Riding High

Last night, I watched an amazing movie called The Women.

It was one of the six movies I have rented to watch over these snowy days. I started my moviethon Saturday with Wall-E and The X-Files.

Wall-E is one of the most endearing and funny animated movies I have seen in a while. I don't know how much of it kids would get, but it certainly is a "must-see". These little robots immediately capture the heart and imagination with their gestures and eye expressions. The movie even manages to make a cockroach lovable. Yeah, I know. But it's true! Set in the dystopian future, it has a powerful message indeed. One for all of us to heed.

X-Files is more of a blast from the past for me, having been an avid fan of the television show. It was great to follow Mulder and Skully on a new adventure. The movie does not disappoint. It contains all the intriguing elements of the show, but it also infuses the protagonists with some added dimension. It is dark and disturbing, but extremely enjoyable none-the-less.

Having watched two science fiction movies the night before, I decided it was time to change things up, so I popped The Women into the player. I rented it thinking it would be some enjoyable fluff that I would sort of inertly move through without being disturbed or challenged. Boy, was I wrong. I was definitely not inert watching this movie. The characters captured my attention right from the start. Ensemble movies often fail because it is difficult to make each character resonate with the audience. Not the case here. Each and every actress does an outstanding job in engaging the viewer's emotions and interest.

This is the ultimate chick flick. Literally. There is not a single male character on the screen throughout the movie. Not even as an extra in the distance. Men make an appearance through hearsay and gossip, through one-sided telephone conversations and written messages. I didn't even notice their absence until the middle of the movie.

If you want to feel connected to the sisterhood that is women. To feel empowered in your own life and choices. Whether you are 12 or 112, this movie will speak to you as a woman. In fact, I am going to watch it again tonight. I am sure, there is a performance or two I did not fully pay attention to. There are so many to notice! Ladies. This is a definite must-see. Gentlemen,( if any read my blog lol) if you want to know the inner workings of women, and are not afraid, this movie is a must-see for you too. :)

Today, I unveil the Queen of Balloons. As she sits perched on a hot air balloon that is her throne, she emanates confidence and humour. She is mistress of the air, unafraid to take risks, secure in her place in the world. A breath of fresh air, a new perspective, a creative impulse, the power of momentum are all encapsulated in this card.

May this card inspire you to find the power that is within you, to ride it confidently and with humour throughout life and its adventures.

Blessed be :)

Just the Girls

Last night, we participated in a cinematic and socialogical milestone. We went to the premiere of Sex and the City.

The movie was everything fans could have hoped for. A reunion of friends. And not just friends on the screen.

Whatever naysayers' sour predictions, the movie was a smashing success. It brought us Mr. Big, fashion, intimacy, heartbreak and healing. The critics who panned it missed the point. It wasn't about the movie at all.

I don't think there has been a gathering of women this large since the suffragette movement. Together, we admired each others dresses, and shoes. Together, we laughed; we cried; we gasped; we clapped in enthusiasm.

I have lived in this city for many years, and I cannot remember another time I felt so close to total strangers except during the blackout a few years ago. This was more fun.

It was the sisters movement, inspired by four fictional women who became our friends for 6 years. It doesn't matter if the movie had plot holes, or if the ending was tight. What mattered is that we shared an experience unlike any other.

The ladies I gathered for this outing and I raised our cosmos to toast friendship. We talked about work and babies and men over sushi. We might not have been wearing designer clothing or accessories, but we felt like a million dollars. No movie has ever made us feel that way. So, to all reviewers who panned this movie, you missed a lot. You missed the experience. You missed the bonding. You missed the real reason Sex and the City captivated so many. It made us fall in love with ourselves. So put that in your Jimmy Choos and wear it.

No Country For This Girl

Last night, I helped my friend's husband organize a birthday celebration for her. I am a true believer in customizing the party to suit the person. I really don't like generic affairs that suit the organizer not the guest of honor. So I will do anything the for the friend celebrating whether it is in my taste or not.

I have known Dawn for many years now, and when I met her she was all gangsta - ghetto fab. Then when she got engaged, another side of my dear friend surfaced. The country girl! I found out she loves country and western, hay, rodeos, and umm cowboys - hot please with no shirts!

So we organized a "hootenany" (I have no earthly idea how that's spelled and I don't wanna know) at a trendy country and western saloon downtown - The Dakota Tavern. I have no interest in the genre or its accoutrements, hot wranglers excepted, but "hay" it was for my girl.

This place has been stripped to no frills. The menu is short and sweet. Cajun meets hee haw. Delicious and cheap! The cash and carry bar carries booze at 5 dollars a pop! Holy stirrups cowman! The decor was shabby-shabby basement barn.

She loved it! I have broken ribs to prove it!

The evening started off with the Tin Pan North Festival which featured orignal songwriters. A couple of them were excellent, the rest, well, good thing the butter knives weren't sharp, cause I tell ya, I was tempted to slice myself. Anywho, after hearing about the death of pet dogs and the saga of the cheating mate, that ended uneventfully.

Then, something happened. This staunch No Country For This Girl turned. A band went on who went by the name of The Beauties, and they made me see the haylight! These young men (with a name like that you would expect women) were absolutely amazing with an incredible energy and talent that made my unbooted feet tap despite their blasé reluctance. I was grinning like I swallowed the freshly milked bucket.

But that wasn't the end of the surprise. A little lady came on stage by the name of Samantha Martin and my jaw dropped. The girl has a voice from heaven and a style remiscent of Patsy Kline meets Amy Whinehouse. I was riveted. I could listen to them all night. Unfortunately, we had to leave early because our other friend is a new mother and had to attend to her lovely infant daughter. Dawn stayed behind with her husband and she was in seventh hay loft.

As we walked back to my car, I could swear my feet were doing the jig, and my grin was still in place.

Happy Something Day

Today was a holiday. For the life of me, I can't remember what we're celebrating. I, for one, celebrated one extra day to do as I please.

I slept in this morning which is something I rarely do anymore, but it was delicious not having to rush anywhere or plan anything.

I spent a lot of the day in contemplation, listening to music while dancing in my living room, making a spicy chicken salad, and finishing a book.

My goddaughter, along with most tween and teen girls, is simply captivated by the Twilight series; so being a reader and a writer, I had to see what all the hype is about.

Reading Twilight and New Moon, I took a stroll down memory lane. I was a tween again, getting my first taste of the confident, brooding, complicated and oh so sexy male. For me, it was Edward Rochester, Fitzwilliam Darcy, and Heathcliff; for the girls in this generation, it's Edward Cullen.

The writing is cliched for sure. There is not one twist that I did not anticipate several chapters earlier, but I could feel the magic that took over my tween heart. It was the hope for that one man who would get me, no matter what; and despite his flaws and the many obstacles between us, fate would inexplicably draw us together again and again.

Romance is a wonderful thing containing such exquisite pain, such tortured expectations, such passionate fulfillment.

It's downright dangerous.

I'm torn. I know how cruel these kinds of fantasies are, and how they can shape a girl's and then a woman's expectations. It is these expectations that I have had to battle in order to negotiate a real-life relationship with a man. Was I successful? Not so much, as man after man has proven to be oh so human and uncharmingly flawed. Or is it us, the women weaned on romance that are flawed?

I don't have the answers, but one thing experience and soul-searching have taught me. It is a glorious to be with someone who loves you for exactly who you are. And that my friends, is a two way street.

American SoSo?*

There are a few key problems with American Idol and it has nothing to do with the singers.

The first problem is the audition process, which frankly has become a "let's see who comes out of the freak woodwork" process. It's far too long and far too painful. By the time they have their final 20, the viewers are done with the show.

The second problem this season is the theme choices. Though some of the themes/mentors picked are more than worthy in their discography, they do not appeal to the target audience. The viewers simply cannot relate to these songs. It is left to the singer to contemporize the songs, but often the competitors are not up to the challenge without coaching.

The third problem is the voting. I think fan voting should certainly be part of the process, but fans do not necessarily vote for the best singers/entertainers. This season, several strong singers/entertainers were voted out in favor of weaker competitors, simply because they were not to the mainstream liking. The judges should have a vote too, as should the mentors, to balance popularity with talent.

Lastly, the definition of 'idol' is someone put on a pedestal as a representative of "perfection". It seems that some of the past Idol winners have none of the qualities that sell records, that's why we see runners up with better careers than the winners. Maybe this is not Amercian Idol, as much as it is American SoSo?

*this also was posted on yahoo TV reviews under American Idol