Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Things I'm Thankful For - 2011 edition

The holiday season is officially upon us, and as we sit down to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal with friends and family, I am going to take some time out to share what I'm thankful for this year.

  1. My health/my life. I went through some scary times earlier this year. There were several months when all of my doctors thought I had some form of cancer and wouldn't live to see my 45th birthday. And even after the true nature of my condition was confirmed and surgery was planned, there was still a big possibility that I wouldn't make it. But I did. And I've healed very well. And I have a different outlook on things. And for that I'm grateful.
  2. My friends. YOU are the family that I've chosen, and I really couldn't have done a better job. 2011 has been the year that I truly found out how special the people that I've surrounded myself with are, and how important they are to me. My friends are the best.
  3. NaNoWriMo. Sure, I'm woefully behind and probably won't meet the 50K word deadline on November 30, but each time that I've attempted (and failed) to complete a novel within 30 days it has inspired me creatively, and that's a great feeling.
  4. Nolan Ross. Thank you Gabriel Mann for reminding me how much I love you, and for bringing this character to life in the most wonderful ways. And for being an undercover hard body; your abs were the best thing on my TV this fall! Thank you ABC for not only not cancelling Revenge, but for also giving it a full season order.


Friday, November 18, 2011

A few things that I'm obessed with this week...

Police have reopened the investigation of the mysterious death of actress Natalie Wood. I was OBSESSED with this case as a pre-teen kid. First of all, I thought that Natalie Wood was so beautiful. She was my first girl-crush. I was into a lot of true crime stuff at the time, and this also had the added attraction of involving 3 actors that I knew and liked. And I don't know, somehow it was oddly romantic?
Natalie Wood's body was found floating in a cove off the coast of Catalina Island, Thanksgiving weekend 1981. Her death was ruled as an accidental drowning but suspicion has always been thrown on her husband Robert Wagner, who along with actor Christopher Walken were with Wood on her and Wagner's yacht in Catalina.
The three had been drinking when an argument erupted; supposedly over the reveal that Wood and Walken had been carrying on a secret affair. According to both Wagner and Walken, Natalie had stomped away angrily and that was last they saw of her until her body was recovered. They did find that one of their small inflatable boats was missing and it was assumed that Wood took this and subsequently drowned.
However, suspicion was thrown on Wagner when the captain of the boat said that he'd seen Wagner and Wood arguing shortly after she had stormed off the top deck where the initial argument had occurred. But police had never been able to prove anything against Wagner, and generally it has always been believed that he had nothing to do with her death; beyond being involved in the verbal fight that was the catalyst for her to leave the boat.
So why have the police decided to reopen this case after 30 years? Well, that old captain has come forward this week and said that he lied to police about seeing Wagner and Wood argue on the lower deck. Why did he do it? Who knows, but since that couldn't possibly be enough to reopen a cold case like this, I have to wonder what other new evidence the police have that they can't reveal yet.
But I sure am waiting with baited breath to see what happens next.
Wasn't Natalie Wood just gorgeous?




Another thing that I've been bummed about is the split between Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore. I've had a weird love of this couple ever since they got together in 2005. I found their relationship to be charming. I genuinely like Ashton Kutcher as an actor and a person, and it's annoying to think that all of those rumors about him fooling around are actually true. Especially with the women that he supposedly had the affairs with - those 2 ladies are fugly and stupid looking! So disappointed.

Finally, it was Regis' last day today on Live! with Regis and Kelly. I actually kind of hate Regis Philbin, but I loved his dynamic with Kelly Ripa (who can do no wrong in my book) and have always enjoyed Live!, even in the Kathie Lee Gifford days.
I'll definitely be recording the shows all next week as they start their official process for selecting his replacement. My #1 vote? Mark Consuelos!!! Kelly Ripa's hubby is awesome and has done a great job filling in for Regis over the past decade. He and Kelly are the greatest. But maybe their marriage would suffer working together every day? If that's the case, then don't do it Mark! I can't deal with another beloved celebrity couple splitting up.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Congrats Bradley!

People Magazine put out their annual Sexiest Man Alive issue this week. And this year good ol' Bradley Cooper took the title. 
Don't get me wrong, I like Bradley Cooper a lot and I think he's very handsome. But I kind of don't get why he's getting these accolades this year. I feel like he was getting way more hot press for his films etc. in 2010 than in recent months. Is it because he's currently dating (allegedly) Jennifer Lopez? Hmm...okay, I can see why he would deserve praise and recognition for that. She's amazingly hot!
I just want to say that I met Bradley Cooper and "hung out" with him at a party once back in 1999 right around his Alias days. He was cute and funny but seriously one of the biggest goofs that I've ever met in my life. I'm sure he's done some maturing in the 12 years since then, but that evening left a permanent impression on my view of him. Another great thing is to watch his Inside The Actors Studio episode. He was the first (and I think only?) actual graduate of "The New School" to ever appear on the show and James Lipton gets even more insane with him than he usually does with his guests. Cooper cries more than once during the show. It is a gem to behold.

BTdubs my favorite photo will forever be this one posted below taken at the 2009 Golden Globes. Coop's shit-eating, slightly intoxicated grin; Ryan Reynolds giving you his best Cary Grant stare-down; both looking suave as hell in their tuxedos. It's a slash-fiction writer's dream. Good times!



Tuesday, November 15, 2011

What the hell you guys?!!

Heather Locklear and Jack Wagner called off their engagement! After only 3 months. Well, to be truthful they've been friends forever and have dated off and on since their divorces from Richie Sambora and Kristina Wagner respectively.
So are they just putting the wedding on hold, or are they really splitsville? I was really pulling for them as a couple. Maybe Heather got angry that Jack wasn't singing "All I Need" to her every morning? That's what I would demand if he were my boyfriend.

Remember the 80s when Jack Wagner looked like this?

He made the mullet WERQ people!

Monday, November 14, 2011

I'm obsessed y'all

I've already watched the new full trailer for The Hunger Games about 30 times. So far they've got everything right! The tone, the look...EVERYTHING.

And who knew I'd find myself having the hots for Seneca Crane, but there ya' go. Wes Bentley is bringing it!


Friday, November 11, 2011

Writer's block

My novel is stalled currently. Ugh. Maybe I can kickstart myself by using NPR's helpful hints for coming up with a book title.