kicker: Daniel isn't D.J.'s father--Alexis is! Whoa--now that was a serious shocker!

The Office, on the other hand, did not disappoint. Opening with Jim announcing his and Pam's engagement to mostly blasé co-workers. Until Michael arrives and Creed tells him, "The tall guy got engaged." In his joy for the couple, Michael tackles Jim with a full body bear hug.

God I love Steve Carell!

The episode revolved around the debut of Holly conducting her first office meeting: a seminar on ethics. Holly and Michael open the session singing "Let's Get Ethical" to the tune of Olivia Newton John's "Let's Get Physical," but then Holly's presentation dwindles into the mundane.

Michael pulls her aside to give her his sage meeting strategy: "People expect a lot from theses meetings. Laughter, sudden twists, surprise endings..."

Did I mention how much I love Steve Carell?

Holly mentions "time theft" as an example of an issue in workplace ethics and Dwight loudly declares he's not one. "You are a thief of joy," Michael tells him.

But Jim has other plans. He decides to time each instance of Dwight doing anything personal on company time. Including yawning.

He taunts Dwight by talking trash to Andy about Battlestar Galactica. "It's about a guy named Dumbledore Calrissian, and he needs to return the ring back to Mordor," he blithely tells Andy as Dwight cringes--but keeps on working. Dwight even pees into a soda bottle so as to avoid taking a bathroom break.

His regular assignation with Angela, however, is not something he gives up. "Nineteen minutes and forty-eight seconds," declares Jim when Dwight returns to his desk. Later Jim confesses that his vigilance in tracking Dwight's time has left him exhausted--even though he hasn't had any time to do any of his work. "I may have to go home early," he says.

I *heart* Jim Halpert.

The main issue was Meredith's lack of ethics in sleeping with a vendor in exchange for discounted supplies and steak coupons which she revealed during the "immunity" portion of Holly's seminar. The revelation brings Holly and Michael to a confrontation as super-ethical Holly feels compelled to report the situation to corporate. Michael tells her, "I just don't want my employees thinking their jobs depend on performance."

Makes you wonder if Michael wasn't missing Toby a little bit at that point, huh?

When the issue is raised to corporate, it turns out--they don't care. Leading Michael to muse, "How do you tell someone you care about deeply, "I told you so?"

Is it any wonder that I love Steve Carell?

Inside the Actor's Studio - Robin Williams on DVD 9/16

There's something about Inside the Actor's Studio that reveals the inner nature of public figures:

For his appearance, Johnny Depp was no flamboyant Jack Sparrow, although he was far less reticent than his usual interview appearances.

Raging Bull Robert DeNiro was downright shy; bombastic Al Pacino was all but tongue-tied, passionate Sean Penn was uncharacteristically reserved and bad boy Russell Crowe a tamed teddy bear when I watched their interviews in the Leading Men collection.

So what to expect of Inside the Actor's Studio with Robin Williams? A pensive, thoughtful side to the exuberant persona we've come to know? A Pagliacci revealed? The quieter, solemn side of the man we knew as Mork?

Um--not so much.

From the moment Robin Williams is introduced and steps out onto the stage, his manic antics take over the show. As described by the Ubermeister of Unctuousness, an interview with Robin Williams is like catching lightning in a bottle. Actually, Mr. Melodrama said it was like "catching lightning with a butterfly net" but me thinks Monsieur Lipton is mixing his metaphors.

The interview session lasted FIVE hours (Can you imagine? My @$$ hurts just THINKING about it!)--most of which was Williams riffing off of anything and everything-- and was edited into a two-hour special. Williams does settle down and gives thoughtful and coherent answers to the student questions at the end, but the bulk of the program proves that it's Robin Williams world--and the rest of us are just an audience for it.

Some of his bits are inspired, some fall flat--but all of them whip past in the frenzied stream of consciousness that is Williams' trademark. "Legalized insanity" is what he calls it. For me, a little Robin goes a long way, but there's still a lot of good stuff in these two hours and tons in the deleted scenes that didn't make the cut.

If you're a Williams fan, you will definitely want to add this to your collection.

Pushing Daisies - Circus, Circus

The production design team was working overtime for this episode of Pushing Daisies. Not that every single episode isn't a spectacle of color and kitsch, but the circus setting of last night's mystery definitely was one for the books.

Best moment: the police pulling dead clown after dead clown out of the submerged clown car.

"There are two things clowns make around here: balloon animals and enemies."

Sick, twisted and very funny.

The human cannonball used as a murder weapon took a close second.

(Not to mention the dead mime. There was a brief period of time where mimes where in vogue in America. Shields and Yarnell anyone? Now they're just a punchline. Which is as it should be...)

As far as ongoing story lines go: Olive is still in the nunnery trying to keep Chuck's secret from Lily and Lily's secret from Chuck, Emerson has a long-lost daughter out there somewhere, we're still waiting on Ned's father and son reunion and Ned and Chuck finally find a way to embrace change while still not touching each other.

As Emerson Cod said, "You can't just have half a revolution."

(I'm beginning to agree with my friend Dave: The two of them are often way too close for comfort when an accidental brushing against the other could cause Chuck to be dead again permanently...)

Aunt Lily and Vivian's new found peripateticism is sure to cause all sort of obstacles for the future and Diana Scarwid's guest starring role as Mother Superior ends after next week's episode which mean Olive Snook will be back at the Pie-Hole soon.

It's about time. I miss (in the words of Emerson Cod) the Employee of the Mouth!

When We Left Earth

Confession time: Science and Math are not my thing. I stopped taking both in high school as soon as I completed my basic requirements and then only took what was necessary to get my liberal arts degree while I was in college.

Still, I was completely fascinated by the movie Apollo 13 which then led to being utterly captivated by the HBO series From the Earth to the Moon. So when I heard this Discovery series about the NASA missions was released on DVD on September 30th, I was immediately intrigued.

The four DVD set consists of the six episode series and a ton of bonus features including original NASA films, interviews from NASA's archives and mission clips from the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions.

The series presents the evolution of the American space program in chronological order using archival footage and present day interviews of many of the key players. Fittingly, Gary Sinise narrates the series, as his role as Ken Mattingly in Apollo 13 gives him the appropriate gravitas.

Episode 1 is titled Ordinary Supermen and details the selection of the men known as the Mercury Seven. Episode 2: Friends and Rivals moves on to the Gemini missions. Episode 3: The Explorers takes us through the early portion of the Apollo mission while Episode 4: The Explorers traces the Apollo moon missions through the launching of Skylab.

The space program's Shuttle Era is detailed in Episode 5 and Episode 6: A Home in Space explores the Hubble Space telescope and the future of space exploration. The series is as gripping as the initial space launches were to American people glued to their TV sets in the late 50s and early 60s. It's amazing that we've become so nonchalant about space travel. Today's shuttle launches barely rate a 30 second mention on the evening news.

But the early years of the space program were fraught with potential dangers with the new technology and the unknown outcomes. The series narration (perhaps a bit heavy-handed at times) makes sure the viewer is aware of how tenuous and risky these missions were. Given the Challenger and more recent Columbia disasters, it's evident that space travel remains a highly dangerous venture.

This comprehensive non-fictional look at the NASA mission over the last 50 years is more than merely educational and entertaining--it's a spectacularly enthralling firsthand account of history. If you're a space geek--or know one--this would make an excellent addition to your DVD collection or holiday present.


When We Left Earth is available in DVD and Blu-Ray formats at Amazon.com.

Biotherm Eau Pure

I first caught wind of this light new scent courtesy of my blogging buddy Tami at fête à fête.

Tami said of fragrance:

"The light spray has notes of lime, kiwi, grapefruit, green tea, lotus, moss, musk..."

Mmmm! Sounds yummy! I knew I had to check this out...

I'm happy to report that Biotherm Eau Pure is everything Tami says (and the girl really knows her stuff when it comes to stimulating the senses! Don't believe me? Check out her post on the Chocolate Adventure Contest!) and then some.

The fresh scent reminds me of L'Eau Par Kenzo--but more subtle and more complex. It's a great everyday fragrance to spritz on before you head out the door. I like to give myself a squirt before heading out to the gym. (I'm sure my fellow gymrats appreciate it as well!) I'm super sensitive to fragrance--heavy scents make me sneeze or can give me a headache, but this scent is light and fresh and lovely.

Winter may be on the way, but you can still indulge in a blast of summer with Eau Pure!

Heroes - I Am Become Death

Well, this episode was as coherent as its title. "I Am Become Death"? What the @#$% is THAT supposed to mean? It's not even proper English...

So the episode starts out with a molting Mohinder. As it careens back and forth from present to four years in the future, we get a lot of information. Unfortunately, Mohinder manages to survive his persistent skin rash--although the cloaked figure Peter encounters appears to be a leprous hermit, with very poor hygiene and a really dusty apartment.

In the future, Nathan marries Tracy--their love affair beginning after he rescues her from committing suicide by jumping off a building when she is distraught over her icing ability. Turns out Tracy was one of identical triplets--the other two were the now deceased Niki and the yet to be seen future incarnation of Niki/Jessica/Tracy, Barbara. (Okay people--basic biological laws say that identical comes in TWOs...and what about Jessica? Were she and Niki twins or just sisters?). Looks like Ali Larter's got a long term contract with this show.

Was anyone else completely unsurprised by Nathan swooping in to save the day when Tracy jumps off the ledge? Snore.

Daphne, aka the speedster, is married to Matt Parkman--and the member of an elite team whose mission is to hunt down and kill Peter Petrelli. Future Claire, a badass with black hair, heads up the team which also features former escaped villain Knox. Future Claire manages to kill future Peter, but present Peter escapes and heads to Costa Verde--where a newly domesticated Sylar lives with his son, Noah and a dog that looks suspiciously like Mr. Muggles.

Hmm...does this mean Sylar and Bennet become BFFs? There must be some reason that Sylar names his son after him. Peter's shocked to see the waffle making killer, who insists on being called "Gabriel"--and even more freaked out to find out they are brothers.

Peter manages to convince Sylar to give him his power--which involves watch repair. Don't ask--I have no idea. But with that power, comes what Sylar terms "the hunger. "You have it now. I'm so sorry." Sylar tells Peter. Right after that, the hit squad shows up to kill present Peter. In the scuffle, Knox kills Sylar's son and Sylar, in his grief, goes radioactive killing 200,000 people.

One of those is Daphne--who manages to speed back home just to die in Matt's arms, leaving him with their daughter Daniella and Molly. Matt--who has experienced this as a trance-like vision--wakes to find himself still in the desert with the tribal painter guy. Apparently, Matt needs to follow his totem in order to find his way. The totem turns out to be a turtle, so Matt's not going to be getting anywhere soon. (How ironic that his totem animal is a turtle and he ends up marrying a speedster!)

Hiro and Ando continue to bicker as they are locked up on Level Two. They make up long enough for Hiro to almost escape via the air vent (I guess Tim Kring and company hasn't read John August's treatise Air vents are for air), only to be thwarted by the appearance of the Haitian.

Brought before Angela, Hiro is told, "You have the key to unlocking the entire mystery." Apparently that key is the very pissed off and buried alive Adam Monroe.

In the future, abilities are elective--like breast implants or rhinoplasty. There are flying people everywhere. So in addition to the battle between heroes and villains (and the problems in distinguishing which is which), you've got people who are born with abilities vs. people whose abilities are created. The missing formula causes the general populace to become part of the latter in the future--but it seems like there are those in the present who fit that description:

Niki, Tracy and the yet to be seen Barbara
Molting Mohinder
and perhaps Nathan and even Claire?

Is that why Sylar said Claire was different from the rest?

Desperate Housewives - Awkward Moments

Last night's episode was all about awkward moments--starting out with an awkward meeting between a barely clothed Jackson and Mike Delfino. Mike tells Susan that he wants to "hang" with Jackson to make sure he's an okay guy. Susan reluctantly agrees after Mike threatens to have the custody agreement revisited.

But it turns out that Mike and Jackson get along swimmingly becoming best buddies. This turns out to be awkward for Susan when apparently their conversation included information about her sexual preferences. Susan then forbids Jackson to see Mike, but thinks he's sneaking behind her back when he calls to cancel a date.

She storms off to Mike's favorite hangout to confront the two, but it turns out Jackson wasn't lying. Susan tells Mike that her aversion to their friendship is that she doesn't want Jackson to see her through Mike's eyes. Mike tells her that if she could see herself through her eyes, she'd know it wouldn't be a problem.

Hmm, seems like the Mike and Susan story may not be totally over yet...

So Susan relents on Mike and Jackson being friends--only to find her other ex, Karl, haranguing her new love when she returns home.

Apparently over the last five years, Carlos has become a masseuse. Gaby objects to him massaging clients at home and makes him get a job doing massaging at the local country club. But this causes an even bigger issue in the Solis social life when Bree has to disinvite Gaby from the Michelle Downing party because most of the attendees are club members and would feel uncomfortable socializing with the "help."

Gaby insists on crashing the party, however, and thinks she's scored a way in when she snags the seats of a couple where the wife has been felled by the flu. But when the husband shows up escorting his elderly mother, it creates yet another awkward moment.

Bree's awkward moment came when unveiling her new book to son Andrew and hubby Orson. When Orson asked why she was using the name "Van de Kamp" instead of "Hodge," Andrew excuses himself saying, "I think I just heard the milk go bad."

Bree tries to explain that she started her professional life while they were separated and that "Van de Kamp" is more mellifluous than "Hodge." But Orson doesn't buy it and thinks that she is ashamed that he was in prison--which he did at her insistence at the end of season four. (Hmm--did the writers flash forward five years just to keep Kyle MacLachlan written into the show? Or was it to allay the overuse of Botox in its stars foreheads?)

The most awkward moment belonged to Lynette. (And not just because she is still in perpetual bad hair day mode...) In an effort to find out what is going on in Porter's (I think it was Porter. Maybe it was Preston. And can anyone tell me why Parker, who I thought was the oldest, looks so much younger than his younger brothers five years later? ) life, creates a fake profile on a Facebook type site. The plan backfires when Porter (or maybe it was Preston...) falls for the online persona and professes his love.

Tom flips out when he finds out Lynette has been continuing this online charade after he told her not to. "Are you gonna tell him the truth now or are you gonna wait 'til he kills me and blinds himself?" Nice Oedipus Rex reference, writers--and the best line of the night!

Lynette constructs an online IM to let Porter (or Preston) down easy. But she accidentally signs it "Love, Mom" and sends it. Or course Porter (or Preston) is destroyed and although Lynette apologizes, things are rough between the two.

But things go from awkward to creepy with Edie's husband, Dave. When Edie, in a fit of pique, starts packing to leave Wisteria Lane, Dave tries to calm her down. "Please don't use your motivational voice!" Edie warns him. Turns out, Edie was hurt by a joke made by McCluskey at her expense. So Dave decides to pay a visit to Karen to smooth things over. But Karen seems immune to Dave's Svengali ways and refuses to apologize to Edie.

Then Toby (that's Ida's infamous cat) disappears.

Dave offers to help look for the vanished feline--if McCluskey can help him out by apologizing to Edie. That's when the very sharp Mrs. McCluskey decides that maybe Dave is using more than his motivational voice as a tool of persuasion.

She apologizes to Edie and makes a point of asking her to make sure Dave knows that they made up. And voila! Toby returns. Or more accurately "is returned." So McCluskey enlists Katherine's help (Dana Delaney mostly absent for this episode until the end...) to do an internet search on the mysterious Mr. Williams.

Hmm--wonder what they find out...

Flash of Genius

I hadn't even heard of this movie until I saw a trailer for it right before Ghost Town (which featured Greg Kinnear) a couple of weeks ago. It's the story of Bob Kearns, inventor the intermittent windshield wiper, who spent decades in the pursuit of credit for his work.

The title comes from "Flash of Genius" doctrine developed by the U.S. Supreme Court as a test for patentability. The doctrine held that an invention had to be a result of a "flash of genius" in the mind of the inventor and not as a accidental result of tinkering.

The film is a classic underdog story--David facing Goliath in the form of the heartless and monolithic corporation. Greg Kinnear is excellent delivering an authentic and understated performance as the brilliant, yet at times clueless, Kearns. Given my own predisposition for standing on principle rather than common ground, I could certainly identify with the tale.

Kinnear has always been a solid supporting actor, but this role definitely gives him a chance to shine. And shine he does. There are some great supporting performances by Lauren Graham as Kearns' supportive, long-suffering wife, Dermot Mulroney as his best friend and Mitch Pileggi as the evil (Boo! Hiss!) Ford guy, but it's Kinnear's show. I've always found him to be immensely likable and was happy to hear that, according to a recent interview with the Washington Post (and my friend Diane who had the opportunity to meet and deal with him in person), he's a heckuva nice guy.

This isn't your typical Disney-fied Mighty Ducks type movie. The actual events unfolded over about three decades, and at times during the film you feel the interminability of it all. While the film version is by necessity compressed, the pacing ultimately gives that sense of time dragging out. Kinnear, along with director Marc Abraham, writer Philip Railsback and cinematographer Dante Spinotti, does an amazing job of communicating the frustration and single-minded obsessiveness of Kearns.

It's a very personal story of this man and his quixotic quest for right to prevail. But I felt the filmmakers could have done more to illuminate the story's universality more. At one point in the film, Kearns remarks that he has received letters from others who have been wronged and who are rooting for him to succeed. I would have liked to have seen that rather than just heard about it. In the same scene, lawyer Gregory Lawson (played to effortless perfection by the still amazing Alan Alda) tells Kearns what a pain in the ass he's been--and yet we didn't get to see much evidence of that either.

Railsback did pick some great moments to highlight--I was especially affected by the scene where Kearns sees a car with intermittent wipers for the first time and realizes his invention has been stolen. And while Kearns eventually wins his lawsuit, you are left feeling drained rather than elated given all that he had gone through and given up.

It's too bad that so little effort went into marketing this film. People are swarming to see crap like Eagle Eye and Beverly Hills Chihuahua while this little gem languishes in a corner.

Well, I guess it wouldn't be a true underdog movie if it wasn't truly the underdog...

Noah's Naturals - Botanicals on a Budget

If you (like me) are making the switch from standard skincare products (which are often loaded with toxic chemicals) to healthier and more natural alternatives, you may have found (like me) that ridding yourself of unwanted parabens and propylene glycol has an unwanted side effect: lightening your wallet.

Often natural and organic products come with a price tag that can be a bit daunting in comparison to their unhealthy counterparts. But does leaving out the bad ingredients have to mean shelling out big bucks?

Not any more.

I stumbled across a product line that is:

• Paraben-free
• No sodium lauryl sulfates
• No petroleum
• No artificial colors
• Cruelty-free

It's called Noah's Naturals and, with every product in the line under $10, it's completely affordable.

I tried the Facial Starter Kit which contains the Anti-Aging Gel Cleanser, All-Day Moisture and Gel Serum.

With the cleanser, it's super-foaming so a little really goes a long way. It cleansed my skin without leaving it dry or tight. I could have done without the fragrance, although the ingredient listing said it was "naturally derived." In any case, it didn't irritate my sensitive skin at all.

The moisturizer also has a bit of naturally derived fragrance--although not quite as much as the cleanser. It had a light texture that hydrated my skin quite nicely. No SPF, but still a great way to nourish your skin.

The Gel Serum was my favorite product. No fragrance that I could discern and chock full of great ingredients like safflower oil, sweet almond oil, Vitamins A and E. This is a thick, rich serum so it goes on a bit heavier than most--but it's very soothing and absorbs into the skin after a few minutes. I really liked it.

So if you're looking for a way to break free of chemical-laden skincare products without breaking the bank, Noah's Naturals (which can be found in Walgreens and Wal-mart) might just be the ticket.

Sofa City

I'm walking to work this morning and across the street from my apartment building I spy the following:


For those of you who can't make out the picture from my crappy cell phone camera, it's THREE sofas lined up in a row sitting out on the sidewalk.

No, I do not live in the ghetto and I don't think this is Bank of America's waiting area overflow (that's their parking lot behind the sofas). Since it's around the first of the month, I'm guessing some people decided to abandon furniture rather than deal with moving it.

If you need a new sofa for your living room, let me know!

It's a Small World After All...

This is week one of the new job and we're at lunch on Wednesday. Somehow, the topic turned to music and how one gets exposed to new stuff. I mention one of my sources was my friend Stevie and her most excellent blog. My new co-worker Sara asked me what the name of the blog was and I told her it was L.A. Story and to my surprise she had heard of it.

Turns out she'd heard of it because Stevie recently interviewed another co-worker, musician Erik DiNardo, who moonlights as a temp at my company when he's not playing.

How cool is that!

Small world, huh?

Ugly Betty - Filing for the Enemy

It was the classic battle of good vs. evil on TV last night--and no, I'm not talking about the Vice Presidential debate.

The match-up was between sweet and meek Betty and the delightfully nasty Wilhelmina. Willie decides that in order to solidify her position as new Editor-in-Chief at Mode, she needs to thwart any attempts by Daniel to regain his position. And that means luring away the power behind the throne in the form of perky assistant Betty Suarez.

Willie takes Betty out to lunch to make her pitch for Betty's return to Mode. She starts sucking up to Betty, telling her that she loves her blouse. "No you don't," says Betty forcing Wilhelmina to admit she lied. "It's hideous. Like driving through Ohio."

I wonder if they will be an outcry from angry Ohioans. Or if they're too busy working their debate audience reaction meters...

Betty ends up taking the job and scores some points by helping Willie to score an ad sale. She tells Marc that Wilhelmina must have been happy because she smiled. "She wasn't smiling. She was showing her teeth!" is Marc's reply.

Wilhelmina's reaction is to send Betty on a seemingly impossible scavenger hunt of rare things (including a tiara worn by Catherine the Great) she needs to prepare for the launch party for her first issue of Mode. Betty thinks the list is her punishment for speaking up at the meeting, but when she actually manages to get the Museum of Russian Antiquities to loan the tiara for the launch party, Willie tells her it was actually a test.

"Maybe you are the one," she tells Betty.

"Like The Lord of the Rings?" Betty asks.

Willie tells Betty that she sees a lot of herself in her. "I am going to groom you. And Lord knows you need grooming." Later Marc tells Betty that she and Willie have more in common than he thought--and he doesn't mean it in a complimentary way.

This causes Betty to go into a dream sequence where she becomes Willi-fied--shouting at people, firing employees and kicking puppies. When she wakes and starts to shred bags of mail to make confetti for the launch party, she notices lots of positive letters to the Editor directed to Daniel.

She shows the mail to Daniel, trying to get him to stand up for himself. "Anything you truly want has to be worth fighting for!" she tells him.

Meanwhile, Daniel finds out that Daniel Jr.'s grandparents in France are fighting for custody. He is afraid to ask D.J. what his preference is, but Betty's remark inspires him to raise the issue. D.J. says he wants to live with his father and so Daniel says that they will fight.

On the losing side of the battle is Hilda, whose relationship with Coach Diaz is a tug-of-war between her and his wife. Although he tells her, "You're not the other woman, you're the only woman," and schedules a "real date" for the two of them, he ends up standing Hilda up when his wife unexpectedly is back in town.

And Christina, who agreed to be Willie's surrogate in order to get money to pay for her husband Stuart's treatment for a rare liver disease, also deals with betrayal. Suspecting that Stuart is using drugs again, she sends hair samples to be tested by a lab. When the results come back, she tells Stuart, "It's like Rush Limbaugh fornicating with Amy Winehouse and they spawned you!"

[Cue Rimshot]

In the end, the sales numbers for Wilhelmina's flagship issue are not good. And she is toppled from her perch as Editor-in-Chief much in the same way that Claire tips over her ice sculpture. Alexis announces the re-appointment of Daniel as Editor and of course Daniel rehires Betty as his assistant. And all is right in the world and at Mode.

Until next week...

For all you die-hard Betty fans, season two is available on DVD. My bud, blogging goddess Stevie Wilson has a review at L.A. Story. I got a chance to check out the 5 DVD set of the complete second season and here's some interesting things I learned:

1. Seasons one and two were filmed in Los Angeles, but they've moved to New York City for season three.

2. Wilhelmina is inspired by some great Disney villainesses like Cruella de Vil and Snow White's evil stepmother.

3. The surnames for Henry Grubstick and Amanda Tanen came from production staff members David Grubstick and Brian Tanen.

The DVD bonus features include:

• A tour of the Mode sets with Amanda Tanen (Becky Newton) and Marc St. James (Michael Urie)
• A tour of the Suarez abode led by Tony Plana and Mark Indelicato (Ignacio and Justin)
• Wilhelmina Slater: Love to Hate Her
• The complete episode arcs (in multiple installments) of the telenovelas that Hilda and Ignacio watch obsessively.
  
• I Love Betty
• Deleted scenes and bloopers

Pushing Daisies - Bzzzzzzzzz!

It's October 1st and swelteringly hot in Los Angeles. But last night I got a tall drink of water with the premiere of the new season of Pushing Daisies and the return of Lee Pace as the Piemaker.

Aaaaahhhhh!

Given how the writers strike caused an abbreviated season one of the new series, much time was spent getting new viewers up to speed with the characters backstories:

Ned (Lee Pace) has the gift of bringing the dead back to life. But only for a minute or someone or something else will die in their place. Also, a second touch from him will cause the revitalized to become a corpse once again. And this time for good.

Chuck (Anna Friel) is Ned's childhood sweetheart whom he brought back to life. It's a love affair in which they can never touch. And yet it's super romantic!

Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) is the private detective who utilizes the piemaker's gift to solve murder cases and collect the reward money.

Olive Snook (Kristin Chenoweth) is a waitress at the Pie-Hole and not so secretly in love with its owner, the piemaker.

Aunts Lily (Swoosie Kurtz) and Vivian (Ellen Greene) mourn the death of their niece Charlotte (Chuck) not realizing that she's still alive.

Interesting factoids about last night's episode (which found a clever way to tie-in Chuck's beekeeping obsession):

Diana Scarwid, who played the Mother Superior at the convent Olive retreated to (after freaking out about keeping the secret that Chuck is still alive and dosing their pies with homeopathic anti-depressants from her aunts and the secret that Lily is really Chuck's mother), also played Lee Pace's mother on Wonderfalls. She's credited with three episodes, so it looks like Olive will be absent from the Pie-Hole for a while.

I wonder what happened to the homeopathic remedy salesman from last season that was a potential love interest for Olive?

The scene where Olive first appear after retreating to the convent is an homage to The Sound of Music. But then y'all probably knew that! The producers are always looking for ways to integrate music into the show to take advantage of Kristin Chenoweth's singing talents (among her many Broadway roles, she's played Glenda in Wicked)--as well as those of Ellen Greene (Little Shop of Horrors).

The inside joke behind Emerson Cod and the pop-up book is that originally (according to show creator Bryan Fuller in the extras of the season one DVD) Olive's backstory was supposed to be that she was going to be a lesbian pop-up book designer that got fired from her job for changing all the Jack-and-Jills to Jill-and-Jills. With the Girth episode, the writers changed Olive's backstory to that of a horse racing jockey, but this season they found a way to incorporate the pop-up book motif into the show.

It looks like we're building up to a reunion between Ned and his estranged (for twenty years!) Dad in upcoming episodes. That should be interesting...

Think Pink! October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

You can run or walk for the cause, wear a pink ribbon--or you can go shopping!

Working up a sweat is a great way to support raising money and awareness to fight and find a cure for breast cancer, but you can also contribute to the cause while kicking back and surfing the 'net. Here's a few ways to turn an online shopping spree into funds for cancer research and support:

Julia Bristow Jewelry has a page of her hand-crafted creations (like the rose quartz heart pendant shown to the left) dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness. 50% of each sale from that page is donated directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which funds awareness and educational initiatives such as the National Mammography Program (NMP), Beyond the Shock educational video, MyNBCF online community and the Early Detection Plan.


Ten percent of sales of the short sleeve lucy(R) "Kick It Tee" and the long sleeve "Pink Race Tee" will be donated to Network of Strength up to $15,000.

On October 4th, lucy stores nationwide and lucy.com will host a one-day shopping event that will raise additional funds for Network of Strength. lucy will donate 10% of sales on October 4, 2008, up to an additional $10,000 to Network of Strength.

Breast Cancer Network of Strength™, formerly known as Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization(R), is a Chicago-based national nonprofit organization with the mission to ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone.

The Pink Power Eye & Lip Kit from Smashbox is a smashing way to support the fight against breast cancer.

This limited-edition set includes two portable mirrored palettes, each with three gorgeous eye shadow and lip color shades, plus a mini double-ended brush.

These are adorable (and portable) little palettes! They easily slip into your purse or make-up bag and the soft, neutral shades are universally flattering.

For every sale of the Pink Power Kit, Smashbox will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Young Survival Coalition--a premier international, nonprofit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer.

Through action, advocacy and awareness, the YSC seeks to educate the medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities and to persuade them to address breast cancer in women 40 and under. The YSC also serves as a point of contact for young women living with breast cancer.

We all know by now that tanning can cause skin cancer. So what could be cooler than getting a bronze-y glow with a product that not only helps you avoid the cancer-inducing rays of the sun, but provides a contribution to the cause as well?

During the month of October, MODEL ^co will donate $1 of every purchase of the 220 gram size of Tan Airbrush in a Can to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.

The mission of the American Breast Cancer Foundation is to provide individuals in financial need, their families and their loved ones with education, support, and access to early detection screenings.

(Speaking of which, October 17th is National Mammography Day--schedule your appointment today!)


Therapy Systems gets into the act by donating 10% of the gross profits during the month of October from their Amazingly Gentle Scrub to the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

In addition customers will receive a free 2 oz. size with their purchase. Formulated with aloe vera, peppermint and grapefruit oils, ginseng and green tea extracts and jojoba beads, this extremely mild exfoliant is ideal for all skin types and can be use to gently cleanse and moisturize the face, body, feet, elbows, knees and other rough areas.

Since 1991, the National Breast Cancer Coalition's trained advocates have lobbied at the national, state and local levels for public policies that impact breast cancer research, diagnosis and treatment.

In the spirit of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, TotalBeauty.com, in partnership with its network of beauty blogs, is hosting a month-long initiative that integrates breast cancer awareness, breast cancer research fund raising and beauty giveaways to engage women in the quest for a cure.


TINte Cosmetics is donating 40% of the proceeds of each sale of their new Matchbook in Blushed Beauty. The Match Book includes: Two eye shadow colors (a base and contour shade), a cream eyeliner, blush, two lip glosses and two brushes.

The money will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation which works to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.

Last, but not certainly not least, are the products from Pristine Recovery. The line was created by breast cancer survivor Blaire Kessler, who developed all-natural, carcinogenic-free products while she was undergoing treatments.

Brallywood Butta is a luscious massage butter made with ingredients known to help scarring, stimulate the lymphatic glands, calm soothe and moisturize fragile skin.

Scary Hairy is a 100% natural serum to remedy dry fragile hair and revitalize the scalp. (I love this stuff! It makes my coarse, dry hair soft and manageable. And it smell soooo good! It's a multi-purpose product that can be massaged into your scalp or skin or nails--with no worries about nasty toxic ingredients.)

Take a Whiff! is an aluminum-free alternative to conventional deodorants. It contains organic sage which is a natural way to fight perspiration.

Kessler donates a total of 15% of her net proceeds of each sale (Year round, not just in October!) to the Young Survival Coalition (10%) and the Cancer Prevention Coalition (5%). Say Kessler of her venture:

"My goal with my company is to really make a difference in my charitable contribution, to create effective fun and inspiring solutions for anyone looking in a healthy direction and to add a little glamorous spin on what would be a depressing situation."

With products that are paraben-free, phthalates-free, cruelty-free and vegan plus contain no mineral oil or propylene glycol, Pristine Recovery fights for the cause on all fronts!

With so many options to choose from, we can help beat breast cancer--and indulge ourselves a bit at the same time.

Run for the cure, walk for the cure, shop for the cure!

Lou Reed's Berlin on DVD 9/30

Lou Reed recorded the album Berlin in 1973.
It was a commercial failure.
Over the next 33 years, he never performed the album live.

For five nights in December 2006 at St. Ann's Warehouse Brooklyn, Lou Reed performed his masterwork about love's dark sisters, jealousy, rage and loss.

Julian Schnabel, April 23, 2007

So opens the filmed version of the performance of Reed's third solo album about a drug-addicted couple, Caroline and Jim, and their tragic love story.

When Schnabel first heard the album in 1973, he was so affected by it that he would play it on a daily basis. Later, when he would meet and befriend Lou Reed, he would plead with Reed to let him make it into a movie.

And Reed had always intended for his rock opera to be performed on stage--but the mixed reviews and poor sales nixed that plan.

Lou Reed's Berlin is the convergence of both their dreams: Lou Reed backed by a thirty piece band and twelve choristers is captured by Schnabel's portrait-like direction in a most unique concert performance.

With similar techniques as used in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Schnabel uses light, superimposition, montage flashes and symbolic imagery to not only put us in the midst of the performance, but illuminate the story behind the songs as well.

Schnabel even uses actress Emmanuelle Seigneur (aka "Mrs. Roman Polanski") who played Celine in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly to portray the tragic Caroline. Between the musicians on stage and the montage inserts, Schnabel and Reed create an effect that is both visually and aurally mesmerizing.

My favorite moment was back-up singer Antony Hegarty's solo in the encore Candy Says. His beautifully emotive performance brought tears to Lou Reed's eyes. There's also a rendition of Sweet Jane at the end of the film. Lou Reed fans will no doubt be enthralled by this film.

The DVD contains footage of the show on tour and an excerpt from Spectacle: Elvis Costello with Lou Reed and Julian Schnabel, which is notable mainly for the fact that Mr. Reed, at age 65 or so, looks much more fit than either Costello (53) or Schnabel (56).

Way to go, Lou!

Lou Reed's Berlin available on DVD September 30th.

Heroes - One of Us, One of Them

Of all the special abilities on Heroes: regeneration, flight, invisibility, time travel, super human strength, super human speed, telepathy, etc., the most amazing is that of the writers: the ability to turn a bad guy into a good guy.

I thought Sylar was laid to rest at the end of season one. Maybe his continuance on the series was the plan all along, maybe the fact Zachary Quinto is a charismatic hottie had something to do with it. But the plan this season seems to be to take the mean and vicious killer and turn him into a warm and fuzzy hero. As Mommie Dearest Angela said to Noah Bennet, "He's been misunderstood. He just needs structure."

Like he's in pre-school and acting out!

So she sets Sylar up to partner with Noah to catch the baddies. And Sylar does save Noah from certain death from the trap the villains had set for him. Okay, he also slices open Jesse's skull to get his sound wave ability, but a little backsliding to be expected. (At least Future Peter rescued Present Peter from being trapped in Jesse's body before that happened and whisked him off to the future to show him why he tried to kill Nathan.) If the previews for next week are to be believed, Sylar's become positively domesticated. I bet he even does needlepoint!

Heroes has a thing with pair-ups: Noah and Sylar, Future Peter with Present Peter, Hiro and Ando (although that partnership is starting to fray) and Matt with Usutu, the tribal guy who also possesses Isaac Mendez-like painting the future powers. Although Usutu's power seems to be limited to painting Matt Parkman's future. Which is also interesting given the fact that it appeared Parkman wouldn't survive season one either...

At least the writers found another way to incorporate the artwork of Tim Sales back into the series.

The Haitian is none too pleased with Noah's new sidekick. "Am I being replaced?" he asks Bennet. Bennet tells him it's only temporary--until he finds Sylar's weakness. "And then I'm going to kill him," he tells the Haitian. That is, if Claire doesn't get to Sylar first. She's out for vengeance after what he did to her.

The most intriguing storyline was Tracy Strauss, the Niki Sanders look-alike. She tracks Niki down to New Orleans in order to try and figure out what their connection might be. Unfortunately, Niki's in a casket having not survived the warehouse explosion from last season's finale. But Tracy comes face-to-face with Micah who almost mistakes her for his Mom. Using his ability to talk to machines, Micah finds the connection between Niki and Tracy: they were both born in the same hospital on the same day delivered by the same doctor.

Now wait a minute--wasn't Niki already a twin? Her sister, Jessica, died at the hands of their abusive father and later became the basis for Niki's alter ego. When Tracy tracks down Dr. Zimmerman, he recognizes her--but calls her "Barbara." When she corrects him, he remembers saying "Beverly Hills." "I created you," he tells her.

So, Niki and Tracy are clones. And there's a Barbara somewhere out there as well. Wonder what her power is...