he's not just a chef, he's a franchise

I’m not a coffee drinker, but I saw these at Ralph’s yesterday and was intrigued:

Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Lattes
They come in 4 flavors, rich espresso, rich caramel, french vanilla and rich mocha.

OK, so everyone has ready-to-drink blended coffee beverages at the grocery store nowadays (and Wolfgang has 2 varieties – regular and low-carb), but the new ones have a twist. They are meant to be consumed hot, so the can is self-heating.

Bizarre? Ingenious? Let me know what you think.

I’ll have to consult the java heads in my life to see what they think, but I thought it was kinda cool. Wonder if anyone is using this technology for other stuff, say hot cocoa or soup? I'd probably buy the soup to keep stashed in my desk at work.

blogspot question

Can anyone out there tell me how to set up and use CATEGORIES on my blog?

flip-flop stigmata

Wore a new pair of flip-flops to work yesterday. I know better, I really do, but they were cute, and it seemed like a good idea in the morning. Last night I discovered I had perfectly matching, bleeding holes in the bottom of my 2nd toes. Neesless to say, my tender piggies are band-aided up and in more sensible footwear today. Damn, why are all the attractive shoes so painful?

car stuff this morning

(1) license plate in front of me on the way to work:

REDHEADS DO

(license plate)

WHAT BLONDES ONLY DREAM OF

I so wanted to pull up next to her at a stoplight and ask embarrassing questions... until I noticed she was a brunette.

(2) My arms are different shades. My left arm is at least 2 shades darker than my right arm. Short of going to a place like Mystic Tan and asking them to even out my apendages, any suggestions on how I can match? Maybe I just need to be a passenger more.

(3) Yawns from passing cars are contagious too. Thanks to the lady in the teal Hyundai on Moorpark and Laurel Canyon.

She's no Mary Poppins

Bunch of movies coming out before the end of the year that I'm looking forward to, but I just saw the trailer for Working Title Film's Nanny McPhee - looks great, but it's not out until Oct 21st.

tips for actors/artists (semi-rant)

I don't blog about work - not specifics, anyway, but these things need to be said. Maybe if I write them here, someone will read them and heed the advice, or tell people they know to whom the advice proffered may be helpful. Hopefully. Consider this a public service announcement from me to you.

NOTE #1 for ACTORS: If you are an actor and we're having a casting session, our casting director will have given all the details to you and/or your agent. I hear her on the phone all day, so I KNOW what she tells y'all. DO NOT swan into the office, look at me like something that needs to be scraped off your shoe, and demand to see her. If you are here for an audition, odds are so are the 14 other poeple who look just like you sitting on the couch in the lobby. Go sign in on the clipboard, sit down, and wait your turn.

NOTE #2 for ACTORS: If you reek of cigarettes because you chain smoke instead of eat, or if you have halitosis (bad breath), PLEASE invest in a tin of Altoids. If you have terible body odor, please bathe more often and use deodorant. DO NOT assume that drowning yourself in CKOne 10 seconds before you enter the office is gonna cover ANY of the above situations. EWW!

NOTE for ARTISTS: If you're an artist and you want to send in or leave materials for someone to look at in order to consider hiring you for a job (I'm talking digital artists, graphic designers, animators, etc.) DO NOT SEND/LEAVE YOUR ORIGINALS and then call me in three weeks in a frenzy begging me to go thru a stack of hundreds of submissions, because there's another job vacancy you're interested in and need to send your portfolio to them. I thought this was common sense, but I guess not. MAKE COPIES of your BEST work, or the work that represents the best work you do in the area we're looking for, and send that. I know it costs money, but that's life. And for the record, I may be an assistant, but I'm not your assistant. Being rude to me on the phone, or while I'm attempting to help you is not the way to make an impression. Who do you think sorts the mail here? And who do you think books interviews with my boss for the job you're desperate for? Think about it.

I'm done (for now), thanks or letting me get that off my chest.

OCD

I'm not nearly as bad as some peole, my meds aren't for OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), but there are a couple of thing I do that place me firmly in the category:

• I have to set and check the alarm time on my clock at least 3 times, it's usually 4.
• I peel the labels off stuff (soda bottles, sale tags on clothes, etc.) and it's an almost surgical procedure - they have to be completely off.
• I rub my cuticles in a circular motion from pinkies to thumbs while I watch movies. I have NO idea why, but I do both hands at the same time, and each finger has to get the same number of circles or I have to start over. The odd thing is that I don't do it all the time, but when I do, It's an automatic thing, I don't even have to think about it, and it doesn't distract me from the film. Weird.

Anyone know what all this means?
Am I "normal" or completetly lost?
What kinds of OCD stuff do y'all do?

Aloha

My old shrink moved to Hawaii. Tried really hard to hate her for it, but who am I kidding, if I had the opportunity to pick my life up and move there, I would too. So, I've been "auditioning" new therapists for several months and have had no luck, until last night. His office is a little further away than I realized, but he seems to be a keeper (so far). Woke up this morning feeling a little less crummy than usual and I think this is a positive change for my life.

Don't worry, I'll still be a bitch.

altered perception

Woo Hoo!

Gas @ the Mobil by my house was only $2.69/gal. for 89 octane!
I remember back when I was first starting to drive, gas was more or less a buck a gallon. I know, I'm old, but the prices are amazing to me. The other day I saw 87 octane for $2.99/gal. and wanted to cry. I thought the prices were supposed to be going down?

And while we're on the subject, what the hell is the 9/10¢ tacked onto the price about? Why not just say $2.70/gal.?

On the money saving tip, apparently @ Mobil, you can get their Speedpass thing-a-ma-jig and save 5¢/gal. - may be something to look at. However, I do "earn" 1¢/gal. towards my UPromise savings plan (college savings for kid(s) I don't have yet...), and it actually adds up.

Whatever. I'm still thrilled that it's less than $2.75/gal.!

Flower

Almost made skunk road-kill last night.
Instead, I took out someone's trash can.
Sorry mister, it was your hefty bags or a living creature.

Fickle loyalty

Driving to work this morning behind a black Lexus SUV (which actually looks like the mini-van my mom drove in the 80's) with the following bumper stickers on the back window:

• Tulane University
• Princeton
• University of Southern California
• USC Medical
• Campbell Hall - Vikings

...and had a license plate frame of FIGHTING IRISH / NOTRE DAME

I think it's great that they're supportive of all these institutions, but when does it get to the point that they become a visual hazard? Maybe they should be moved to another part of the car...maybe the BUMPER?

breath of fresh (fuity) air

Part of my job is buying supplies for the office, everything from copy paper to coffee filters. 99% of it is standard issue, store-brand generic stuff, nothing to get excited about. However, I have found the answer to the air freshener problem. Forgive me if this is an overshare, but we only have 2 bathrooms for approx. 50 people - strong air fresheners are essential. Most of the time they just don't live up to the hype. Air Wick Decosphere is different.

We got the orange-colored, tropical-scented (papaya/mango) ones @ Smart & Final. It's been 2 weeks and it's going full force, it's been a godsend. Think I may get a kiwi one for my car.

I hate Mondays

I'm already looking forward to the weekend - this is gonna be a long work week... so I'm heading for the beach (kinda).

Fun weekend in Malibu
34th Annual Art Festival
(sponsored by the Malibu Chmber of Commerce)
Saturday (July 30th) and Sunday (July 31st) from 9am-5pm
Show will feature more than 200 artists.
Music and kids' events will be available.
The Optimist Club will hold their annual Pancake Breakfast from 8:30 - 11:00 am.
The food court will be open from 11 am - 5 pm.
Admission is FREE.
Parking is $5

23555 Civic Center Way
Between Cross Creek and Webb Way

For more information, e-mail: TFirestone@Malibu.org

weekend flicks

Saw The Island and Mr.& Mrs. Smith this weekend - full reviews will be posted later, but I enjoyed them both.

Ewan McGregor is hot.
Angelina Joie is hot.
I think they need to do a film together.

This little piggy got detoxed

Netterumani – has anyone tried these? I saw them on an infomercial (in Spanish) the other morning. Apparently dried eucalyptus tree sap and mushrooms absorb the toxins from your body through the bottom of your feet while you sleep. Genius or weird?

drink the koolaid

Apparently Mr. Hollywood has some fans that read my blog and are not happy with me.

Too bad. It's my blog, I'll post what I want. I will not apologize for calling him short, or an asshole. In my opinion, he's both.

What's really interesting is that I received no comments on my blog, the cowards just e-mailed me privately.

I saw a billboard for a gay travel company on my way to work (heading down Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood) which reads "do you cruise?". I can't decide if they're asking Tom a question or not... what do you think?

Walk a mile in my Manolos or shut the fuck up.

It’s never too early to start thinking of stocking-stuffers, these courtesy of our friends at Tom Cruise Is Nuts.
I think I’ll buy an extra mug for myself…
for the bathroom…
where I take my anti-depressant drugs…
every morning…
which were prescribed by a psychiatrist…
to help with my chemical imbalance.

Short asshole.

With my compliments…

From Webtender (An On-line Bartender) and DrinksMixer.com – a recipe for a Bitch On Wheels cocktail:

Ingredients:
* 2 oz Gin
* 1/2 oz Dry Vermouth
* 1/2 oz White Creme de Menthe
* 1 tsp Pernod® licorice liqueur

Mixing instructions:
In a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes, combine all of the ingredients. Stir well. Strain into a cocktail glass.

geez, even I figured this out...

Why do most of the blogs on blogspot only have:

Google News
Edit-Me
Edit-Me

in the Links section???

Some of these people have nice blogs, they even look as if know some HTML (a step ahead of me!), but they have no links, or don’t know how to change them.

hmmm... if this is true, why am I single?

I love online quizzes... when they make me sound good.

Part Expert Kisser

You're a kissing pro, but it's all about quality and not quantity, you've perfected your kissing technique and can knock anyone's socks off! You're adaptable, giving each partner what they crave,when it comes down to it, your kisses are truly unforgettable!

Part Shy Kisser

You *do* love to kiss, once you’re comfortable with it, and that means knowing the person you're kissing pretty well. You usually don't make the first move when it comes to making out; but you've got plenty of intensity in return once you get going!

What Kind of Kisser Are You?

since you asked...

Bitch On Wheels - why?

I live in Los Angeles.
I commute at least 90 minutes (on average) each way to and from work.
I (apparently) have anger management / road rage issues.
I've been to the CHP road rage class - didn't help much.
Since then I've turned off the radio (I now listen to audio books on my iPod), leave 15 minutes before I think I need to, and try to remember to breathe.

To all those who share the 101, 405 and 10 freeways with me, you're welcome.

“I fuckin’ need you more than ever” *

Do you know The Dan Band?
You should.
Dan Finnerty, Gene Reed and John Kozeluh.
3 guys singing chick-empowerment songs.
Adding profanity as they see fit.

Brilliant.

One of the funniest live shows ever – I saw them last December in Hollywood, and just about peed myself. Apparently Bravo is airing their 1 hour special “Dan Finnerty & The Dan Band: I Am Woman” on Saturday, July 23 12:00 AM and Tuesday, July 26 3:00 PM.

Check your local listings, and program those TiVo thingamajigs.

Trust me.

They’re also touring this summer. Any of you lucky fucks who live in a town they’re playing should do whatever you have to in order to get tickets.

If (like me), your cable company sucks and you don’t have Bravo, or if you’re not on the tour route, buy the CD online. You can’t even see a movie for $10 anymore, it's a bargain!

* Rent, buy or pay-per-view “Old School”.

Damn. I can't sing at all, but...

I know good music. I spent the weekend listening to the debut album of a fantastic singer, Angela Wolff. AMAZING stuff! She’s sort of pop/country cross-over, not sure which way the label is going to go, but she’s got a great voice, the songs chosen for the CD are a perfect match for her, and she’s a cute, fun & sweet girl to boot. Keep an eye (and an ear) out for her, she’s gonna be HUGE (and you heard it here first!).

Her CD (as yet untitled) will be out in the fall.

Million+ Dollar Baby

I am worth $1,507,910 on HumanForSale.com

I saw a link for this site on someone's blog, and decided to give it a try. Simple quiz asking basic questions. After they tell you how much you're "worth", there's a breakdown of why. Apparently having a size 9 shoe (female) is a bit of a liability, it cost me $10K in value - yikes.

Sunday Double Feature: Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and Wedding Crashers

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory can be a very good time, IF you can do a couple of things:
(1) Erase the vision of Michael Jackson’s face and the memory of his recent legal problems from your mind completely.
(2) Forget (for a few hours) the original adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book, and realize this is not a remake of that movie
(3) Try to appreciate and get into the musical production numbers of the Oompa Loompas (all amazingly played by Deep Roy), they’re bizarre, but really fun.

Wedding Crashers is NOT my kind of movie. I’m more a Richard Curtis, Julia Roberts, Nora Ephron movies-type girl. The “Frat Pack” generally annoys me. If someone had told me that I would spend a full 2 hours laughing my ass off at this, I would never have believed it. From the opening mediation scene through the end credits, watching from the 3rd row vantage point in a 100% capacity theater, I had the best time.

C&TCF: #1 this weekend - $55,380,000
WC: #2 this weekend - $32,225,000

Magical or Fanatical?

While lunching at Market City Cafe over the weekend (164 E Palm Ave Burbank, CA (818) 840-7036 - The $9 Antipasto bar is yummy.), our waiter greeted us, and then proceeded to ask if we had gotten The Book yet. Didn't know if he was coming at us from a religious angle or what, so I just looked at him quizzically. His excitement over finding his copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince at Ralph's at midnight the evening before, and not having to wait in a 4 hour line spilled out, followed by the specials of the day.

A little odd, but he was the best waiter we've had there in awhile...

Help, I need a haircut.

I don't want to pay a fortune, but Fantastic Sams is not what I'm looking for either. I work in Santa Monica and live in North Hollywood, so someplace close to either of those L.A. neighborhoods is preferred.

All suggestions are grately appreciated!

P.S. It would be a bonus if they did great eyebrow waxing at the same place, but beggars can't be choosers, right?

Welcome to Earth, here's how we do things...

Why do I always seem to get behind the person who doesn’t understand that the concept of “fast food” depends on them having some idea what they want to eat before getting in the queue???

“I want it now!”

Universal CityWalk is always busy. Now, it’s even busier during the summer when they run free entertainment mid-week, “Big Picture Tuesdays” and “Gotta Sing Thursdays”.

Last night, while waiting for dinner from Versailles at CityWalk, I joined in the public chorus for their “Gotta Sing” version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and had a blast!

Check out the schedule and try to make it down if you’re in the area. You’ve already missed The Goonies, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang , but it’s not too late for The Princess Bride (Aug 9) or West Side Story (Aug 4)

Shout out to Phi Beta Sigma

Apparently the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity have their annual convention in Los Angeles this year. Conclave 2005 is from July 12-17th, and seems to be headquartered at the Sheraton Universal and Hilton Universal.

During the tenting of our condo building for dry wood ternites, roomie & I are headquartered there as well.

Per the Sigma’s website, tonight’s schedule includes:

• African American Male Image Awards Banquet 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Recipients this year are Mr. John Mack (President, Los Angeles Urban League), Mr. Montel Williams (Host of the Montel Williams Show) and Mr. Gene Hale (President & Founder of G&C Equipment Corp.)

• All Greek Step Show 10:00pm - 12:00Midnight

Have fun guys!

2 cute

I’m probably a day late and a dollar short (as it were), but these “dolls” are so much fun to create!

RANDOM QUESTION #2

OK, RANDOM QUESTION #1 did not get many responses, actually only one.
Thanks, Moose !
But I do not give up, so...

What's your favorite dessert?
As dessert is my favorite part of a meal, you may choose up to 3 if you can't decide.

Mine, you ask?
Rice Pudding, Cherry Pie (double crust, a la mode) and any of the non-specific gooey, chocolatey, ice-cream things they concoct at places like T.G.I. Friday's that make you feel like you need to wash your face and have names that involve passive violence "Triple Chocolate Explosion", "Mocha Thunder Mountain", "Volcano of Fudge", etc.

What I’m reading

14 July 2005: Currently on a Brit Chick Lit Kick!

The Other Woman – Jane Green: Liked it, didn’t love it. I’ll let it age on the shelf for a couple of months and re-read. If I was a newlywed, or engaged, maybe it would be funnier (it's about mothers-in-law).
Bad Heir Day – Wendy Holden: Hysterically funny and/or sad depending on your station in life. Must read for anyone who has ever been an assistant and/or nanny to the rich and/or famous.
Fame Game – Claudia Pattison: My boss picked this up in London a few months ago and thinks I’ll like it. I need something to get into while banished from my space due to termite tenting… I’ll let you know.

The Mountain Meadows Massacre by Juanita Brooks

I also have a subscription with Audible.com and download books, speeches, comedy etc. to listen on my iPod during my commute. Right now I’m enjoying Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.

While you're at it, check out my complete 2005 Reading List.

Woo Hoo!

100 people have visited my blog!

Time flies...

It occured to me at about 10pm last night that I have been at my current job for 5 years. Still trying to figure out exactly how I feel about this. No one noticed until I said something, and then the comments were decidedly lackluster. Geez.

Pizza: Good vs. Evil

Good #1: California Pizza Kitchen
Thai Chicken pizza without the scallions. I know, it’s California-style pizza and from a chain (gasp!) and therefore not “real”. Grow up. It was tasty, I had a time deadline, was able to eat it at my desk, and have 1/2 left over for dinner, late-night snack, etc.
Location: 210 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica 90401
(between 2nd & 3rd streets, at the north end of the Third Street Promenade)
Phone: (310) 393-9335
Open: Monday-Thursday 11:30am-10:00pm; Friday & Saturday 11:30am-11:00pm and Sunday 12:00pm-10:00pm

Good #2: Abbott’s Pizza Co. - I was able to introduce some of the new people at work to their “world famous” bagel crust a few weeks ago, they’ll be fans for life! They add seeds, cheese or garlic to the edge of the crust for free, which is different and nice, the salads are OK, and their canned & bottled sodas are always ice cold. I highly suggest the Cheese Bomb, the Greek, the Wild Mushroom, the one with a million different kinds of onions…
2 locations: 1407 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 (310) 396-7334 / 1811 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 314-2777 – closer to my office, so I eat there more often, but the quality is the same at both – WONDERFUL!

Evil #1: Pagliaccis (Coldwater Canyon branch in Studio City – that’s all the info I’ll give you, I do not want to encourage anyone to try them.) For reasons too annoying to get into here, I wasn’t at work yesterday and tried to get a medium cheese pizza delivered for lunch. I won’t bore you with the details, but the OWNER of the establishment is a rude man who has NO idea what customer service is. I have been to the restaurant in the past, and I truly like to support mom-and-pop “neighborhood” establishments, but I will never go back, nor will I recommend them to anyone.

Evil #2: Papa John’s – North Hollywood. Ordered a pizza a few weeks ago – it was good (as usual). On the box was a menu for Papa John’s, some coupons for future purchases with them, and a booklet of coupons for other neighborhood establishments – very nice. Called Saturday afternoon to order an early dinner and use one of the coupons. They wouldn’t honor it. The coupon that they had glued onto the box of a pizza they had delivered to me less than 2 weeks prior. When I asked Fernando if I could speak with the manager, he put me on hold and never came back. When we called back (gluttons for punishment, I guess) we were told that there was no Fernando working there, and there was no manager working that shift. We got subs from another restaurant and called it a day. We’ll probably order from them in the future, but Fernando and his co-workers should be fore-warned, I won’t give up so easily next time…

You can't please everyone...

Apparently I have a girl blog.
Here's a hint... I'm a girl.

I was actually berated by a "friend" because my brand new blog is "fluffy" and "without substance". Was I supposed to do a stat sheet for the 'Dancing With the Stars' post? Or is someone feeling threatened because a female he knows fancies a transvestite? No offence, but sometimes boys are just weird.

It's my blog, and I'll post what I want to.

John & Charlotte were robbed!

I have a love/hate relationship with reality TV. Most of it is just annoying, mean-spirited and feels very un-real. I loved the first season of MTV’s “The Real World”, before everyone realized that being a “cast member” was a ticket to C-level stardom and it was crammed full of wannabe posers and freaks. Reality does not involve living rent-free and working a guaranteed cool job while sleeping your way through your 6 new strange roommates… at least it didn’t for me or anyone I know. Frankly, I'd rather watch The Truman Show.

However, a select few non-scripted shows are on my must see list. ABC’s Dancing With The Stars was NOT supposed to be as big a hit as it was, but it’s truly addictive!

I am aware that audience participation is the aspect of these shows that keeps us tuned into them, but the public’s love for Kelly & Alec wrecked the series for me. At the end of the day, the judges preferred John & Charlotte. Their cumulative judges score was 199 points to Kelly & Alec’s 179, and I think they should have won. I do agree that Kelly was the most improved in the series, but that wasn’t the basis of the show. John & Charlotte gave the best dancing performances filled with style, humor and grace.

I wonder if John O'Hurley was wearing the red Speedo under his pants for the final dance…

RANDOM QUESTION #1

What’s your favorite Elton John song, and why?

This is what happens when I can’t sleep, sorry.
Mine’s Levon, no idea why.

CRUSH DU JOUR: Bloke in a dress

Eddie Izzard.

I know, it’s a little odd, and my mother’s not too pleased, but something about this guy makes my toes curl, and I’m not alone. British, super-smart, funny as hell, and looks better in lingerie than I do. His last comedy tour, SEXIE (I saw him at the Wiltern Theater in L.A.) garnered wonderful reviews:

"He is dazzling, and if you are not one of the lucky ticketed 200,000, I urge you to steal, mug or shoot your way in if you possibly can." The Observer, London

“The funniest man on the planet.” The Irish Times

“… a distinctive comic personality (that) creates a conspiracy of pleasure that leaves his audience weak with laughter.” Heat Magazine

Also saw him a few months ago, he did a couple of nights at the Coronet Theater to try out new material. No big stage set up, in 'bloke-mode' (dressed as a boy), and a very small crowd of uber-fans in the ‘Upstairs Theater’ (75 folding chairs). It was wild and trippy, and funnier than ever.

5 things you need to know about Eddie:

1. Born in Yemen (1962), raised in Northern Ireland, South Wales and boarding schools.
2. Drives a Mini Cooper.
   
3. Lost his virginity at age 21.
4. Collaborated with MAC cosmetics in 2003 for 2 lipglass products: SEXIE and SEXIER which sold out instantly, but can sometimes be found on eBay for approx 300% of their retail price.
5. Wears a 38C bra.

Battle of the Bands!

Do you have plans next Monday evening?

You do now.

Moaning Lisa is an incredible band, and they’re playing at B.B. King’s at Universal Citywalk. I am not part of this band, nor am I being paid to post this here, I just really dig them. Come out, listen to terrific music, eat some BBQ and have fun!

6:30pm - Monday, July 11th

B.B. King's is located right off the 101 freeway at the Lankershim Blvd exit. Second floor (City Loft) of the Universal City Walk. (818) 622-5464

FOOD: Destino (London, UK)

A very good friend of a very good friend insisted that I make sure this fab restaurant was on the itinerary for my most recent trip to London (May ’05). I spent a good portion of my formative years in Florida soaking up Cubano culture, and I live in California, so I’ve tasted my fair share of Tex-Mex and Mexican foods as well. Destino is something altogether different. It’s a blend of Latin flavors from all over the globe, and your mouth will thank you for it.

This is a 'grazing experience' of Nuevo Latino cuisine that embraces the continent, with a re-introduction using modern influences and techniques. 'Grazing' encourages guests to sample a number of dishes making dining a more exciting, sharing experience.

It’s like tapas, but so much more. I’m still trying to organize all my receipts from the trip, but I know we got the following items, and would highly recommend all of them:

• Sugar Cane Tuna
• Oyster Ceviche
• Wild Mushroom and Corn Flatbread
• Rainbow Ceviche

Part of the joy of vacationing in a place where you don’t have to drive is the ability to drink a little more than you would at home, so we did. Try a ‘Destino Flight’ – a trio of drinks from a specific region, we headed South of the border for the Mexican Flight: Margarita (a classic, straight up), El Diablo (“A refreshing combination of premium XXX tequila and ginger ale served long over ice with hints of lime and cassis.”), and a frozen Destino Fruit Margarita (mango was yummy.)

As if all that wasn’t enough, we over-indulged with the most luscious dessert ever…

Dulche De Leche Fondue - (minimum two people)
Fresh strawberries, figs and caramelised pineapple sit alongside banana slices (coated in pistachio before being fried in tempura batter and dusted with cinnamon sugar) all ready for dipping in a fondue of dulce de leche, mascarpone and manchego cheeses.

This is London, and it’s always pricy, but this one is a bit more precious than most. We left absolutely stuffed, and fuzzy headed for a total of £80 (approx. $160) for 2 people including VAT (17.5%), and 18% gratuity. A great evening and well worth it.

Destino Restaurant
25 Swallow Street
London W1B 4QR
Tel: 020 7437 9895
Closest Tube Station: Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly Line, Bakerloo Line)

"Hi there."

If the three little kids that live next door can have their own multi-media webpages, at thirty-none-of-your-business, I guess I can at least get a blog going. God knows I always have an opinion, and sometimes it's interesting enough to read. I hope. If not, feel free to wander around the web (don't get stuck), but bookmark me, and come back often. You never know what I'm gonna do...

Who Is Reading...

...Bitch On Wheels?

Far more people than I ever thought. There are lots of random blogspot click-throughs, but a significant munber of people hang around for awhile and/or come back to read what's new - a big THANK YOU to everyone who has come by to check out my blog!

So far, people in the following locales are reading:
(most recent at the very top of the list, the rest of the list is alphabetized. As for the links... some of them make sense, some are just for fun!)

Palo Alto CA
Camp Pendleton CA
Columbia SC
Manassas VA
Kitchener ONT (Canada)
Huntington WV
Dearborm MI
Germantown TN
Green Lake WI
Davenport FL
Lebach, Saarland GERMANY
Oklahoma City OK
Newark OH
Providence RI
Boston MA
Ft. Worth TX
Orlando FL
Distrito Federal MEXICO
Calgary ALB (Canada)
Asheville NC
Bakersfield CA
Austin TX
Hakensack NJ
Shelton CT
Berkeley CA
Pmpano Beach FL
East Lansing MI
Reston VA
Pensacola FL
Hicksville NY
Trussville AL
Uniontown PA
Boulder CO
Pleasant Hill CA
Eugene OR
Swanton OH
Knoxville TN
Astoria NY
New Haven CT
Rosedale NY
Providence RI
Princeton NJ
Valleystream NY
Abbotsford BC (Canada)
Carmel IN
Oldsmar FL
Yankton SD
New Stanton PA
Plano TX
Melbourne AUSTRALIA
JAMAICA
Samta Monica College (Santa Monica, CA)
Poughkeepse NY
Herndon VA
Tujunga CA
Staten Island NY
Mesa AZ
Naperville IL
Riverhead NY

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Abbotsford BC
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CANADA
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Chantilly VA
Charlottesville VA
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Christianity Today Inc.
Chrysler Motors Corp.
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The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints (Provo UT)
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Como ITALY
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Dain Rauscher Inc.
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Forman Perry Watkins Krutz & Tardy PLLC
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Kaplan Educational Center Inc.
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University of Science & Technology
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Visalia C
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Windsor ONT
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Yahoo! Inc. (uh oh, maybe someone wasn't that happy about my Filthy Rich Cattle Drive comments.)
Yahoo! Search
Yakima WA
Yonkers NY
Zurich American Insurance Co.

Movie List 2005

This will be a list of movies I've seen in 2005. Some of them may be old ones I've never seen before, and some will be favorites that I rewatch a lot. If I fel like doing a review, I will, if not, there are plenty of other sites you can check out for good reviews (see below for links). Additionally, we just got a machine that will transfer old VHS to DVD, so I'll be watching a TON of stuff as I transfer...

Bewitched - Not as terrible as I had feared, but it definitely dragged in a few places. The guy that played 'Uncle Arthur' was annoying, Michael Caine was good and Shirley MacLaine stole the movie. She's fabulous! The funniest (and most obvious) plot device that would have made this movie wonderful was completely ignored by the Ephron sisters. My friends and I think that the character of Jack Wyatt should have been played by someone else for the first 20 minutes or so of the film. Then they should have 'switched' Jacks - to Will Farrell - without ANY acknowledgement of it. Would've been hysterical - but maybe they thought the American public is too dumb to have understood.

The Cable Guy - ugh. I knew there was a reason I hadn't ever seen this. Maybe something is missing in the translation when it's edited for cable, but I thought it was horrible. I felt bad for both Jim Carrey and Matthew Broderick - they're both so much better than this.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Cinderella Man

Clueless - Classic. The hippest modern Jane Austen adaptation yet.

Connie & Carla - Roomie & I dug this one - too bad the critics are homophobic comedy snobs. "Chin up, boobs out, it's showtime!"

Crash - I live in L.A., this was deep.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

The Exorcism of Emily Rose - I HATE horror movies, but I promised I'd go with a friend.

Fight Club

French Kiss - An oldie but goodie. Meg Ryan in her pre-weird phase. Kevin Kline is a delight.

Hitch - Better than I expected it to be. The only problem I had with it is that Eva Mendes' character completely changes personaities at the end of the movie - felt hollow.

House of Sand and Fog

The Island

Jersey Girl - It's horrible that the "Bennifer" nonsense managed to screw this fim up so badly. It made me cry (twice), and laugh "George Michael is all ABOUT the ladies. "I Want Your Sex"? Does that sound like he's singing to a GUY?", and hug Kevin Smith (he wrote, directed and edited it), brilliant.

Just Like Heaven - The source material for this is a book I loved called If Only It Were True by Marc Levy. I resisted seeing the flick despite Reese Withersppon and Mark Ruffalo's appeal as a couple, because I was afraid it would not trasnslate well to the big screen. Very rarely do I like a movie better than a book, but they did an excellent job with this one.

Lost - NOT the wildly popular yet confusing TV show, it's a character study. Better than you would imagine, it proves that Dean Cain can actually act. You're more or less on a confusing journey with a man who doesn't know where he's going...and it's not just about georgaphy. It was in a very limited release (only 2 theaters in LA, and the festival circuit), but probably on DVD soon though.

Meet The Fockers - the sequel is better than the 1st movie (IMHO) with the addition of Roz & Bernie Focker, exactly the kind of in-laws I would want!

Million Dollar Baby - Unfortunately this film was ruind for me by too many people too willing to share the entire plot before I had a chance to see it. I'll revisit it at a later date when I can watch by myself and absorb it fully.

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous

Monster-in-Law - Thought this was gonna suck (not a huge fan of Jennifer Lopez in rom-coms), but Ms. Fonda saved it for me.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Must Love Dogs - John Cusack just gets better and better. Let's not even mention how unfair it is that Diane Lane looks as spectacular as she does at her age (gotta find me a younger man)... Cute movie, went with a friend so I don't know how great a "date" film it is. When it's available on DVD, I'll buy it - that's about the highest praise I can give.

Not Another Teen Movie - The working title for this was "Ten Things I Hate About Clueless Road Trips When I Can't Hardly Wait to Be Kissed" which pretty much sums it up. If you have any affection for teen flicks (vintage or recent), this is a fun one to watch. The music is good too - old songs done by new bands, and no one tries too hard. My favorite scene is at the very end - perfect cameo casting.

Spanglish - This one's a little tough to classify. It's part comedy, a little romance, big-time family drama, fish-out-of-water. Whatever - I liked it. And that sandwich...

Vanilla Sky - 2nd viewing. Since I looked up stuff online and knew more of the "secrets" of the story, it was a bit more interesting, but it's still depressing and confusing to me.

Wedding Crashers

White Chicks - another one that was a little funnier than expected and not *quite* as stupid as feared. Don't get me wrong, it was still annoying at times, and the fart jokes were overdone, but there were a few genuine laughs.

Wimbeldon - I really wanted to love this, but I just couldn't. I don't know if it's 'cos tennis isn't my thing, or the odd non-chemistry between Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany, but it just did nothing for me.

Reading List 2005

About Grace by Anthony Doerr
Anger by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Assistants: A Novel by Robin Lynn Williams
Bad Heir Day by Wendy Holden
The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi
Chore Whore: Adventures of a Celebrity Personal Assistant by Heather H. Howard
CHOW magazine
Fame Game by Claudia Pattison
Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner
Hello Darling, Are You Working? by Rupert Everett
In Her Shoes: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner
The Mountain Meadows Massacre by Juanita Brooks
The Other Woman by Jane Green
Restoring Grace by Katie Fforde
Screenplay By Disney by Jason Surrell
The Second Assistant: A Tale from the Bottom of the Hollywood Ladder by Clare Naylor & Mimi Hare

I also have a subscription with Audible.com and download books, speeches, comedy etc. to listen on my iPod during my commute. Right now I’m enjoying Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.