Oscar Observations

Before I get to the Oscar observations, I thought I'd say that given how late it is, I will have to put off a review of Abe for a day or two...so check back for that soon!

Last night, I joined friends for an Oscar Viewing Party at Doug's.  As the show went on, we all partook of some yummy veggie lasagna followed by key lime pie.  The show itself was quite enjoyable, especially with the company I kept.  So, without further ado, here are my Oscar Observations!

Pre-Show Baba Wawa Special:

- Skeezy Mickey Rourke had his left hand down his pants for nearly all of the interview...when I said "he's a hot mess," a fellow viewer said "No, he's just a mess."

- Baba Wawa requested a lap-dance from Hugh Jackman (a la The Boy from OZ) at the end of his interview; he obliged.  (What a horny old broad!)

Fashion:

- Sarah Jessica Parker's dress grew her some boobs.

- Josh Brolin needs to lose the moustache.

- Meryl Streep, looking not so good in that grey sackcloth, was definitely out-glammed by her daughter.

- Penelope Cruz mistook the Oscars for her wedding.

- Kate Winslet was dressed to kill...and win an Oscar.

- Tilda Swinton?  Still lookin' like an alien.

Miscellaneous Stuff:

- The camerawork on the Death Montage was quite frustrating and made a fellow viewer seasick.  (On the plus side, Queen Latifah's vocals were sweet and classy.)

- Bombed overall presentation of the evening?  Jack Black & Jennifer Aniston.

- Ben Stiller KILLED as Joaquin Phoenix.

- LOVED the inclusion of Braveheart when they showed clips of Milk interspersed with other films dealing with freedom and resistance! (I would like to believe that it was an intentional swipe at Gibson...)

Musical Numbers:

- Hugh Jackman is a real showman...I'm not a huge fan, but his opening number was camp-licious.

- What is the point of a big movie-musical medley in a year that produced only Mamma Mia and the third installment of High School Musical?  And the dancing lacked OOMPH.

- Do they seriously need to trot out Beyoncé every single year?  Seriously?

- Glad to see the Best Song Nominees condensed into one segment...because they were grossly unmemorable to begin with.

AWARDS:

- Sup. Actress-- uh, yay for Penelope Cruz??

- Sup. Actor-- we all saw that one coming; classy to let Heath's family accept it

- Actress-- Yay Kate!!!  It's about time!!!  Martin Scorcese & Susan Lucci welcome you!!!

- Actor-- Good for Sean Penn.  His performance in Milk was uplifting and heartbreaking.  Plus, maybe he'll lighten up a bit now...before he won, he looked so red as if he may burst into fiery anger if he didn't win ;)  So glad Mickey Rourke didn't get it.  You shouldn't win an Oscar just for showing up clean & sober to a movie set.  (These may be harsh observations, but I stand by them.)

- Director & Picture-- Whatever.  Not that jazzed about Slumdog...but I will Netflix it out of obligatory curiosity.

(In fact, I've got to Netflix a whole lotta movies now!)

Goin' up to see "Abe"

Tomorrow, I'm going up to Quincy, IL to see the world premiere of Abe: the Musical presented by Muddy River Opera.  I first heard of Abe way back in June last year, when Mark Meier (director of UAO's Elixir of Love) said that he was offered the job of directing the show.  To hear him describe it, you'd think that it had the potential to be a campy adventure a la the play-within-the-movie of Waiting for Guffman.  When he told me that the composer and lyricist wrote a show-stopper called "Corn" I knew I had to see it.  Of course, there's more reasons than that to want to come to my college town, including the fact that several friends are involved.  Joy is Mary Todd Lincoln; Elise is Ann Rutledge; Emily is some role I cannot remember right now; Scott is conducting; Mark is directing.

So, up to Quincy I go tomorrow.  I shall offer a full report here...perhaps in the wee hours of Saturday morning when I've stumbled back to my motel room after some inevitable post-opening-night partying.

Valentine's Day, or just another day?

Ok, so I'm cooled off after that last diatribe.  Moving on to happier subjects...

VALENTINE'S DAY

So yeah... uh... it's Valentine's Day.  And I have no sweetheart...so I guess I'll have to love myself before I love another...  How's that for Hallmark-Card sentimentality?  First on the docket of loving oneself?  Buy oneself some sugar cookies with red/pink/white frosting and eat them.  Second on the docket?  Take oneself on a date to the Symphony (Christine Brewer's rockin' out on the Verdi Requiem.  WHEEEE!)...  At said Symphony, one must also take advantage of the 50-Free program, because after all, it's great if oneself is a cheap date.

REALITY TEE-VEE BINGE

I'm on a Reality TV binge as of late.  And so I'm going to take some time to talk about what keeps my DVR nice and chock-full as of late:

American Idol has been chugg-a-lugging along for over a month now, and I'm finding myself actually watching past the auditions/hollywood shows.  I haven't done that since the season Carrie Underwood won.  I am not a huge fan of the show, so I'm very amused by two histrionic, sanctimonious demographics that watch AI: tweens and housewives.  Both groups tend to fiercely support a very annoying, mediocre singer that seems to be "chosen" by the producers to advance (see David Archuleta & Clay Aiken).  I tend to find myself in the camp that wants to be entertained... so I find myself drawn to the trainwrecks that make it to the Top 36.  Thus, I really enjoy visiting VoteForTheWorst.com!  Check it out sometime.

Survivor: Tocantins premiered the other night.  I'm not really feeling this season's locale (the Brazilian highlands), though I will give the producers points for finding such a seemingly desolate place...which they've not really done since the season in the Australian outback.  As for the cast, there are a few loud, wannabe-alpha-males that, in the pursuit of being top dog, ought to make fools of themselves for our enjoyment.  There's a few underdogs worth rooting for, too.  Survivor: Gabon was a hard act to follow...we'll have to see about this season.

The Amazing Race starts up tomorrow night!!!  The cast was revealed a few weeks ago, and I am pre-rooting for both parent/child teams (one of which includes the first deaf contestant) as well as a team of two seemingly strong/competitive red-headed women.  HOLLA, FELLOW GINGERS!  (Ok, so I'm not a ginger...but I was at an early age...) I've heard wonderful things about the race course...but my most anticipated moment will be when the teams go to Salzburg, Austria!!!  Amazing Race Producers: Please tell me you fashioned some kind of task involving the mythical rivalry between Mozart and Salieri!!!

GRACE TURNS 2

My little niece Grace Emily is turning the big T-W-O on Monday.  She's growing up so fast! According to insider reports, she said her first full sentence last week: "I know Pop-Pop like tatos."  (Her brother tried to tell her that grandpa didn't like potatoes, and that direct quote was her merry retort!)  The grandparents, parents, uncle and big brother are all celebrating tomorrow afternoon with a lunch of my momma's famous chicken 'n dumplings followed by Rice Krispie treats.  Unfortunately there will be no ice cream, as my niece is lactose intolerant (hopefully only temporarily) so if the queen of the day can't have it, we all can't...and those are the rules ;)

Rant: Spoiled, Errant Children

WARNING: I'm about to get very political, angry and possibly, admittedly irrational.  Beware some language, and if you're a republican, you may want to pass this one over.

I realize that in this Obama era, we're all supposed to be post-partisan and willing to reach across the aisle and blah, blah, blah.  I have tried very hard to understand and read about all viewpoints left, moderate and right...especially those on the right, for they're usually tough to swallow.

But when it comes to the economic recovery/stimulus package and the Republican obstructionist actions, I say screw bi-partisanship...at least for now.  Obama tried his level best, and it's just not good enough for those spoiled, errant children in the GOP.

The Republican obstructionists seeking to score cheap political points (and the blue-dog Democrats that enable their bullshit) are despicable.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not even completely sold on this economic recovery/stimulus package.  It's damn risky...but what other choice do we have?  Do we apply defibrilator paddles to the rapidly dying body, or do we step back and say that if we leave it alone, it will cure itself?  I know the sane, if uncertain, option.

As of right now, it looks like the stimulus will pass the Senate, barely...with credit due to a few Republicans who chose to be proactive.  Nevertheless, why should Obama and those working under him EVER trust the Republicans?  If one looked at this in Peanuts terms, the GOP is holding a football, only to "fake out" the Democrats every single damn time it is offered.  This whole circus is a desperate ploy to try and regain power in 2010, 2012 and beyond.  They know that the only glimmer of a hope for Republican Revolution 2.0 (and avoidance of being a minority, regional party) is for the stimulus plan to fail.  That's all they have, and they'll stop at nothing by acting like spoiled, errant children that deserve a swift backhanding.

My advice to the Obama and his party: don't bother kicking the football.

I Pagliacci

Last week, I was so busy with work, car repairs and my supertitles gig, that I practically forgot I had an internet connection and a blog...

...so here goes.  The highlight of last week was my gig as superititleist for New Opera St. Louis' production of I Pagliacci.  I'd never ran supertitles before, but it was a very simple job of making sure everything was readable on the screen (cleverly built into the set), watching the score, and making sure the running translation displayed at the right moments.  All in all, it was a fun way to make some needed cash...though I don't think I shall miss negotiating the catwalk every night...it's not a very big-guy-friendly space ;)  The best part, though, was reuniting with friends that I've made through the company.  Lots of good times!

Oh, and New Opera St. Louis got its first (and glowing) review from the Post-Dispatch.  Go NOSTL!

Sunday night, after the final show we had the cast party, which doubled as a SuperBowl viewing event.  I don't really watch the game with any great interest, but I did enjoy some of the commercials, including this one (my favorite):

In other news, I'm readying myself for the Union Avenue audition.  Tonight, I'm previewing "This is my Box" from Amahl and the Night Visitors @ the voice master class.  I'm also plugging away at "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz"...a deceptively simple aria, to be frank.

To end this entry, I leave you with a question... What do you recommend as an appropriate gift for a 2-year-old girl's birthday?  My neice is almost freakin' TWO!!