Not exactly rolling out the welcome mat...

Happy New Year everyone! Yeah, it's been awhile since I have posted, first it was the holidays, then I was under the weather, but today I am much better! My goal for 2009 is to post more often. Everyone expects a momentous year, what with Obama's inauguration, a new administration taking charge, and the continuing financial crisis.

So much has happened in the past couple of weeks! Bush got shoes thrown at him in Iraq, Blagojevich went ahead and appointed Obama's replacement while plans to impeach him are underway, things got tragically bad in the Middle East, and Cheney called himself "warm and lovable" (no, I am not making that up!).

But one of the smaller stories that caught my attention was the Blair House dustup. Blair House is the official presidential guest house, and according to tradition, the incoming President and his family are put up there during the days leading up to inauguration. In December, Obama requested an early move-in date because his daughters were to start school on January 5. But the request was denied, because Blair House was booked! What? Who or what event could possibly trump the President-elect? Really now, I can't think of anyone who, if asked very politely, wouldn't cheerfully rebook themselves and their entourage into a nearby hotel to accomodate the Obama family. But noooo, the prospective first family is currently residing at the Hay-Adams hotel, and then will have to move into Blair House, then again into the White House! Yeah, just a nice little last-minute snub courtesy of the Bush administration. Besides the obvious lack of common courtesy, the extra security required at the hotel is costing us taxpayers a not-insignificant amount of money. Blair House already has appropriate security.

So just WHO is the extremely important dignitary that bumped the Obama family out? None other than the former prime minister of Australia, John Howard, hated in his own country for his support of Bush's horrific adventure in Iraq. Bush is awarding him the Medal of Freedom. Right. MUCH more important that the soon-to-be leader of the free world. Um hmm.

It's just a perfect metaphor for how Bush has treated each and every American (other than the rich and powerful) since the day he took office eight years ago. With disdain and disrespect.

I can't WAIT for January 20.

It's Christmas

As this Christmas day is drawing to a close, I want to wish everyone who might be reading this a very happy holiday season, filled with family, friends and laughter.

Gay Marriage and the Bible

I just read a fascinating piece on Newsweek's website titled, "Gay Marriage: Our Mutual Joy." I encourage all who have an interest in this topic and what the Bible has to say about it to read this. Those who point to Scripture to back up their argument that marriage is only between a man and a woman are, as it turns out, sadly mistaken.

My favorite quote from the piece is this: "The practice of inclusion, even in defiance of social convention, the reaching out to outcasts, the emphasis on togetherness and community over and against chaos, depravity, indifference—all these biblical values argue for gay marriage."

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Jeans and Cocktails

Today, a silly post about dressing up, and how I guess I must be getting old.

Last night my husband Scott and I went to a Hollywood biz holiday party. We were excited that during this recession, some people are still throwing parties. The hosts were a small film production company (that a friend of ours has just started up), an advertising agency, and a company that does movie trailers. The invitation stated "cocktail attire." So I put on pantyhose, heels, a short black skirt and a silk blouse. (Normally I try to avoid pantyhose, but in the winter they aren't so bad.) I briefly considered that perhaps my ensemble wasn't QUITE dressy enough, but I thought I looked pretty good, so out the door we went. We pulled up, turned over our car to the valet, and joined the short queue at the door. That was when I noticed how the other people in line were dressed. They were wearing jeans.

Now I love jeans. I wear them all the time, every day, in fact. I have a home office, so I get to wear whatever I want to work, unless I have a meeting. Which is why, when I see "cocktail attire" on an invitation, I am happy to have an excuse to dress up. I don't do it very often, and it's fun to do every once in a while.

So call me old-fashioned, but I was not aware that jeans are now considered cocktail attire. Who knew? Now, most of these jeans-wearing hipsters were 20 years or so younger than us. And they all work in the TV or movie business. And the jeans were probably the pricey designer variety. But still. Of the 200-plus guests at this party, I counted about ten women wearing skirts. There were also a few in dressy pants, but the vast majority of both men and women there were in denim. Even in LA, where rules are meant to be broken, I was surprised to learn that dress codes pretty much don't exist anymore. Actually, that's not completely true. I am fairly certain that when the invitation states "black tie", you can't get away with wearing jeans.

I think.

Clothing aside, though, it was a great party, we had a marvelous time, met lots of interesting people, and saw many old friends. And next time, I'm wearing my best pair of jeans!

Happy Holidays!

Good news

It has been too long since I have posted, it's crazy holiday-itis time, but very quickly, I have a tiny bit of good news for you in this tough economy. You might be able to save some money. The news is this: if you are taking vitamins, STOP! That's right, so many studies have come in recently that the New York Times published an article last week about how people who take vitamins actually die sooner. So you don't have to spend a fortune at the health food store anymore, attempting to fend off disease and aging. Not even vitamin C (it protects cancer cells along with the good cells). With the exceptions of calcium for women and B12 for the elderly, vitamins are terrible for your health.

Feel better now?