Cinna-matic Proportions

We all know how I feel about books turned into films.  The book is almost exclusively better than the film version but I still like to judge the film version as a separate entity.  When I first heard that my beloved Hunger Games series was going to be turned into a movie I was nervous. I didn't want the books ruined but I was also eager to see all of my beloved characters come to life. Then I heard that the author herself Suzanne Collins wrote the screenplay is very involved in the film making process.  I decided then and there that I would give the process to God and eagerly anticipate the release of the first film fully trusting that as much as I love this story and these characters, their creator loves them just as much if not more and wouldn't let anything bad happen to them.

Then it was announced that the role of Cinna would be played by Lenny Kravitz.

This news was conflicting for me. Cinna is my favorite character in the books because he represents heart, truth, creativity, fabulousity, and true artistry.  He has such a pivotal role in the story, I had doubts about Lenny because he was not the Cinna in my imagination.

Don't get me wrong,  I love me some Lenny Kravitz just as much as I love me some Cinna, (if not more), but in a vastly different way.  My feelings for Lenny are um, a woman's feelings. They are dark, raw, dangerous, carnal, and incredibly specific. I don't really feel like that about Cinna.

Let's just say I would never fling my panties at Cinna in invitation to have Biblical knowledge of me. But Lenny Kravitz?  Totally.

I saw Lenny in Precious and thought he did a great job but his part was so small I really didn't get that great of an impression of his acting range.  This made me even more conflicted about his ability to become Cinna.

So I had to process.

The more I thought about it, the more I decided that Lenny being cast could actually be a brilliant move.

Since the story takes place in a dystopian society, all of our present day stereotypes are pretty much out the window.  I was so worried that because he's a "stylist" they would turn Cinna into an arm flailing, vest wearing, glitter spraying, catch phrase spouting, Jack McFarland-esque character and that would be a tragedy.  Think Chris Tucker in The Fifth Element or any of the gay men on Real Housewives of Atlanta and you'll understand my fear.  Cinna is so much more than your token gay standing in the background snapping in a Z formation*.

So now the ultimate aviatior shade wearing, guitar playing, Lisa Bonet marrying knocking up and divorcing, ripped abs having rock god in the part. Lenny Kravitz is a badass.  He is sexy, commanding, creative, funky, unconventional, and also incredibly masculine. I can't wait to see how he brings Cinna to life and I hope he rocks the crap out of it with the style and panache with which he does everything else.

I also hope that one day he'll want to make out with me and let me wear one of his leather jackets, then have mocha mix babies that we'll raise in a luxurious beach house, but that is of course another story.



*Just want to clarify that there is nothing wrong with being a gay stereotype, token or otherwise. There is also nothing wrong with snapping in Z formation to emphasize a point...in fact I highly recommend it.

Excuse me while I ugly cry

Oprah's leaving today.

I'm inconsolable.

Incon-freaking-solable  I say!

I lived my entire life with Oprah in the background somewhere.

When I was a little girl, she was Sophia, the tough as nails character from The Color Purple.  I used to recite her entire "you told Harpo to beat me" speech for family's amusement at holidays and gatherings.

Growing up, she was always on my TV, giving my grandmother and great grandmother fodder for conversation about cheating husbands, losing weight, and a plethora of other topics that plagued people in the 80s.

As a tween and teenager, I remember rushing home after school to watch her show.  I'll never forget the Valentine's Day episode one year when she had New Kids on the Block on and they sang "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" and I died a million teenagery deaths.

Remember that one time, she drank red wine with Johnny Depp to toast his performance in Finding Neverland?

She's amazing. She somehow convinced an entire population of people that sparkly Ugg boots are attractive...even me! And I hate Ugg boots!

She managed to interview James Frey (whom I loathe) and make me slightly sympathetic to him. (Only slightly...he's still douche-tastic as far as I'm concerned)

I have loved her, learned from her, and cried buckets of tears both from laughter and sadness experiencing her show.

I would have no idea what the heck a Moscow Mule was if it weren't for her. (Side note: BEST DRINK EVER! If you like ginger beer and being drunk...have one! I plan on tipping mine tonight in honor of Lady O.)

I know she has her network, (which I really like btw) but she still won't be on my TV everyday expounding her wonderful Oprah-isms,  and giving away stuff to a freaked out audience.

My favorite Oprah-ism: God can dream a bigger dream for you than you can ever dream for yourself.

My second favorite Oprah-ism: When you know better, you do better.

Who's going to give me my isms? This is a sad day friends. My abandonment issues are on full blast. I don't think I can watch the final show today.  I might wait until the weekend when I can ugly cry to my heart's content.


Doesn't it suck that good things always come to an end?

Official Royal Wedding Post

Have we all stopped caring about this? I sort of um, haven't but as we've already discussed, I'm a bit of a crazy person when it comes to weddings and anything to do with the UK.  Frankly, this was one of the best days I've had this year. 

First off, I woke up late. I opened my eyes at 4:03am after setting my alarm to wake me up at 2:30. I ran to my TV and it was on ABC from the night before and all I saw were wide shots of the Abbey being shown, and then heard the melodious tones of Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts giving a play by play of everything that happened. Boo!

Through the magic of my DVR, I was able to rewind the channel back an exactly an hour and it stopped right as Kate Middleton was riding in her car down the street and waving.  She was breathtaking.  She looked exactly like a princess should, elegant and classic.


Holy little sister Batman! All I can say is work it Pippa!

William biting his lip as she walked up was probably my favorite moment. It made me feel like his mom was there with us somehow. (Awwwww!)

British people are the politest people ever! If this wedding had taken place in NYC or LA there would have been bloodshed for sure! All those crowds, no one pushing or shoving, everyone happy and pleasant, and full of manners...and probably tea.

The hats! OMG the freaking hats! Though Beatrice was the standout, my second favorite was the lady who's hat looked like a giant antler. That is fabulousness and half!

Harry riding in the carriage with the children!  Adorbs! Why do I love him so? I simply can't help myself!  He is the original Hot.British.Ginger.

Two balcony kisses!  I was glad Prince William redeemed himself with the second kiss, the first one was a little blah.

Overall impressions? It was amazing...and kind of long. That's a lot of bloody hymns in one wedding.  I loved every single pomp and circumstance-y second.

My favorite part of this whole experience was live Tweeting with all of my friends (and a few perfect strangers) about it.  We were all so excited and giddy and caught up in the magic of it all.  I think in a time where bad stuff is happening all around us, it's nice to be able to take a minute and focus on something happy.  

Carry on peasants.  Carry on.

The Reader's Digest Version

Ok so basically I suck at blogging lately. The last few weeks have been packed with working and parenting and working and parenting and not cleaning immediately followed by immense guilt for not cleaning coupled with a moment of true self awareness where I admit to myself that I work hard, I'm a good mother, and I reserve the right not to do the dishes in my own house if I don't want to do them...until I need a clean fork and then the cycle starts all over again. 

I have thoughts on so many things that have happened in the news and in my actual life that I wish to share, I just need to carve out the time to actually write them. If I start worrying about how there's never any time, I might resort to a Jessie Spano-esque caffeine pill addicted freakout and need to dance it out in a day glo leotard and side pony with my girlfriends in order to recover. 

No one needs that right?

So in short, I'm still here. I'm just either working, parenting, not cleaning, or feeling guilty for not cleaning. 

I may or may not be watching Saved by the Bell reruns as well.