Sterling's Gold

I recently read a fun book for Mad Men fans called Sterling's Gold: Wit and Wisdom of an Ad Man. This is a very quick read since there are only a few lines (Roger's quips from Mad Men) on each page. Some of his lines are quite memorable and I enjoyed reading them especially since the show isn't on the air right now.

Here are some of my favorite lines -

"I told him to be himself. That was pretty mean I guess."

"Like the song says, "Enjoy Yourself, It's Later Than You Think."

"Not to get too deep before the cocktail hour, but do I need to remind you of the finite nature of life?"

This book will probably only appeal to fans of the show. You have to imagine the way the actor delivers these lines.

John Slattery as Roger Sterling

 

Another great book - Defending Jacob

I read a very compelling book in about four days called Defending Jacob by William Landay. It's been quite awhile since I read a legal thriller and this one is an excellent return to the genre for me. I hesitate to use the phrase page turner again but that is truly apt here. There are quite a few twists and turns to the story and it kept me guessing until the end. William Landay belongs in the pantheon of powerful lawyer turned authors such as Scott Turow and John Grisham. You will not be disappointed by this book.

 

 

Mad River

I recently read a very good book called Mad River by John Sandford. This is the sixth book in the Virgil Flowers series. It was the first Virgil Flowers book I've read (I don't have a problem reading a series out of order) and I now plan to read more in the series. This was a real page turner. I couldn't wait to see how it was going to end. I think they should turn this series into a TV show. I know I'd watch it!           

Parenthetically, the author John Sandford was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa which is near my hometown. He and his late wife, Susan, attended the University of Iowa which is my alma mater. Sadly, Susan died of breast cancer in 2007. 

If you enjoy detective stories, I highly recommend Mad River.

I am currently reading another great book called Defending Jacob by William Landay. It's a legal thriller and I can't wait to see how it ends!

 

 

Read!

A friend of mine posted this  -


Here's hoping we can improve those statistics!

The Cuckoo's Calling

I recently read a wonderful book by Robert Galbraith called The Cuckoo's Calling. In a word, I thought this book was brilliant! I liked it even better than The Casual Vacancy which was also written by J.K. Rowling (Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym). This is a detective story about the death of British supermodel Lula Landry, nicknamed Cuckoo, which may or may not have been a suicide. Her brother John has hired down on his luck detective Cormoran Strike to prove that Lula did not commit suicide. I loved Cormoran and his temporary secretary Robin and am thrilled that this is the first in a series. I can also see it as a movie - Hollywood take note!  Since I enjoy crime fiction and also love novels that are set in London, this book was right up my street! It's a very well written and compelling book and I highly recommend it.

Check out www.robert-galbraith.com for answers to frequently asked questions such as:

1) Why the author chose to write a crime novel and why she used a pseudonym:

"I’ve always loved reading detective fiction. Most of the Harry Potter stories are whodunits at heart (‘Order of the Phoenix’ is more of a why-did-he), but I’ve wanted to try the real thing for a long time.
As for the pseudonym, I was yearning to go back to the beginning of a writing career in this new genre, to work without hype or expectation and to receive totally unvarnished feedback. It was a fantastic experience and I only wish it could have gone on a little longer."

2) Where the title comes from:

"The title is taken from the mournful poem by Christina Rossetti called, simply, A Dirge, which is a lament for one who died too young. The title also contains a subtle reference to another aspect of the plot, but as I can’t explain what it is without ruining the story, I’ll let readers work that one out."

3) Why the novel was set in London:

"Both my parents were Londoners and I spent a lot of time there during my childhood and teens, visiting relatives. I lived there in my twenties and still love the place. You could write about London all your life and not exhaust the plots, settings or history."

Twitter Update

In a previous post, I talked about how much I enjoy Twitter. At the time, my account was protected and you had to ask to follow me. I have since changed that and now anyone can follow me without having to ask. If you are interested, you can find me at Joy@joyfulng when you log on to www.twitter.com. Hope to see you there!

The Tao of Martha: My Year of LIVING; Or, Why I'm Never Why I'm Never Getting All that Glitter off of the Dog

I read Jen Lancaster's book The Tao of Martha: My Year of LIVING; Or, Why I'm Never Why I'm Never Getting All that Glitter off of the Dog recently and really enjoyed it. I've read several of her books and she is very funny. This one is also touching (I won't give away the reason why).

In this book she decided to devote a year of her life to living like Martha Stewart. The most important lesson she learned (or as she puts it - the Tao of Martha) is "the only way to fail is not to try." Words to live by!  Whenever I read Jen Lancaster's books, I come away feeling like she would be a fun friend. If you are looking for a quick, entertaining read, you can't go wrong with this one.

I'm currently in the middle of The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (the pseudonym for J.K. Rowling). It's really excellent and I'm sure I'll have more to say about it when I've finished reading it. Stay tuned!

         

  

Difficult Men: Behind the Creative Revolution: From The Sopranos and The Wire to Mad Men and Breaking Bad

I just finished reading Difficult Men: Behind the Creative Revolution: From The Sopranos and The Wire to Mad Men and Breaking Bad by Brett Martin. I am a huge fan of The Sopranos and Mad Men so naturally I was happy to see another book that covers both shows (I had recently read The Revolution Was Televised: The Cops, Crooks, Slingers and Slayers Who Changed TV Drama Forever by Alan Sepinwall). This book covers The Sopranos in more detail since Brett Martin wrote a companion book for the series and had interviewed David Chase quite a bit. The Sopranos was the start of a new type of TV drama with anti-hero's like Tony Soprano and later Don Draper, and the men who created them.

This book also covers The Wire in great detail as well as The Shield and Sex Feet Under. It's interesting to me that all the creators and showrunners of these shows are men and they are full of neuroses that contributed to their success. He paints an especially unflattering picture of Matt Weiner. And David Chase doesn't fare much better. But he does point out how "ridiculously good-looking" Jon Hamm is!

It saddened me to read how tortured James Gandolfini was, in light of his recent passing. It's also interesting that no female actress has been given the lead in a one hour show (see Weeds, Nurse Jackie and Girls which are all 30 minutes). In the early days of AMC, it was described as the place "where mediocrity came to die." Of course, the incredible success of Mad Men lead to Breaking Bad which is the last show covered in this book.

This book is very well written and researched but should probably be read by those who have already watched the shows it covers since it contains many spoilers. I really enjoyed it but I'm a sucker for inside TV books like this! 

Books, you can never have just one!

         

This is sweet -

 

 

A Disappointing Book

I recently read Ali in Wonderland: And Other Tall Tales by Ali Wentworth.  As an avid Seinfeld fan, I knew Ali Wentworth as Schmoopie in the well known "Soup Nazi" episode. Parenthetically, I might add that following foot surgery in 2004, I felt compelled to tell the nurses and my podiatrist the plot of the episode since I had seen it the night before. Who knows what kind of anesthesia they used but it was a doozy! Ali also appears in the hilarious, classic cult film, "Office Space." So I was expecting her book to be very funny, especially since Jerry Seinfeld himself is quoted as saying, "Everything that comes out of Ali Wentworth's mouth is funny!" on the book jacket.

Sadly, I found her book to be mildly amusing at best. I don't think I've ever been so mislead by the comments on a book jacket, which includes raves by Gwyneth Paltrow and Chelsea Handler. I didn't laugh out loud once and basically just kept reading with the hope that it would suddenly become funny, not because I was enjoying it. I'm glad I got it from the library and didn't shell out any money for it.

Double Take

I just finished a good book called Double Take by Catherine Coulter. I bought this paperback at the library for 50 cents! Somebody donated it but it looks like new. :-)

I really enjoyed this thriller. First of all, parts of it take place in San Francisco (one of my favorite places to visit) and it was fast paced and full of interesting characters. Catherine Coulter has written a series of books with FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock as the main characters and this is number 11. Having read and enjoyed Double Take, I now want to go back and read more in the series. I wonder if any of them have been made into movies as they are full of action and would be exciting to a viewer as well.

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

"It's been more than six months since her husband's brutal death, and Julia Ransom is just beginning to breathe again. She loved her husband, renowned psychic August Ransom, but the media frenzy that followed his murder sapped what little strength she had left. Now, after dinner with friends, strolling along San Francisco's Pier 39, she realizes that she's happy. Standing at the railing, she savors the sounds around her-tourists, seals on a barge-and for a moment enjoys the sheer normalcy of it all. And then it comes to an end.

Out of nowhere she's approached by a respectable-looking man who distracts her with conversation before violently attacking her and throwing her the railing. If it hadn't been for Special Agent Cheney Stone, out to stretch his legs between courses at a local restaurant, Julia would have vanished into the bay's murky depths. Not only does he save her from a watery grave, but he senses a connection between her assault and her husband's death, and sets out to serve as her protector while reopening August Ransom's murder investigation.

Meanwhile, in Maestro, Virginia, Sheriff Dixon Noble-last seen in Point Blank-still mourns his wife, Christie, who vanished three years earlier. His life, too, is just getting back to normal when he learns of a San Francisco woman named Charlotte Pallack, whose shocking resemblance to Christie sends Dix across the country. Though he knows in his heart that she can't possibly be his wife, Dix is compelled to see her with his own eyes. Once in San Francisco, Dix and Cheney's paths inevitably cross. With the help of agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock, whose San Francisco connections prove essential in unlocking the mystery behind Charlotte Pallack's identity as well as the forces behind Julia Ransom's attempted murder, Sheriff Noble and Agent Stone push deep into a complex world of psychics and poseurs. As the stakes and the body count rise, Savich, Sherlock, Dix, and Cheney fight for answers-and their lives."

If this sounds like your kind of book, I highly recommend it. I have set a goal for myself to read 54 books this year and so far I've only read 20. I'd better get busy!

Book love

 

Happy 4th of July!

Hope everyone enjoys our nation's birthday today. It also happens to be my sweet husband's birthday as well. He is lucky enough to be born on a holiday so he always has the day off from work.

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Fun on Twitter

I've been having a good time on Twitter since I joined awhile ago. I've actually learned a lot about current events there. I first read about the death of the late, great James Gandolfini on Twitter. At first I thought it had to be a hoax but unfortunately it was true.

I think Twitter is a great place for people with similar interests to connect. I have made quite a few connections with other Mad Men addicts or "Maddicts" as true fans have come to be known.

If you would like to follow me on Twitter, I am Joy@joyfulng on www.twitter.com. Currently, my account is in protected status so you have to request to follow me. You can participate as little or as much as you would like. Hope to see you there!

Rest in Peace James Gandolfini

I was shocked and saddened yesterday when I heard the news that James Gandolfini had suddenly died in Italy at the age of 51.  If you look back at this blog, you'll see I have several posts about how much I loved "The Sopranos."  I've seen every season on DVD and also watched it on A&E even though it was edited for network TV. I don't think you'll find a bigger fan of the show or of James Gandolfini. I looked for his movies when they came out after the series ended in 2007.

Ironically, I had just picked up a movie of his from last year called "Down the Shore." It takes place on the Jersey shore and concerns Gandolfini's character's sister who had died in Paris. It's another wonderful performance by Mr. Gandolfini. I watched it last night as a tribute to him. 

I just recently had a chance to see two episodes of "The Sopranos" on HBO and they were two of the best. When Carmela told Tony that she didn't love him anymore, the look in Tony's sad eyes was heartbreaking.

My thoughts and prayers go out to James Gandolfini's wife and children and the rest of his family and friends. He is an actor I will truly never forget.

Here is one of my favorite scenes from the show -

 http://youtu.be/uMhop8-gAPU

And here is the last scene from the series when everything fades to black. Focus on the good times -

http://youtu.be/rnT7nYbCSvM

Tony and Carmela Soprano

A Walk in the Park

I recently read a great book called A Walk in the Park by British author Jill Mansell. This is the second book of hers that I have read; the first was To the Moon and Back. I enjoyed that one but I loved A Walk in the Park and recommended it highly to my friends at www.goodreads.com. One of the reasons I liked it so much was that it takes place in Bath, England and I have been there.

Here is the description from www.goodreads.com -

It's been a while, but Lara Carson's back in Bath and lives are set to change as a result. Because Lara left her family and boyfriend Flynn eighteen years ago without a word to anyone. Why has no one heard from her since? Her childhood best friend Evie is thrilled Lara's back and able to share her happiness. Evie's about to walk down the aisle with her dream man, Joel. Or so she thinks... Then there's Flynn Erskine, even more attractive now and stunned to see Lara again. The spark between them is as strong as ever, but how's Flynn going to react when he discovers the secret she's been keeping from him? Oh yes, there's a lot of catching up to be done.

If you enjoy British chick lit, you will love this book!

Bath, England

Happy Mother's Day!

God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.

- Rudyard Kipling

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have followed me all my life.

- Abraham Lincoln

 

 

 

The Silver Linings Playbook

I loved this book!  I liked that it has a positive message - believing in silver linings is to remind you to keep on trying.  The old saying that every cloud has a silver lining is what the main character Pat, is counting on in his life now that he is back home living with his parents. I don't want to write too much about the story since I don't want to give away any key plot points.  But I will just say that there is a happy ending for Pat and Tiffany who are both damaged people.  Do yourself a favor and read this one!  I can't wait to see the movie.  The DVD will be out on April 30th.

Here is a link to the Bonnie Tyler song that is featured in the book -

http://youtu.be/ykexpgHrTkI

I highly recommend The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick.

 

 

Limericks

The Eagle Harbor Book Co. in the Seattle area held a limerick contest recently.  Here are some of the winners.  Enjoy -

"There was a rich hippie named Julie,
Whose Range Rover smelled like patchouli,
Each day, just for fun
She smoked weed by the ton
With a bong blown by Dale Chihuly."

- Brandon Matsen, Seattle

"To the city we'll go to make merry
After dinner o'er drinks we will tarry.
Alas, with a shout
We pay and rush out
If we run we will catch the last ferry."

- Mary Jensen, Bainbridge Island

"On the 5:30 boat in the quiet zone
A passenger answered his cellphone.
The others gathered en masse
Picked him up by his a...
Crying,"man overboard with his ring tone!"

- Robin Simons (no address given)

"Said Romeo on Bainbridge, "Don't tarry!
"Leave Seattle so that we can marry."
But his Juliette said,
"I'd rather be dead
"Than to have to get on that damn ferry."

- Eva Moon, Redmond

 

 

Do You Worry?

Here is a "Worry Table" I have been saving for a long time.  I thought you might like it too.

                                 Things We Worry About


Things that never happen....                                                      40%
Things that can't be changed by
all the worry in the world...                                                         35%

Things that turn out better than expected...                            15%

Petty, useless worries...                                                               8%

Legitimate worries...                                                                     2%
                                                                                                    100%

Upshot: It's 50 to 1 against the worry being a real cause for concern.

Source: Anonymous

Does that make you feel better? Now if only I can remember this the next time I worry!

Happy Easter a few days late...

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter this year.  It was a sunny and warm Easter Sunday here with no rain. 

Here are some winners of the annual Peeps contest that the Seattle Times has every year.  They are so clever and imaginative!

Enjoy!

Peeps de Resistance



 

Seattle Public Library


 

Van Peeps



 

A Peep at Today's Top Stories

 

The first prize winner

One of my favorites

 

The Best of Jon Hamm

I found this online this morning and had to share!  Hope you enjoy the "Top Ten Jon Hamm Moments!"

http://youtu.be/T5UJCvBzI8Y

Roger Sterling and Don Draper

 

The Joy of Books

Hope you enjoy this video about the joy of books as much as I did!

http://youtu.be/SKVcQnyEIT8



And here are some new photos from AMC to remind you that Mad Men starts soon -

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some Jokes for Sunday

As two caterpillars were crawling along, a butterfly flew overhead.
One turned to the other and said, "You'll never get me up in one of those things!"

What do firemen put in their soup?
Fire crackers!

Why did the cookie go to the doctor?
Because it was feeling crummy.

What did the duck say when he bought lipstick?
Put it on my bill.

 

Quotes and Stuff

Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed.
Abraham Lincoln

I often quote myself. I find it adds spice to the conversation.

George Bernard Shaw

 

Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invaribly they are both disappointed.

Albert Einstein

 

It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly.

Isaac Asimov

___________________________________________________________________

A couple of jokes -

Question: Why is it unpleasant to eat a meal next to a group of basketball players?
Answer: They dribble far too much.


Question: What would you have if you crossed a panther with a beef burger?
Answer: Really fast food.

Don't forget to watch!!

 

 

Lawyer Jokes

How many personal injury attorneys does it take to change a light bulb?
How many can you afford?
Three - one to turn the bulb, one to shake him off the ladder, and the third to sue the ladder company.

What's the difference between a good lawyer and a great lawyer?           
A good lawyer knows the law. A great lawyer knows the judge.

What's the difference between an attorney and a pit bull?         
Jewelry.

How does an attorney sleep?
First he lies on one side, and then on the other. 
             

How do you get a group of personal injury lawyers to smile for a picture?
Just say "Fees!" 
            

"You seem to be in some distress," said the kindly judge to the witness. "Is anything the matter?"
"Well, your Honor," said the witness, "I swore to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but every time I try, some lawyer objects." 
            

A new client had just come in to see a famous lawyer.
"Can you tell me how much you charge?", said the client.
"Of course", the lawyer replied, "I charge $200 to answer three questions!"
"Well that's a bit steep, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is", said the lawyer, "And what's your third question?"

 

6. Take a lawyer to lunch!

 

 

Quotes for Today

Better to slip with your feet than with your tongue.
- Unknown

He, who every morning plans the transactions of the day, and follows that plan carries a thread that will guide him through a labyrinth of the most busy life.
- Victor Hugo

May your light become a living universal light.
- Unknown

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.
- William Shakespeare

Barbados
 

Tweet!

I have found that Twitter is surprisingly fun and highly addictive!  I'm enjoying it very much.  My tweets are protected (which means you have to ask to follow me) but if you'd like to, ask away!  You can find me at @joyfulng on www.twitter.com.

By the way, today is Jon Hamm's 42nd birthday!  Hope it was a good one!  I can't wait for the next season of Mad Men to start next month. 



More Good Quotes

Here are a few quotes I like -

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.
- Unknown

Without music, life would be a mistake.

- Friedrich Nietzsche

 

The person who has lived the most is not the one with the most years but the one with the richest experiences.

- Jean-Jacques Rousseau

 

What we think or what we know or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence.  The only consequence is what we do.

- John Ruskin

 

 

 

"The Key of Love"

Here is a beautiful video and a lovely song by Michael Des Barres called "The Key of Love" -

http://youtu.be/6I9MWPm2MRk

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Chihuly Sculpture London

 

"A House is not a Home"

This is a beautiful rendition of the song "A House is not a Home" sung by the British singer Rumer.

Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/aiOqnCns59Y

Macaroons and tea

 

Review of La Boheme

My sweetheart and I went to see the Seattle Opera production of La Boheme last Sunday.  Here are some of the reviews -

Not-To-Be-Missed!" -Bernard Jacobson, The Seattle Times

As Seattle Opera's "wildly romantic" (City Arts) production of La Bohème heads into its final week, praise from critics and audiences continues:

"To Die For - Seattle Opera's production feels like coming home. Even if you've never seen Bohème before, you'll feel warm, welcome, and aware of life's fragile beauty afterward." -The SunBreak

"An ideal gateway opera for the uninitiated. A familiar, wildly romantic story centerered on the thrill of living. .. The production seizes the spirt of this story with intoxicating grandeur." -CityArts

"By far the best Bohème I've seen, it was perfect." -Katie Castro, via Facebook

"A perfect La Bohème! Singing, orchestra, conducting, lighting, staging, all these elements in balance, you had it all." -Tim Hendrickson, via Facebook

"La Bohème was stunning. If you like Rent see the opera that inspired it" -MissAngela, via Twitter

I have not seen Rent and I didn't know the "La Boheme" connection.  I guess Cher and Nicolas Cage's characters went to see "La Boheme" in the movie "Moonstruck" which is one of my favorite films.  I'll have to watch "Moonstruck" again now (I have it on DVD).

I feel very lucky that we went to see 2 operas this year - "La Boheme" and "Cinderella."  Both were very special and meant a lot to me.

 

The Cranes sing "Goldfinger"

My friend Mary sent me this link to a funny "Frasier" episode.  The James Bond tribute on the Oscars is what brought this clip to mind.  Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/QcJdgHhQDL4

 

Daniel Craig as Bond

Quotes for the Day

Here are some quotes I like...

Every day, even for a moment, find your own sense of calm.

May this day bring you peace, tranquility and harmony.

Love what is ahead by loving what has come before.

When the mind is backed by will, miracles happen.

May you have faith in your worth and act with wisdom.

Have wisdom in your actions and faith in your merits.

True understanding is found through compassion.

Life is a chance.  Love is infinity.  Grace is reality.

To learn, read.  To know, write.  To master, teach.

Awww...
 

Joy's Oscar Review

Joy's Review of the 85th Academy Awards

It's getting late and I haven't written my thoughts on last night's Oscar telecast! I'd better get going while it's still fresh in my mind. First of all, this year I am on Twitter and I tweeted my comments as the stars made their way down the red carpet. That was fun! Here is my list of the best dressed actresses and actors -

1) Charlize Theron

2) Jennifer Lawrence

3) Channing Tatum and his wife Jenna Dewan-Tatum

4) Anne Hathaway

5) Barbra Streisand (who sang "The Way We Were" so beautifully in tribute to the late Marvin Hamlisch)

6) Naomi Watts

7) Quvenzhane Wallis (so adorable in blue - the youngest person ever nominated for Best Actress)

8) Daniel Day-Lewis

9) Salma Hayek

10) Ben Affleck

11) Halle Berry

12) Joseph Gordon-Levitt

13) Jennifer Hudson (whose rendition of "And I am telling you, I'm not going" from "Dreamgirls" gave me goosebumps and wowed the audience)

14) Jennifer Garner

15) Seth MacFarlane

 

There has been a lot of talk on Twitter about Seth MacFarlane's turn as the host. I have to say that I was very impressed by him. I've only seen him once on TV when Piers Morgan interviewed him and I didn't know he could sing so well. I suppose a few of his jokes were tasteless, but on the whole I thought he did a great job and wouldn't mind seeing him host again. It's a tough job and no one does it perfectly. 

 

Check out this article from www.parade.com for more on Seth -

http://www.parade.com/celebrity/celebrity-parade/2013/02/24-seth-macfarlane-gives-oscar-a-lift.html

 

I haven't seen all of the big movies that were nominated and won this year, but eventually I will get to them all. I filled out my own Oscar ballot with my choices for the winners and I got 16 out of 24 correct. That's pretty good, if I do say so myself! I usually get Best Supporting Actor wrong and this year was no exception. I was sure that Tommy Lee Jones would win but I'm sure Christoph Waltz was great in "Django Unchained" (which I haven't seen yet). I think Quentin Tarantino is brilliant and I was sure he would receive the Oscar for Original Screenplay.

 

I was confident that Daniel Day-Lewis would win and he gave his usual witty, gracious accectance speech. He is the only actor to win three best Actor Oscars (for "My Left Foot", "There Will Be Blood" and now "Lincoln"). It was also easy to pick Anne Hathaway for Supporting Actress and I was happy that Jennifer Lawrence (my pick) won for Best Actress since she had some tough competition. I can't wait to see "Silver Linings Playbook" and I'm going to read the book as well.

 

I was very happy that "Argo" won for Best Picture and if Ben Affleck couldn't win Best Director, I'm glad Ang Lee did. I'm looking forward to seeing "Life of Pi." It was great that the first lady Michelle Obama, (looking beautiful as usual) could present the award for Best Picture. It's true that the show was pretty long but I didn't think it was boring at all. I watched the Independent Spirit Awards the night before on IFC and enjoyed that as well. That's about all I can think of for now. Sadly, another award season has come and gone. I look forward to the Oscars so much every year and never miss it. I'll see you at the movies!

 

 

I forgot to mention the wonderful tribute to the James Bond franchise.  My husband and I loved seeing Shirley Bassey sing the title song from "Goldfinger."  We thought that song should have won the Oscar that year but it did not. 

 

Also, it was sad to be reminded that the great Nora Ephron passed away last year (in the In Memoriam portion of the show).  But they forgot to include Andy Griffith, who also appeared in movies as well as "The Andy Griffith Show" which is still shown on TV Land.  They usually always forget someone.

 

 

Some Good Quotes

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

- Margaret Mead

"One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries."

- A.A. Milne

"I think that if women and children were in charge, we would get somewhere."

- James Thurber

Oscars are on Sunday, February 24th!

Just a friendly reminder not to forget that the 85th Academy Awards are on this Sunday night!  I haven't missed the Oscars since I was about 9 years old (I think!) and this looks like a great year.  I'm lucky that I live on the west coast because I get to see the show live at 4:00 pm. :-)

Check this out -

http://oscar.go.com/

Here are the major nominations -

Best Picture:	Amour, Argo, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Django Unchained, Les Misérables, Life of Pi, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty
Best Actor:	Bradley Cooper, Daniel Day-Lewis, Hugh Jackman, Joaquin Phoenix, Denzel Washington
Best Actress:	Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Lawrence, Emmanuelle Riva, Quvenzhané Wallis, Naomi Watts
Best Director:	Amour (Michael Haneke), Beasts of the Southern Wild (Benh Zeitlin), Life of Pi (Ang Lee), Silver Linings Playbook (David O. Russell), Lincoln (Steven Spielberg) Richard Gere, a presenter this year