Titanic Homage

My birthday is one week before Christmas, and it is also prime time to show something that entire families could enjoy, especially before the next Oscar judging.  I think back to how most of my December 19 birthday parties were centered around a Holiday blockbuster debut. Restaurants tended to be booked for Christmas parties, so it was easy to ask friends to just meet me at a movie theater and do dessert after.

I have vivid memories of seeing Titanic for the first time. My girlfriends and I squealed over the Jack's romantic lines, Rose's wardrobe, and then shared tissue as we cried at its conclusion. They were great times that I still cherish today... on my 30th Birthday.

Why our hearts still go on for Titanic
By Emma Rosenblum for Glamour 

The December 1997 blockbuster is getting a major re-release, and if you're near, far or, really wherever you are (hi, Celine!), you'll get sucked back in. Here's why…

Once in a generation, a single movie shapes the way millions of women look at love forever: An Affair to Remember, Annie Hall, Sixteen Candles, and, for us, Titanic.

No matter which Housewife is having a meltdown, if you see that enormous fake ship pop up on TNT or TBS, you will turn to it, you will watch it to the bitter end and you will cry.

Titanic, after all, was the epic romantic drama of the formative years of everyone between the ages of 25 and 35. (Say it with me, ladies:" I'll never let go, Jack!") It introduced us to the idea of hot nude portraiture; it solidified our lifelong weakness for Leo (no matter how many supermodel hearts that guy may break); and it sold us on to the idea of soulmates.

With Titanic in 3-D out in theaters, a whole generation of girls will learn the joys of this movie. I'm sure when I see it, I'll feel nostalgic.. and I'll probably still be pissed that Rose threw the necklace overboard. Come on, Rose! Think of your grandkids' college funds.

Glorious Gloria

I knew Gloria Steinem was destined for great significance.
She is a beautiful creature with so much substance. – Ali Macgraw

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off! Young women today are more crap-free than we were, much more likely to say what they think. We are the women that our parents warned us about. And we are proud. [Gloria Steinem]

3 words of advice for you:
One, trust your own voice.
Two, do what you love.
And three, have a group (maybe 5-12 people) who share your values, who make you feel smart... and get together with them at least once a month. [Gloria Steinem]

Pocket Notes

Did you know? List making and genius go hand in hand.

Bejamin Franklin is arguably America’s greatest list maker,
and he went far beyond traditional to-do territory.

Franklin composed lists of topics such as:

13 virtues to live by

Synonyms for “drunk”

and reasons to choose an old woman for a mistress.

Random.

Rain Dance

I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin' I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds so dark up above
The sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love


Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place
Come on with the rain.
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane with a happy refrain
Just singin', singing in the rain


Why am I smiling and why do I sing?
Why does September (or November) seem sunny as Spring?
Why do I get up each morning and start?
Happy and head up with joy in my heart
Why is each new task a trifle to do?

Because I am living a life full of you.

- Lyrics from "Singing in the Rain" -

Costume-ing

I think putting on a costume loosens people up.
Put on a wig, and all of a sudden it’s like, Woo-woo!

To me, life is about creating memories.
The regular days kind of just blend in.

You have to create special times so that you will always remember them. [Heidi Klum]

Staying in the Picture

In honor of National Boss Day, here is a great quote from a boss that I admire from afar - Wendy Finerman - from a recent interview in Marie Claire magazine.


Q: You oversee about 20 film and TV projects at any given time.
How do you decide whom you want to work with?

A: I look for someone whom I would enjoy spending time with. A great way to look at it is, Would you want to sit next to that person as you travel across the country in a plane or if you were stuck in traffic? Are they bright, insightful, entertaining, and, most important, polite? I work only with "we" people. When I hear someone refer to it as "my film," I want to say, "Were you the only person who worked on it?" Somebody with that kind of attitude isn't going to be a team player.

10 Signs

10 Signs… You're watching too much Reality TV

By Kimberly Bonnell & Pamela Redmond Satran

1. When you meet a guy, your first thought is: WWPST (what would Patti Stanger think)?

2. You put your cell phone on speaker and use it like a walkie-talkie.

3. You have a cold? Impossible! You've already won immunity.

4. Your boyfriend burned the toast, and you say, "Please pack your knives and go." It was a joke, sweetie! A joke!

5. You hate all your friends. Wait, that's not normal?

6. You keep having dreams about... Pauly D. Yikes!

7. What's that yapping? Oh, right, your two-pound dog, Jiggy-Jackpot.

8. You're 92 percent sure that your clueless new coworker is actually the CEO in disguise.

9. Even your "flats" are at least four inches.

10. And of course: Indecision about which tiara to wear makes you late for your hoarders support group. Shoot!

10 Things

10 Things... Not worth feeling one bit bad about By Kimberly Bonnell & Pamela Redmond Satran

1. Your kid sister getting married before you.

2. Letting the elevator door close, even though you maybe (or maybe not!) heard footsteps approaching.

3. That weird look your coworker gave you in the hall. Probably just gas.

4. Missing your friend's third baby shower. How many times can you fly to Des Moines?

5. Cursing in front of your parents. Eff it. We're all adults here.

6. Your strange sneeze.

7. Falling asleep before taking our clothes off.

8. Every plant you've ever killed. May they rest in peace.

9. The way your hair curls. Or lies flat. Or speaks to you in tongues. Live with it!

10. Anything you came in second for. Consider it MOTIVATING.

Prayer Zzzz

Falling asleep in prayer is no problem. You can rest in God’s presence. Besides, next to the heart of God is a good place, a safe place, for sleeping. (Richard Foster)

We are silent at the beginning of the day because God should have the first word. And we are silent before going to sleep because the last word also belongs to God. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Sleep is like a broken record that comes around with the same message everyday: "Man is not sovereign...Man is not sovereign...Man is not sovereign..." Don't let the lesson be lost on you. God is not so nearly impressed with our late nights and early mornings as He is is with the peaceful trust that casts all anxieties on Him and sleeps. (John Piper)

Uterus Flip

When I met my husband, I knew he was a man who made my uterus turn flips and yearn to start breeding. At this point in my personal life growth chart, my romantic ideals of The One and "meant to be" were starting to show cracks. I was beginning to wonder whether I would have to settle for "whatever, fine."

Woody Allen once said that people were "meant to have a series of relationships of different lengths." I started to think perhaps he was right.

When you know for sure, you don't dwell on the fantasy of the union... wedding dresses, what to serve during the reception, or name your kids.. There is no app you can download to find The One. You have to live your life with an open heart and, more important, an open head.

Dating is like being on a deserted island: Every day you make a fire and hope that a ship sees you and comes to the rescue. Then one day you think, Forget it, this is never going to happen, and you give up. You don't make a fire that night. And that's the night a ship sails by. don't miss those opportunities - always light your fire! [Ali Wentworth]

Patriotic Pride: Part 2

America the Beautiful

By Katharine Lee Bates & Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness

And every gain divine!

Patriotic Pride: Part 1

God Bless America

By Irving Berlin

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free.

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:

God Bless America,

Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her

Thru the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam

God bless America, My home sweet home.

For the Love of Theater

There is no doubt that I love the Theater. There is something about escaping into another world with a fellow audience in a dark room that allures me. Although the actors follow a script, there is an air of improvisation that can make each performance unique. Bloopers happen in real time. Wardrobe malfunctions are laughed off. And music can be sung so passionately that it brings tears to your eyes.

Growing up, I tried hard to follow the example of my talented family and excel in Music. Singing in a choir helped channel that, but I never really had the desire to fully pursue it. I auditioned for a Summer Youth Arts camp for years in Music but was not up to Music Composition par. On my third year, someone on the panel suggested I audition for the drama program as well. That audition had a better result, so for one summer I was in bliss of "majoring" in Drama and taking additional Dance and Piano lessons for the first time. It was a thrill to be in the audience and marvel at older students show their final projects. My teachers at the camp encouraged my comedic delivery and ability to direct my peers.

I so badly wanted to switch my "choir girl" reputation when I started High School. I tried out for the musical Grease because I thought singing would help get my foot in the Theater door. The musical director sang "You should be in my chooooir" while I auditioned as the Drama teacher called me "a treat." Since I was a Freshman, the main parts were given to Senior students. I was cast as an understudy for Rizzo, the Pink Ladies queen bee.

Unfortunately, my parents discouraged me from pursuing Theater ("there's nothing Holy in Hell-ywood"), so I returned to choir to be in show choirs and competitive choral singing. That resulted with me placing in several All-State competitions both individually and as a group. My brief stint in Theater was used toward being an anchor for the Bearcat News Network and occassional photos for The Herald newspaper. I still supported my high school Drama department by taking classes, performing in several bad girl roles, and helping create costume looks. 

Theater held a soft spot in my heart even when I started college. I auditioned for an Italian satire and progressed up until the final cut. That scared me off from trying out again. It was known though that students receive 1 free ticket to every Theater production, and I immediately took advantage of that. I went to every show even if I was by myself. My perfect attendance at the Lyceum Theater of Vanguard University started August 2000 and continues still today.

Watching the 2012 Tony Awards revived my love for Theater all over again! My favorite Acceptance speech from producer Jordan Roth of Clybourne Park says it all: 

There are those rare people who can look at the world
and see things the rest of us don’t see until they show us…
These are the Writers

There are the special few who can take that vision
and turn it back into a world..
These are the Directors and Designers

There are fearless beings who can live in that world and show us who we are…
These are our Actors.

There are dedicated people who know why that world matters so very much…
This is our Crew, Theater staff, Producers, Investors, Managers, Marketers

Then, there are the people who step forward
and say, “Show me this world! Open me. Change me.”
These are our Audiences

… And when all of these people come together and say YES - There is Theater.

On behalf of all of us,
we say Thank You to everyone who says YES.

Non-Tombstone

I agree with Rosario Dawson today...

Grief is so seductive.

Part of me wants to crawl into a hole and cry because nothing else matters, but that’s not an option. I need to stay furiously passionate for the rest of my life.

I don’t want my tombstone to read: “She played it safe.”

Resolutions Continue

- The Declaration of Personal Independence -

When in the course of human events,
a person decides to claim his or her unalienable right to a GREAT life.

Create your own manifesto!

Now, your 2012 Resolutions can continue for the rest of the year. (Please sign)

Country Insights

I've discovered a newfound love for Country music recently.
Surprisingly, I am also learning some great things in their lyrics too... 

"It's hard to kiss the lips at night that chew you out all day long." (The Notorious Cherry Bombs)

"They say time takes its toll on a body, makes a young girl's brown hair turn gray. Well, honey, I don't care. I ain't in love with your hair." (Randy Travis)

"No, it wasn't at first sight, but the moment I looked twice, I saw the woman I was born to love." (Andy Griggs)

"You're the reason our kids are ugly, little darlin'. Oh, but looks ain't everything. And money ain't everything. But I love you just the same." (Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty)

"By itself it's just a cold metallic thing. Only love can make a golden wedding ring." (George Jones and Tammy Wynette)

"I'm like a puzzle but all of my pieces are jagged. If you can understand this, we can make some magic." (Miley Cyrus)

“Love only comes once in a while. Knocks on your door, and throws you a smile. Takes every breath, leaves every scar. It speaks to your soul, and sings to your heart. If I knew then, what I know now – I’d fall in love.” (Lady Antebellum)

"I don’t just wanna make love, I wanna make love last." (Kelly Clarkson & Jason Aldean) 

Read in between the twang; there's Love advice there!

Millionaire Miley

In person, Miley Cyrus is tall and lean and curvy as a violin. Taller than you'd imagine.

Also louder; she speaks with the bold, jokey air of someone who is used to being liked - and listened to - by every person in the room. She has a cheerleader's confidence and the laugh of a truck-stop waitress.

It seems almost uncannily perfect that today the grand old Southern mansion they're shooting the movie So Undercover in has been refitted as a KKZ soritity house... 

Because in a lot of ways Miley Cyrus resembles nothing so much as a very friendly, very popular, very hard-working sorority girl.

A sorority girl who happened to make $48 million last year.

(excerpt from 2012 Marie Claire photo shoot)

Bit about Blogs

Good blogs are a gift!

They help us make sense of our own experience, they make us laugh, and they give us a chance to step out of our own skin for a few minutes and experience another life,
which is almost always a relief.

[Jenny Schroedel]

Good Chones

Friends are like underwear...

Some crawl up your crack.
Some snap under pressure.
Some don't have the strength to hold you up.
Some get a little twisted.
Some are your favorite.
Some are cheap and just plain nasty.
And some actually do cover your bootie when you need them too.

Back in the Day

Sittin' round the table don't happen much anymore.
We got too complicated. It's all way over-rated.

I like the old and out-dated way of life!

Back when a hoe was a hoe,
Coke was a coke,
and crack's what you were doing when you were cracking jokes…

Back when a screw was a screw,
the wind was all that blew,
and when you said I'm down with that well it meant you had the flu.

I miss back when… 

- Lyrics to Tim McGraw’s song “Back When” -

Internal Fist-Pump

You know, I will tell you that when I was heavy, people would say to me - and it was such a backhanded comment -  they would say, "You've got such a beautiful face," in the way of, like, "Oh, isn't it a shame that from the neck down you're questionable..."

I'm really, really proud to have won an Oscar - to walk away with the biggest red ribbon on school sports day that you could be given. I was the kid who never won the races. I never jumped the highest. I wasn't on the list of the high-achieving. That wasn't me.

So winning the Oscar was like winning all the prizes in one single night that I never won as a kid. For me, it was an internal-fist-pumping moment of YES.

- Kate Winslet -

Whitney's Wit

No one tells the truth about love and relationships better than comedian Whitney Cummings. Don’t believe it? Check out her unique and hilarious thoughts on love…

 On Sexy costumes: Guys want us to dress up in costumes now. Next time your man asks you to dress up in a costume, go into the bathroom. Tell him you’re going to slip into something more comfortable… come out in a wedding dress. He’ll love it.

On Schoolgirl outfits: Guys always want women to be sexy schoolgirls. You want me to be a little girl? I already cry every day. You want me to be a schoolgirl? Pack me a lunch.

On Fantasies: I had a guy say to me once, “I want you to strip for me.” You want me to do the stripper fantasy? You want me to be emotionally unavailable and take your money? I’ve been doing that since we freaking met. All I need is body glitter and a crappy sun tattoo, and I’m ready to rock this!

On Turn-ons: Women’s magazines have these articles that are like, “How to turn on your guy.” He’s a guy. Take off a sock.

On Role-play: Guys always want to do the role-play fantasies where they’re authoritative and the girl is weak, like doctor/nurse or lawyer/secretary. You’re just reminding me of all the jobs you don’t have. How about instead of pretending to be a doctor, just go be a doctor.

Victory for Viola

Viola Davis receiving her Best Actress award for "The Help"
at the 2012 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards...

“I am absolutely so humbled. The 2 most important days of a person’s life are: the day you were born, and the day you discover WHY you were born.

You know, 5 hours on the bus going to Acting classes when I was 14yrs old and coming from very challenging circumstances, I absolutely knew I wanted to be an actor. I wanted to be somebody. I wanted to dream big and fierce! Just make my mark somehow.

That was something that Abeline was not afforded. I considered it my honor to pay homage to these women at this time period who were not allowed to dream and not allowed to find their purpose, but thank God – PRAISE God – that they gave birth to me, my mother, and my grandmother. And I thank Kathryn Stockett for writing The Help. I thank Dreamworks, Disney, 1492… for being the most incredible leaders.

I am absolutely honored to be in the company of so many women of so many sizes, ages, and races and to be such a part of a story that is an incredible part of American history to show that, you know what – Even despite the atrocities that can happen in the past, friendship and love can help us find our way. Thank you very much!”

Diva Skills

Am I a diva on set? Well, I have, like, 15 different assistants,
and I don't know any of their names.

I make them print out a sheet that I hand to all my coworkers, saying:

"Do not look me in the eye.

Do not call me by my first name.

Do not call me by my last name.

Do not call me.

Do not speak unless you're spoken to.

You're fired."

- Amy Poehler -