Worst Skater Ever? Hmmmm....

I don't know for sure, but I think the guy in the red sweater may have done this a time or two before. What do you think? Improv Everywhere -- the guys that brought you singing in the produce aisle are behind this, so at the very least, it's sure to make you smile.

Trapped Under A Heavy Object

Have you gone to see "The King's Speech" yet? If not, what's holding you back? Twelve Academy Award nominations not enough? And Colin Firth...I mean, what's not to like? For Heaven's sake, how often is the front-runner for "Best Picture" a lovely period piece set in some of the most luxurious palaces and castles in all of England? Usually it's a dark and moody drama set in a ramshackle shack on the bitterly cold and forlorn coast of Nova Scotia. (My apology to my one fan in Nova Scotia...that's wishful thinking on my part. I don't know anyone in Nova Scotia, but I do have family who hails from that neck of the woods, so you just never know when you're out in the wilderness of the World Wide Web. But I digress. "The King's Speech" is a true story about Queen Elizabeth's father -- who got help with his speech impediment from an irreverent Aussiel (Is there any other kind?)  This is a little footage of the real King with his real stammer...just so you know we're not making any of this stuff up.

In Need Of A New Perspective

It's cold and snowy in many parts of the world. It's pretty chilly here in sunny SoCal. I've been wearing my heavy winter overcoat and a scarf in the morning. This morning while waiting for my train, I put my gloves on and wore them for the rest of my commute. It's sometimes difficult to appreciate chilly weather, that's why the world has puppies. Cute dacshund puppies who think every morning is Christmas morning and snow is just a new toy that Santa dropped off. It's even better in Slo-mo.

An Uneasy Peace

It's not as bad as we thought it could be... merging of two families of cats. But it hasn't been easy peasy either. As expected, Joey couldn't care less about having a new cat in the house. For her part, Roxy is enamored of the handsome Joe. To prove her love for him, she often chases him around the house. He does not appreciate this and often lets her know of his displeasure. Gracie has attempted to go about her business despite the little interloper who has moved in with her (without her permission.) She does not like the fact that Roxy sleeps on the bed and climbs her cat condo. She does, however, enjoy the expensive food that is placed in front of Roxy every night that she doesn't eat. So Gracie has seconds. My hope is to someday come home and find Roxy and Gracie curled up together somewhere. Until that magical day, I just hope they don't hurt each other taking big roundhouse swings at each other from time to time. It's good to dream.

Chicago's Mary Poppins

There are people in the world who seem to go unnoticed by others. I think that there are some writers and artists who nurture the ability to blend into the wallpaper in order to observe the world around them. I love stories about people who aren't what they seem on the surface. The recent discoveries about the life of a woman named Vivian Maier seems to have all of the elements of a story about an "unchosen treasure." And her haunting photography has made me ardent admirer of her work.

It's All So Veddy Veddy British

I've been caught up in my Kindle for weeks reading a book I can't put down. It's called "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand," and it's written by Helen Simonson. She's an English woman who lives in the US and decided she would write a book to please only herself -- and so she wrote a book about the England that she misses. It's a wonderful read. I was sorry when I finished. And since I've got four months to go until I get my fill of English pomp and circumstance at the next Royal Wedding, I had to turn to the television for my next fix of Anglophile-er-up. I can always count on Masterpiece Theatre -- and they've come through in a big way with "Downton Abbey." It's an upstairs/downstairs slice of life set in 1912 in an English country estate. Is there anything about that last sentence that doesn't make you want to know more? I know. It's unbelievably delicious. And did I mention Dame Maggie Smith is in the cast? She's a hoot. On a completely unrelated topic, I was searching today for an intriguing article to read during my lunch break and I found THIS I've always been fascinated with art forgery/theft. There's something inherently romantic about it.

Some Tea and 'Temporary Misfortunes'

Well it's been awhile. I know. I've been working and moving and working and moving...which don't necessarily go well together. And then there were those pesky holidays. I hardly even noticed Christmas -- and New Year's Eve was just a blur. 2011 has not kicked off in the most wonderful way. I've been dealing with a series of what my mom calls "temporary misfortunes." Which makes them sound less dreadful and more like tasty little tea cakes. And so I'm pretending that my "temporary misfortunes" are sweet and cute and will be gobbled up quickly by an afternoon tea party at the Dorchester Hotel in London. (At least my imagination is still full intact.) Hopefully, I'll have some good news to report in the very near future. In the meantime, may your life be like a box of chocolates and free from any "temporary misfortunes."