Pattie's Pop Culture Paradise

Scene From a Marriage # 16,891

2009-11-09T10:00:00.001-05:00

"Remind me sometime this week to go to Vanessa's and trim her bush."

"Did you really have to say it like that?"

Photoblogging: Come On Meet Happy

2009-11-09T08:00:00.002-05:00

Meet our newest family member, Happy. The canine sibs are thrilled to have a new big sister. The feline sibs, not so much.

*More on how Happy came to join our family later.

Tuesday 10: Horror Movies That Scared the Shit Out of Me

2009-11-03T07:30:00.000-05:00

*The originals, not the (sometimes-bastardized) remakes.

Photoblogging: Fall in Tennessee

2009-11-02T19:00:00.001-05:00

But one reason I love living in East Tennessee: Fall.

Tuesday 10: Places I Would Rather Be Right Now

2009-10-27T20:00:00.000-04:00

Italy
Spain
England
France
Australia
Hawaii
Switzerland
Belgium
New York City
Las Vegas

Photoblogging: Una Calle en Uruguay

2009-10-27T08:00:00.000-04:00

This street in Uruguay reminded me a lot of the streets in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Taken during our vacation, March 2008.

Halloween 2009: Jon & Kate Plus 8

2009-10-26T21:00:00.001-04:00

Song Lyric of the Day

So turn it up and break it down / Come on bring that beatbox back / Tell me do you feel it? / So turn it up and break it down / Come on bring that beatbox back

The Sounds / "Beatbox"

Rich and I don't watch any reality TV. At all. Well, I watch ABC World News Tonight and CBS' 48 Hours Mystery, but that's not that kind of reality TV. And we once changed the channel to try and see what all the fuss was about Survivor; it was on a commercial break, so we watched the Subaru Outback ad airing at that precise moment, called it a win, and changed the TV back to a good old fictional show. Regardless of our aversion to reality TV, we both know all about about Jon and Kate and their eight. Hell, I think at least 85% of the free world knows about them at this point. But I digress. Long story short, it was really easy to talk the spouse into going as them for our friend's Halloween party this past Saturday night. (All photos taken by Rich.)

And let me just say -- I've never felt dirty buying a piece of clothing before. But that's exactly how I felt buying that hideous Ed Hardy shirt at TJ Maxx. Although I'm pretty sure I didn't feel nearly as dirty as Rich did wearing it. But I have to say, he did an admirable job being douchetastic the other night, asking all the women at the party if they wanted to "babysit" for him. Talk about getting into character. My boy did me proud.

*Yes, they actually make a Kate Gosselin wig.

Vampires, Werewolves, Witches & Demons: TV Marathon Time

2009-10-23T13:00:00.002-04:00

Song Lyric of the Day:

And all those shadows there are filled up with doubt / I don't know who you think you are / But before the night is through / I wanna do bad things with you / I wanna do real bad things with you

Jace Everett / "Bad Things"

Hex (witches, demons, fallen angels)
As you know, I'm quite the fan of the supernatural and horror genres. Which is how I came across the late BBC series Hex a while back via Netflix. After watching the first season on DVD (I think it's split as three seasons in the UK vs. two here), I'd become quite invested in the adventures of student Cassie (Christina Cole); her dead roommate and resident ghost, Thelma (Jemima Rooper); fallen angel Azazeal (the very sexy Michael Fassbender); and all the other denizens of Medenham Hall: demon hunters, half-humans, demons, and, well, university students. While the show is not the BBC's best supernatural offering, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Heads up, though: It gets off to a really, really slow start; the husband actually bailed after about four episodes because he couldn't handle the pace. As for me? I was very frustrated to wrap up season one only to discover that season two is not yet available on DVD stateside. Which is why I was happy to see that the Chiller network has started airing season one of the series (I'm crossing my fingers I will finally get to see the last season. I need the closure).

Interested in checking it out? Chiller will be airing a Hex season one marathon tomorrow, Saturday, October 24, starting at 11AM EST.

*An added bonus for me: The title sequence uses a remix of Garbage's "Number One Crush" as its theme song.

Being Human (vampires, werewolves, ghosts)
While I enjoyed Hex a lot, I absolutely love the new BBC series, Being Human. Which, if you read my blog even occasionally, you already know. Despite also featuring vampires, it's worlds apart from True Blood, which I also love. While the show's main characters are a vampire (the top-of-my-Christmas-wish-list Aidan Turner as Mitchell), a werewolf (the amazing Russell Tovey as George), and a ghost (the lovely Lenora Crichlow as Annie), the heart of the show really lies in their unwaveringly loyal friendship and close relationship as roommates. And then, of course, there are their unique conditions and the impending vampire apocalypse to deal with.

Season two is currently filming, so it'll be a while before we see it here stateside. In the meantime, you can catch up with season one as BBC America will be airing a Being Human marathon this Sunday, October 25, starting at 11:30AM EST. And judging by the hour-and-fifteen-minute blocks allotted each episode, the marathon will include the behind-the-scenes footage that originally aired during the season's premiere run earlier this summer (the featurettes are about three-quarters of the way into each episode, tacked onto the end of a commercial break).

True Blood (vampires, werewolves, telepaths, maenads)
I've been hooked on True Blood since I first saw the promo for its series premiere. While the very first episode featured enough Southern stereotypes and exaggerated accents to make both the spouse and I a bit wary, we stuck with it and, boy, do we enjoy the hell out of watching this show. Being on HBO allows it the freedom to indulge in all those horror-genre staples that mainstream TV can't: sex, nudity, profanity, violence, gore, and lots and lots (and LOTS) of blood. Not for the faint of heart, the show is based on Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books, although season two veered away from the books (or so devoted readers of the series have told me). Set in Bon Temps, Lousiana, the series revolves around waitress Sookie Stackhouse's (Anna Paquin) romance with vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), along with all the drama that comes with it. That drama includes a wayward best friend, Tara (Rutina Wesley); Sookie's boss, bar owner Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell); a vampire-blood-dealing cook (LOVE Nelsan Ellis' Lafayette); Sookie's aimless horndog brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten); and too many other fascinating, unique characters to do justice to in this post. There is also the thinly veiled parallel to the gay rights movement, with the vampires "coming out of the coffin" and living openly among humans (it's legal for them to marry humans in Vermont).

If you haven't yet given the show a try, HBO Signature will be airing a True Blood season one marathon next Friday, October 29, starting at 10PM EST.

What supernatural/horror-themed shows thrill, scare, and amuse you?

Scene From a Marriage # 14,323

2009-10-21T09:00:00.002-04:00

A shouted conversation while watching TV downstairs in the bedroom while the spouse remained upstairs in the living room:

"Hey!"

"What?"

"What is that music?"

"Nothing!"

"You're watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire again, aren't you?"

"No!"

"Yes you are! Don't lie to me. I know the music by now, you've watched it so many times."

"It's not Harry Potter! It's porn!"

"Bullshit! It's Harry Potter! AGAIN! How many times can you watch that movie?"

"You don't want to know!"

"Don't make me come down there. You'd better be watching porn if I do."

Uncomfortably Lucid

2009-10-20T15:00:00.001-04:00

Song Lyric of the Day:

The moon is shining on your face / And I finally think it's found its place / Cuz maybe baby / I just wanna do you, do you / Do you wanna do me, do me? / Underneath the moonlight, moonlight

Dylan / "In the Moonlight (Do Me)"

I'd really hoped to blog over the weekend -- I almost never do that anymore, save for the occasional Eye Candy post or Photoblogging. My vacation posts were a special occasion, of course.

Even though it's now Tuesday, I still feel like I'm coming down from the weekend. Rich and I were more social this past weekend than we've been in a long time. It all started Friday night when we got dressed up and enjoyed the S&W Grand sneak peek downtown.

Rich and yours truly in front of the S&W's grand staircase.*

Saturday morning, we enjoyed a tour of our new office building, which is still under construction. (We're told we'll be moving there early Q2.) Behold the new building, a mockup of our future cubicles, and the third-floor space where my department is scheduled to reside:

Saturday afternoon, I was off to a showing of Paranormal Activity (SO glad I never sleep with my foot out from under the covers. If you've seen it, you know why.) Saturday evening, Rich and I hosted Samantha and Michael and baby Stephen for a belated birthday celebration for Michael. We cooked chicken cacciatore and oven-roasted root vegetables and played a lot of Rock Band. Hearing his aunt and uncle and dad "playing" instruments while his mom gamely sang (ahem), baby Stephen was motivated to crawl a couple of feet. Probably to try and leave the room to escape the musical cacophony.

Sunday morning Rich and I hit the Alcoa Greenway for a bike ride. What did I get out of that bike ride? An overwhelming desire for very padded pants. Like baboon-ass-padded pants. Late Sunday afternoon we were off to Rich's parents house for a delicious dinner; we also took Caleb along to visit his cousin Happy, whom he hadn't seen in a very long time.

Last night we hosted one of Rich's college roommates, his wife, and their adorable 17-month-old daughter when they came by the house for a visit (they were only in town for about a day and a half and I'd never met them before).

And all those activities are why this old woman is tired and needs a nap.

*I'm trying really, really hard to let myself be photographed a bit more. Because I always hate the way I look in photos, I'd much rather be on the operating side of the camera. I allow myself to be photographed about as often as a rare, purple, singing, pizza-eating bird that lives deep in a wild, yet-to-be-discovered jungle. Maybe even a bit less.

Tuesday 10: Songs I Would Love to Never Hear Again

2009-10-20T12:00:00.003-04:00

"What Is Love?" by Haddaway
"When I Grow Up" by Pussycat Dolls
"I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry
"Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba
"Macarena" by Los Del Rio
"Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler
"My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion
"Alive" by Pearl Jam
"Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.
"Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Photoblogging: Dundas Square, Toronto

2009-10-14T09:30:00.001-04:00

Dundas Square in Toronto on my last full day of vacation. I miss weather like this all the more now that the fall rain has arrived here at home.

Tuesday 10: Albums That Got Me Through College

2009-10-13T10:00:00.001-04:00

Purple by Stone Temple Pilots
Weezer (Blue Album) by Weezer
Hormonally Yours by Shakespear’s Sister
Violator by Depeche Mode
Garbage by Garbage
Nevermind by Nirvana
Superunknown by Soundgarden
Vs. by Pearl Jam
Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
Jar of Flies by Alice in Chains

My Happy for the Day: Craig Ferguson & the Craigettes' MMMBop

2009-10-09T14:30:00.001-04:00

It's been a stressful couple of days in Pattie Land, so today I'm going with something completely and utterly silly. For which I send Craig and the Craigettes my sincerest thanks.

I present to you: "MMMBop" on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

This provided me with a much-needed smile and laugh. I hope it makes you smile, too.

Tuesday 10: My Current Favorite Albums

2009-10-06T14:00:00.001-04:00

Photoblogging: Black Guitar

2009-10-06T09:00:00.001-04:00

The stage at the HOLA Festival in Market Square, downtown Knoxville (9/19/09).

What's My Motivation? OR More Workout Music

2009-10-05T22:30:00.000-04:00

Song Lyric of the Day:

You are my only / You won't be lonely / Even if the sky is falling down / You'll be my only / No need to worry / Baby, are you down, down, down, down, down?

Jay Sean (featuring Lil Wayne) / "Down"

The weekend was a busy one, filled with small home improvement projects, errand-running, and copious coughing and nose blowing. Apparently, my lungs and sinuses are such fantastic hosts to viruses that the bronchitis is hanging on by a thread, holding on for dear life. Needless to say, it's annoying the shit out of me. (I actually feel fine despite what the wheezy cough sounds like.)

And speaking of getting healthy, guess who fell off the fitness wagon? Hell, my husband tumbled to the ground same time I did. So now we both need to get motivated to start working out again. And we were doing so well for a while ... At least the Bronchitis Diet helped me inadvertently shed a few pounds. Nothing like coughing your lungs up to kill your appetite.

Like I wrote a while back, music is a huge motivator for me when it comes to working out. (Well, that and my pants buttons cutting of my circulation.) I typically try to pick fast-paced, upbeat songs, but sometimes I'll just settle for fast-paced. The last few times I managed to do my workouts, these were some of the songs egging me on.

"More Human Than Human" by White Zombie
Yes, I listen to White Zombie. I like what I like. And really, what could motivate you to work out more than Rob Zombie yelling "more human than human" at you over and over and over? (I also work out to "Thunder Kiss '65"). I liked this song when I first heard it wayyyy back in the day, but I credit HBO and a certain True Blood promo for putting it back on my playlist. (This song would totally be on my Songs That Make Me Want to Beat the Hell Out of Someone playlist, were I ever to make one.)

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

"Bleed It Out" by Linkin Park
No workout playlist of mine would be complete without at least one song by Linkin Park. "Bleed It Out" fits the bill perfectly. Fast-paced with aggressive (but not menacing) lyrics, this is great when you're legs are on fire on the treadmill.

"That's Not My Name" by The Ting Tings
Along with Linkin Park, this is one of my favorite groups. Pretty much all of The Ting Tings' fast-paced songs are fun enough to be on my workout playlist (and most of them are); I just happen to think "That's Not My Name" is one of their most fun. Admittedly, my puppy has something to do with this being featured here -- this is one of the songs to which Troubadour enjoys "dancing" with me between sets.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

"Aciiid" by Jem
Jem's album Down to Earth turned out to be a real treasure trove of great, unique music (each song has its own distinct sound). I originally picked it up because I kept hearing about her and well, then I found it on sale for $7.99 at Target. It's been one of my most-listened to albums since. "Aciiid" is a prime example of how diverse she can be when compared to other songs on the album. Really, though, any song with the lyrics "Move to the left / move to the right / up, down, round now /hands to the side / shake it to the left / shake it to the right / let me see you move girl / dance all night" was destined to be on my workout playlist.

"Poker Face" by Lady Gaga
You'd think that after hearing "Poker Face" about a million times since its release that I'd be sick of it. You'd be mistaken. If anything, I love this song more every time I hear it because I know from experience how much more fun this makes any workout. It doesn't matter if I'm booking it on the treadmill, doing crunches, or lifting kettlebells -- this song makes it all so much more fun.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

What's on your workout playlist?

Scene From a Marriage # 16,321

2009-10-05T22:00:00.001-04:00

“You watched True Blood without me?! I can’t believe you TV cheated!”

“I’m so sorry. I couldn’t help myself. It didn’t mean anything.”

“Oh, so it didn’t mean anything?”

“OK, it did mean a lot. It was a really good episode.”

Gone Pink ... and Other Stuff

2009-10-01T22:39:00.006-04:00

Song Lyric of the Day:

How many times can I break till I shatter? / Over the line can't define what I'm after / I always turn the car around / Give me a break let me make my own pattern

O.A.R. / "Shattered"

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so I've gone pink. As pink as I can go with this particular template, anyway. As of the end of this month, my mom will be an eight-year breast cancer survivor, a fact for which I thank God every night in my prayers. And anyone who knows me knows that it's because of her that I have participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life eight years (as of this June); for next year, my ninth participating, I am serving as the Event Chair for the Downtown Knoxville Relay for Life. (Anyone interested in serving on the committee, starting a team, or just volunteering, e-mail me.) I'll try to share my cancer story later this month; even though I'm one of the lucky ones, Mom's illness is still something that's really hard for me to put into words, written or spoken. When I talk about it I still cry almost as hard as I did the day I heard her diagnosis. So I'll do my best to work up my nerve to share it.

Phew. Now that that's out of the way ...

Show Him You Care: Give Him Bronchitis
A few months ago, I told a friend how I hadn't had bronchitis once since moving home four years ago. Apparently God overheard and said "Oh, yeah? Take THIS! Bwahahahahahahaha!" and I thought I was going to die I was so miserable. This past Saturday, as Troubadour and I enjoyed watching TiVoed episodes of Leverage, I felt a familiar congestion taking root in my chest. I did my best to ignore it and will it with all my might to go away, but I woke up Sunday with that tell-tale cough. I slept all day Monday and made it to the doctor Tuesday morning, where I was diagnosed with bronchitis. Second time this year. Guess who went to the doctor today and got the same diagnosis? I tell you, one sick spouse at a time is bad enough, but when both of you are sick and miserable, you begin to see the appeal of euthanasia.

Step Away From the Remote ...
After telling myself I would not pick up any new TV shows this year, I've gotten hooked on a few more this new TV season. (Bad Pattie! Bad!) It goes without saying that Glee is my happy show (oh, how I wish I could sing). Modern Family has, after only two episodes, become one of the highlights of my TV-watching week. Go watch this week's episode, "The Bicycle Thief," right now to see why. I'm also enjoying Cougar Town, although I'm pretty sure that was a stunt squishy stomach in the pilot. I mean, have you seen Courteney Cox? No unsightly squishy parts there. Two new sitcoms that are genuinely funny? I thought that was a dying breed. At the very least on the edge of extinction. Community is entertaining enough, although it needs to find its footing soon or I'm bailing. And even though we've got the first two episodes of FlashForward waiting in our TiVo queue waiting to be watched, I'm pretty sure I'll end up liking it. It's by JJ Abrams and the premise has potential. As for shows that are new this year but have already completed their runs, I'm also a fan of HBO's Hung on HBO and Showtime's Nurse Jackie. Oh, and that little vampire-ghost-werewolf show I wrote about recently, Being Human. I only watched it three times through (ahem). Dear Santa ...

I don't have time to get into the returning TV shows I'm enjoying this season too. Shit, that's its own whole post waiting to be written.

Reviews Due
I haven't forgotten about writing mini-reviews of all the movies I saw on vacation. I just haven't had time to write about them the way I'd like. (Being sick also took the wind out of my sails. I'm pretty sure my Facebook friends think I'm dead.) Also, I'm fond of links and visual aids, so that takes some time, too. In the meantime, though, I will say that you should see Whip It this weekend -- it's a terrific movie. Funny, dramatic, and it WILL make you want to see a roller derby. I know I want to go to one now. And I'm surprised Jennifer's Body didn't do better at the box office; it's really funny, scary, and gory -- everything you want from a horror comedy. It's a hoot, actually. I think the R rating really hurt it. When your star's biggest fans are horny 15-year-old boys (and my husband), an R rating leaves most of the movie's audience out in the cold. Although having seen it, I'm glad it was an R movie; too many PG-13 horror movies wuss out.

And that's my two cents for tonight.

Scene From a Marriage # 15,863

2009-09-24T21:00:00.002-04:00

Selecting "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" and hitting play on the iPod, knowing full well what the spouse thinks of that song:

"That's right -- I'm subjecting you to The Darkness!"

"Isn't that what you've been doing for the last ten years or so?"

Gasping in mock horror in reply: "Sonofabitch!"

"Oh, you just wish you thought of saying it first."

Sighing dejectedly: "Well, yeah."

Photoblogging: Toronto Sky

2009-09-23T11:15:00.001-04:00

I took this while waiting in line for one of my TIFF movies. The weather was perfect like this the whole week I was in Toronto.

Tuesday 10: Post-Vacation Double Edition

2009-09-22T10:30:00.002-04:00

Favorite Celebrity Meetings/Encounters

Shaking David Duchovny's hand
Smiling and waving at Colin Farrell and receiving the same in return
Meeting Zoe Bell after Bitch Slap
Meeting and being wished a happy birthday by James Purefoy
Holding his lighter, pack of cigarettes, and rubber rat while director Jaume Balagueró signed an autograph after [REC] 2
Meeting and getting photos taken with Alex Van Sprang and Stefano DiMatteo after Survival of the Dead
Meeting and telling Minae Noji how much tinier she is in person
Meeting Erin Cummings and Julia Voth and, when I told them the photo was for my husband, having them blow kisses at my camera
Being thisclose to George Clooney
Sitting near Michael Moore during Vengeance

Favorite Movies Seen at TIFF*

The Trotsky
The Men Who Stare at Goats
Soul Kitchen
Daybreakers
Vengeance
Triage
Jennifer's Body
[REC] 2
Cleanflix
Solomon Kane

Back

2009-09-21T22:04:00.007-04:00

Song Lyric of the Day:

Little Red Riding Hood was followed / Little Red Riding Hood’s / Grandmother was swallowed / Sleeping Beauty got sick / From her stepmom’s wicked trick / It’s not nice / She ate the apple slice / The dwarfs put her on ice

Sunny & Share Love You / "You Gotta Suffer a Lot to Be Happy"*

I somehow managed to blog pretty frequently throughout my vacation, but the second I got home? Coma time! I got home Thursday morning, showered, and fell into bed around 10:45AM. I didn't wake up until 5PM. Back in bed for the night at 11PM, which is earlier than I go to bed on worknights, and I didn't crawl out again until 1PM Friday afternoon. Made it upstairs to the couch, where I passed out again around 4:30PM. I obviously missed out on the party animal gene. That, and going non-stop for a full week running around Toronto wore me the hell out. Totally worth it, though.

I came home before the end of TIFF to celebrate my birthday with the spouse, and he not only treated me to a lovely dinner (in spite of an absentee waiter) at Naples Italian Restaurant, followed by dessert at Cafe 4 (because of said absentee waiter, we skipped dessert at Naples) but got me some kick-ass gifts, too. After weeks of me going on and on about wanting the new Kings of Leon album, Only By the Night, Rich gave me that CD as well as two others by the KoL. He also gave me my first digital picture frame, which I'm very excited about. No idea what photos I'm going to load on it, though, since I take pictures of everything. And the big gift: my very own bike. It's been years since I had a bike, so I'm looking forward to biking around with Rich. We'll be picking up my training wheels next weekend. (Thanks also to the family for my awesome DVD box sets and Best Buy gift cards.)

Saturday Rich and I met up with my family at Market Square for the Hola Festival. Much fun and empanadas was had by all. OK, I'm the one who had the empanadas. Those things are like crack. Tasty, tasty, deep-fried and meat-filled crack. Once we got home, you guessed it -- I took a nap. I've been feeling much livelier since yesterday, although my first day back at work was lonnnnnng.

Later on this week, I'll be writing mini-reviews on all the movies I saw at the Toronto International Film Festival. I just need to gather all my ticket stubs to refresh my memory. So ... many ... movies. In the meantime, I'll post a Tuesday 10 list tomorrow morning relating to my experiences at TIFF. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a seriously pissed-off puppy whose forgiveness I'm trying to earn. Seems leaving my furbaby for a week did not sit well with El Troubacabra.

*Fantastic song featured during the closing credits of the Hung episode, "The Rita Flower or The Indelible Stench."

Flying High on My Birthday

2009-09-17T02:55:00.007-04:00

Song Lyric of the Day:

My thoughts are with you / Holding hands with your heart to see you

Earth, Wind & Fire / "September"

It's 2:56AM and I'm wrapping up the last of my packing before I go wait for the car that's going to take me to the airport. My last movie here at TIFF was the fun, scary, exciting Solomon Kane. Definitely one worth seeing on the big screen, in no small part because of the lovely James Purefoy. Me: Hi. I loved the movie. It was great. JP (smiling): Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. Me: Can I trouble you for a photo? Today's my birthday. JP: Oh, I bet you say that to all the boys.

Me (jokingly): I can show you my license if you don't believe me.

JP (laughing): That's not necessary. Of course you can. And happy birthday to you.*

James Purefoy and yours truly. And notice I don't look like the Puerto Rican Casper.

And as lovely, talented, and friendly as Mr. Purefoy is, today the boy I'm most excited to see is the blue-eyed one waiting for me at home. And I can't wait.

5:30PM
I'm home. And, lord, is it nice to be back. I'd forgotten how wonderfully soft my slippers are, and it was great sleeping in my own bed again. I got into bed approximately 23 1/2 hours after I woke up for the last time in my hotel yesterday. To say I was tired was an understatement. Sure, I didn't need to pull an all-nighter to squeeze in one more Midnight Madness film, but it was absolutely worth it to see my new friends one last time, enjoy a fun fantasy movie, and, well, look at that picture above of me with James Purefoy. When's that going to happen again, right?

Now I'm upstairs, watching my puppy chewing on a bone. I think he's a bit ticked off at me, which is to be expected. I suspect Troubadour will forgive me later tonight, though, when I sit in his favorite corner of the couch with him. And when I bribe him with the new squeaky, stretchy gecko toy I brought him as a souvenir.

I'll try to post my rundown of all the movies I saw in the next day or so. I saw so many movies that I'll have to pull out all my ticket stubs to refresh my memory. That's the way it should be after your first film festival, right?

And before I forget, thanks so very much to everyone who left birthday wishes on my Facebook wall. It's been a great birthday so far, indeed.

*OMG, James Purefoy wished me a happy birthday!

TIFF, Day 7

2009-09-16T14:09:00.008-04:00

Song Lyric of the Day:

When Im tired and thinking cold / I hide in my music, forget the day / And dream of a girl I used to know / I closed my eyes and she slipped away

Boston / "More Than a Feelin'"*

2:10PM
I'm tired, guys. Really, really tired. I say that with a smile on my face, but I definitely expect to be in deep hibernation this time tomorrow in my own bed. Know what I've missed the most these last few days? Not a who but a what: my foot massager. Granted, Rich, the furkids, and my family are all tied in a very close second place, but hugs aren't going to make my feet happy. My foot massager will. At least the blisters on my feet are finally starting to heal up. Dr. Scholl's shoe inserts + polysporin = miracle cure.

The last few days have been a blur. Not surprising, really. I had a blast meeting the cast of Bitch Slap the other night, which included the very nice, beautiful, and accommodating Erin Cummings and Julia Voth; Minae Noji; Ron Melendez; and stunt coordinator (and personal hero of mine) Zoe Bell (Zoe Bell!!!). It took me a second to realize the also-beautiful (and hilarious) Ms. Noji is none other than Dr. Kelly Lee on General Hospital. She laughed when I told her she looks taller on the show than she is in real life; she said she hears that a lot. Mr. Melendez was very sweet (and incredibly good-looking) and even took two photos with me since our first one was not the best (of me, that is); he played Dr. Archer on General Hospital: Night Shift. (Hear that? I'm pretty sure that's my sister Vanessa screaming.) And when I approached Ms. Bell for a photo, she said, "Oh, call me Zoe," to which I may have replied "I love you" in response. I do remember telling her how underappreciated I think stunt performers are, though. (Rich knows that's my fantasy acting gig: to get paid to learn how to beat the living shit out of someone. How fun would that be? Well, for me, anyway.) I know I look paler than death here, but keep in mind that I'd been out and about all day and this was after 2AM in the morning, so here I am with ...:

... the gorgeous (and tiny) Minae Noji

... the also gorgeous and gracious Ron Melendez

And now I'm off to another movie, Leaves of Grass, after which I'll return to my hotel room to finish packing everything up. After that, it's Kamui at 9:15 and Solomon Kane for Midnight Madness. That's right -- I let the gang talk me into pulling an all-nighter. I'll probably get out of the movie around 2AM or so, and then my car will be here to pick me up at 3:30AM to take me to the airport. Have I mentioned how happy I am I don't have to go back to work until Monday?

7:02PM
Bam! Me with ...

... the gorgeous and totally bad-ass Zoe Bell

8:00PM
Getting ready to head to the Varsity 8 to see Kamui at 9:15. After that it's Solomon Kane at Midnight Madness. To say I'll be dragging tomorrow is such an understatement. I'm packed (save for the Macbook, of course) and have freshened up so hopefully I won't feel too grubby by the time I get to the airport in approximately eight hours. I'm also going to the effort of putting on foundation in case I'm lucky enough to get a photo taken with James Purefoy later. Looking like the Puerto Rican Casper in photos is getting old.

*From the hilarious movie The Men Who Stare at Goats