As summer nears, nor'easter appears: "Temperatures were only in the 40s or lower across much of the Northeast on Wednesday as a late nor'easter spread rain and gusty wind through the region, continuing a gloomy spring just days before the traditional opening of summer."

When I went outside last night to have a cigarette, at around 9 or 10, my breath was freezing. Freezing. At the end of May. Just in time for our trip to Mohawk Trail State Park this weekend! Actually, the park is on the other side of the state, and the temps are supposed to get back up to near normal in the upper 60s, so it shouldn't be too bad. The cabin has a wood stove, so we should be cool. Or warm. You know what I mean.

Anyhoo, this is my way of telling you that I'll be out of town for a few days and things will get quiet around here. I'll be back late Monday, May 30. Have a good one.

Must be the French Chick.

From another e-mail written last week about the May 18 episode of LOST:

Alias was so fantastic that it sort of supplanted LOST in my thoughts, but I still wanted to mention how much I really enjoyed the episode. What a great night of television!

I know that most of it was just set up for next week’s 2 hour season finale, but it was still very entertaining.

The scene where Sawyer told Jack about meeting his father is I think my favorite scene in the show so far, and sealed the deal on Sawyer as my favorite (for now). God, Jack is a good cryer! Shirtless Sawyer was just gravy. Woo!

So the ‘black rock’ is a shipwreck? Not sure what that means, but it’s certainly not what I expected. And the monster is the island’s ‘security system’? Hmm.

I loved all of the goodbyes, and I’m so glad that Sun and Jin reconciled. I just hope he survives whatever happens on the raft next week, especially after he told Sun that Jack is a good one to have as a friend. Besides the fact that he’s more handsome than I think it is humanly possible to be, I really like his character and I don’t want him to go.

Finally, everyone is almost on the same boat, so to speak, as far as knowing what’s going on on the island. They’ve all met the French woman at least, and everyone’s aware of the hatch. It looks like next week they’ll all finally catch up with Locke and understand that it’s the island that is controlling things somehow.

Remember, LOST is on for 2 hours, from 8-10, and Alias from 10-11!

The Spy Who Loved Me.

From an e-mail I wrote about the May18 double Alias episode:

There was just so much that went on in those 2 hours. Man, that was SO good.

Lena Olin amazes me, the way she can make us believe she is not only a cold, cold, ass-kicking spy but also a loving and protective mother (well, you know what I mean). The look on Irina's face when she realized who Nadia was put a lump in my throat. Speaking of Nadia, wasn't that exchange between Irina and Jack about her interesting? Jack said that Irina would enjoy getting to know Nadia, that she was exceptional, and Irina gave this funny look and asked "I wonder who she gets that from?" with a sort of twinkle in her eye. Anybody else think she might have been implying that Nadia was in fact Jack's daughter and not Sloane's? Is that even possible?

I really enjoyed Sydney last night, too. You can see how much she's grown up when you set her next to Nadia. Whenever she says "Mom?", I think my heart breaks a little. It was nice to see her relax and have fun at the club. Oh, and all of the weapons in her bedroom!

Did anyone else let out a little *gasp* when Dixon went in for the kiss in the stairwell with Chase?! Syd and Jack's reaction in the hospital was so funny. And so was Jack's response during the kinky nightclub conversation: "Yes, you are both still on comms!". I am so in love with SpyDaddy - big ear, pucker-y mouth, wonky leg and all. He is the bomb. "As if weapons grade anthrax grows on trees!" Hee! You're right, eip, Garber and Lena Olin have awesome chemistry.

So has Sloane really gone over the edge? It seems that way, doesn't it? Even if he's fallen under the Rambaldi spell, I don't think that will be enough of an excuse to get him back into anyone's good graces. He's gone too far now. I expect he'll be a pretty big baddy next season (if he survives).

I loved how the writers were able to sort of make fun of the outlandish plot through Vaughn. It's totally crazy, but as long as they understand how ridiculous it sounds, it's okay with me.

I was totally diggin' Vaughn last night. Man! Everything he said to Sydney made me go "Aw", and I am not an "Aw" person. The only complaint I had was that he didn't speak French when Sydney said that the guy in the club was French. He speaks French and I get all tingly. Mon dieu!

My heart went out to Nadia last night. She was so like a little girl. She's really had a terrible life, if you think about it, and from looking at the previews, her future ain't lookin' so good. I hope that if things can't stay the way they are, that she at least turns evil and joins her daddy. If she dies it will just be too sad. Can you believe this, from me? Who thought earlier in the season that Nadia was ruining the show? Will wonders never cease?

Jesus, that was good.

Tube Talk

The final week of the regular television season is finally winding down, for my shows at least.

Quickly:

American Idol had its final showdown between Carrie and Bo last night, and what a really draggy show that was! Neither of them was at the top of their game, and the original songs they had to sing were complete crap. I heard rumors last night that Bo had come down with food poisoning the night before, which might explain his lethargic run through of "Vehicle", and that Carrie's throat has been bothering her, which might explain Simon's remark to her about saving her throat. Bo did a better job on "In Your Heaven", but he didn't really seem to be there in spirit; and Carrie sounded really sharp on all of her songs and I think she should have sang "Alone" instead of "Independence Day". Bottom line: As far as I'm concerned, it's a toss-up. I think Bo's more deserving, but it could really go either way right now.

Tonight's big results show is 2 hours long, folks. I'll be watching the LOST and Alias season finales and packing for vacation, waiting for my sister to tell me who won. I wrote up a few remarks last week about the awesome Alias and LOST episodes, and I want to post them here today before the finales tonight. See above.

Good luck, Bo. If you win, try not to get completely destroyed by the Idol-making machine.

Congressman Slams Maher Over Army Remark: "Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., takes issue with remarks on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, first aired May 13, in which Maher points out the Army missed its recruiting goal by 42 percent in April.

'More people joined the Michael Jackson fan club,' Maher said. 'We've done picked all the low-lying Lynndie England fruit, and now we need warm bodies.'

[...]

'I think it borders on treason,' Bachus said. 'In treason, one definition is to undermine the effort or national security of our country.' "

Another definition, it seems, includes having a sense of humor. I watched that particular show and it was funnier than 99% of what's passes for comedy on television.

Deadwood Finale (Major Spoilers!)

What a satisfying end to the season, both emotionally and morally.

• I have to say the most suspenseful part of the episode was the wedding. I really thought one of them was going to back out. Alma really looked very pretty. Having her say “I do” too early was perfect – she just wanted to have it over with. I loved her inner monologue/dialogue with Brom. It was right that she’d be thinking of him on that day, and it was revealing as far as how Alma feels: Ellsworth (or should we be calling him Whitney now?) is a good man, but the man she loves is in town as well. Now we know for sure why she stays.
• Jane and Joanie are such a good pair. I was sort of borderline when it came to Kim Dickens, who plays Joanie, not sure how good an actress I thought she was, but she is perfect with Jane. I was smiling a mile wide when they showed Charlie ride into town. He left in such an agitated state, it must have been wonderful for him to return to a happy event like a wedding and to see his two girls all cleaned up, dressed up and sobered up, and best buds to boot. I think the scabs on the side of Jane’s face are a result of the beating/rape that was implied when she showed up at Charlie’s on the wrong day for work, saying she had been really drunk and some guy gave her a beating and she could hardly remember it. Jane had the best line, at the end when the band stopped playing as Alma, et al were getting on the wagon to leave and she shouted offscreen, “We ain’t finished fuckin’ dancin’ yet!” (or something to that effect)
• How can the marriage fail when Richardson had his antlers with him? Actually, they didn’t do much good for William, did they?
• I’m hoping that Martha and Seth will actually be calling each other Martha and Seth by next season.
• EB is really off his nut, and I think it’s because he feels left out of all that transpired this season. He was always a sniveling weasel, but now he’s just desperate. I was shocked that he sold the hotel, but was relieved that he would be staying on as manager.
• What an episode for Ian McShane. If he won an Emmy this year that might go toward re-establishing the award’s relevance in my eyes. Keep dreaming, I know. Al’s orchestrations and manipulations are a wonder to behold, and he was so smart to take the $50,000.00 off the table with Yankton. He may be a vulgarian, but on an intellectual level he can hold his own with the likes of Hearst. His facial expressions when talking to Jarry had me dying. And it looks like he had Wu’s back all this time. Pretty much.
• “Wu! American!” What a great scene. I think maybe we won’t be seeing as many Pictionary scenes in Al’s office next season as Wu starts to give in and learn English.
• While Wolcott’s suicide did not surprise me story-wise, it was still a shock to see it happen. I am sorry to see his character go: As slimy and morally repellent as he was, Wolcott was unpredictable, honest in his assessment of himself and offered a viewpoint of the town as an outsider. Yet another reason to hate Cy Tolliver. ( I wonder if they can come up with a way to have Dillahunt show up yet again next season?)
• And speaking of Cy Tolliver, I owe Andy Cramed a big ol’ kiss on the lips for at least trying to rid the show of its worst actor and most despicable character. I doubt Tolliver will die, but God it was so rewarding to see him close to it. One can only hope! And three cheers to Joanie for cutting ties permanently with him and leaving his care to one of his whores.

So, we have some endings: Wolcott is dead, Lee is dead and Tolliver is hopefully but probably not dead. We also have the beginnings: Alma and Ellsworth newly married, Deadwood and Yankton newly married, Al and Hearst newly partnered, EB newly rich, Sol and Trixie becoming a regular pair, Seth and Martha facing the future together, Martha starting her job as the teacher and Jane and Joanie holding court at the Chez Ami.

I can’t wait for next season.

Oh sweet Jesus. I'm sorry, words escape me.

Cruisin' for a bruisin'

First the ridiculous Katie Holmes cradle-robbing PR stunt and now this.

Tom to Brooke: Don't be woman of substance: "...in an exclusive interview to be aired Thursday on 'Access Hollywood,' Cruise tells host Billy Bush that Shields was misguided when she took the anti-depressant Paxil to fight her depression after giving birth to daughter Rowan - which Shields recounts in her memoir, 'Down Came the Rain'

Cruise, who zealously preaches the Church of Scientology's hatred of all mind-altering drugs, tells Bush: 'Here is a woman, and I care about Brooke Shields because I think she is an incredibly talented woman. You look at, where has her career gone?'"

He never was a particular favorite of mine, but now my indifference is quickly turning to dislike. Keep your freaky 'religion' to yourself (and that includes keeping your Scientology propaganda tents off the lots of the movies you make) and mind your own damn business. Grrr.

What goes so wrong in his upbringing that a human being, practically a child himself, rapes and literally throws another one away? And a little 8-year-old girl, no less? And while I'm at it, what the f*ck is going on Florida lately?

Blossoms in Blue

May 4, 2005

Hey, scout!

Reclusive 'Mockingbird' Author Appears: "...she couldn't refuse an invitation from Veronique Peck, the widow of actor Gregory Peck, who won an Oscar for his starring role as lawyer Atticus Finch in the 1962 film version of the book and became a lifelong friend with Lee."

Church sex abuse case may involve 24 children: "The former pastor told deputies he had been having sex with children for many years and 'also educated the children as to how to perform sexual acts with each other and with animals,' Carpenter said."

There's a special place in Hell reserved just for them.

Solitary Man

Neil Diamond, Unplugged and Unsequined: "They were working on a song called 'What's It Gonna Be,' on which Mr. Diamond plays acoustic guitar, something he has not done on a record for decades. The song was spare and unpolished, and the two were discussing whether it needed a second guitar to steady the rhythm. 'I just want to make sure we don't lose the loneliness of it,' Mr. Rubin said. "

There were 3 reasons for me to rent "Saving Silverman": Jack Black, Steve Zahn, and Neil Diamond. My whole family are big fans, actually. One of the few albums I remember my father listening to was a cassette tape of Diamond's "Live at the Greek" that he had in his car. Rubin did unbelievable things with Johnny Cash on his last CD, so I'm really looking forward to this.

Tommy Lee Jones proves there's life behind camera: "After his directorial debut premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, picking up the best actor and best screenplay awards on the way, the Texan said he hoped to make more films."

So that's why we haven't heard anything from him in so long.

"Come and get a full measure of justice from this dirty old lawyer,' he purred."

*gag*

Deadwood

I thought this week's episode ("The Whores Can Come") was very good. Quickly:

• Anna Gunn (Martha) really nailed the whole grief thing. The way her head moved so jerkily, as if the relentless horror of her son's death could be avoided by turning away, only to find that it's everywhere and there is no escape.
• Preacher Andy needs to work on his funeral sermons, I think. Although if Cy has anything to do with it, he won't be around for much longer.
• The scene where Alma accepts Ellsworth's proposal as her carries Sophia up the stairs was a lovely one.
• So, we have Hearst coming to town. Does he really know of Wolcott's nasty habit? Will he finally be able to put ob-freakin'-noxious Cy in his place? Will poor E.B. lose his hotel?
• Why did Mose Manuel live? (I haven't seen the previews)
• There's something going on between Jane and Joanie - sexual tension, perhaps?
• Everything Al said about Wu and the San Francisco c*cksucker went *zoom* over my head. All I got was that Al wasn't backing Wu in regard to the burning of the Chinese whores in the street (horrifying) because he didn't want to be seen to be taking sides at this point in the game. Maybe?

The season 2 finale (!) is this Sunday, don't forget!

Camel Sits on W.Va. Woman Painting a Fence: "Volunteer firefighters and the property owner helped move the 1,500-pound camel off the woman, who was having trouble breathing, ambulance driver Brent Hicks said Wednesday."

Imagine calling in sick with that excuse!

Maine Series 5

New growth.
May 2, 2005.

Bo-dacious

American Idol's final 3 performance show was last night, and hoo-boy! the show belonged to Bo. While he was singing "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" I was actually compelled to tell the TV screen, "I love you, Bo!" How embarrassing. Then he went and brought the house down with his a capella version of "Within a Dream" by Badlands. I have never heard that song before but it doesn't matter - he's like on a totally different plane of existence than Carrie or Vonzelle now. It's a shame he had to follow that with the Stones' "Satisfaction", just a horrible, horrible song choice by Paula. Does she know anything about what she's supposed to be doing in her capacity as a judge? He did a serviceable job on the song, but still. God.

Carrie's version of "Crying" was actually quite good, I thought (I think it helped that they had her face in shadows and you couldn't see her vacant eyes while she sang such a heartbreaking song), but the poor thing had to follow Bo's a capella song and she did it with an Air Supply song. Air Supply??! Carrie! She finished with one of my absolute least favorite songs by one of country music's most overrated singers: "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!", by Shania Twain, which is actually not sung at all but sustained by personality, something Carrie is sorely lacking. But it was country, which everyone thinks is her forte, so they loved it.

Baby V will be going home tonight, I think. She was still really shaky on all of her songs, although I think she did a good job with the Simon-picked "On the Radio". She's sweet, and I really like her, but her performances haven't really been up to snuff, and Carrie has such a loyal fan base (she's never been in the bottom 3), that I don't think she's going anywhere.

Fug Right: "I see you watching your magazines and your Alias and talking about Jen II and Ben Affleck and wondering if I am raging furious about her fruity ovaries! But you are all crazy. DO I LOOK FUCKING FURIOUS? DO I? I did NOT get so angry that I got tangled up in my necklaces and can't get them off. Does this look like angry hair? No! This is my 'Edith and Mergatroyd down at the salon say I look prettier like this' hair! This is my 'Get out of my hot tub, you paparazzi shitclown' hair! THIS IS NOT ANGRY HAIR ABOUT THAT WOMAN AND HER STUPID FAT WOMB. "

Damn, I wish I could be that funny.