Don't judge me

I admit it. My 12-year-old nephew got me hooked on Angry Birds. So when you see me with my Kindle Fire, it's a good bet that I'm not reading about the Syrian crisis in the latest issue of Time. I'm more likely intent on destroying some pigs.

A new way of gettin' my creative on

For the past few months I have been exercising my writing muscles over at Trifecta. I liked it when they gave out prompts and required we write a prescribed number of words by a certain date. But lately they have been waaaaaay more flexible ("take weeks and weeks to write whatever you want in as many words as you feel") and that just doesn't appeal to me. That feels like Nanowrimo. (Of course, just as I get bristly when someone gives me pipe about what I write on my blog, I fully respect the Trifectans' right to run their writing competition in anyway they damn well please.)

So what's a Gal to do? I like the busman's holiday of writing that I don't get paid for.

Fortunately, a whole new world of blogging has opened up to me. BLOGATHONS! Movie blogathons! I love writing about movies, and I love reading the works of other fans who are passionate about their cinema favorites, so I'm very excited about joining this community.

First up is the TCM Summer Under the Stars Blogathon hosted by Jill and Michael. It's a cool idea inspired by Turner Classic's tradition of devoting each day in August to a different star. The choices we have to write about are daunting because I adore Myrna Loy, and Marilyn Monroe, and of course, the Great Kate herself. But then I was excited to see, smack dab in the middle of some of the brightest stars in movie history, Elvis! I know most of his movies suck, but that's not because he was a bad actor. It's because he allowed himself to be managed by greedy piranhas who ... OOPS! Better save that for my own blogathon post.

Next is the What A Character Blogathon hosted by Kellee, Paula and Aurora. Also inspired by Turner Classic Movies, it gives me an opportunity to pay tribute to a great character actor who has enhanced great films but never starred. I chose Gail Patrick, who not only appeared in some really terrific movies, she also went on to produce the old Perry Mason TV show.

Finally there's the Paramount Centennial Blogathon hosted by The Hollywood Revue. One of the great old studios is celebrating a big birthday this year, and I've chosen one of focus on one of their lesser known films, This Property is Condemned. I'm developing a spin to the story of how this movie that got made, and what makes it significant, that I hope will be engaging.

That'll take me through the end of September. I'm excited by my creative "assignments."

Ron Santo Is in the Hall of Fame

I have been a little weepy today because one of the players I grew up on has finally made it to Cooperstown ... and he has received the honor posthumously.

Part of me is screaming, "Why didn't you give it to him in life, you fuckers?" He wanted it so badly, would have appreciated it so richly, and he deserved it so fully.

But then, I remember that rancor is not what Cub fandom is about. Certainly not what This Old Cub was about. So instead I will reflect on his career, both on the field and in the booth, and what he meant to me.

He made his major league debut with the Cubs in 1960, when I was 2 1/2 years old, so I literally grew up watching him in the corner. He played third base for the Cubs almost every game (really, some seasons he played more than 150 games!) until 1973, when I was in high school. During that time he was named to the All Star Team 9 times, won 5 Golden Glove awards and hit more than 340 home runs. (Ooooh, that "Why didn't you give it to him in life, you fuckers?" is bubbling up again.) The rap against Ronnie was that he hit well at home, within the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field, but wasn't so hot on the road. Well, the team plays most of their games at home and besides, he was happier at Wrigley Field. Isn't everyone?

The stats don't tell Ronnie's story. He was the team captain, a passionate competitor. The man wore his heart on his sleeve. He never hid from the press. He fought with Leo Durocher. He clicked his heels when the team won. (My first tears of the day came when today's Cubs clicked their heels in tribute as they ran onto the field.) He loved the fans, and we returned that love in full measure. A proud Italian, Ronnie endorsed a line of frozen pizzas (Pro's Pizza) and I was able to combine my Cub fandom and my Beatle fandom by joining the throng who cheered, "Power to the Pizza!" when he came up to bat.

He stood up for his rights. He was one of the first players to wear an earflap on his batting helmet, protecting his face after having his cheekbone shattered by a pitch in 1966. He wasn't chattel, and he was the first player to invoke the 10-and-5 rule when the Cubs tried to trade him. (If a player has 10 years in the league, 5 with a single team, he can't be traded without his approval.) I knew he just wanted to stay here with us.

And he was diabetic, diagnosed before he played his first game at Wrigley Field. He kept it a secret until the early 1970s because he didn't want people to treat him any differently. Back in the long ago 1960s he judged his blood sugar by his moods, and self medicated with a Snickers bar … yet he managed to hit those 340 HRs. Imagine how many he would have sent sailing if an insidious disease hadn't frequently clouded his vision? (Ooooh, that "Why didn't you give it to him in life, you fuckers?" is bubbling up again.)

Once he came out as a diabetic, he became a tireless advocate. He wanted kids to learn from his example that the condition doesn't have to define them. He wanted their friends to know that kids with diabetes are just like him, so there's nothing to fear. Every year, until his death, he hosted a Walk for the Cure and raised an amazing $65 million for JDRF.

Diabetes took its toll on Ronnie. He lost his legs to the disease. Yes, the man famous for clicking his heels ended up a double amputee. How cruel is that? And yet Ronnie never whined, never complained. I loved that about him.

In the 1990s he began broadcasting Cub games and nothing was off limits. He spoke openly about his hairpiece, about his prosthetic legs ... about anything that came into his head. I remember one rain delay when he explained to us how, at this late stage in their lives, he and his wife got their first cat and how amazing it is that "you just show 'em the sandbox and they go!"

I loved having Ronnie in my earphones, almost as much as I loved watching him play. I learned a lot about the game from listening to the man who played it so well and so long. He spoke for us, the fans, too. I'll never forget the game that Mark Pryor pitched one Father's Day. He'd just come back from a long stay on the disabled list and we'd all been waiting. "If only Pryor was healthy ..." was our mantra. Well right out of the box, Pryor got hit and hard. And Ronnie was so shocked, so sad, that he couldn't form words. All I heard through my Walkman were these monosyllabic grunts. I laughed because it sounded like porn.

Ron Santo died in December 2010, just weeks after I lost my uncle. It hurt.

3000 Cubs fans made the trip to Cooperstown today. That makes me mist up, too. Thousands of the faithful were there to celebrate our friend, our third baseman, our captain. Our HOFer. Today, when I could be all blue about the tragedy in Colorado, I am instead Cubbie Blue. I am grateful for that. I guess that Ron Santo has taught me a lot about life.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Too Tired to Think Meme, Part 1
 
1. You have 10 dollars and need to buy snacks at a gas station. What do you get? A Coke and chips. Which chips? Depends on my mood. Fritos, Munchos, Pringles and Sun Chips all float my boat.


2. If you were reincarnated as a sea creature, what would you want to be? A zebra fish, the sexier cousin of the plain old minnow.

3. Who’s your favorite redhead? Like everyone else, I Love Lucy.


4. What do you order when you’re at IHOP? Can't recall the last time I was at IHOP. Sorry.



5. Last book you read? The Meryl Streep Movie Club. It was fine, but I don't recommend it.


6. Describe your mood. Lazy


7. Describe the last time you were injured. I have a bitch of a papercut on my right middle finger. We moved offices last week and I sliced it on one of those infernal moving boxes.


8. Of all your friends, who would you want to be stuck in a well with? My best friend. He's very sensible and calms me down.

9. Rock concert or symphony? Rock.


10. What is the wallpaper of your cell phone? The number? (We'll just say "hi" - promise.)

11. Favorite soda? Coke


12. What type of shirt are you wearing? A nightshirt


13. If you could only use one form of transportation? Chauffeur-driven towncar

14. Most recent movie you have watched in theater? Ted. I highly recommend it!


15. Name an actor/actress/singer you have had the hots for. Mark Wahlberg. Sigh. It takes a special man to look hot while partying with a stuffed animal.


16. What’s your favorite kind of cake? One with lots of frosting


17. What did you have for dinner last night? A salad and a big slice of sausage pizza


18. Look to your left, what do you see? My cat, Charlotte

19. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? I have worn nothing but sandals since May


20. Favorite toy as a child? My Lassie dog


21. Do you buy your own groceries? I can't get anyone else to do it.


22. Do you think people talk about you behind your back? Yup.

23. When was the last time you had gummy worms?  I don't recall

24. What’s your favorite fruit? It changes. Right now, blueberries

25. Do you have a picture of yourself doing a cartwheel? Ha! No.

Still an ass

I'm back to monitoring Archie Bunker, the "gentleman" my oldest friend met through an online dating service, because he appeared on her FB timeline earlier this month. I hope she's no longer twitterpated by this jerk, because he has cancelled on her and flaunted his interest in other women online, knowing she can see it. But since his treatment of her has been so humiliating, I can't bring myself to ask her about it for fear it embarrasses her.

Anyway ... he posted on his blog last night. About the Colorado shooting. And about how bad "Volvo, PT Cruiser, BMW, Mercedes and VW drivers" are. Same post, same amount of space. Because in his world, someone trying to squeeze into his lane is just as bad as innocent lives lost in a movie theater massacre.

Please, God, let her be over him!

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: I Saw the Light

1. Has something ever made you "see the light?" The two books by Elizabeth Edwards have had a great impact on me. It was in her second, Resilience, that I really paid attention to these lyrics by Leonard Cohen. They express a sentiment that's important to remember: "Ring the bells that still can ring/forget your perfect offering/there's a crack in everything/ that's how the light gets in."

2. Do you believe you have any control over your luck? Emotionally, yes I believe it, even though intellectually I know I don't.

3. What is something you have had difficulty rising above? First as a young girl and then as a woman I was physically damaged by men I should have been able to trust. Dealing with the aftermath is ongoing, but I continue working on it.

4. Would you want to be rich? Yes! Yes, yes, yes. Which reminds me I must buy that lottery ticket today.

5. Tell us about a current or old song that helps you "face the world." "Payphone." I always like Adam Levine's voice, and every time I hear it I try to remember the last time I saw a payphone. I don't know what that rap segment adds though, except maybe wider demographic appeal. (Cha-ching)

6. Has any dream of yours come true? Hell to the yes. I saw Sir Paul within the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. And I Love Him.

7. What would you change if you became "the king or queen" of your country? I'd make sure that everyone gets it -- Your Second Amendment Right was never intended to allow you to buy six fucking guns within two months! God, what's wrong with people?

8. How do you feel about LGBT rights? (If you need to look up LGBT, then you probably need to learn more.)  I find it depressing that some people are more interested in protecting their "right" to legally stockpile assault weapons while denying others the right to love.

9. Have you ever been disappointed in yourself? Regularly!

He seems sad these days

My best friend is laboring under a dark cloud. I suspect it's work related, but I don't know for sure because when he tried to talk to me yesterday, I was under the watchful gaze of three (count 'em, THREE) office mates and by the time I could call him back, he was in a two-hour long conference call. Today he was too overwhelmed by work and the news out of Denver to talk.

While I am very grateful that no one he knows personally was touched by the tragedy, I understand how a local event can get under your skin. I am still haunted by the tragedy of Yummy Sandifer, the murderous 9-year-old gangbanger who was assassinated himself back in 1994. And I haven't forgotten Nailah Franklin, the much loved Chicago woman who was abducted and murdered in 2007 (and whose accused killer is still awaiting trial).

I also learned from exchanging emails with him that. for many in Colorado, Columbine is still a sensitive wound and this just tore it open again.

My best friend is a good man who is very involved with his daughters, very worried about his dad and his siblings -- especially one of his sisters, because he fears her drinking is interfering with her role as mother. So in a way I hope it's "just" work and the Dark Knight shooting that are bothering him. Because the massacre, while heart breaking, is outside of his sphere of influence, and work problems come and go.

I love my friend and I hope the sunshine finds him soon.

7 Deadly Sins of Reading

A book meme stolen from Kwizgiver

GREED: What is your most expensive book? Most inexpensive book? I bought my most expensive book about 10 years ago when, strangely enough, I was self employed and could least afford it. The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy has been out of print forever and I found it on eBay for about $100. Believe it or not, that a good price, as the cheapest available on B&N is $165. It's the memoir of the woman who was actually engaged to/sleeping with Bundy when he was actively pursuing his avocation -- which was raping and murdering dozens of woman and hiding their bodies. She had a little girl living with her, too. (Shudder.) When she began to suspect him, she notified the police and then felt guilty because she was accusing the man she loved of true evil. It was a short, fascinating, painful read. The author ("Elizabeth Kendall" is a pseudonym) was an insecure single mother in the early 1970s and Bundy deftly exploited her weaknesses. She must be about 70 now. Wherever she is, I hope she's healthy and happy and has forgiven herself for loving this horrible man. If I had more time, I'd reread it. One of the least expensive is the one I'm reading now: Sisters in Crime is a mystery anthology I got for 25¢ at a library book sale.

WRATH: What author do you have a love/hate relationship with? Robert B. Parker. I love Spenser and the other characters he developed through that series. Then I hated some of the dialog he put in their mouths. He did such a fantastic job at creating an alternative universe that I got mad at him for not serving it better. Which is silly -- Spenser, Susan and Hawk were his, not mine. I truly mourned his passing because I admire his no-nonsense dedication to his craft, to his creations and to his readers. How I wish he was still here to annoy me! The Parker estate has hired another author, Ace Atkins, to continue the Spenser series and he did a good job. I thought of it as an homage.

GLUTTONY: What book have you deliciously devoured over and over with no shame whatsoever? The Princess Bride. If you have only seen the movie and not read the book, do yourself a favor and pick it up. There's sooooo much more in the book -- more context, laughs, wisdom and insight.

SLOTH: What book have you neglected reading due to laziness? 11/22/63. It's soooo freaking long, and heavy (!), and my TBR pile is so daunting. I read the ending after seeing King on Morning Joe because of the historical implications of the story. I'll read the rest someday. I will! I will!

PRIDE: What books do you most talk about in order to sound like a very intellectual reader? Nigel Hamilton's biographies of Kennedy and Clinton. Hamilton is a Brit by birth and his outsider's take on the US adds dimension and texture to stories I thought I already knew. JFK: Reckless Youth is simply one of the best books I have ever read. I believe it's out of print now, after being made into a rather glossy, soapy mini-series (which is how so many Kennedy books end up!). But if you can find it, pick it up. The story itself is compelling -- taking the future President from birth to Congress, a span of about 30 years. And the spin is masterful -- how a man who looked to have the world beat with his looks, wealth and charm was really struggling with physical and emotional pain every step of the way. Remember, no matter how good someone's life looks on the outside, you have no idea how it feels to live it. Hamilton's first Clinton book, An American Journey, is very good, too. Very insightful. Interestingly, neither Bill Clinton nor (most emphatically) the Kennedy family appreciates Hamilton's work, so it's biography not hagiography.

LUST: What attributes do you find most attractive in male or female characters? I always ask myself, "Is this someone I want to spend time with?" Not like, or am attracted to. But want to invest in. Because again, my TBR is so deep. So many books! So little time!

ENVY: What books would you most like to receive as a gift? gift cards so I can get whatever I want! (Kwiz' answer, but it's good!)

Thursday Thirteen #180

THIRTEEN THINGS IN MY PURSE

 

 

In Love, Loss and What I Wore, the wonderful Nora Ephron wrote that a handbag is a reflection of the woman who carries it. I wonder what she would have made of me.

1) Wallet. It's a big wallet with a weary zipper and merits its own TT someday.

2) Franklin Planner. I keep track of my life old school. No smartphone yet. It has a nice print fabric cover and lots of pockets filled with photos and receipts and … stuff.

3) Cell. A SANYO SCP-2700. It's not high tech, but it is kinda cute and works well enough for calls, texts and email.

4) Kindle Fire. I can't get over the fact that I now regularly carry a dozen magazines in my purse. Ah, technology! Where WI-FI is available, it's great for email.

5) My make up bag. Just the essentials to keep me from frightening small children.

6) Hairbrush.

7) Another hairbrush. That's not intentional. I just now noticed I have two in there. 

8) SPF 50. I burn easily.

9) Glasses. I'm very near-sighted and am terrified of losing a contact lens and then being left unable to see.

10) My reading glasses. OK, so I'm an old gal. 

11) Contact lens carry case and solution.

12) Prescription strength Naproxen. In case a migraine strikes.

13) Pepto Bismol caplets. Let's not discuss it.

BTW, I always carry my housekeys in my pocket, just in case something happens to my purse.

What about you? What are you forever hauling around?

For more information about the Thursday Thirteen,

or to play yourself, click here.

I need a nap!

We moved offices overnight and today it took me literally three hours to unpack and slip into the corner of the former conference room I'm now sharing with three other creatives. I believe I'm going to hate this set up, but there's nothing I can do about it. At least not now. But I'm sooooo freaking tired!

The Queen's Meme

The Employment Enjoyment Meme

1. What kind of work do you do? I'm an advertising writer.

2. During the course of your lifetime, which job or career has been your favorite or most fulfilling? This is really all I've ever done. I was an administrative assistant for 4 years, but that was a long, long time ago.

3. Do you think it's necessary in your life to have a day-to-day "career" that is meaningful and service-oriented or do you function better in "just a job" with a steady paycheck? It's very important to me that I feel connected emotionally to what I'm doing.

4. Was there ever a time in your life when you wanted to stay home with your children instead of working, even if it meant less money in the household? Nope.

5. Tell us your worst boss story. I once had a boss who was a complete nut job. She actually told me that the reason why we clashed so much is that we were adversaries in a past life, and that if we didn't work it through now, we would keep meeting for all eternity.

6. Have your ever been the boss? Do you like this this role?Yes. I hated it. And I learned that lay-offs suck, no matter which side of the desk you're sitting at.

7.  What is your dream occupation? I think I'd be a good pet sitter. I have a way with critters.

www.wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? Sisters in Crime edited by Marilyn Wallace. A collection of short mysteries by "today's women writers." I should mention that "today" is a relative term, since this paperback came out in 1989. Still, I see Sue Grafton, Sara Paretsky and Linda Barnes, so I have high hopes. Plus, I picked it up for 25¢ at a library book sale in another town. I happened to wander by en route to getting my hair cut. I love finding treasures like this. It originally belonged to Mary Ellen Gast, who wrote her name on the title page in blue felt tip.

 
• What did you recently finish reading? The Meryl Streep Movie Club by Mia March. “A novel of love, family and movie night.” I thought this was a missed opportunity. The author created four very original, very individual women characters (no mean feat!) and gave each a compelling backstory (even better!) and then put them in incredibly predictable situations where really handsome men with crinkling, twinkling eyes and cute buns just happen to fall into their lives. There was only one plot twist that I didn't see coming. I don't expect chick-lit to be as intricately plotted as a mystery. But in this book, as soon as a male character was introduced I knew how the plot would be resolved. Disappointing, considering how much I liked the women characters.

• What will you read next? Anne Frank's Family by Mirjam Pressler. It's been 70 years since Anne breathed free. I think she deserves to be remembered, and this scholarly book fits the bill.

Why I prefer snow

If the mercury didn't rise to 100º, it came close. And consequently today I rode the el with an unattractive phenomenon -- non-hygienic urban youths looking to sell OTC decongestant to get high. Yes, three really smelly kids had at least 30 boxes of Mucinex DM between them and not a one of them seemed to have a cold. Though a little nasal congestion would have helped me because they were really, really sweaty and stinky.

You don't see, or smell, this kinda thing on public transportation in December.

Our Summer Outing

My nephew and I spent a day and a half in Springfield, getting to know Mr. Lincoln, Illinois' most famous citizen. (Sorry, Oprah!)

Friday we went to Lincoln's tomb. Like decades of visitors before us, we rubbed Abe's nose for luck. Inside we paid our respect to the great man and felt bad for the sad, long-suffering Mary. The tour guide gave us an overview of how Lincoln's body was nearly kidnapped.

Saturday morning, after a buffet breakfast that included a lot of bacon (my nephew loves bacon) we went on to Mary and Abraham's home. When they left for DC, they sold their furniture but kept the house because they completely meant to retire here. Neither of them ever set foot in here again. Mary could not confront the happy memories and all the loss (after all, by then she had not only lost her husband but two of the sons who had been born here).

Then we toured The Old State Capital. Lincoln gave his famous "house divided" speech here. It's also the site where Barack Obama announced his historic run for the Presidency. My nephew seemed to think this one was a yawn, but I'm confident that when he's older he'll be glad we made this stop. I learned where the phrase "red tape" came from. Back in the 1800s, deeds and birth/wedding/death certificates, etc., were delivered to the state capitals in bunches wrapped first in red yarn and then, literally, in red tape. The document wasn't "official" until the "red tape" was cut and it was filed with the state.

Last we went to the Lincoln Presidential Museum. It was an honor and a privilege to see The Gettysburg Address in the man's own hand. The museum is very interactive, very good for children and young people. If you look closely, you can see John Wilkes Booth hovering behind the Lincoln family. My nephew had a great time posing behind Booth and giving him devil horns. At 12, he's in that netherworld between kid and teen and, while reading and paying close attention to the exhibits, he had a childish habit of shuffling his feet in almost a little dance when he's lost in thought. While it amused me, I had to bust him. It wasn't really appropriate to do a Happy Dance when confronted with the death of toddler Eddie Lincoln or the controversy caused by The Emancipation Proclamation.

We also swam in the hotel pool and he ate his first cannoli. He liked the former but didn't think the latter lived up to its photo on the menu.

Even I didn't expect this!

I'm always a Cub fan, win or lose. But it's easier when they win. Which they have actually been doing! They have reigned victorious for 7 of the last 10 games, with a winning streak of four in a row. I'm beginning to expect a happy outcome when I sit down to watch a game. How cool is that?

I just wish we weren't soon going to say goodbye to Ryan Dempster and maybe even Geovany Soto, two of my favorite players. It's almost as though the better they do, they sooner they will leave, and that makes me a little sad.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Movie Time Meme 
 

1. What is your all-time favorite costume? Natalie Wood in Splendor in the Grass. The outfit in her last scene provides the perfect visual coda. It's clean and white and fresh, befitting her escape from the drab, repressive surroundings that caused her so much pain.

2. What classic film would you nominate for a remake? The Americanization of Emily (1964). The way the Iraq war was marketed to us with embedded reporters (remember poor David Bloom of NBC?) makes me think this is a story that could powerfully be retold for modern times.
 
3. Name your favorite femme fatale. Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Though if she were here, I'm not sure she'd accept the title, saying, "I'm loud and I'm vulgar, and I wear the pants in the house because somebody's got to, but I am not a monster."

4. Name the best movie title. The Strange Loves of Martha Ivers. I've never seen the movie, but it's on TV a lot and I think, "Wow, that sounds like a trashy good time."

5. Describe the worst performance by a child actor that you’ve ever seen. Cammie King as Bonnie Blue Butler in GWTW. Didn't even have to give this one a moment's thought.

6. Who gets your vote for most tragic movie monster? Frankenstein.

7. What is the one Western that you would recommend to anybody? Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Because Newman and Redford are the coolest guys who ever lived.

8. Who is your ideal movie-viewing partner? For old movies? My mom.

9. Has a film ever made you want to change your life? If so, what was the film? The Way We Were. I often (still) find myself tamping down the truest part of my personality to fit in, and I (still) always hate myself for doing it. I believe this is the twenty-second time I've mentioned that movie in this blog ...
 
10. Think of one performer that you truly love. Now think of one scene/movie/performance of theirs that is too uncomfortable for you to watch. Judy Garland. Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938). I hate how she's the talented ("I sing, you know") but plain girl in contrast to Ann Rutherford and especially Lana Turner, because I have read how much those comparisons hurt her in real life.

11. On the flip side, think of one really good scene/performance/movie from a performer that you truly loathe. June Allyson in Little Women. I know, I know! She's not even really very good in that. 

12. What is your favorite romantic comedy? When Harry Met Sally. All the recent talk about Nora Ephron reminds me how completely credible those two characters and their romance were. 

13. What is your favorite drama? The Way We Were (Ding! Ding! #23)

14. Worst film you've seen? Town and Country. Starred Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, Garry Shandling and Warren Beatty. And it could not suck more. Staggeringly bad. Not even funny-bad. Just bad.

15. How do you feel about the majority of romantic films being labeled "chick flicks"? I don't think about it, one way or the other.

16. Favorite on-screen couple? Nick and Nora Charles -- William Powell and Myrna Loy -- from The Thin Man movies.

17. Favorite off-screen couple? Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward

18. Best kiss in a movie? William Hurt and Holly Hunter sneak out of the Correspondents Dinner in Broadcast News.

19. Favorite scene? "Boobies!" From Valley of the Dolls

 

20. Who are 2 film characters you wished had gotten together, but never did? Mary Poppins and Bert the Chimney Sweep. (Though I have my suspicions ...)

21. Two actors you think would have great chemistry, but have never done a film together? Jennifer Aniston and Hugh Grant

22. Favorite song in a film (doesn't have to be from a musical)? A Hard Day's Night

23. Best score from a film? Help!

24. Best film quote? "Leave the gun, take the cannoli." The Godfather.

25. A film you'd recommend that is a "Must See" for us to watch? A Hard Day's Night. It's not only very, very funny, the performance footage at the end makes a wonderful Beatlemania primer.

Observations on a 12 year old boy

I'm traveling with my nephew and wondering if I ever slept this soundly or was this consistently ravenous or this impervious to summer heat. He sleeps through anything, is always up for a "snack" (like a burger with fries) and refers to 94° and relentless sun as "not so bad."

Riding the rails

First thing tomorrow morning, my nephew and I are off to Springfield to visit Abe Lincoln. We're going to the President's Tomb, the Museum and Library, and his home. I think part of why my nephew chose this for his summer outing the allure of going far away (at least by his rather circumscribed standards) by Amtrak.

Visiting the President's Tomb is not as grim as it may sound. Legend has it if you rub his nose, you will enjoy good luck.

My poor Mom

She had to put her cat to sleep yesterday. Now, for the first time ever, she is completely alone in her house. She is bereft. I wish there was something I could do to help her, but there isn't.

Losing a pet is losing a friend. It's a journey to get through it. She's in my thoughts and prayers.

"It was Paterno who ruined Paterno"

There is objective evidence that the beloved Joe Pa knew about Sandusky and the child molestation since 1998. He apologized for, and ultimately helped pay off, a pedophile. There is nothing that Paterno accomplished in his sports career that can wash this away.

It's like saying, "But the Juice won the Heisman!"

I am a sports fan. I indulge in hero worship. But I cannot stomach this. And no one should.