Go Tina!

I'm not a Hillary Clinton supporter, but I do think that Tina Fey is hysterically funny. Check out her return to the Weekend Update desk.

The 80th Annual Academy Awards, Pt. 3

The best speech of the night almost didn't happen. I'm not sure if it was Jon Stewart's idea or the producers of the show, but I thought it was a wonderful idea to have Marketa Irglova come back after the commercial break to give her interrupted speech. She talked about the spirit of the independent artists and songwriters. I must see Once. I read about it a few months ago in a blurb in the NY Times, but I haven't really been actively seeing movies in the past few months. The gals and I did see There Will Be Blood last night. Daniel Day-Lewis definitely deserved the Oscar for his performance.

Why, Ralph, Why?

Ralph Nader entered the 2008 Presidential Race. Why? I recently watched a documentary on PBS about his last two campaigns for office. I think it explains it all.

The 80th Annual Academy Awards, Pt. 2

The first big award of the evening goes to Javier Bardem. I have not seen the movie, so I will reserve judgment on the selection. But he gave a very nice speech, and he brought his mom to the award ceremony. Isn't that cute?

And the first shocker of the evening is Tilda Swinton winning Best Supporting Actress for Michael Clayton. She also called George Clooney out on the nippled Batman suit. Classic!

The 80th Annual Academy Awards, Pt. 1

So far so good. Jon Stewart is doing a great job. Who else would have the guts to say Gadolf Titler on live television with millions of people watching?

The first award of the evening goes to the costume designer for Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Her name escapes me, but I think she did a fantastic job. I saw the movie on the flight to Sonoma last weekend, so it wasn't exactly a quality screening, but I could definitely tell that the costumes were fantastic.

The second award (and don't worry, I won't do this all evening) was won by Brad Bird for Ratatouille. I didn't see the movie, but I will put it on my Netflix list.

A Lighter Note

Sometimes I get the impression that our friends in the Northeast do not appreciate Midwesterns, and often think that we are backwater hicks, incapable of any culture.  The illustrious New York Times highlights the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra's recent visit to Carnegie Hall. 

A prayer

I guess this blog is good for something. It gives me an outlet for random thoughts or to let out feelings that I wouldn't ordinarily talk about in company.  Tonight, I found out that the son of one of my co-workers took his own life.  The boy was in middle school.  I didn't know him, but I work with his dad every day.  His dad is such a sweet and giving person that I can only assume that his son was the same.  I found out about two hours ago, but my mind is still reeling.  I found out from his boss, who I also work with daily.  His boss, who usually is very wordy, was at a loss for words.  I am just as shocked.  I tried to bury myself in shows I recorded on my DVR. I tried to meditate and clear my mind.  But I can't.  I trace back to those days in junior high/middle school that were so unbearable and I wonder how I got through it.  Why didn't I succumb to the melancholy and depression that consumed my classmates, and that obviously consumed this boy enough to take his life.  I don't know any of the circumstances, but I know that his mom and dad are suffering so much, trying to figure out the answers.  But, I think there are no answers, only questions.  The questions that will haunt his parents forever. 

So, I ask you to close your eyes and to say a prayer for a lost soul.   

Sonoma

I want to move to Sonoma.  

Buzz kill

I had a grand old time in Sonoma with Pam and the gals. It was such a great weekend and what a pain that I have to wait at O'Hare. My San Francisco flight landed at 7:45 p.m. and my St. Louis flight was supposed to leave at 9:45 p.m. Well, it's 10:04 and I'm obviously not on the plane. We are waiting for O'Hare Air Traffic Control to give us the go to board. Our tentative departure time is 11:05 p.m. This situation just reinforces my belief that you should avoid connections at O'Hare if at all possible.

UPDATE: My flight is now leaving at 11:20 p.m. Arg!

Jewelry

Part of the bachelorette revelry is selecting the jewelry for the wedding. Jennifer Boston, who is participating in the Thai portion of Pam's wedding, also designs jewelry. Check out her site -- Jewelry by Jennifer.