Holding Out For A Hero

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I've read a lot of blog posts about Susan Boyle over the last few days. I personally got phone calls from readers after I posted her video on my blog. And I heard today that since the video of her audition on "Britain's Got Talent" was posted on YouTube, it's had more than 12 million hits. She's an international internet sensation. Some people think we're all shallow because we want our talent gift-wrapped in a visually pleasant package, and when someone like Susan comes along and isn't what we expect, we're all shocked. I guess I think my fascination with her is different. I'm fascinated with her because I identify with her. She is the personification of why I started a blog called "Cinderella After Midnight." What happens when you've reached the age when you're supposed to accept that your youthful dreams may not come true? I'm fascinated with Susan Boyle because she reminds me that it's never too late for dreams to come true...if you're willing to risk it all. I mean can you imagine the courage it takes to sing in front of Simon Cowell? Susan may look like a little wallflower, but I think Simon is right...she is a 'tiger.' And she continues to amaze me. I can hardly wait until she and Paul Potts go on tour together.

How do I live without you?

Natasha Richardson’s death left me completely stunned.

A few years ago, the roommate of a friend of mine died after she slipped and fell on ice in front of their house. She was up and laughing about how clumsy she was right away, but was dead within twenty-four hours. I find it so difficult to reason with the randomness of tragedy and the fragility of life.

I have always admired Natasha Richardson. She was a beautiful and charming. She made over 40 look glamorous. As the daughter of acting legend Vanessa Redgrave, I figured she had dealt with some pretty heavy emotional baggage and managed to come out of it smelling like a rose. She was married to Liam Neeson, a big strapping Irishman, and they really seemed to like each other. She was the mother of two teenage boys. All seemed right in her world. And then she died.

My thoughts keep going back to the movie Love Actually, in which Liam Neeson plays a young widower with a step son that he’s having a difficult time connecting with after his mother’s death. The story in the film is a tear-jerker. If you haven’t seen the movie, it’s a masterpiece of storytelling by writer and director Richard Curtis who much like Judd Apatow seems to know the magic formula that balances comedy and romance.

Since Natasha Richardson’s death, the role Liam Neeson played has become even more poignant. And frightening, since it seems to be yet another example of art becoming life. May she rest in peace…

All Up In Arms

Have you seen the commentary? Have you taken the on-line poll? Oh, yes. It’s the latest scandal rocking Washington DC. No, I’m not talking about the Rush Limbaugh vs. Barack Obama smackdown that seems to be building to an inevitable anti-climax. I’m talking about something way more important. I’m talking about Michelle Obama’s arms.

That’s right, the young vibrant First Lady of the United States appeared at her husband’s first ever speech to a joint session of Congress looking simply stunning in a sleeveless Amethyst dress, and all eyes were on her. How dare she reveal so much skin? And in February? For Heaven’s sake, what is she thinking? Did they think she pulled on a pair of Carharts and boots and hiked over snow drifts from the White House to the Capitol. The woman is the First Lady. She was driven there in the comfort of the finest and most lethal moving vehicle ever made, and I’m sure as the First Lady she was probably allowed to use the Congressional cloak room to leave her wrap.

So why are we talking about Michelle Obama’s arms?

I have to admit, I was really impressed with her husband’s presentation, but she looked marvelous. She and POTUS work out every day. She earned those guns she’s carrying and I think she should get to show them off to her best advantage. Besides every Cinderella over 40 learns to show off their best assest and camoflauge their liabilities. I’m just saying Michelle Obama is very light on liabilities – and that’s probably what’s making everyone’s tongue wag…but I’ll put money on the fact that they’re probably all talking about her while doing curls with 10 pound weights. I know, I am.

Read what they’re saying about Michelle Obama’s arms here. And learn more about the history of fashion forward First Ladies. And check out Michelle Obama’s spread in Vogue magazine. And the photos…

Just a couple of swells...

Since being introduced to them, I have been completely enamored of the comedy duo of Elaine May and Mike Nichols. So I was very excited to read May's answers to the Proust questionnaire in the Hollywood edition of Vanity Fair. Mike Nichols has long been one of my favorite directors. Can you believe he directed Working Girl, The Birdcage, and The Graduate? I know. It doesn't seem like those films have anything in common -- except for the Academy Awards. Which brings me to the exciting news that the Oscars are this weekend. Have you seen all of the Best Film nominees, yet? We're almost there...Right now, Slumdog Millionaire has my vote. Going to an Academy Award party? Don't forget to your Oscar ballot. I can hardly wait to see who walks the red carpet this year and what they're wearing. I wonder if the economic downturn will effect all the glamor and glitz. By the way, Turner Classic Movies has been showing Academy Award nominated films throughout the month of February in honor of the Oscars. I caught a triple-feature back-to-back-to-back of Double Indemnity, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Some Like It Hot on Monday. It just doesn't get much better than that. I also watched a bit of The King and I the other night in a wine bar. I couldn't hear the sound, but it looked fantastic! Made this glimpse of Jerome Robbins even more fun.

Everybody's workin' for the weekend!

Everybody needs a new romance! I'm singing the lyrics to crazy 80's tunes in my head. I was in college when Loverboy was at the top of the charts. I still hum this tune every Friday, but I don't use up a can of Aquanet getting my hair that big anymore. No, twenty years later I burn my finger tips on a flat iron every morning trying to make my hair as small as possible. Go figure.

• I love a mystery in a cool old spooky mansion in Los Feliz.

• Adorable Valentine's Day knitting pattern for 'smittens' has one inherent problem: finding a straight man who would be willing to go outside of the house holding your hand in a smitten. Not going to happen. Just not.
  


• Had a bad date? Why not tell the whole world about it? I'm sure that will make you feel better. Or him worse...

• I totally related to this article, but more than anything else I kept wondering how I could get her writing gig.

• Speaking of publishing deals I'd like to steal, Miss Piggy has just published her new book about how to deal with men, er, frogs. Whatever.

You are so beautiful to me

Jon Hamm, who plays dapper Don Draper on Mad Men, was on Late Night with Conan O'Brien last night to explain how he deals with the perils of being the Handsomest Man on the Planet. I know most of the countermeasures used to keep from attracting attention by men who are that incredibly handsome because I spend so much time in the company of the Handsomest Man Alive, but you might pick up some pointers that would come in very handy should you find yourself in the company of a pretty man on Valentine's Day.

• Speaking of handsome -- the almost too pretty to be anything but French -- Eric Ripert is getting his own television show on PBS. Oh - la - la!

• They're doing a sequel to 'The Movie.' I'm not sure this is a good thing. I'll have to have another Cosmopolitan and think it over.

• I vaguely remember reporter Nancy Dickerson, but I thought it was really nice that a son was recognizing the career achievements of his mom.

• I'm very sorry to hear that the "Cowgirl of the Typewriter" has died. She sounds like the kind of chick I would really like.

A snowy day in London town...

I've been looking everywhere for a print or photograph of my beloved London town to hang in my living room. When I saw this one, I thought to myself...finally! I haven't been in London in twenty years, but I still think of it as my kind of town. Britain is struggling under the effects of an unusually heavy snow storm, which is making travel difficult, but looks beautiful to those of us who live under sunny skies and palm trees.

• Yesterday's New York Times was a virtual cornucopia of intriguing Op-Ed articles about the current state of the economy. Start with Maureen Dowd and then move on to Frank Rich, and then wrap up with this little ditty about the state of the American shopping mall.

• Did you watch all the Super Bowl commercials?

• Meet the new Vice President's wife. She's pretty and smart -- quite a Cinderella.

• Today's imagication takes you on a tour of California wineries that make sparkling wines. Pack your bags and click here.

I stayed up past my bedtime for this?

I was invited to a music industry event last night by the Handsomest Man Alive. I'm not sure why I was invited, but being a girl who doesn't like to look a Trojan gift invitation in the mouth, I accepted without hesitation. It was a lovely event at a small studio tucked in behind the Formosa Cafe and across the street from The Lot -- it's one of my favorite and most historic parts of Hollywood. I sat on a red naugahyde sofa and shared sushi with a lovely woman named Princess. (No. Seriously!) I couldn't have been enjoying myself any more -- but it turns out this event also included live music. Live! It was four boys from Doooblin (that's not a typo, that's how they pronounced it!) called The Script. They were very good, and the lead singer reminded me of Chris Martin and Bono. I'm not too ashamed to tell you -- Danny, I think is his name-o, is a bit of a heartthrob. Tall with dimples -- he's the full package. I had to keep reminded myself that I am old enough to be his mother. So I fussed over him...but not too much...I hope.

During the set, they were also filming a reality program called The Hills that is all the rage with the twenty-year-olds. The director yelled at me to get out of the way of the camera at one point. Wouldn't look good to have a woman over 40 drift into the frame...but I ignored him. I guess he didn't get the memo that after a certain age, we're NOT listening.

• Woo-hoo! President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter bill into law today. It's a really big deal. And Lilly, a Cinderella role model, danced with the new president at one of the inaugural balls. You should definitely get to know this chick. She rocks!
  
  
• This news scares me to death. And this just makes my blood boil...

• I'm going to try to end today on a happy note. Have you seen the commercial for the Snuggie? I've been tempted to order it too many times to mention. My only problem is what color...Or should I get them all.

I'll Have Whatever She's Having...

For some Cinderellas, the clock just never seems to strike Midnight. I don't know what part of Manhattan Susan Sarandon lives in, but it's obviously near the Fountain of Youth. She looks incredible! While other movie stars of her vintage (most notably Jessica Lange) have succumbed to some really startling plastic surgery to ease their transition through middle age, Susan Sarandon either has the most subtle plastic surgeon on the east coast, or she's got great genes. She had it all going on at the SAG Awards last night. Check out all the dresses -- good and bad -- on the red carpet at the award ceremony.

• The lovely Lesley Stahl interviews the lovely Rachel Maddow.

• Are you still wondering what's going on in the White House with the new First Family? Yeah, me too. Since I'm an HGTV addict, I'm really intrigued by their choice of interior designer. Michael S. Smith is based in California and is known for mixing antiques with modern touches. But is he kid-friendly? And for your viewing pleasure, here's a Jackie Kennedy vs. Nancy Reagan smackdown over White House style. Still not over it yet? Then ask yourself what you would do if you were hired to give the White House a makeover.

• Here's a really good reason to pour yourself another cup of coffee and kill another hour and a half surfing the Internet. And just in case you've convinced yourself that you're crazy, Illinois Governor Blagojevich is there to make you realize just how sane you are. I love this guy!
  

Talkin' to myself and feelin' old

It's rainy and dreary here in Los Angeles. Which turns me into Karen Carpenter... without the eating disorder.Truth be told..It was my friend, Morgan Richter, who first started humming the lyrics to "Rainy Days and Mondays" this morning. So I know the only thing that can brighten a day like today is a cupcake.

• Can you ever see a cupcake without smiling? Or getting hungry? One cupcake turns any day into a party. What I wouldn't do for a cupcake.

• While the rest of the world is waking up to the realization that they've either been pink-slipped, are about to be pink-slipped, or are living in fear of being pink-slipped every single day for the rest of their lives, Brangelina was nominated for Academy Awards and found a new crib on Long Island for their colors of Benetton family.

• Have you ever had an IT guy come to save you from your computer that looked like Brad Pitt? Yeah, me neither.

• Places to go. Things to see.

• Visit President Obama's new office. And check out his very expensive 'BarackBerry.'

• U.S. Figure Skating Championships this weekend. It's in Cleveland...best to watch it on television.

Fasten Your Seatbelts...It's Going To Be A Bumpy Night

If asked to come up with a one-word summation of 2008, I would have to say, "Bumpy." 2008 was full of surprises, unfortunately so many of them were disappointments. I am, however, most grateful to have my health and be gainfully employed going into the new year. In order to create a new world order for the year of 2009 that will dawn on the morrow, I have taken to repeating a one-word mantra for the New Year.

Bliss.

It is my hope for the new year.

Bliss.

It's a lovely word, isn't it? Saying it is almost as good as taking a spa vacation. It trips over the tongue as deliciously as a chocolate truffle. I've been silently repeating it over and over in great hopes that I will be able to manifest a "blissful" new year. You too should find one-word mantra of your very own to help guide you into 2009. I'd love to know what your word is. Please let me know.

• Don't try to fool me. I know you got a copy of "Dewey the small-town library cat who touched the world" about the life and times of Dewey Readmore Books in your Christmas stocking. I'm certain that you haven't been able to put it down since then, but to shuffle into the kitchen to make a cup of herbal spiced tea. Well, listen up fans of Dewey, the word on the street is that librarian and best-selling author Vicky Myron has adopted a new kitten -- appropriately named Page. Photographic proof available here.

• Continuing on the same theme...here's another cat who was in the news in 2008. Check out the photos of Frankie the cat burglar. He has no remorse about his crimes. None whatsoever.

• What's up with the chick flick? It's always been my favorite genre. Why is Hollywood trying so hard to harsh on my buzz?

• Do you remember when it was cool to be a tomboy? Nowadays everyone just assumes being a tomboy is the same as lesbian. It's really too bad.

Editor's Note: Today's "blissful" woodland scene is brought to you by the Handsomest Man Alive whose plans to travel back to sunny Southern California for New Year's Eve have been changed by a snowstorm in the Northeast. Falling snow is so beautiful when you're some place safe and warm.

Cuts like a knife...and it don't feel right

I have a mass on my left ovary. I'm having surgery tomorrow to find out what it is. Ironically, according to the ultrasound report my right ovary is completely normal. But nothing feels normal anymore. I have never felt so alone in my life.

It all started back in September when I started having a searing pain in my pelvis. It was like there was a red hot jawbreaker trapped in the crook of my thigh. A trip to the urgent care provided medicine for a yeast infection. A trip to the ob/gyn provided medicine for a bladder infection. My pain subsided -- but then came back with a fury after I had worked an eighteen hour shift on Election Day. I felt like I had a gunshot wound and spent two days in bed. I went back to urgent care. The nice doctor told me he thought it was a cyst and ordered an ultrasound. He told me to follow up with my ob/gyn. That's when I learned about the mass.

"It's just a cyst," I said positively.

"It's solid. Cysts are fluid-filled. It's not normal," said Dr. Kittur (which sounds like couture.) "It has to come out."

"But I feel much better now," I pleaded. "Can I just keep it?"

"Sure. We can wait. Do another ultrasound...and then we'll do the surgery in two months."

Getting out of the surgery was not an option...nor was getting out of spending the night in the hospital. I begged, cried and pleaded.

"I've never been in the hospital!"

"Yes, you have," Dr. Kittur responded. "Unless you were born at home, you just don't remember it."

Just my luck, I've managed to find the only doctor in the Santa Clarita Valley with a wicked, dry sense of humor. Just the kind of sense of humor that I usually find irresistible in men. Yessiree, I've met my match in Dr. Kittur, who, by the sound of it should look like Project Runway's Tim Gunn, but instead actually looks like combination of Statler and Waldorf -- the two muppets who used to argue in the balcony during The Muppet Show.


My age and health history make me a high risk candidate for ovarian cancer. In case you didn't know, ovarian cancer patients rarely have a good prognosis. I pointed this out to Dr. Kittur.

"Well, you're at high risk for uterine cancer too," he responded.

Ah yes! Wicked, wicked dry.

My closest friends and family seem overwhelmed with the news. They don't know what to do for me. The handsomest man alive has shouldered the burden of having to spend time with me in the days before the surgery. I've had my moments. He's been as solid as a rock. What else would you expect from the handsomest man alive?

I've also been given a big assist from the Xanax that was given to me by Dr. Kittur. It has helped. A lot. As I was leaving the office with the golden prescription in my hand that day, I heard him dictating his notes in his office.

"Patient has an anxious personality..." he said. I know I should've been insulted, instead all I could think was how that was THE understatement of the year.

I debated about whether or not to blog about my left ovary. It isn't what this blog was supposed to be about -- I was hoping to celebrate middle age. But life is what happens to you while you're making other plans. And so as much as I can, with as much bravery as I can muster -- I will try to continue to share here.

Here's what you can do. I really need to know that there are people reading this blog. I need comments and well-wishes to feel less alone. Of course, I need your prayers, but I'd also love it if someone could call me on the phone and discuss last night's episode of The Big Bang Theory. And please keep telling me that it's going to be okay, even if it's not going to be okay, because my definition of okay may never be the same again.

Cinderellavision

What I'll be watching this weekend...an adaptation of one of my favorite books by Jane Porter starring Heather Locklear. Set your Tivo! If you're a chick flirting with 40 you won't want to miss it!

Daily Hot Flash

• Oh happy day! I have a kindred spirit in Noelle Carter at the LA Times. It was brought to my attention yesterday that Carter, a self-professed 'bacon fanatic', prepared a list of 1001 things you can do with bacon. Number one on the list is a Candied Bacon Martini...my interest is piqued...but what really intrigues is the recipe for an Apple Bacon Coffeecake. Yummy!

• NHL thug and Vogue magazine intern Sean Avery proved he's got a way with the ladies this week when he referred to his ex-girlfriend actress Elisha Cuthbert as "sloppy seconds" in pre-game comments. Cuthbert is currently dating Calgary Flames superstar Dion Phaneuf. I think the one thing that Avery made crystal clear with his statement is that while he's dated way, way more than his fair share of beautiful women...they've all dumped his ass and he's a bitter and lonely man. I have a feeling he'll find that hooking up with sober chicks is going to be much more difficult for him. Girls love hockey, but we can tell the difference between guys with talent and guys with nothing. And yes, I am using the word 'talent' as a euphemism.

• The other dude who bent over backwards to make a gigantic ass out of himself this week was Pennsylvania Governor Ed "Yes, I'd love another doughnut! Why not? I'll take two." Rendell, who backhandedly complimented Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as a good choice for Homeland Security Chief because she has "no family." Yes, despite the fact that this hard-working woman is smart -- she still has a vagina that might make her trip and fall down -- but since she's chosen not to use hers -- we can expect her to work 18 or 20 hours a day. Gosh, I don't know who should be more insulted -- unmarried women or working mothers. The one thing I think we can all agree on is that Rendell is a big fat boob. No wait -- boobies are good -- Rendell is a big fat moob. (That's a man-boob, Betty!)Let's face it -- with or without children -- women are capable and hardworking. I'm tired of the same old song about how women have to choose between children or a career. It's time to move on! Have we learned nothing from Hillary and Chelsea Clinton?

• I am the walrus...and I play the saxophone. Koo Koo Ka-choo!

• Cinderellas sell rocks when times are tough.

• Fashion designers submit sketches to Women's Wear Daily for Michelle Obama's inauguration gown. What will she wear?

Daily Hot Flash

• Ah! The memoir of the arrogantly lovely Christopher Plummer -- yes! I want to read it! The seduction of Maria by Captain Von Trapp (as played by Christopher Plummer) in The Sound of Music remains one of the most beautiful (and cheesy like Velveeta) onscreen romances ever. It rates right up there with Casablanca and Notorious in my book. It's Christmas, it's time to dust off your DVD copy and watch it again. (Don't tell me you don't own it!) Is there a plain Jane spinster in the world who isn't holding out a hope of meeting her own surly Captain with a beautiful schloss in the bucolic countryside near Salzburg? Yes, I have a feeling there are a lot of other people who feel the same way. When I was in my twenties, I was a bridesmaid in a wedding where the bride walked up the aisle to the "Maria" wedding processional played on a gigantic pipe organ. It was totally over the top! Why are the bridesmaids smiling as they watch her march up the aisle? More Velveeta, please!

• Did you read any of these in 2008? Me neither. Why doesn't anyone ever come up with an end-0f-year list of notable trashy books that we devoured like chocolate-covered candies? I read some great chick lit this year -- Kristin Harmel and Jane Porter became two of my new favorite authors. Delicious stories about real women. And did you know that Sue Grafton's latest mystery is out in paperback for Christmas? Yum. Yum. I'm sure the books on the New York Times list are very notable, but I'd prefer a list of books that are as delicious as 'sugar plums.' Maybe the LA Times could do it...or not.

• One of my favorite little corners of Los Angeles is Tujunga Valley. I didn't know that it had name. Not only is the food at the magical Aroma Cafe fantastic, there's a wonderful little yarn shop just across the street. Oh, and did I mention that Robert Blake popped his ex-wife at the Italian restaurant on the corner? I mean, he 'allegedly' popped his wife...I didn't follow the case and don't know how it turned out...

• Hello aspiring screenwriters! Here's another news story that is easily adaptable into an action film. All you need to do is attach Bruce Willis and you've got the outline for Die Hard 4: Rough Water...Get thee to the closest Starbucks and fire up your lap top now!

• He's no Tim Russert...but then those are awfully big shoes to fill. Go Bills!

Daily Hot Flash

I've been struggling with life lately...I'll tell you why when I get the courage. So I haven't been blogging. I know, I probably should've...but I'm not that brave. I was pushed into posting some links today because there were so many articles about stuff that interests me in cyberspace...and I thought maybe you might be into it too.

• I have two words for you...Steve. McQueen. Immortalized on film and in one my favorite songs by Sheryl Crow, he's the sexiest man who ever lived. And since I've been living in Santa Clarita, I have also fallen in love with the adorable little Santa Paula Airport. It's the opposite of LAX. Which for those of you who use it regularly know...is another word for Hell.

• When I interviewed to intern at Lightstorm Entertainment when I first moved to Los Angeles, I told them that my favorite film was "A Room With A View." What do you expect from a girl who loves books? I'm certain that's the reason the people behind films like "Terminator" and "The Abyss" asked me to read scripts for them. Since I'm unable to travel -- can't afford it and can't do it due to health problems -- I've been doing a lot of imaginary travel. I'm living vicariously through friends who are traveling and watching a lot of House Hunters International. There are three places I have always wanted to see in person...Italy, Hawaii and India.

• Ok, so even if I AM dying, my plans to have my ashes scattered near my girl Jane Austen have been foiled. Not to mention the fact that obviously, my idea was NOT original.

• I don't know who I love more...Maureen Dowd or Tina Fey. They're both in my top ten of favorite girl writers.

• I love it when the press refers to my plans to overeat over the holidays by the euphemism "eating issues." As if!

Daily Hot Flash

• Michelle gets the VIP tour and then calls Hillary for some tips on living in a fish bowl. As for Sarah...God help us!

• I love chocolate...I'm just not sure I love chocolate that someone has worn all that much!

• Don't forget to stop into your local Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf today for yer FREE holiday beverage today! You'll be humming "Fa-la-la-la-lah!" for the rest of the day.

• Oopsy Daisy! This is why I've never wanted to take the helm of an ocean-going vessel. I've never managed to master the art of a three-point turn (mine are in double digits) in a Civic for heaven's sake.

• I can't believe that the Beaver's older brother is an artist worthy of the Louvre. It seems crazy, doesn't it? Just yesterday morning I was watching an episode where his parents were worried that he was getting too serious with a girl.

• Visit glamorous locations where James Bond movies where filmed. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that most of the chicks I know believe wherever Daniel Craig is at any given time is the most desirable place to be.

• Just because she's gay isn't going to keep this Cinderella from getting married...again...and again...and again.

• From the Department of Could-be-true...Could be crap. In the interest of full disclosure, I've always been on Team Aniston.

Daily Hot Flash

• It's the most wonderful time of the year...when you read this, think of it as sung by Andy Williams. Branson, Missouri is so lucky to have him year-round. His Christmas album is a classic. I have to force myself every year to wait until after Halloween to listen to it. I love the holiday season. I spent the weekend looking at festive holiday decorations to cover my windows and tabletop. Of course I didn't buy anything because things are so tight this year. I think everyone is feeling a little pinch in the pocketbook. I thought this might help with some ideas to keep your Christmas shopping on budget.

• Best news story of the month...so far.

• Two really cool things are happening for web surfers -- One is that the Obama Administration is going to continue to use the web to directly communicate with the American population. The other is that MGM is going to start posting full films on YouTube. Both moves are incredibly forward-thinking and will reward those of us how are frequent internet users.

• An intriguing article about Malcom Gladwell. He's the writer who brought us both the Tipping Point and Blink. I consider both books to be MUST READS in order to understand the current economic climate and digital media explosion. Gladwell is a little strange, yet he covers some really relevant topics.

• Because women only want men for snuggling...here's a gift only a man could think was cool.

• A fixer-upper to end all fixer-uppers...you have got to see this place!

• You've heard of Cat-in-the Hat...Here's the Cat-in-the Box. It's Maru, who never met a box he didn't want to attack. Apparently he's huge in Japan. Here's his blog. I can't read Japanese (in fact, my computer doesn't register all the characters) but his photos are cute.

Cinderellavision

Kristi Yamaguchi is 38 years old, a hockey wife and mother of two children. She's Cinderella on ice...and she makes it look way better than the girls half her age.

Daily Hot Flash

• What's a girl to do now that she doesn't have Sarah Palin to kick around anymore? Escape to a tropical island? I wish...

• Back when John McCain first picked Sarah Palin as his running mate, I was enraged. How dare he believe that a rockin' chick like Hillary Clinton could so easily be replaced with just another vagina. It doesn't work for me...and it doesn't work for Gloria Steinem. I love it when a chick with some serious gravitas gets your back.

• The Handsomest Man Alive sent me the link to this article by Maureen Dowd in the New York Times. He has pretty good taste, I think. Don't you?

• I'm thrilled to say that the Brit comedian Stephen Fry started following me on Twitter this morning. Me and 10,000 other people across the globe. Now if only Rachel Maddow would follow me back. Yes, I have become addicted to tweeting...but that doesn't mean that Miss Goldie Rush will be getting her own twitter account any time soon.

• Joan Allen is going to play artist Georgia O'Keefe in a made-for-television movie. Joan and Georgia are two of my favorite artists.

• This post on Jezebel combines two of my most very favorite things: Project Runway and Michelle Obama's fashion sense. Thank you!

• Are you sleeping? Yeah. Me neither.