The Return

I decided it's time to revive this blog. I could start fresh, but I always loved this concept. I never wanted a blog just about the musings of my belly button. I still attend many fab events, read books, and generally have opinions that mostly get heard by my friends after two cocktails. However, life has changed (again) and I need a new outlet.  So expect more pop culture, more discussions, and more of whatever I think is interesting. I'll see you out there!

Welcome to Miami!

Alright, I know some of my readers blanch when I say I love the Real Housewives franchises, but they are truly my guilty pleasure. I think I am already addicted to Miami and there's only been one episode. I just see a lot of potential for drama and RH craziness already! So here's some thoughts, broken down housewife by housewife:

Lea: So far, Lea is definitely my favorite. She's seems slightly off (Case in point: That creepy painting of her son) and has an infinity for collecting colorful people. I think the scene where she hugged Dennis Rodman told us LOADS about her. I can definitely relate to enjoying be surrounded by interesting people so Lea had me in the first ten minutes. She appears to cause some drama later by saying Marysol's fiance is marrying her for a green card and having several battles with Christy. Basically, I can't wait to see her get going.

Marysol: I like Marysol, despite her neurotic tendencies and her inflated lips that look like the result of a bee allergy. Of course, I also adore Elsa, Marysol's psychic mother. (Marysol looks normal compared to Elsa, who looks like a definite plastic surgery don't). Her relationship with a younger man seems like it's going to be playing a big role in the show.

Alexia: Alexia is cool, maybe wound a little tightly. She has caused controversy ALREADY with her comments about underage drinking and letting her teenage son party at night. I have to cop to the fact that I was drooling in my socks over Alexia's son Peter until I realized he was only 18! Anyway, she could be interesting, but she may also be the calm center in the show (there's always one). I can't decide.

Larsa: Larsa already seems to be a fan favorite. She definitely seems the most normal, with her children and her long marriage to Scottie Pippin. I like Larsa, and I'm already picturing her being the calm center/ peacemaker (more likely than Alexia).

Christy: Christy reminds me of several Latinas I've met here in Florida. She's sassy, brassy and lives life like a bull in a china shop. You'll either adore her or she'll annoy the hell out of you. I can't decide yet how I feel about her.

Adriana: If anyone will be the Danielle/Kelly/Camille of Miami, it will be Adriana. Things we already know about Adriana: 1) She'll do anything on a dare 2) She likes to be a spectacle (ie the catwalk and dancing at that bar with two guys) and 3) She has been unable to actually go through with her wedding with her fiance. This seems like a formula for crazy already!

I. Can. Not. Wait. Until. Next. Week!!!

Oscar Time!

Sunday is the Oscar awards, also a gay high holy day. While I can't say I've seen many movies this year, I have some thoughts to share:

1) I've only seen 2 of the movies nominated, but I can't imagine any of the movies nominated were as good as The King's Speech. Awesome cinema experience, go see it if you have not! I hope it gets Best Picture and Colin Firth gets Best Actor.

2) I really hope I get to see The Kids Are Alright, 127 Hours and The Social Network (I know, I know, I think I'm the last person not to see it!)

3) Natalie Portman definitely deserves the Oscar for Black Swan. Crazy movie, but wonderful as well.

4) Toy Story 3? Really? Ok.

5) Anne Hathaway and James Franco were a great idea as co-hosts. James is rather amazing (*sigh*) and Anne is always funny in interviews. They will also bring in a younger crowd.

Some Oscar trivia:

*The Oscar statue costs about $500 to make and weighs about 8.5 pounds.

*The youngest person to ever win an Oscar was Tatum O'Neal at the age of 10 for Paper Moon. The oldest person to ever win was Jessica Tandy at 81 for Driving Miss Daisy.

*Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American to win an Oscar. She had to sit in a segregated section of the theater.

*Only one family has produced three generations of Oscar winners: The Hustons (Walter, John, and Anjelica).

*The person with the most Oscar nominations is Walt Disney, with 59.

*Cary Grant was never nominated for an Oscar. He was given an honorary one for his body of work later in life.

What Teachers Make

Sorry for the long silence from me. Life has been crazy lately, but one of my goals for 2011 is to revive my poor neglected blog. I had to post this video from Taylor Mali. While I've never been a huge slam poetry fan, Mali really is a genius.Many of his poems are about teaching and being a teacher! Enjoy!

Howling

Right off the bat, I want to say I am a huge Ginsberg fan. I've read Howl and Other Poems several times, as well as Kaddish. I also read some of his latter, not as popular poems, as well as a biography. Like many young gay boys, reading Ginsberg was a revelation for me.

Most movies about writers and writing are never actually about the writing itself. They focus on the writer's life, including lovers, friends, and possibly what drove them to write/ be crazy/ whatever salacious details are available.

Howl is not like that. Much of the movie is the author reciting "Howl" as animation illuminates the poem. This is intercut between three different scenes: Allen Ginsburg reciting the poem at a bar, Ginsburg being interviewed about the poem, and the trial against City Light Books for publishing "pornography." The movie jumped around a lot, but was the pace wasn't too much that I could not keep up.

James Franco continues to impress me as an actor. Even though I like Franco, I was hesitant when I heard he was playing Ginsburg. However, James had obviously studied Ginsberg's mannerisms and the way he spoke intensely. His portrayal was really seamless.

My biggest issue with the film was minor to the film but major to Ginsberg's life. The movie portrays him as having a very loving relationship with Peter Orvolsky. While they were together a long time, they actually had a very tumultuous open relationship. But as one of my friends pointed out, it made an nice arc for the movie. I also feel like some of the animation moved rather quickly and I didn't get the full effect. It might be better having sat through multiple viewings.

Great movie, definitely worth the trip to the theater. 4 and half stars.

Actually Love...

I always feel a little odd telling people that Love Actually is one of my favorite Christmas movies. As Christmas movies go, it's a non-traditional one. No one tries to save Christmas. Santa Claus is not a main player in the movie. No one finds out what life would be like if they had never been born. In fact, Christmas is more of a backdrop to the movie.

However, here are the reasons I find it to be an enduring classic. Let me just say this first: for the most part, my friends are not religious. In fact, I have many friends who consider themselves atheists/ agnostics. However, all my friends celebrate Christmas in some form. While that might sound odd to many people, I really don't think of it that way. As a good friend of mine recently told me, "What other time of the year do we celebrate the best things about being human?"

The movie weaves several stories together of people's lives around Christmas. The stories are almost too numerous to mention; however, all of the storylines form around a relationship. There are many well-known actors as well: Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, just to name a few.

For me, Christmas has always been about love. Love for the people in your life, love for mankind, the love of just being alive. Love Actually captures that more so than any other Christmas movie I've ever seen. The movie shows love in many forms: old love, new love, platonic love, sexual love, even unrequited love. None of it is easy or simple. I tend to enjoy movies more that show love as a complicated endeavor, instead of the overwrought fairy tale of many rom coms.

Love this movie, love this movie! Grab someone you love and watch it (again) this holiday season!

Oprah isn't the only one with favorite things...

Been on a bit of a holiday hiatus but I'm officially back! This week, Oprah brought out her favorite things. I am not really a Oprah fan, but I thought it would a good time to unveil MY favorite things in time for the holidays! This is what I am looking forward to this holiday season:

1) Me by Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin has always been a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. He's hot, Latin, and has great music. I am definitely curious to read his autobiography and found out what makes him tick.

2) Pink Martini Joy to the World
Pink Martini's music is so light and great, of course they had to make a holiday album. I'm looking forward to hearing this. As if it couldn't get any better, Ari Shapiro sings on several tracks!

3) The Complete Golden Girls 25th Anniversary Set
I won't lie, it's all about getting Sophia's purse! (The box set comes in a bamboo purse a la Sophia Petrillo).

4) Howl
I love Allen Ginsberg. I love James Franco. I was a little concerned that these two great tastes would not go great together, but the previews look good! I have to see it in the theater.

5) Beaujolais Nouveau
Technically, wine is not usually a culture I discuss on this blog. However, I always look forward to the arrival of the beaujolais nouveau wine that is usually only available between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will be drinking a glass with my Thanksgiving turkey!

Enjoy your holiday!