My pirate name, because I know you've been dying to know, is Captain Ethel Rackham. (Via Beth). Go get your own.
I don't know how people with long-haired cats handle it. As it is, one short-haired cat keeps me in more tumbleweeds than a deserted street in an old western movie. I'd probably have to vacuum more than once every six months if I had a long-hair.
I watched Double Indemnity this morning. I've always meant to rent it but there's always something else that catches my eye in the video store or the TV listings. I've never seen Fred MacMurray as anyone other than the dad on "My Three Sons," as best I can recall*, and I was glad that I was able to block out the imaginary sound of him calling out to Chip and Ernie to stop whatever damn fool thing they were doing. He did a fine job, but Barbara Stanwyck was spectacular, and Edward G. Robinson (never seen him before -- only the imitators) was a revelation. I know, I know; for someone who claims to be a fan of Billy Wilder (favorite movie: "Some Like It Hot"; deeply love "The Apartment," the original "Sabrina," and "The Front Page; deeply respect "The Lost Weekend" and "The Major and the Minor," just to name a few that come to mind), how could I have failed to see one of his masterpieces before today? Eh, I'm obviously just a poser. Still, good movie.
I watched the Tony Awards last week and it really made me want to have a private jet or helicopter or something so that I could get to NYC frequently (and without traffic or parking issues) to see lots of plays and musicals. Oh, especially the musicals. Holy crap, I can never get enough of Rogers and Hammerstein ("South Pacific," anyone?) or, frankly, most of those incredibly talented actors, singers, dancers, and set/costume/technical folks. I wish I had any actual talent for performance, 'cause pretending to be someone else and singing (I could skip the dancing) all day would be my dream gig.
If you didn't catch "Eli Stone" on ABC this past season, here's your chance to catch the first two episodes: They're airing on ABC at 10 p.m. (Eastern) on the next 2 Saturday nights (6/28 and 7/5). Hopefully they will re-air the whole series (available on DVD in September) and you'll know why so many of us found it to be such a pleasure. Set your TiVO, DVR, VCR, or whatever -- the fact that it's being shown on Saturday nights is absolutely no excuse for you to miss it. (Again.)
It's another tremendous day outside. I'd better get out and enjoy it while I can; I hear some more rain and thunderstorms are expected later. Toodles for now!
* Turns out I have seen Fred MacMurray in something else: The Shaggy Dog. And I can still say that "Double Indemnity" is the first, uh, serious dramatic role I've ever seen him tackle.
I can tell you that long hair cats are a full time job. The lady I work or has THREE of them! If I work on the days that her maid doesn't come in, I'm in charge of the vacuuming. Fun.....not! I keep telling her she needs to get a "cat" colored carpet. But no, she has a black carpet with white and grey cats. Oy.
Posted by: DogsDontPurr on June 22, 2008 02:10 PMScott and I often pick up cat/dog hair tumbleweeds and shout "How are you not BALD???"
Posted by: tomorrow on June 22, 2008 02:44 PM"You're the pirate everyone else wants to throw in the ocean -- not to get rid of you, you understand; just to get rid of the smell. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!"
Posted by: Dirty Mary Kidd on June 22, 2008 08:08 PMSo...when I finally do make it to the East Coast, let's get some tickets and visit the Great White Way! It will be my first time to see a play on Broadway.
Posted by: Karan on June 22, 2008 08:12 PMwith one long hair and one short hair and ME, i do lots of vacuuming. the vacuum cleaner rarely gets put away. i could really do without this, but what can ya do? the alternative is to too scary (and furry!) to contemplate.
Posted by: Amy on June 22, 2008 08:14 PM