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!

Rats!

Cinderella is under the weather and the rats have taken over the castle. Unfortunately, they don't know how to blog...I will be back online as soon as I'm feeling a little better.

Daily Hot Flash

• Tonight is the night! Top Chef takes a bite out of the Big Apple. I don't know about you but my New York City will always be Holly Golightly's version.

• Boxers, Silks Or Briefs...Maureen Dowd hits the target.

• Hold the popcorn. I can hardly afford the ticket and the parking. Hey! Can I get the senior discount? I still have my student ID...yes, it has been twenty years...

• Feeling a little blue? It's time for Puppy Cam. No seriously, you thought that Facebook was taking up all your time. I dare you to look away when these little guys start to squirm. And yes, you can watch in full screen.

Free TV Show from Ustream

Cinderella Loves A Man In Uniform

Thank you for all you do!

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.