Paris 2010

Paris 2010
Garden at Versailles

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Good Quote

Here is a great quote from The Sopranos, one of my favorite TV shows of all time -

"They say every day is a gift.  But why does it have to be a pair of socks?" - Tony Soprano



Tony & Carmela Soprano

Rest in Peace Nora Ephron - gone too soon...

Legendary screenwriter and director Nora Ephron died of acute myeloid leukemia and pneumonia on 6/26/12 at the age of 71.  I was shocked and saddened to hear this news.  Nora earned three Oscar nominations for writing the screenplays for "Silkwood," "Sleepless in Seattle," and my personal favorite "When Harry Met Sally..." from 1989.  I always list "When Harry Met Sally..." as one of my favorite films of all time.  I also read several of her books including Heartburn and I Feel Bad About My Neck: and Other Thoughts on Being a Woman.  Nora directed eight movies including "Sleepless in Seattle," You've Got Mail," and "Julie and Julia." 

Here are the thoughts of Rob Reiner, who directed "When Harry Met Sally..." -

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/27/rob-reiner-remembers-nora-ephron-the-sally-to-his-harry.html

And here is an article from the Huffington Post which includes videos and quotes from people who knew and worked with Nora -

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/26/nora-ephron-dead-dies-age-71_n_1627757.html

Nora Ephron married her third husband, the author Nicholas Pileggi in 1987.  He wrote Wiseguy, one of my favorite books which was made into the classic movie "Goodfellas."  Nora had two sons Jacob and Max Bernstein with her second husband Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein. 

I love this quote of hers - "Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim."  Nora Ephron will be truly missed.




Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The future for Peggy on Mad Men

I just read an interview where Elisabeth Moss who plays Peggy on Mad Men discusses season 5 and whether Peggy will be on the show next season.  Of course, she won't give anything away...

http://www.gq.com/entertainment/tv/blogs/the-stream/2012/06/elisabeth-moss-talks-about-the-mad-men-finale-and-looks-forward-to-season-6.html




Sunday, June 24, 2012

Woody Allen's new film

I just read a good review of Woody Allen's new movie "To Rome with Love."  Here is an article about it -

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-woody-allen-rome-love-20120624,0,85973.story

Of course my favorite Woody Allen film has got to be "Annie Hall" from 1977.  It's one of the few comedies to win a Best Picture Oscar and Diane Keaton also won Best Actress.  Woody also won the Oscar for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay (with Marshall Brickman).  If you've never seen this classic romantic comedy, do yourself a favor and check it out.




Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Possible movie for Jon Hamm

I just read in www.showbiz411.com that Jon Hamm is being considered for a role in the next Larry David movie.  Here is the article -

"Exclusive: Jon Hamm has proved himself so adept at comedy on “30 Rock” and “Saturday Night Live” that it’s about to pay off in movies. I’m told that Hamm is about to sign on to play Larry David’s nemesis in the still being worked out improv film David is set to shoot this fall. The film, without a title, will star David as a Larry David like character–but with a different name. He’ll get into the same kind of situations as Larry David on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Greg Mottola is directing, and the “script-ment”–a script-slash-treatment–is being worked up by David and his “Curb” and “Seinfeld” writers. Fox Searchlight will distribute. All of this is still in the planning stages, which means it will be some time before we see another season of “Curb” on HBO. But Don Draper as Larry’s sparring partner could be very funny. Hamm’s recent turn on the live version of “30 Rock” showed that he’s capable of a lot more than smoking and brooding."

I am a big fan of Larry David and would love to see him in a movie with Jon Hamm.  Let's hope this works out!  Jon deserves success on the big screen.




Friday, June 15, 2012

Mad Men Finale discussion

I just read a great summary of the finale of Mad Men and several other key episodes this season.  Here it is -

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/10/mad-men-finale-and-video-of-best-season-5-moments.html

I am definitely going through severe Mad Men withdrawal!  Can't wait for season 6, whenever that might be.




Thursday, June 14, 2012

Dreaming of Paris...

I was thinking about our trip to Paris in 2010 and wishing we could go again.  I happened to find this blog post on Gwyneth Paltrow's blog Goop where she talks about a trip to Paris that she took with her father.  The post includes places to eat and places to stay.  I'm not sure we could afford to stay at The Ritz but I can dream can't I? I would also love to stay at the Plaza.

I would love to return to London again someday as well.  I really enjoyed our time there.


http://goop.com/newsletter/23/?utm_source=Goop+Newsletter&utm_campaign=554390499f-Goop_Newsletter_182_06_14_2012&utm_medium=email



The Plaza Athenee


Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Vincent Kartheiser interview

I just read a great interview with Vincent Kartheiser who plays Pete Campbell on Mad Men.  It's full of interesting little tidbits such as the fact that Vincent shaved his hairline back this season.  Pete is one of my favorite characters on the show.

Enjoy -

http://www.vulture.com/2012/06/mad-mens-vincent-kartheiser-on-petes-hairline.html?mid=agenda--20120613


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

He only lives twice..

At the end of the season finale of Mad Men on June 10th, the theme song from You Only Live Twice was played.  The classic James Bond film starring Sean Connery, came out in 1967 which is when the episode took place.  It's a great song by Nancy Sinatra and fits Don Draper perfectly since he lived two lives (as Draper and Dick Whitman).

Hope you enjoy it -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgFtQPgHyek&feature=colike

You Only Live Twice or so it seems,
One life for yourself and one for your dreams.
You drift through the years and life seems tame,
Till one dream appears and love is its name.

And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on,
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone.

This dream is for you, so pay the price.
Make one dream come true, you only live twice.

And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on,
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone.



Scene from season 5 finale




Sunday, June 10, 2012

Mad Men Season Finale


The season five finale of Mad Men airs tonight on AMC.  Here is an article that summarizes the season - it's full of spoilers so don't read if you plan to watch the series when it comes out on DVD.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/10/mad-men-finale-and-video-of-best-season-5-moments.html




Friday, June 8, 2012

When a Woman Loves a Man

One of my favorite movies is Bull Durham starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.  This romantic comedy from 1988 is about a fan who has an affair with a minor league baseball player each season.  This time she can't decide between the experienced catcher (Costner) and the up-and-coming new pitcher (Robbins).  The song "When a Woman Loves a Man" is by Joe Cocker and plays at the end of the movie.  Hope you like it as much as I do -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl6-vonIlpw&feature=colike



A Major League Love Story in a Minor League Town


Wednesday, June 6, 2012

I just started reading...

the hot book everyone is talking about - yes, Fifty Shades of Grey!  I'm only on page 88 so I don't have much to say about it yet. 

Here is the description of the book from goodreads.com -

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.


Hmmm, sounds intriguing... I'm already thinking of who I would cast in the movie version.  Unfortunately, Jon Hamm is probably too old to play Christian but how about Michael Fassbender (or is he too old too?)  Maybe Robert Pattison from the Twilight series or perhaps Ryan Gosling?  Alexander Skarsgard might be good but I think I'll stick with Michael Fassbender (if you have seen his nude scene in Shame you'll know why!)  I haven't decided who I'd like to see play Ana yet.  I'll keep you posted as I get further into the book.  I took a look at the reviews on goodreads and they are really all over the place.  It seems to be a love it or hate it type of book.  We'll see...



Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Quote of the Day

Today's quote is from Desiderata: A Poem for a Way of Life by Max Ehrmann -

“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.


If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.


Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.


Strive to be happy.”  


Desiderata is Latin for "things desired as essential" and this poem was written in 1927.  It is timeless and beautiful.



Sunday, June 3, 2012

Rita Hayworth is Stayin' Alive

My friend Sue just sent me this great clip from YouTube where someone spliced dance routines of Rita Hayworth in sync with the Bee Gee's classic song "Stayin' Alive" from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.  Saturday Night Fever is one of my favorite movies.  Some clever person did an outstanding job putting old movie clips together with the music.  I thought it was a nice tribute to the memory of Bee Gee Robin Gibb who passed away on May 20, 2012 of cancer at the age of 62. 

Enjoy -

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=mz3CPzdCDws


Friday, June 1, 2012

Seinfeld news

As you know I am a huge Seinfeld fan (see earlier posts) so whenever I hear that Jerry will be making an appearance somewhere I make a note of it.  I just read today that he will guest star on the FX show Louis starring the comedian Louis CK.  I am not a regular viewer of this show although I have seen it a few times.  The following article doesn't say when Seinfeld will appear but the show begins it's third season on June 28th -

http://www.hollywood.com/news/Jerry_Seinfeld_Guest_Star_on_Louie_Season_3_EXCLUSIVE/29273620

Garden

Garden
Versailles

The Louvre

The Louvre
Paris

Paris

Paris
The Seine

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe
Paris

Paris in May

Paris in May
Paris

The Louvre

The Louvre
Paris

Chihuly glass sculpture

Chihuly glass sculpture
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Monet's Water Lilies

Monet's Water Lilies
Orangerie Museum, Paris

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey
London

Bruges

Bruges
View from our hotel window

Amsterdam

Amsterdam
canal

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe
Paris

Lilacs in London

Lilacs in London
St. Paul's Cathedral

The Royal Guard

The Royal Guard
London

Music man

Music man
Bruges

Joy at the Palace

Joy at the Palace
London

Guard

Guard
Tower of London

Jackson in Bruges

Jackson in Bruges
Belgium

Canal bridge

Canal bridge
Amsterdam

Houseboat

Houseboat
Amsterdam

British police

British police
London

Oscar Wilde's Grave

Oscar Wilde's Grave
Paris

Rhododendrons in the park

Rhododendrons in the park
Amsterdam

Versailles

Versailles
Joy in the palace

Winter scene

Winter scene
wow!

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year
dragon

Sweet peas

Sweet peas
love 'em

Pretty bouquet

Pretty bouquet

Princess Diana Fountain

Princess Diana Fountain
Hyde Park

Gardens

Gardens
Versailles

End of summer daisies

End of summer daisies
Our yard

Cool art

Cool art
Tate Modern, London

Penguin party

Penguin party
penguins

Pretty kitty

Pretty kitty
My sister's cat

Jon Hamm

Jon Hamm
Is he a great looking guy or what?

Mad about Don

Mad about Don
Mad Men

Love Monk!!

Love Monk!!
Love To Tony

January and Jon

January and Jon
Beautiful people

Jon and January

Jon and January
Mad Men actors

Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa
The Louvre

Royal Crescent

Royal Crescent
Bath

British phone booth

British phone booth
London

Harrod's Department Store

Harrod's Department Store
London

Versailles

Versailles
bedroom

Trafalger Square

Trafalger Square
London

Tower of London

Tower of London
London

Seattle Public Library

Seattle Public Library
Seattle

Lavender

Lavender

Lighthouse

Lighthouse

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas
beautiful

Coffee love

Coffee love
yummy