worth the wait

Our trip to California last September seems years away as I sit here bundled up in my fleece hoodie and flannel PJ's bracing for our "coldfront". (Here in Florida we get excited when the low temp starts with a "2"!)
Between the election and the holidays it's been hard to get any movies made, but my lovely sat down this weekend and cranked out another classic! I hope you enjoy the many scenes of our 10 days on the west coast. We had a spectacular time and made some great memories, then again, I love every day no matter how big or small when my girl is by my side. Enjoy! Don't forget to pause the awesome song playing first!

California Dreaming from g8rlane on Vimeo.

Wowee Wednesday

Tina Fey

She can act, produce,and direct. She's a multiple Emmy, Globe, and SAG award winner. She has the type of humor and outlook that when coupled with other talented comedians produces a hysterical humor that calls on its viewers to pay attention and think. gasp! shut up! Get out of my head Tina Fey!

I'm so glad Tina is finally getting recognition for her incredible work. The sitcom is now reaping the benefits of Tina's brilliance just like sketch comedy did for so many years, and we as viewers are the lucky beneficiaries.

Did you see the 30 Rock with a cameo from Oprah? Brilliant and hysterical! Here's a snippet, but to get the whole joke you'll need to bring the whole thing up on Hulu.

Wowee Tina Fey!

Broadway Monday

Wicked So much happened before Dorothy dropped in.

Long before that girl from Kansas arrived in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One - born with emerald green skin - is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for the most completely satisfying new musical in a long time.

I've been highlighting Broadway features on my blog for close to 40 weeks now and somehow have managed to keep this very special show tucked away, waiting for the day when I had the time to devote and give proper respect. Don't laugh! If you've seen the show you know what I'm talking about!

Let's say you're watching the Wizard of Oz when suddenly the camera shifts a frame just a bit to the left. All of the sudden, you are witness to the other story that was playing out at the same time. This is the story of Wicked. The happenings, events, relationships and turmoils that support the story about the little girl from Kansas we grew up reading and watching. There have been many Elphabas and Glindas, but my heart will always belong to my friend Stephanie J. Block! To me, no one can hold a candle to Steph's Elphie!

Wicked is a musical with songs and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. The story is based on the best-selling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. In 2004, Wicked was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and garnered trophies for Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Book, and Best Actress in a Musical.

Wicked still runs at the Gershwin Theatre to SRO crowds for eight shows a week. The show recouped it's 14 million dollar investment in the first year, and continues to gross a million dollars weekly. A "Sold Out" sign is affixed to the theatre exterior. The show is currently on tour in many cities in the US and abroad.

OK, who blabbed?

So my previous post was a bit vague, and that was by design. I think I made it clear that I was afraid to share my plans for last Thursday lest I jinx my chances of a really cool evening. Well, the evening didn't turn out as planned but was cool nonetheless and I got to spend the evening with talented, passionate women who have devoted much of their lives to making sure others have a voice and a choice.
I attended the Feminist Women's Health Center Awards Ceremony in Atlanta. Wowee of the Year 2008, Rachel Maddow was due to be in attendance, but unfortunately we only got a video appearance and I think it most likely had something to do with the fact that Robert Redford was live in her studio that night. Career-wise, Robert Redford will always win out for a journalist!
Instead, we were serenaded by the magnificent Phoebe Snow, and I was so fortunate to have had a nice conversation with David Bender, from Air America's Politically Direct. David excitedly gave me a white knot, and I couldn't have been more excited to pin it on.

I was also fortunate enough to speak with a new-to-me author named Jennifer Baumgardner about her books, her passion and love of Spanish Moss. I picked up Jennifer's book Abortion & Life and look forward to reading it this week.

Thank you to my friend the Rev for thinking of me when another ticket appeared. I am honored to have been a part.

I'm off today to do something very cool, in the company of many smart, sophisticated and cool people in a location that is equally as smart, sophisticated, and cool. This event has the potential to have the smart and cool features ratcheted up a few notches and if all goes as planned, I will be sharing it as soon as I can get my fingers on a keyboard anywhere. Don't think I won't pull into a library!

I'm being vague because the 8-yr-old child in me has taken over and I am convinced that if I talk about the event, think about it too much, tell others what I'm doing, get too excited -- it will go away. You know that's the rule, right? No? Just my little kid rule? hmmm.

Nice try, but I'm keeping mum until tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Wowee Wednesday

America You looked absolutely gorgeous yesterday, America!

The millions of beautiful, happy faces celebrating a proud moment in our history was wonderful and uplifting to witness. You braved the cold, crowds, and security to be a part of what I hope is a pivotal moment in our time.

You made a pilgrimage to our nation's capitol with the faces of every color, creed, gender, religion, size, and orientation. Save for the irresistible chance to "boo" at George W., you behaved in a respectable and proud manner.

The world watched. The world's leaders watched. Today begins a new chapter. You helped turn the page.

pinch me

What a comforting sight.

Today's the Day

I woke up at 2:30 am this morning and wondered if Barack and Michelle were actually sleeping. If so, how in the world?! I'm not even involved or present. Heck I don't even have the day off and I can't sleep!

Now that I'm up and have had the chance to see what is happening in DC, I sure hope they got some sleep because this is only part of what is waiting for them today:

Absolutely incredible. Before the ceremonies start, millions of people from all over the world will fill the Mall in Washington, temperatures hovering in the high teens, wind chill in the single digits, all in effort to be a part of history as it unfolds. America and the world are desperate to feel good again. Yearning to feel proud again. Longing to look ahead with hope and confidence.

What a day.

Broadway Monday

You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush

It’s time for a change in America, but not without a few parting words from the 43rd President of the United States. Don’t miss your chance to discover the man behind the myth, the truth behind the lies, and the logic behind the illogical in this limited Broadway event.

It's our last day with George as our president. Thought this day would never come, huh? Although Broadway productions often involve and make commentary on current political events, rarely do they star a sitting president. Well, okay it’s Will Ferrell, but close enough.
You’re Welcome, America is a one-man show running at the Cort Theatre for a limited engagement starting January 20, 2009-March 15, 2009. So get your tickets while they last, although the laughability of this president will live forever!

goodnight and f*%k you

Here's a little teaser to prep you for tonight's no-doubt-highly-anticipated final address from our Hobo in Chief --I've been referring to him as such for a few weeks now. I mean look at that hair! Get a freakin' haircut man! Between the hair and the disheveled, sometimes matching suits you have been sporting in the last month, you look like a few of the homeless guys downtown!-- ,George Bush. Now go on and get your popcorn and cold drink ready. George wants to say goodbye and thank you. Enjoy this little taste of what tonight's speech will most likely entail.

He's so proud. Aren't you?

Wowee Wednesday

Glenn Close Okay, so I'm going to show my affinity for smart strong women again...don't you just think of Glenn Close immediately when describing pivotal actresses of our time? I sure do! Movies, television, the Broadway stage, is there anything she can't do?

I can't think of one production in which Glenn didn't shine, no matter the size of the role, she is a fixture, a standard and a perfect touchstone for any story being told. Glenn was responsible for making an indelible mark on our psyche in the thriller "Fatal Attraction", made us look behind our backs in "Dangerous Liaisions", gave us a double-take in "Hook" and currently has audiences suspicious as hell in FX's "Damages" Glenn's filmography reads like a dream, and would use up too much bandwidth to list here so take a peek here if you wish! All that and she's not so bad on the peepers either!

scam

So let me see if I understand:

• Citigroup gets a $300 billion dollar, poorly structured bailout from the government
• Citigroup proceeds to form a partnership with Morgan Stanley using said bailout money
• Citigroup now states that they will post a $10 billion dollar profit from the Morgan Stanley venture
• In November, Citigroup agreed to invest $10 billion in the transportation industry, and bought a toll road operation...in Spain
• Citigroup's CEO salary for 2009? $216 million or $108,000 per hour
• And my Citibank card with excellent credit has an interest rate of 27.9% which makes it impossible to use.

Okay, NOW it's all clear to me. I just needed it spelled out. S-C-R-E-W-E-D.

Broadway Monday

Fiddler on the Roof This Tony Award winning show is based on the short story "Tevye and His Daughters" by Sholom Aleichem. Set in 1905, Fiddler on the Roof takes place in Anatevka, a small Jewish village in Russia. The story revolves around the dairyman Tevye and his attempts to preserve his family's traditions in the face of a changing world. When his eldest daughter, Tzeitel, begs him to let her marry a poor tailor rather than the middle-aged butcher that he has already chosen for her, Tevye must choose between his own daughter's happiness and those beloved traditions that keep the outside world at bay. Meanwhile, there are other forces at work in Anatevka, dangerous forces which threaten to destroy the very life he is trying to preserve.

Fiddler premiered September 22, 1964 and played for a then record setting 3,242 performances garnering several Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. It remains the 13th longest running musical in Broadway history. Zero Mostel's debut of the character of Tevye won the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical. This historic show has spawned many revivals since it's debut, 1976, 1981, 1990 and 2004. The 1990 revival starred Topol as Tevye, best known as the star of the 1971 film, and won the Tony for Best Revival.

The 2004 revival starred Alfred Molina and Harvey Fierstein as Tevye and Andrea Martin and Rosie O'Donnell in the role of Tevye's wife, Golda. The production was nominated for six Tony Awards.

woot!

Florida Wins National Championship

24-14

Go Gators!

Isn't it time?

I wish Andy Warhol had never mentioned that "everyone will be famous for 15 minutes". It's like that little quote has given credence to the likes of everyone from your local town hero (justified) to that awful JTP. Yes folks, Joe the Plumber is back. Apparently his 15 minutes weren't up or Sarah Palin lent him a few of hers.

In what can only be explained as a slap to all actual war correspondents, Joe Warzelbacher, has signed on with a conservative website to cover the current Israel conflict for 10 days in order to let "average Joes share their story". (cue the crickets)

Just what this historically battle-ridden area of the world needs...a media-whore and gadfly.

If it's all the same to you, I'll stick with defining war correspondent by using names like Dan Rather, Morley Safer, Al Gore, Christiane Amanpour and Richard Engel thanks.

Wowee of the Year 2008

Looking back on a year of Wowee Wednesdays I thought it appropriate to choose a special Wowee from the bunch that stood out just a little bit woweeier than the rest, sort of a Wowee of the Year. My pick?

Rachel Maddow

Unless you are living under, or are, a rock you'd be hard pressed to miss this dynamo on the political field this year. Lord knows I have done my best to promote her so at least 5 more people know now!

In the last few months Rachel has been featured in a number of magazine articles including The New York Times, The Advocate, Mother Jones, New York, and even an adorable video giving us a cocktail mixing lesson on Grub Street.

The nerdy, wonky, dorkiness of Rachel have made her the secret crush of most everyone including guys, straight girls, sometimes straight girls and, of course lesbians. Go read any bulletin board comment section on Rachel and the second most identifiable theme is "I have a girl crush on Rachel" or "I don't know why I find myself so attracted to this lesbian, but I like it!"

That, my friends, is called charisma and Rachel has a truckload of it!

Get your fix of the Wowee of the Year nightly on MSNBC and Air America.