EUREKA!

It's finished! My 64 page Master's Thesis has been handed in and I await graduation in May. Of course, there will be revisions before then but... screw 'em! Just kidding. The official title for my web of BS is A Cinematic Society: The "Glitter" Pictures and Early 1990s Australia. The choice to do this topic came straight from my heart. I have always been in love with Australian movies and, since living in Sydney for 6 months, I am also in love with Australia. My deepest gratitude goes out to the Land Down Under.

Things are looking up right now! I've been spending time with my extended family. The picture above is of my baby cousin Catelyn and the house we built together on Sunday. Also, I have met a wonderful person whom I really enjoy spending time with. He's great!

Hello to Jamie back in Oz!

Happy Birthday, Simon!!!

You are the closest thing I've had to a brother. I love ya!
P.S. You are now legal to drink in my country so get your arse over here!

The Constant Gardener

Roxie, Laura, Zehra, Ayanna

I watched The Constant Gardener last night and it's a fantastic film about a big drug company's exploitation of AIDS patients in Kenya. While highly political films make me nervous (especially if they labor their points of view), I felt that the narrative developed its humanity through the love story between Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz. City of God, directed by the same guy, Fernando Meirelles, is next on my list.

On a lighter note, my friends took me to lunch for my birthday today. We laugh so much it's a shock we haven't been kicked out of any eating establishments, even Fuddruckers.

My Boys

Raffaello, Javier, Matthias

I Want this Baby!

I love babies, especially bald ones. I stole this little guy, Zach, when his nanny brought him into the restaurant the other day. I really couldn't get enough of him even after he wiped tomato sauce all over my face and shirt. He is very comfortable around people; smiley, happy and huggy!

A Year Ago Today

A year ago today (Feb. 4th) I left for my 6 month stay in Australia. That absolutely blows my mind. How much has happened since then! How much I've changed! How many wonderful people I may now call my friends! I will forever consider Sydney one of my homes.

My Javi called me from Spain for my birthday! So did Tammy. I also received some lovely emails and text messages. Those of you who did not send regards, you are now on my shit list. May you burn in the 5th circle of hell, butt cheeks sewn together after washing down a bran muffin with Mexican tap water!!

Take a look at this card my parents gave me! I think they know me a little too well.

P.S. If you didn't catch Conan tonight, Google the Feb. 3rd episode. I can't wait to hear from Antti about the 5 minute segment Conan dedicated to Finland. Classic!

February 3, 1979

27 years ago today, I came into this world fat, bald and angry. I weighed 9 lbs 8 ounces and, according to legend, Dr. Pan said as he pulled me out, "Oh, he's a big one! Wait a minute... no, it's a perfect baby girl!"

I have been far from perfect in my life. But my parents had been trying for a baby for 10 years so I had to be something special in their eyes. I have always tried to live up to their expectations, which has been my pleasure.

Since Feb. 3, 1979, I've lived in over 12 houses (DeAngelis propensity toward the nomadic), endured extreme shyness, begrudgingly gave my sister the "ok" to join our family, kicked my own ass at the most intensive high school in America, became one in a long, proud line of DeAngelis/Pogany headcases (thanks, Mom and Dad), and, as Roxana Maria Hortenzia DeAngelis, had the longest, most ethnic name called out at Vassar graduation. Go ethnics!!!

The first words out of my mouth as a wee babe actually formed a full sentence. In the back seat of my parent's Rabbit down the North Carolina shore, I looked out over the water and blurted "Oh, WOW, in't that nice!" Ditto for life so far.

My Favorite Day of the Year!

February 2nd

"When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter."

- Phil (Bill Murray), Groundhog Day

Noah Baumbach

I worked on The Squid and the Whale in May 2004 but did they include me in the credits? No. Nevertheless, I am happy for Noah Baumbach. He was just nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award.

Noah was a professor of mine at Vassar when he came to teach a screen writing course my senior year. Three years later he gave me the opportunity to work on his film during preproduction. At the time, I was grateful to him for the opportunity. However, I was still tortured mercilessly by the nasty bitch of a producer I worked for. Even on a low budget, independent film you can still be surrounded by power-hungry degenerates. Thank God I came to my senses and abandoned the thought of a career in film production. In my estimation, it's just not worth it. Please see Swimming with Sharks if you want to get some idea of what it's like.


The Squid and the Whale is a good film. I recommend that you see it.