NOW this is a show I wish I'd seen

TIME:

Pictures of the Day

Leonardo Suarez / Reuters

Flying High
Dancers attached to a crane perform during the South American Games closing ceremony in Medellin, Colombia.

Tuesday, Mar. 30, 2010

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/today-in-pictures/0,31511,1976840,00.html#ixzz0jnpMeEA5

COOL Photo Puppy LOVE

As it should be:
Time Picture of the Day March 24, 2010
MAURICIO LIMA / AFP / Getty Images

Puppy Love
In southern Afghanistan US Marines give a stray puppy some cereal.

Wednesday, Mar. 24, 2010

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/today-in-pictures/0,31511,1975430,00.html#ixzz0jO8WgxHM

The Strand and Magnolia Bakery in NYC....my two favorite places on the planet

I made a quick trip into "The City" on Monday from Long Island to visit my two favorite places: The Strand Bookstore and Magnolia Bakery both in the Village.

It was worth every too short, New York minute. It was drizzling and a perfect day.

The Strand sells new and used books and is the ultimate bookstore for me. In my previous blog entry, I shared the Top 10 bookstores in the world according to a writer for London's Guardian newspaper. The Strand was conspicuously absent! The Strand is simply heaven. I wish I could work there.

Magnolia Bakery, for those of you who are unfamiliar, came to fame in Sex and the City television series. They are famous for their incomparable cupcakes (I prefer the vanilla...with that butter cream frosting). But I also tried this time the red velvet cupcakes which were also delicious. My friends with whom I was staying in Long Island, Shelly and Patti, told me that the bakery has something that is even more fabulous than cupcakes these days and which happens to be one of my most favorite desserts: Banana Pudding. And they were right. Banana Pudding is either really lousy or really spectacular, IMHO.

Magnolia's Banana Pudding is simply one of the most heavenly, spectacular culinary experiences you'll have in your lifetime. I moaned and sighed and sobbed through my two experiences thusfar. Last portion will be served tonight. I'm already weeping at the thought. (I even brought home Banana Pudding and cupcakes to share with The Bug.)

After the two visits and the walk in the drizzle to and fro I took the LIRR back to Glen Cove. What a perfect day!

Magnolia Bakery (this is the original downtown location but they have two other locations)
401 Bleecker Street
(212) 462-2572
www.magnoliabakery.com

Strand Book Store
828 Broadway
(212) 473-1452
www.strandbooks.com
Get directions

TOP 10 book stores in the world

Thanks to my beloved friend Carla Tourin for this article.

According to Guardian (where in the hell is The Strand?)

Top shelves

Every booklover has their favourite shop, and while it's true that many independents have been driven out of business by online sales and supermarket bestsellers, you still don't have to look too hard to find one that's thriving. To prove it, Sean Dodson chooses the 10 bookshops from around the world which he considers to be the fairest of them all.

1) Boekhandel Selexyz Dominicanen in Maastricht

What does a city do with an 800-year-old church with no congregation? Well, it could make like the Dutch and convert it into a temple of books. The old Dominican church in Maastricht was being used for bicycle storage not long ago, but thanks to a radical refurbishment by Dutch architects Merkx + Girod it has been turned into what could possibly be the most beautiful bookshop of all time. The Boekhandel Selexyz Dominicanen, which opened just before Christmas, retains the character and charm of the old church, while being fitted with a minimalist and modern interior design that overcomes any suggestion of fustiness. From the images you can find on the web you can see that it is a bookshop made in heaven.

2) El Ateneo in Buenos Aires

All the world's a page at El Ateneo, a bookshop converted from an old theatre in downtown Buenos Aires. As you can see from this photomontage the El Ateneo has retained its former splendour, with high painted ceiling, original balconies and ornate carvings intact. Even the crimson stage curtains remain part of the show. Comfy chairs are scattered throughout, the stage is utilised as a reading area and café, and even better, the former theatre boxes are used as tiny reading rooms.

3) Livraria Lello in Porto

Proving that purpose-built bookshops can be every bit as beautiful as converted buildings, the divine Livraria Lello in Porto has been selling books in the most salubrious of settings since 1881. Featuring a staircase to heaven and beautifully intricate wooden panels and columns (see for yourself with these gorgeous 360-degree views), stained glass ceilings and books - lots of lovely books.

4) Secret Headquarters comic bookstore in Los Angeles

A mere profiterole to the fabulous layer cakes of Porto and Buenos Aires, but the Secret Headquarters more than holds its own. Nestled in the creative cluster of Silver Lake, just east of Hollywood, this boutique store offers a sophisticated alternative to most of its rivals and has a reputation for being one of the neatest, friendliest comic stores anywhere. Canadian science fiction author Cory Doctorow rates it as the finest in the world.

5) Borders in Glasgow

The might of the Michigan-based megastore may make a lot of independent booksellers fearful, but few book lovers can fail to be beguiled by the neo-classical architecture of its behemoth Glasgow branch. Originally designed by Archibald Elliot in 1827 for the Royal Bank, Borders has occupied a prime spot on Royal Exchange Square since the millennium and won over many of the city's book lovers. People reading on the steps outside have become as much a feature of Glasgow as the traffic cone on the head of Wellington's statue. Well, almost. Would have been higher on my list if the aesthetic magnificence of the building had in any way been matched by the interior.

6) Scarthin's in the Peak District

Of course, others might prefer the altogether more earthy beauty of a shop like Scarthin Books in the Peak District. Scarthin's has been selling new and second-hand books since the mid-1970s. It has rooms full of new and old books, a delightful café and what can best be described as a small exhibition of curiosities on the first floor. It is a bookshop so beloved, that it advertises local guest and farmhouses on its websites where devotees can stay overnight.

7) Posada in Brussels

Located in a dear old house near St Magdalen's church in Brussels, Posada Books is as famous for its pretty interior as it is for its collection of new and second-hand art books. Has a remarkable collection of exhibition catalogues, which goes back to the beginning of the last century, and holds occasional exhibitions too.

8) El Péndulo in Mexico

The Polanco branch of Pendulo in Mexico City has long been known as one of the best ways to beat the heat in the largest city in the world. Although it only has a small English language section, its open architecture populated with several trees makes for an excellent afternoon's escape. In honesty, as popular for its excellent cafe as it is its books.

9) Keibunsya in Kyoto

If you love bookshops even where you can't read the language, then Keibunsya in Kyoto needs to be on your list too. Some say it's the lighting, others the well-proportioned panels around the walls. Or perhaps it's the little galleries embedded in the bookshelves. Most agree it's just the quiet dignity of the place that's hard to beat. Lots of pretty Japanese art books to marvel at and a few English language ones as well.

10) Hatchards in London

Although the bookshop of Cambridge University is technically the oldest bookshop in Britain, Hatchards of Piccadilly, which has been trading since 1797, is definitely the most aristocratic. Not only does it boast three royal warrants, meaning it supplies books to Her Majesty, it has counted Disraeli, Wilde and Byron among its regulars. Today it retains the spirit of days past, with an interior described by one follower as "reminiscent of being inside a rambling old house, with six floors of small rooms all linked together curling around a central staircase."

This article is at http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/jan/11/bestukbookshops

uardian.co.uk, Friday 11 January 2008 10.11 GMT

Heading from Baltimore to NYC

I'm on Amtrak heading from Baltimore back to NYC. I love riding trains.

Where I live in Southern California train travel is a rarity. When I lived in San Diego I used to take Amtrak periodically from San Diego to LA for business.

There is nothing more civilized than train travel. I know commuters who do it frequently travel via train might think differently. But try commuting for hours in a car....you're so limited in how you can utilize your time. You certainly couldn't blog like I'm doing now.....at least until they've eliminated the need for fingers for computers and replace it with voice commands.

But I love to travel by train. By plane, in fact. And by boat. I guess I'm not very earthbound. I'd rather be going to, traveling to something and I'd imagine that is the appeal that boats, planes and trains have for me.

I get to ride the train so infrequently these days that it is a true pleasure to do so.

After dinner tonight, I'll head out to my deahest friend, Shelly Mullen's home in Long Island for a long weekend which I am eagerly looking forward to.

Have a great weekend too!

Mark

I'm off to NYC tomorrow for a week

Will blog while I'm gone. But I'm heading to my favorite city in the world. Here I come The Strand and Magnolia Bakery.

Mark

Cool PHOTO Like Mother, Like Daughter

TIME Picture of the Week

Itsuo Inouye / AP

Like Mother, Like Daughter
A 27-day-old female Reticulated Giraffe stands beside her mother at Kanazawa Zoological Park in Yokohama, Japan.

http://www.time.com/time/picturesoftheweek/0,29409,1969871_2084162,00.html

PRECIOUS a phenomonal film OSCAR countdown

The Bug and I went Wednesday to see Precious. Which means that we've now seen all of the films that include Best Actress nominations and all Best Picture nominees, except for two.

This movie , like another nominated Best Picture, The Hurt Locker, is utterly unrelenting and unflinching in its depiction of shocking and horrifying circumstances. In this case, it is the physical and sexual abuse of its heroine (and in every sense of the word), Precious, a teenage girl who lives a living nightmare in her apartment with her monstrous mother, played by Mo'Nique.

Hand Mo'Nique the award for everything because that is the most electrifying, perfectly realized performance in the history of film making. There is nothing likable about this character. And yet Mo'Nique delivers a performance that is so tragic, so frightening, and heartbreaking.

I must say as fair warning: this movie deals blatantly and candidly with incest/rape/physical abuse. It is not an easy movie to watch in this respect. And yet the movie is a work of intense dark beauty.

Precious, played brilliantly by Gibourey Sidabay (such a beautiful name), is the most abused person I think that has ever been depicted on the screen and yet somehow this character finds a way to move forward, and is certainly the most unlikely candidate. Precious is an obese teenager, who with a push of good intention from her High School principal is sent to a school which is designed to educate students with the same challenges as Precious. It is through this school that Precious, in spite of horrific acts of abuse, learns that she is a precious one of god's creatures and after having given birth to her second child (Precious' father was the father of her two babies) finds the courage and strength to walk away from her mother.

This movie is still resonating in my mind. I literally at moments during the film screamed or cried "NO!" it was that astonishing and unrelenting.

So, for my Oscar predictions/preferences. I ultimately think, having seen all of the Best Actress nominees' performances, that the race is down to Sandra Bullock and Helen Mirren (Carey Mulligan maybe). Ms. Sidabay gives a landmark performance, yes. But compared with MoNique's interpretation it isn't landmark enough, IMHO, to rate as Best Actress. I'm rooting for Sandra at this point!

See this movie. Lee Daniels also certainly deserves to win Best Director. But I think that honor will end up going to the director of The Hurt Locker.

What are your thoughts/predictions?

Tomorrow morning I'll go to see the last film I'll be able to view before the award ceremony Sunday evening. That's A Single Man.

Hysterical PHOTO Drag Race TIME Picture of the Day

This made my morning. You gotta love those Aussies. They have such a great sense of humor. Go Girls!

Time Photo of the Day

Tim Wimborne / Reuters

DRAG RACES
Drag Queens race on the main straight of the Randwick Horse racing course during the Pink Stiletto race day in Sydney, Australia.
Friday, Feb. 26, 2010

The LAST STATION Another fabulous movie

Boy, what can I say but 2009 was truly a distinguished year, IMHO, for movies. At least the movies that are up for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. The problem is, while this select few represent a really interesting spectrum of subjects/topics, there is really a dearth of quality movies made these days.

In fact, there is a dearth of films made these days, period.

Anyway, the Bug and I toddled on over to the Cinema Palme d'Or yesterday to catch The Last Station which is one of the last Best Picture candidates that we hadn't seen. Neither of us had a clue about what the movie was about. We knew only this: it was nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress and its cast included the goddess Helen Mirren and that hottie James McAvoy.

I seldom read film reviews because I couldn't care less what a critic thinks of a movie. If I wish to see a movie, then I'll see the movie, critically drubbed or not. I don't watch tv. So I learn about new films and their subject matter by trailers or online or occasionally the Sunday newspaper.

But I somehow knew nothing about The Last Station (actually the same was true for An Education....I only knew vaguely that it took place in the 60s). How fun is that? What a wonderful surprise we had.

The Last Station is about the final months in the life of Leo Tolstoy, in early 1900's. Christopher Plummer, nominee for Best Supporting Actor, portrays the master writer and his wife, Countess Sofya Tolstoy, is played in usually brilliant fashion by La Mirren (who is nominated for Best Actress).

And then there is that remarkably fetching and talented James McAvoy. What a wonderful string of films he has made (my favorite film last year, Atonement, before that, The Last King of Scotland. Oh, and one of my other favorite movies, Becoming Jane). He brings an earnestness to the character of Valentin Bulgakov, who is Tolstoy's secretary (everytime he sneezes my heart breaks). This is an interesting character and I can't think of any other actor who could have brought a better interpretation than McAvoy. Valentin is an idealistic Tolstoyan, a practicing virginal celibate, who passionately believes in the tenets of the Tolstoyan Movement: brotherly love and world peace through pacifism, and a denouncement of material wealth and physical love.


Paul Giamatti is brilliant as the Movement's villainous leader, Vladimir Chertkov.

But this move is absolutely astonishing because of the dueling tour de force performances of Plummer and La Mirren.

I have to say that Mirren, in my opinion, is the only other Best Actress nominee, besides Sandra Bullock, who should win the award based upon performance. I haven't seen Precious yet, will see it this afternoon. So I may have to revise my opinion. But I still think Bullock will win. Mirren already has a Best Actress and I think Bullock will win because this is her one true shot at the award and she also set such a huge example for female stars with The Blind Side, which is the highest grossing film starring a major female actress, currently at $250million (domestic).

I haven't seen Jeff Bridges performance yet. He's my sentimental favorite. But Plummer should win Supporting actor........talk about a career! Father Von Trapp needs and Academy Award.

GO see The Last Station. A beautiful, magnificent film.

One observation for those more well-versed on Tolstoy or Russian History. After seeing this movie, I'm wondering if the Tolstoyan Movement didn't pave the way for the Russian Revolution? Anyone have anything to add. It seemed that, as depicted in The Last Station, that the Movement was anti-religion, anti-Tzar. Given that Tolstoy was so beloved by the people, he was even considered Saint-like, that kind of power and influence would have been the only thing capable of undermining the monarchy and the Russian orthodox church.

Tell me if I'm right/wrong.......Interesting thought though.

AN Education A TRULY FABULOUS movie

Well the final countdown is on. Only a few more days until my favorite show (along with the Tony's): the Academy Awards.

The Bug and I went to see An Education yesterday. Absolutely perfect film and completely original and unique, as are most of the nominated Best Films of the year. From my perspective, based upon the films up for Best Picture, this has been a great year for the industry (I do NOT concur with this conclusion when I visit a video rental store).

This film is magical and its lead actress, Carey Mulligan, gives a performance that is incandescent and on the level of Holly Golllightly by Audrey Hepburn. The comparison with this screen goddess are numerous. But unlike the flighty (in one of my favorite films of all times, Breakfast At Tiffany's see previous blog post). Holly, Jenny, although a bit naive is quite grounded. This almost 17-year old is more mature than all of the other adults that surround her.

The movie is a coming of age film of a young, beautiful and precocious girl, Jenny, growing up in the 60s London who falls in love with a playboy almost twice her age. The young girl, who is attending a prep school in preparation for Oxford, enters a sophisticated world that is at first enchanting and that is completely enchanted by Jenny.

This film benefits from a brilliant script by Nick Hornsby (based upon a memoir by Lynn Barber). The bon mots are numerous and I laughed and cried my way through this movie, much as I did with Up In the Air and The Blind Side.

This film, also benefits from a tour de force ensemble cast: Emma Thompson, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, and the delicious eye candy Dominc Cooper. Rosamund Pike gives a brilliant performance as Helen, a not so dumb, dumb blonde.

The thing that I relish about this film is that our heroine, Jenny, is smart, extremely sophisticated (precociously), funny, fun-loving, principled teenager who navigates her way through a despicable, albeit appealing cast of characters.

So, the real question is: Who shall be the Best Actress winner? Carey certainly deserves it. But my money and opinion is still on Sandra Bullock. That performance was career defining especially after a very lengthy run. Ms. Mulligan I hope has a similar long career ahead as well with more Oscar possibilities. This actress is truly unique. She has a similar quiet intelligence, beauty and humor truly evocative of Audrey Hepburn. It might have been the script and great casting but somehow I think this was a unique alchemy of a good script, a good casting agent and an actress who had the awareness and that certain je ne cest quoi, to bring magic to an already magical movie (even the scene above is evocative of Breakfast At Tiffany's when Holly came to visit George Peppard through the window of his bedroom).

And the Soundtrack is amazing. Thanks to my friend Staci Pope in the beautiful city of Austin for sending me the soundtrack.

Bug and I also rented and watched Coco Before Chanel. It was my second time to see (see previous post) but it was equally as compelling. A brilliant performance by Audrey Tautou.

I hope to see these films before Sunday: The Last Station, Precious, A Single Man.

What did you think of An Education?

The BLACK HOLE A Short Film

This is a fascinating super short short film, titled The Black Hole. Careful there, dude! Check and see what I'm talking about. Be sure and leave your ratings below.

Director: Diamond Dugs
Running Time: 2'34
Country: U.K.
Category: Comedy

A sleep deprived office worker finds a Black Hole whilst photocopying late one night Suddenly the possibilities seem endless. Will greed get the better of him?

Phil & Olly aka Diamond Dogs met in the last murky years of the 20th Century at one of Wimbledon School of Arts now legendary parties. They teamed up in 2003 and began shooting no budget promos whilst busting their balls as Art Directors to pay their bills. Phil & Olly continue their careers as editor & art director respectively to fund their directing projects in a world of ever shrinking budgets.



The boys are currently in production on music videos for Will and the People and The Enemy and in pre-production on a 30 second Miller Light commercial. They are also penned to shoot a 4 minute short for Future Shorts in conjunction with Samsung called Spontaneously Capture your life and in pre-production with The UK Film Council in association with Virgin Media Shorts on a short film project called The Archaeologist

Cool PICTURE Chinese Year of the Tiger

Celebrating Chinese Year of the Tiger
Time Pictures of the Week

AP

Coochy-Coo
Siberian tigers perform for visitors at a zoo in Fuzhou, China, on the second day of the Lunar New Year — the year of the Tiger.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/picturesoftheweek#ixzz0g61Cfr9x

HRH Prince William looking good on cover of HELLO

The darker hair color looks good. Hides the loss. Now when is the wedding going to be?

ME WANT Largest Yacht in the World plans unveiled

My favorite Russian oligarch, hottie, billionaire Roman Abramovich must be salivating. Plans were unveiled recently for a new largest yacht in the world, by designer Berkeley March (isn't that the most "Upson Downs" name ever?) The proposed yacht would be 656 ft (200m) and could cost up to $1 billion (£650 million).

About the juxtaposition of such an extravagant toy in today's bleak economic environment March said:
"Some people may say the timing was a little bit daft. But I think that many people who previously would not have had the power to buy such a yacht, are thinking that now is their chance. The people left with a lot of money have more power now, as there is less demand."

According to March, the recession did not change rich people's beliefs that "size matters. Recession or not, it's still all about men's egos."

Abramovich currently has the biggest in the world: yacht that is (the "Eclipse"). Hopefully he'll add this to his collection of super yachts.

So should we criticize these billionaires and their penis envy competition? Does one really need multiple yachts, several private jets, multiple homes around the world? I wonder: would it be forgivable if these toys were equally matched with philanthropic donations and contributions?

I still would like to have one of these and a private jet. If I could have those then I would only want a flat or two in some lovely world capitals. That's not too excessive is it? Now to get the billions.

Mr. Abramovich, if you're reading this I hope you'll buy this and always have the biggest yacht! I am ashamed to say, as politically correct as I am, that you are my hero. To be 40-ish, cute, rich beyond belief and to be able to have all of these amazing things would be wonderful. There's an idea for a reality show: "How to be Roman Abramovich for a day!" He could develop the concept into a Trump-like franchise, with a phrase like "Mine's bigger" instead of "You're fired"!!

I'd definitely make a visit to one of Roman's residences, La Croe, the Duke & Duchess of Windsor's former compound in Cap d'Antibes, the first visit on the show if I were a contestant! That is mighty fine taste you have, Mr. Abramovich!

Ellen Degeneres and AMERICAN IDOL

Did you watch Ellen Degeneres' debut on American Idol last night? The reviews have been very good and positive which doesn't surprise me. I was sick and had to go to bed early. I was disappointed because I was very eager to see her debut. What did you think?

Photo: Michael Becker/ FOX

Chinese new YEAR of the TIGER

February 14, 2010 marks the beginning of a new Chinese year: this year we have the year of the TIGER.

According to CNN:
"Tigers could become extinct in the wild in less than a generation, the World Wildlife Fund warned Wednesday as it launched a campaign to save them.

The number of tigers in the wild has dwindled to 3,200 -- less than the number held in captivity in the United States alone, the campaigners said.

'There is a real threat of losing this magnificent animal forever in our lifetime,' said Sybille Klenzendorf, director of the WWF-US species conservation program. 'This would be like losing the stars in the sky.

'Three tiger subspecies have gone extinct, and another, the South China tiger, has not been seen in the wild in 25 years,' she told reporters."

According to WWF, there are more tigers in zoos than in the wild. Please visit the wwf website to find out more about this.

I was born in another year of the tiger, 1962, and I'm feeling extinct. To the rest of you Tigers out there hope you'll take note that our namesakes could use some help.

http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/tigers/year-of-tiger.html

According to wikipedia these are the animals in the Chinese New Year.

Animal	Branch	New Year dates
鼠 Rat	子 Zǐ	February 19, 1996	February 7, 2008
牛 Ox	丑 Chǒu	February 7, 1997	January 26, 2009
虎 Tiger	寅 Yín	January 28, 1998	February 14, 2010
兔 Rabbit	卯 Mǎo	February 16, 1999	February 3, 2011
龍 Dragon	辰 Chén	February 5, 2000	January 23, 2012
蛇 Snake	巳 Sì	January 24, 2001	February 10, 2013
馬 Horse	午 Wǔ	February 12, 2002	January 31, 2014
羊 Sheep	未 Wèi	February 1, 2003	February 19, 2015
猴 Monkey	申 Shēn	January 22, 2004	February 8, 2016
雞 Rooster	酉 Yǒu	February 9, 2005	January 28, 2017
狗 Dog	戌 Xū	January 29, 2006	February 16, 2018
豬 Pig	亥 Hài	February 18, 2007	February 5, 2019

The Tiger ( 虎 ), is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Tiger is associated with the earthly branch symbol 寅.People born within these date ranges can be said to have been born in the "Year Of The Tiger," while also bearing the following elemental sign:

• 8 February 1902 - 28 January 1903: Water Tiger
• 26 January 1914 - 13 February 1915: Wood Tiger
• 13 February 1926 - 1 February 1927: Fire Tiger
• 31 January 1938 - 18 February 1939: Earth Tiger
• 17 February 1950 - 5 February 1951: Metal Tiger
• 5 February 1962 - 24 January 1963: Water Tiger **
  
• 23 January 1974 - 10 February 1975: Wood Tiger
• 9 February 1986 - 28 January 1987: Fire Tiger
• 28 January 1998 - 15 February 1999: Earth Tiger
• 14 February 2010 - 2 February 2011: Metal Tiger

The following information is from http://www.yearofthetiger.net/:
People that are born in the Year of the Tiger are generally well liked because of their charismatic personalities. Often, failing at a given duty or being unproductive in his personal or professional life can cause a Tiger to experience a deep sense of depression. A Tiger is always at their happiest when they endeavor to climb the ladder of success. Attaining the top spot is his foremost purpose; being in a position of power is her ultimate goal. They are quick learners, need to be challenged and often prefer to work alone. Some Tigers tend to change careers more frequently because they get bored quite easily. They are natural born leaders and perform at their best if working towards positions of power and influence. So once there is no further room for progression, they will often move on to something else.

Anyone that is born in the Year of the Tiger is usually straightforward and outgoing by nature. They will never give up no matter how aggravated they may become. But, they are also full of suspicion and at times will take hasty action. Never lose sight of the fact that Tigers are smart and instinctive.

People born in the Year of the Tiger always take pride in being different from others, and normally demonstrate their originality best in their homes. Their homes are typically filled with exotic possessions. It is no surprise that one of the Tiger’s favorite gemstones is the cat’s eye, but tigers also love the sparkle of rubies and diamonds. They like to spend money, and also to share it. They can be very impulsive spenders because they know they can at all times make more.

The Year of the Tiger is the third year in the cycle of “Heavenly Branches”. Customarily, it is called “Yin”. Those born in the Year of the Tiger are compatible with the horse, dog, and dragons. The year 2010 is another Year of the Tiger. It is the ji-chou year. Jji is the sixth of the Ten Celestial Stems and yin is the third of the Twelve Terrestrial Branches and marks the Year of the Tiger.

Positive and Negative Capability

Positive: The Tiger can be lovable, alluring, warm-hearted, altruistic, honourable, hard-working, pleasant, independant, engaging, dynamic and idealist sweetie pies.

Negative: The Tiger can also be rash, hot-headed, reckless, infatuated, quarrelsome, caustic, moody, predatory, rebellious, disobedient and irreverent rascals.

Celebrity

Some Famous Tigers: Sir David Attenborough, Natalie Wood, Tom Berenger, Agatha Christie, H.G. Wells, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Dickinson, Isadora Duncan, Roberta Flack, Frederick Forsyth, Jodie Foster, Stevie Wonder Sir Alec Guiness, Hugh Hefner, William Hurt, Dylan Thomas, Marilyn Monroe, Demi Moore, Beatrix Potter, Diana Rigg, Lionel Ritchie, Kenny Rogers.

Don't know which animal you were born under the Chinese Lunar year? Visit here:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/dating/2010/02/10/hail-the-year-of-the-tiger-and-see-what-chinese-zodiac-sign-you-should-date/

This blog entry is dedicated to one of my oldest, best, and dearest loved friends Miss Rosalynn "Deah" Carter, aka as Michelle Shelly Mullen and her beloved Patticakes Bradley. Both are fellow Tigers. All hail the Tiger!

MOVIES and the weekend...and thoughts about Best Picture Academy Award AVATAR v HURT LOCKER

VS

This weekend I saw two of the front runners for Best Picture Oscar: Avatar and The Hurt Locker. Man is this a tough one. These two movies are truly apples and oranges.

I saw Avatar in 3D at IMAX theater and it is easily the most unique film experience of my life. It is a beautiful film. And it is landmark, no doubt, and not JUST because it is the highest grossing film of all time (NOT adjusted for inflation and by the way that does make a huge difference). The movie is cinematically flawless. It is a masterpiece. But there are some problems with it. I think the whole beginning of the movie is very vague. It also goes a little overboard in depicting the Marine colonel as one-dimensional. It bordered at times on being a little too Disney-esque. That being said though, it is a profound story and is filled with a lot of provocative, intelligent, and complex themes (it is without a doubt a strong pro-Environment, anti-Republican party message but it really is a very spiritually evolved film as well). It is truly such a landmark film that one has to give it the title "one of the greatest films ever made." But it still has some flaws. That Sam Worthington is one mighty fine little hottie. It was also great seeing Sigourney Weaver.

The Hurt Locker is really a perfect film. It has no flaws. Unless you consider the fact that it is a very depressing film a flaw, which I don't. It is truly one of the more emotionally difficult movies I've seen in my lifetime. The only other one that I can think of is Deer Hunter. It is a stunning film though. The acting is tour de force. It is a relentless movie and it doesn't flinch or allow the viewer to shirk from facing the realities of Iraq, the War on Iraq, the Iraqi people, etc. Set in war-torn Baghdad the film tells the story of a unit of three soldiers whose responsibility is to safely disable bombs that have been set. It is a brutal film in every way. It also is one of the more balanced films that I think I've ever seen. The citizens of Baghdad (terrorist and non) watching from the buildings in the various scenes where SFC William James (the film's main character) moves towards the incendiary devices was an interesting perspective: who is the villain? Who was the invade in those scenarios? I don't know if this was intentional but I just thought the whole movie avoided, and amazingly so, being judgmental in any way, which seems to me it's greatest accomplishment. (There were two appearances by major actors that I was glad to see: Ralph Fiennes and Guy Pearce.)

So Avatar has some flaws and The Hurt Locker doesn't. But ultimately the sheer scale of Avatar I think gives it a little bit of leeway; I think it should win the Best Picture, even though there are some weak aspects.

I also saw The Blind Side again yesterday, which I was thrilled was included in nominations for Best Picture. Contrary to what critics said, I thought the film amazingly transcended itself, primarily because of the remarkable performances from Sandra Bullock (I wasn't previously a huge fan of hers by the way) and Quinton Aaron, who plays Michael Oher. This film could have been just a passable feel-good movie for white-bread, Republican, Christians. It ends up being a unique balance of humor and poignancy, and for that the director deserves kudos. In most hands this would have been a second rate movie with similar performances. But it really is an excellent piece of film making. I should add that I am now certain that Sandra Bullock SHOULD win Best Actress for this role, despite the fact that I LOVE La Streep and the film Julia and Julia. I just believe that Bullock delivers a tour de force, emotionally nuanced, technically perfect performance. When I first saw the movie I thought that this role for Bullock was like Julia Robert's Erin Brokovich: a singular career best. (These performances are so uniquely realized by the actresses in ways that no other actress perhaps could have, if that makes sense?) But I didn't think she would have a chance because well....she was Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep is......La Streep. But the fact that The Blind Side, having earned almost $250 domestically (which even Streep has never done....not Angelina Jolie, not Julia Roberts, not even Reese Witherspoon or Cameron Diaz) is the highest grossing film with a major actress in the title role and was nominated for Best Picture, I think, has paved the way for Bullock to deservedly win. This is a major thing for all actresses, this box office revenue accomplishment. It means more actress driven films will be made, I hope! Which is a fantastic thing as far as I'm concerned (I'm not much of a testosterone film lover).

I think I've seen now, with the exception of Precious and A Single Man, all of the truly serious contenders for Best Picture Academy Award.

Inglorious Basterds was completely overrated, although I did enjoy Diane Kruger's performance. Up In The Air (as I blogged about in previous posting) is brilliant and a perfect film, with incredible performances by Clooney and his two co-stars. It is a true accomplishment for Jason Reitman. But compared to Avatar and The Hurt Locker it just doesn't stand up to that level.

I will see Precious next, then A Single Man. And then I think I'm prepared to have an opinion on who SHOULD win the major awards. Although often that is not who wins. I'm usually pretty astute about who will win, whether or not I have a personal opinion. So watch and see how my predictions do. This year is an interesting year. The only sure award is Jeff Bridges for Best Actor. I haven't seen that movie or A Single Man to see Colin Firth, the other major contender so I don't have a personal opinion. I just think Jeff Bridges will win. It's his time after a long career with brilliant performances in very unique movies.

Another interesting characteristic of Academy Awards this year is that major money makers don't usually translate to Academy Award esteem. But Avatar's accomplishment is so significant and historic and The Blind Side's as well. Can't say the same for the stupid film Transponder can you? A film, I should add, I refuse to see.

Well here's my Oscar opinions and predictions on the major awards at the moment:

Best Film
Should Win: Avatar
Who Will Win: Avatar

Best Actor
Should Win: undecided
Who Will Win: Jeff Bridges

Best Actress
Should Win: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Who Will Win: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side

Best Director
Should Win: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Who Will Win: James Cameron, Avatar

I'd love to hear your thoughts as well?

Great new book HOTEL Bemelmans

I love to read and quite frankly the only reason I really started this blog was to talk about reading and books. But for the last six months, while I'm reading as prolifically as always, I just haven't read anything that I thought worthy of public discussion here.

I don't know if books, like films, etc. are not being published in as many numbers and therefore the quality is down or what (I do know that I don't often find a DVD to rent because there doesn't seem to be as many movies that interest me these days).

Until I read HOTEL BEMELMANS by Ludwig Bemelmans. He was a New York busboy, waiter, and restaurateur in New York in the 20's and 30's. The book is a series of short essays or sketches about the life and times of the Hotel Splendide where Bemelmans worked. The Splendide was in reality the Ritz Carlton.

With an introduction by Anthony Bourdain (Kitchen Confidential), the book tells the secrets and scandals of the hotel's staff and rich patrons and guests. As Bemelman's modern day counterpart, Bourdain says: "Ludwig Bemelmans was the original bad boy of the New York hotel/restaurant subculture."

Bemelmans has several claims to fame besides his bad boy restaurateur image. He was an artist and humorist and perhaps most famous for being the author and illustrator of the Madeline books. Like the Madeline series, HOTEL BEMELMANS includes the author's illustrations of the various characters and episodes that are in the book.

Originally from Austria, Bemelmans arrived here as the book says: "at the age of sixteen after he shot a head-waiter at his uncle's hotel." He has a very wry and wickedly funny sense of humor and I literally guffawed throughout the book.

This is a zany cast of characters of con men, gypsies, a wizard, and a number of other eccentric bosses and co-workers. There's Vladimir Slezack, or "Mr. Sigsag" as he's commonly referred to by the staff, who is the catering banquet manager who Bemelmans works for. But my favorite is the hotel manager, Otto Brauhaus:

"Otto Brauhaus (illustration by Bemelmans at right) was an immense stout man; he had to bend down to pass under the tall doorways of his hotel. Big as his feet, which gave him much trouble, telegraphing their sorrows to his ever-worried face, was his heart. For despite his conception of himself as a stern executive, and strict disciplinarian, he could not conceal his kindness. He liked to laugh with guests and employees alike, and the result was that his countenance was the scene of an unending emotional conflict."

What I loved most about Brauhaus is his German accent which "he had somehow never been able to improve.......Brauhaus spoke with a thick dialect that sometimes sounded like a vaudeville comedian trying for effect. He was, in any case, inarticulate, and hated to talk. Two expressions recurred in his speech like commas; without them he seemed hardly able to speak: 'Cheeses Greisd!' and 'Gotdemm it!'

I roared and guffawed my way through this book especially when Brauhuas popped up with his "Cheeses Greisd! Gotdemm it," usually in the same sentence. Here's an example: "But things had not been going too well with Brauhaus's friends, these elderly men who ate and drank too well. In one week Mr. Brauhaus went to two funerals. He came back very gloomy from the second, saying 'Gotdemm it, Cheeses Greisd, every time I see a friend of mine he's dead.'

When he discovers the staff having fun when they thought he was away "Brauhaus stormed back there and exploded: 'What is diss? Gotdemm it! Cheeses Greisd! You have a birdtay zelepration here?'"

There are certain phrases in books that somehow make their way into my daily lexicon. "Fecking eejit" is one (from Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes, one of my favorite books of all time). But "Gotdemm it Cheeses Greisd" is the newest.

His drawings are as unique as his writing voice as well. Each person illustrated in the drawing reflects a certain self-assuredness/self-possession with themselves. While this is funny when you encounter a pompous, it's even funnier depicting the eccentricities of some of the characters.

This book is really just delightful. You'll relish every moment. I swear, Gotdemm it Cheeses Greisd!

Photo of Ludwig Bemelmans by

Life Magazine, April 1945, Photographer Walter Sanders

Painting by Bemelmans "Terrasse"

NEW World cruise ship UTOPIA with condos for sale

From Money/CNN: New Mexico-based investors have teamed with Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries to build The Utopia, (above, as it would look in Miami) an opulent $1.1 billion ocean liner that will travel the globe, hopping between the world's major sporting and cultural events. The 105,000-ton and 1,000-foot long ship -- the weight and length of more than three Lady Liberty statues, from the base of the concrete platform to the top of the torch -- is scheduled for completion in 2013.

As their website says: "Travel the world in the comfort of your own home." Yes, please, ME WANT. Can you imagine living on this ship. Constantly on the move but all of your stuff right there with you? Of course, I'd prefer the 40,000 ft home! After all, you wouldn't want to get island fever by feeling all cooped up.

Even a six-month stay as a hotel guest would be nice. But I'd rather just have my permanent home on board this non-permanent nomadic city. Remember you can click on photos to enlarge......especially the floor plan below.

Utopia will have 15 decks, 200 private residence units and 204 hotel rooms. That makes the ship spacious enough to accommodate 3,000 guests, said chairman of Utopia Residences David Robb, but to turn up the luxe, Utopia will only welcome 600 guests aboard at a time. Plus 600 crew members to serve them.

The cost of most residences on the Utopia will range from $3.8 million for a 1,400-square-foot condo to $24 million for a 6,600-square feet estate. The single 40,000-square-foot unit will be priced at $160 million. The lairs go on sale in 2010.














Located on Decks 8-15, Utopia’s 190 luxury residences are well-situated to offer breathtaking views wherever your home will travel. Each residential deck has been carefully designed to offer maximum comfort and convenience, with service areas for our professional chefs and caterers and additional storage space all just steps away from your door. Residents will also have access to six private elevators shuttling to and from the residential decks.

They offer a variety of floorplan and sizes. Here the Carnevale Estate Plan 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,890 - 1,967 square feet (176-183 sqm)

You can visit the Utopia's website at: http://www.utopiaresidences.com/utopian_living/index.php