Like Night and Day

The best I could do, I might not be ready for TMZ just yet

This past weekend has been a study in contrasts. On Saturday night, I met up with some old friends from the town I grew up in. Whoa. Lots has changed. I spent the evening in smoke filled bars and swung by karaoke night at the local bowling alley. Tagging along for part of the evening was an acquaintance of my old friend who goes by the name Balls. It should surprise no one that Balls was wearing baggy jeans, white t-shirt, and had a rap sheet thicker than the phone book. Though I did not get to bowl, I did play a very successful round of spot that mullet. Overall it made me pretty flipping happy that I never, ever have to go there again.

I pleaded with my friend to flee early on Sunday morning back to the safe and familiar confines of Philadelphia (calling Philadelphia safe should offer a sense of the misery experienced in Pottstown). It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon so my buddy Luke and I grabbed a seat outside at Parc (no bowling or karaoke). Facing out toward Rittenhouse square, we people watched and snacked on mussles, salad, and wine. Unfortunately, Balls couldn't make it but we did have Chris Matthews and Carson Kressley(check out the paparazi shot I snapped...I also did what any classy gal would and emailed the local gossip reporter)!

A.O. Scott Finally Gets It Right

Today is the first day of Spring. Although, it was snowing a touch this morning my excitement has not lessened. I am ready to retire my coats and spend longer outdoors than just the time it takes to walk, shivering, to and from work. I am looking forward to an end to this workweek and a sunshine filled weekend in the country.

I can think of no better way to get things started than spending Friday evening with my gal J. Ro. Jules has a new movie out tonight, and while I love all of her films, this one was apparently enough to make even that insufferable A.O. Scott crack a smile. A little dose of romance and espionage in the city and then to the country for food, family, and dogs!

Stay tuned for the review!

Live and Learn

Over the last several months I have spent time socially with a fella from New York City. In addition to being geographically undesirable he was allergic to a myriad of things. Most importantly, dogs. As my wise uncle Cheetah said upon learning of this disability "it's a non-starter. don't bother". Well, I unwisely did not heed the Little Cheetah's advice and found myself spending more time on a bus that I am comfortable with and postponing my search for dog.

Well I have finally come to my senses and gotten my priorities in order. See ya later sneezer-boy and helllllo little puppy. The search for a furry companion has begun anew!

Please feel free to send me any small to medium sized adorable pooches you may come across.

Peace, love, and puppies.

You've Gotta Play to Win *

A few years back I was working in DC as somewhat of an indentured servant. I worked insane hours for a pittance of a salary and was forced to stick around by the promise of a year end bonus which would enable me to pay the debt I'd accrued during the year just to maintain my lifestyle. This lifestyle consisted of an apartment I could NOT afford and way too many ghetto fabulous nights out (nights of revelry following payday...pretty sure that line is going to bar me from ever holding public office).

I searched for a way out. Yes, I tried the conventional routes of searching for a new job and contemplating a move to the islands. But I knew there was something else, a promise of something more. Powerball.

I passed my time thinking of how I would spend my riches, what car I would have, who I would give a million to, where I would go on vacation. I realize these are not uncommon fantasies but I checked hotel rates and availability. I was committed. I signed up for the Powerball emails. Just the promise of a multi-million dollar windfall and the happiness it would bring seemed almost enough...and the chance that maybe next time they would be MY numbers.

In the last two days, 2 separate winning tickets for millions and millions of the rich stuff have been sold outside of Philadelphia. Makes me think it's time to get back in the game....

* The original post failed to acknowledge my Powerball teammate Chrissie Walsh. Ms. Walsh has been referenced in other posts but was regretfully ommitted from this one. Please let the record reflect that she not only purchased tickets and agreed to share her winnings, she also helped me research plastic surgeons and was going to be my roommate at the Four Seasons during recovery from our lotto-financed Extreme Makeover. My apologies.

Carly Couch Philadelphia

This weekend was full of friends, food, wine, history, fun, and gem-colored coats. By Sunday, though, I was pretty much useless. Confronted with a day on the couch and a stubborn state of conciousness, I had to do some serious entertainment planning. After scanning the 100 channels I receive and coming up empty handed, I turned to trusty On Demand. Oddly, this service was populated with films I had never heard of or with unappealing titles (and I just watched Baby Mama last week...wonderful). I was tempted by Meryl Streep and pretty shots of Greece but didn't think my head was quite ready for 2 hours of Abba hits, so Mama Mia! was ruled out.

I hesitantly pulled the trigger on Vicky Christina Barcelona.

Now, I don't really like these artsy films in general. And I know from experience I don't care for Woody Allen movies (Matchpoint? kill me.). But for some reason I was intrigued. Although it was off to a slow start I really got into it! It was full of pretty people and pretty places and essentially was like a thinking-person's rom-com! Smart and satisfying!! Penelope Cruz was great and in my opinion deserving of that Oscar (though I only saw one of her competitors: Marissa Tomei in The Wrestler whose performance I could not fairly judge b/c I hated every moment I was in that theater watching that offensive movie).

Four Stars!