Marianne's Revenge

According to the Huffington Post, female voters in Florida "preferred Romney by 47-26 percent over Gingrich." Go figure.

But not for me

I love how Chanel No. 5 smells, but I don't think I'm allowed to wear it. Chanel No. 5 is the scent of choice of Nicole Kidman and Catherine Deneuve. Marilyn Monroe wore it proudly, even when she wore nothing else.

But, since I'm hiding behind a closed office door, waiting for the big wet spot on my blouse to dry a little because I somehow soaked myself with Coke simply by drinking from the bottle, I don't think I'm allowed in their Chanel club.

Let's hear it for the Gal!

On this, the last day of January, I made it! I reached my goal of 13 workouts/month. I defined a work out as at least 25 minutes of cardio and 10 minutes of either floor exercises or weight machines. On days I didn't work out, I tried to remember to do a little cardio at home in front of the TV. I was more or less successful with that, though I didn't give myself credit for that as I worked toward my goal.

I realize that I'm still moving too little and eating too much to lose any weight. But I'm starting to feel different. I have more energy and want to go to the health club, want to make sure I have a serving of fruit or vegetable with dinner.

So, while I still look like a massive moo-cow, at least I'm a more fit one. And for that I am taking a bow.

  Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Now this was scary!

I don't like Gwyneth Paltrow. Her murder didn't pack an emotional wallop in Seven, and it doesn't especially bother me that she's the first to go, early on in Contagion. My indifference to her suffering almost makes this thriller more thrilling, because my emotional involvement begins slowly and builds until I could not wait to see the end but could not bear to look.

The movie is about a virus that is spread by human touch. 20% of those who contact it will die within 3-4 days.

It covers the race to find a vaccine, how that work is corrupted by personal interest and money, how desperate we become when faced with something like this, how quickly our social order can dissolve when confronted with this kind of terror.

I didn't see this at the theater, nor did I rent it. My florist gave it to me. Her brother burns DVDs of movies and she hands them out to her favorite customers. When I accepted this, I told her to be careful because I don't want her to get in trouble, and I only watched it because I know she'll ask me about it when I come for this week's bouquet of mums. I'm glad I saw it.

I love this

Reminds me of my cat, Joey, who loves the carpet in the den. And my cat, Charlotte, counts these among her favorite treats.

Reynaldo is not included in this post about cat things that make me go, "aw ..." because he and I fighting. He's waking me up in the middle of the night again.