Sunday, July 22, 2012

Parliamo di Italia



yes let's talk about italy. i just wrapped up my next trip to my favorite country on earth. i say this with all due respect to my visitors from other countries. i have, and continue to travel the world and like or love many countries. but it is in italy that i feel most at home. perhaps it is because italy is in my blood. my maternal grandparents were both both there. naples and sorrento to be exact. had they not left i may have been born there. or at least some version of me.
i am most at home away from home when i am sitting in an italian cafe or in a piazzo when i find myself drinking wine or cappucinos and eating. god yes eating!

i feel most at peace in sorrento. in venice. and mostly in florence. i believe in reincarnation. that said i firmly believe i roamed the pathways of florence in my past. i wish in my present i was walking there. every day. i go there to honor my past. i constantly think of expating to italy. during the entire bush administration i wondered what the hell was i doing in the usa. a voice kept shouting in my ear 'go home...go home to italy'. i did not listen. with the fear of a republican win looming here in america that voice is quietly beginning again. i am sure it will roar like a lion if the nitwit mitt wins in november. anybody know a flat i can rent or buy. i am not kidding. trust me. florence here i come. and what wonder that i could hop a train at any time and visit, finally, all of italy. and the rest of europe.

well anyway to celebrate finalizing my trip i offer 'fotoromanza' a song dear to my heart and soul. it is my memory of my second visit to florence and my wild wonderful nights in 'criscos' and of marco. my wonderful marco. if he is still there i will find him. a few other's too. yes i feel i am going home again. rome, perugia, bologna, padua here i come. venice god yes here i come. and my beloved florence you call to me. i'm coming back. this time i may never leave.

from the soundtrack of my life
gianna nannini


parliamo di Italia. Ho appena concluso il mio viaggio accanto al mio paese preferito sulla terra. Lo dico con tutto il rispetto per i miei visitatori provenienti da altri paesi. ho, e continuano a viaggiare per il mondo e piace o ami molti paesi. ma è in Italia che mi sento più a casa. forse è perché l'Italia è nel mio sangue. i miei nonni materni erano entrambi sia lì. Napoli e Sorrento per essere esatti. se non avessero lasciato i può essere nato lì. o almeno una qualche versione di me.

io sono più a casa lontano da casa quando sono seduto in un caffè italiano o in una Piazzo quando mi trovo a bere vino o cappucino e mangiare. dio si mangia!


mi sento più in pace in sorrento. a Venezia. e soprattutto a Firenze. Credo nella reincarnazione. Detto questo io credo fermamente i vagavano per le vie di Firenze nel mio passato. i desideri nel mio presente stavo camminando lì. ogni giorno. Ci vado per onorare il mio passato. Ho sempre voglia di expating in Italia. durante l'intera amministrazione Bush mi sono chiesto cosa diavolo stavo facendo negli Stati Uniti. una voce continuava a gridare al mio orecchio'andare a casa ... tornare a casa in Italia '. non mi ascolta. con la paura di una vittoria repubblicana si profila qui in America che la voce sia tranquillamente ricominciare. Sono sicuro che ruggirà come un leone, se il guanto nitwit vince in novembre. Qualcuno sa un appartamento posso affittare o comprare. Non sto scherzando. fiducia in me. firenze qui vengo. e quello che chiedo che potrei saltare un treno in qualsiasi momento e visitare, infine, tutta l'Italia. e il resto d'Europa.

bene comunque per celebrare la finalizzazione mio viaggio offro 'Fotoromanza' una canzone cara al mio cuore e l'anima. è il mio ricordo della mia seconda visita a Firenze e le mie notti selvagge meravigliose in 'Crisco di' e di marco. mio meraviglioso marco. se lui è ancora lì io la troverò. pochi altri è troppo. Sì, sento che sto andando di nuovo a casa. Roma, Perugia, Bologna, Padova sto arrivando. venezia Dio. Sì sto arrivando. e la mia amata Firenze vi invito a me. Sto tornando. Questa volta non può mai lasciare.


dalla colonna sonora della mia vita
gianna nannini dal vivo

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Josh's Jukebox: 'Shake It Out'

there was some silliness on the internet re 'smash'. for the whole of the first season 'they', whoever 'they' are, were playing this 'team karen' or 'team ivy' thing. privately i got caught up in it. then reviewing my blog i realized i might just 'admit' i was 'team karen' all along. but really i was/am team mcphee!

so here's another katherine mcphee terrific vocal.

from the jukebox of my like


and the original and catchy and wonderful...
florence+the machine

Spring TV Season in Review Part 3: 'Pretty Little Liars'


this will come as no surprise. 'pretty little liars' is still the best guilty pleasure on tv. it just keeps getting better and better. in fact this season has had some of the best scripts so far in it's three year run. the 'liars' are growing up. so are their problems. the actresses portraying them are getting better episode by episode as they grow into their characters. the juggler keeps juggling. the balls have yet to drop.

the season which is only partially into it's run gets an overwhelming A+





as far as the guys go tyler blackburn and keegan allen shine although mr allen has been way underused this season. and does anyone else think ian harding (ezra fitz) is becoming a john edwards slime ball type a guy. he's beginning to make my skin crawl. perhaps this is the choice and they are working it into the storyline. i hope so. otherwise he is just creepy and aria needs a new love interest.







Friday, July 20, 2012

Carrie Underwood, Kristin Chenoweth, & Christina Applegate Medley

sometimes we just have to smile and after today's events i think we need a smile right now

Damn! Has the US Become a Nation That Can't Go to the Movies Anymore?


yeah let's have NO gun control as the right would like. wonder what any right winger family who lost someone at this theater is thinking now. i'm sorry for all the loses that took place. but we need yet another discussion on the issue. life is fragile as it is. do we need to make it worse?

i am sure there was mental illness involved here. but did we have to hand him a weapon? will this country ever learn? sadly i think not!

Emmy Nominee Julianna Margulies

truth be told it bothered me when i checked this, my own blog out, to see the distasteful ann romney as the days lead in so i decided to add a post. so why not have the talented, award winning and ever lovely julianna margulies take the lead?
 hell yeah!



Quote of the Day

“We’ve given all you people need to know.”
you people? so says ann romney. she means us. the little people. those not of her high patronage. who the hell does this bitch think she is? miss high and mighty. we the mere folk, the peons, will get what she and nitwitmitt say they will give us re his taxes.
 biiiitch!

Emmy Nomination Talk


so let's start off by saying ''uma thurmam what the frack". she was awful in 'smash'. the worst. she sucked as she generally does. and yet she gets a guest nomination over carrie preston in 'the good wife'. shame shame shame.

now that i got that off my chest i'll move on. it was not an otherwise bad call except for the major networks who received not a single nom for best drama series. the only hopeful, 'the good wife', was shut out shamefully. cable dominated. but that is not to say the networks did not have worthy fare like 'the good wife', 'once upon a time' and 'revenge'.

'madmen' and 'american horror story' reigned supreme with the most noms followed by 'downton abbey'. i am thrilled with all the acting nods given to 'downton' especially michelle dockery. but there was not a single throw away in their acting noms so bravo to them all. but where is dan crawley?

the best actress drama category is the most competitive. michelle, julianna magulies and claire danes with kathy bates along for the ride. they are all deserving. i love julianna but she won last year. i want michelle to win. claire will get it.

drama series is a damn good list too. i want 'downton' but my second choice 'homeland' has the edge. we'll see. i am so over 'madmen'. i just don't get the fawning. enough already. 'breaking bad' may be worthy but i gave up on it. enough of the cooking meth already. and don't get me started  on the gratuitous violence. it was once brilliant. it is now formular. don't send hate mail. i don't read it.

josh charles ignored for 'the good wife'? yes he was. i am thrilled for jason ritter, jean smart, jessica lange, sarah paulson and connie britton. all worthy this year. most years actually.
but alas there was no love for 'renvenge' or 'once upon a time'.
 but uma thurman? really???


if they are pictured above i am thrilled they got a nod. they can't all win but their contributions this year are undeniable and as we see respected.

Shabbat Shalom


'Evita' The New Cast Recording



the new cast recording was released a couple of weeks ago. i haven't seen the show but these vids have me intriqued. i had sworn off it after the disastrous showing on the last tony show. perhaps i can change my mind. fact: vocally patti lupone and mandy patinkin cannot be beat. visually madonna will not be beat. she in fact was born to play this role. she should play no other role...ever. this was a grand fluke for madonna. but i digress...

the new 'evita'

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Marion in 'La Vie en Rose'

just because i feel like it!


from the soundtrack of my life

2012 Primetime Emmy Nominees

Outstanding Drama Series
"Broadwalk Empire"
"Breaking Bad"
"Downton Abbey"
"Game of Thrones"
"Homeland"
"Mad Men"

Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Kathy Bates, "Harry's Law"
Glenn Close, "Damages"
Claire Danes, "Homeland"
Michelle Dockery, "Downton Abbey"
Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"
Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men"

Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Hugh Bonneville,"Downton Abbey"
Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire"
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Damian Lewis, "Homeland"

Outstanding Comedy Series
"The Big Bang Theory"
"Curb Your Enthusiasm"
"Girls"
"Modern Family"
"30 Rock"
"Veep"

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Zooey Deschanel, "New Girl"
Lena Dunham, "Girls"
Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"
Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep"
Melissa McCarthy, "Mike & Molly"
Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation"

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
Don Cheadle, "House of Lies"
Louis C.K., "Louie"
Jon Cryer, "Two and a Half Men"
Larry David, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"

Outstanding Made for TV Movie/Miniseries
"American Horror Story"
"Game Change"
"Hatfields and McCoys"
"Hemingway and Gellhorn"
"Luther"
"Sherlock: Scandal in Belgravia"

Leading Actor in a Made for TV Movie/Miniseries
Woody Harrelson, "Game Change"
Clive Owen, "Hemingway & Gellhorn"
Benedict Cumberbatch, "Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia"
Idris Elba, "Luther"
Kevin Costner, "Hatfields & McCoys"
Bill Paxton, "Hatfields & McCoys"

Lead Actress in a Made for TV Movie/Miniseries
Julianne Moore, "Game Change"
Connie Britton, "American Horror Story"
Nicole Kidman, "Hemingway & Gellhorn"
Emma Thompson, "The Song of Lunch"
Ashley Judd, "Missing"

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
"The Amazing Race"
"Dancing With the Stars"
"Project Runway"
"So You Think You Can Dance"
"Top Chef"
"The Voice"

Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program
Tom Bergeron, "Dancing With The Stars"
Cat Deeley, "So You Think You Can Dance"
Phil Keoghan, "The Amazing Race"
Ryan Seacrest, "American Idol"
Betty White, "Betty White's Off Their Rockers"

Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series
"The Colbert Report"
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"
"Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
"Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"
"Real Time with Bill Maher"
"Saturday Night Live"

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad"
Giancarlo Esposito, "Breaking Bad"
Brendan Coyle, "Downton Abbey"
Jim Carter, "Downton Abbey"
Jared Harris, "Mad Men"
Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones"

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Archie Panjabi, "The Good Wife"
Anna Gunn, "Breaking Bad"
Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey"
Joanna Froggatt, "Downton Abbey"
Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men"
Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife"

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Ed O'Neill, "Modern Family"
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, "Modern Family"
Ty Burrell, "Modern Family"
Eric Stonestreet, "Modern Family"
Bill Hader, "Saturday Night Live"
Max Greenfield, "New Girl"

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Mayim Bialik, "The Big Bang Theory"
Merritt Wever, "Nurse Jackie"
Julie Bowen, "Modern Family"
Kristen Wiig, "Saturday Night Live"
Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family"
Kathryn Joosten, "Desperate Housewives"

Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Sarah Paulson, "Game Change"
Frances Conroy, "American Horror Story"
Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story"
Judy Davis, "Page Eight"
Mare Winningham, "Hatfields & McCoys"

Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Ed Harris, "Game Change"
Denis O'Hare, "American Horror Story"
David Strathairn, "Hemingway & Gellhorn"
Martin Freeman, "Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia"
Tom Berenger, "Hatfields & McCoys"


Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Dot-Marie Jones, "Glee"
Maya Rudolph, "Saturday Night Live"
Melissa McCarthy, "Saturday Night Live"
Elizabeth Banks, "30 Rock"
Margaret Cho, "30 Rock"
Kathy Bates, "Two and a Half Men"

Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Michael J. Fox, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Greg Kinnear, "Modern Family"
Bobby Cannavale, "Nurse Jackie"
Jimmy Fallon, "Saturday Night Live"
Will Arnett, "30 Rock"
Jon Hamm, "30 Rock"

Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Martha Plimpton, "The Good Wife"
Loretta Devine, "Grey's Anatomy"
Jean Smart, "Harry's Law"
Julia Ormond, "Mad Men"
Joan Cusack, "Shameless"
Uma Thurman, "Smash"

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Mark Margolis, "Breaking Bad"
Dylan Baker, "The Good Wife"
Michael J. Fox, "The Good Wife"
Jeremy Davies, "Justified"
Ben Feldman, "Mad Men"
Jason Ritter, "Parenthood"

The DNC Is Growing a Pair...Finally


Spring TV Season in Review Part 3: 'Royal Pains'


after a miserable season 3 'royal pains' is back with an improved season 4. sadly jill flint is no longer a hamptons resident. as much as i liked ms flint it is a wise decision. the on again/off again romance between her character and lead character hank was getting to be a chore for viewers. i hope she shows up again on 'the good wife' as kalind's on again/off again one or more night's stand.

season 4 gets a B for now. we'll see.


Emmy Noms Will Be Announced Today