Happy Birthday to My Sister!

I lover-ed you!!! Happy 22nd Birthday!

Odd and Ends

Here are some photos I thought I'd share. The first is of me having just washed my dogs, Fred and Ginger. The second is of the two wearing the ridiculous Christmas bows I insisted on (I think Ginger gave me the look of death when I tied it on her). The third is a photo of something I am very proud of: a didge stand I made for the instrument I purchased in Alice Springs, AU last year. In the spirit of Christmas, I think I'm doing well for myself. After all, Jesus was a carpenter and I wasn't too bad in my first foray into the craft.

1. Neiman Marcus No Be Shame-a Themselves 2. Fair Weather Feminist

1. To quote my Italian great grandmother, Neiman Marcus "no be shame-a themselves" when it comes to sticker prices. Needless Mark-up would gouge your eyes out with a Williams-Sonoma ice pick if your ocular cavities were full of money. $300 for on-the-cheap-rack shoes??? $95 for a bra, size 32 G? What the heck is a 32 G??? Last I checked, cup sizes only went up to a Double D. But, I guess Neiman's female clientele are of the trophy wife variety-- size 0 chicks with size G boobs, purchased for them by their hair-sutured, grease-ball, millionaire sugardaddys. Makes sense that chocolates are sold as single pieces for $6.50 at Neiman’s. What else can an 85 lb. woman fit into her shrunken, over-priced body?

2. I have decided that I am definitely a Fair Weather Feminist (and that I am the first to coin the phrase, thank you very much). I will pull Gloria Steinem out of my ass when I feel that egregious wrongs are being done to me because of my sex. However, I am not above welcoming a 1950s status quo when convenient for me, i.e. letting him pay for dinner and having him lift heavy items when I can't be bothered to do it myself. AND most women are like this, even if they don't admit it! So I say: embrace it for all it's worth. Believe me, you'll have the last laugh.

December 1, 2006

This past Friday marked the first time I've ever written a film review for money. I can't be too specific but let's say I caught a lucky break and I think I might now, officially, have my foot in the door. The review I wrote has yet to be published on the web but it will be soon. On Thursday, I'm off to a screening for a film yet to be released and will be writing another review. When these pieces are published, I'll be shouting from the rooftops so you'll all know where to find me. Luck, hard work and a few surviving brain cells be a lady tonight!

Thorpie Quits!

I am SHOCKED that I didn't hear about this until today! Ian Thorpe, Australia's # 1 most popular athlete, retired from swimming on Tuesday at the age of 24. First I was saddened by the news, but then I realized that it takes a lot of self-assurance and guts to decide that you've had enough of fame and glory and just step down. I mean, Thorpe is only 24. He'd have at least 5 outstanding professional years in him if he wanted... but he doesn't.

Good on ya, Thorpie! Enjoy your retirement. Also, thanks to Thorpe's "big sister" Michelle Flaskas for her generosity toward me while I lived in Sydney last year. Both you and Ian are simply the best!

To learn about Thorpe's fabulous charity for children, please click on Ian Thorpe's Fountain for Youth.