2007? We can't be that old, can we? Oh my God ... if people only knew that those pictures of us at the top of this page are from the mid-60s! But I must say, yet again, we were SO cute!
Ivan and Cherl Chapman, Miami Beach -- this has nothing to do with the post ... just thought you'd enjoy this picture.
I also want to restate that I love our little blog. It brings me great joy to banter back and forth with you.
I've recently become addicted to audio books, listening to them during my 45+ minute commute each day to and from Miami. A friend of mine gave me "The Devil Wears Prada", and even though I had seen the movie last summer, I decided to listen. I mentioned this movie in a previous post but it was limited to my adulation for the wonderful Stanley Tucci, who is always a joy to behold! I'm very much enjoying the book ... but the reader (Rachel Leigh Cook) has that same marble-mouthed vocal peculiarity as Holly Hunter ... and it can be distracting. She is saved only by her additional vocal resemblance to Hope Davis -- one of the best book readers working today.
I also recently finished listening to "Running With Scissors". Two friends used different words to describe the very revealing story; one said "Very gritty" and the other said "Too much information". My personal feeling is that it was borderline pornography, as only a gay male writer can scribe. I haven't seen the movie, with Annette Bening as the mother (she's another joy to behold), but I can't wait. The book was laugh out loud funny, if graphic. The psychiatrist, Dr. Finch, is really the craziest character in the book.
Over Christmas vacation, I saw two movies on HBO that moved me. "The Family Stone" is one of those family angst movies, albeit a charming, funny and poignant one, with a long list of highly entertaining characters and actors: Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams (if you haven't heard of her yet, you will), Luke Wilson, Craig T. Nelson, Claire Danes. Whether they're on the "A" list or the "B" list, these actors were simply a pleasure to watch. No big message in this movie ... just a highly enjoyable two hours. I watched this film twice and both times cried my eyes out ... literally wailing on my couch. Keep the Kleenex handy.
I also watched a documentary from 2003/2004 called "Mad Hot Ballroom". It's about a Ballroom Dancing Competition for 6th-7th-8th graders in NYC. Each school selects a team of competitors to represent the school. It's been held for a number of years now and the trophy is as big as those given to high school football teams! There are teams from all five boroughs and it was amazing to see "city kids", with all their "rough" edges go through these competitions. There are, of course, the usual heart-breaking scenes, when your favorite team loses, but it all ends in triumph for one school. I disliked the teacher who coached the winning team -- she was a bit crude, overbearing and demeaning, , but the dance instructor, who taught all the routines, was someone who brought out all the best in the kids. I admit it, I'm a bawler, and this one made me cry too!
So, if you have a little time to spare, take a few minutes to view these movies.
PS: "The L Word" is back in production ... don't you just love that series?
Love you Syl -- always have and always will!
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