You don't write, you don't call!!

I know.

I promise book and movie reviews and I don't deliver.

I've been busy, man!!

I just got back from Philadelphia where I saw Flight of the Conchords perform TWICE! What a treat! And, I got a chance to say hello to the boys again.

Like I said, I've been busy!


Me and Bret McKenzie. He's adorable through and through.


















Me and Jemaine. He was SO tired! He gave two of the most energetic performances I ever saw....he just left it ALL out on the stage (bless his heart)...but he was still nice enough to take a picture with me and sign an autograph. He's a very sweet man, and I love him with all my heart.

Also, on my trip I read "A Separate Reality" by Carlos Casteneda, which, as "Lost" fanatics already know is the book that Little Ben gave to Sayid while he was in Dharma LockDown. Little Ben said he read it twice...I read it once and have to say I think it's one of the most fascinating things I've ever read. Give it a look, if you are looking for something to broaden your horizons and perhaps give you a different perspective on the world.

In any case, I don't know when my next post will be (or if there will even be one)...so I'll catch you all when I catch you.

Kookie out!

All you need is LOVE!

I've gone and fallen head over heels in love with not ONE...but TWO new things that I must share with you...

Okay, I've been in such a RUT lately, it's not even funny! It had been months since I'd read something that I truly enjoyed...I believe the last thing was "Don Quixote" back in November and then I read "The Feast of Love" by Charles Baxter at Bookfool's urging and found that I really, really enjoyed it, but I wasn't in LOVE with it. I was very much in LIKE with "The Feast of Love". Read it when you get a chance, it's worth your time.

But, as so often happens at times like these, the VERY next book I picked up after "The Feast of Love" is turning into 'something'.

You know how you just get captivated by the way an author will describe a feeling that shouldn't even be able to be described in words? Or how a story will pull you along so hard that you forget you are sitting in your home with a book in your lap? Or how sometimes you feel so close to a fictional character that you can't believe they aren't part of your actual life? Yeah. Book love. The greatest feeling on Earth.

And I believe it's found me again. I haven't finished it yet (in fact, to my glee, I've barely started it)...but I want to tell you all about it, so you can get started yourselves down the path of book love.


The Gone Away World by Nick Harkaway. Like I said, I've barely started the book, but it seems to be a post apocalyptic story with ninjas and kung fu masters and truckers and...oh...read it for yourselves! It's wonderful! I will review it in full when I'm done. (I know it must be love because I can't bear the thought of being 'done' with it).



AND, secondly, I'm totally, totally in love with a young Indian actor named Allu Arjun (and of course, in Asia, the last name is first, so his first name is Arjun). Arjun is a big star in Tollywood..which is the film industry of the Telugu speaking area of India. His movies are CRAZY by American standards, but they are wonderful (mostly because of him)...they tend to be lighthearted love stories with MUSICAL numbers and FIGHT scenes!

It's almost impossible for me to describe what these movies are like...but I've bought three of them (yeah, I sent away to INDIA for the DVDs...that's how much I love these films), and I'm going to try to screencap and summarize the plots and see if I can't post videos of the dance numbers...you guys HAVE to see this...it's ASTOUNDING!

Arjun is a HELL of a great dancer...very athletic...very graceful...very enthusiastic. And he's as charming as all get-out. Anyway, like I said, I'll try to screencap the first movie and get up a review as soon as possible.

Here's a few pictures...just so you can see how adorable he is...























































...and, ahem...








*drool*



Anyway, stayed tuned for more...

Lost Discussion ..."Since you Left" and "The Lie"

Dear Producers of Lost,
I'm a great admirer of your show. You might call me a 'fan'. As such, I would like a moment of your time to discuss a very important matter that affects the pleasure I take while watching your quality program.

Josh Holloway is a very handsome man...no question. He's got lovely eyes, a great voice and dimples that can make a lady swoon....HOWEVER, seeing him without his shirt on is NOT the treat you seem to think it is.

Honestly, I see better physiques at my gym every single day. Please allow Mr Holloway to remain fully clothed for the remainder of the season. I would greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Kookie

PS-I would like to say at this point that ANY TIME you want to let Naveen Andrews go without a shirt, I wholeheartedly approve.














On that note, I have to say EPIC FAIL to Jack. Look pal, would it have been SO much trouble to just remove Sayid's shirt before you put the heart monitors on him? I know you were pressed for time and all...but COME ON!!!


Oh yeah...now the show. What did you guys think? I know this is the kind of episode that will make the casual viewer either stop watching or grab his head in agony...but we aren't casual viewers here, are we?? Discuss in the comment section...where spoilers WILL abound..you've been warned.

Here we go again!!

Well, folks...tonight is the night! Two all new episodes of "Lost" to kick off the new season. YAY!! I'm pretty excited. AND *fanfare* unspoiled! That's right...I've read NO spoilers (ah, but the day is young!)..so everything that happens tonight will be a surprise for me too!

Tomorrow, I'm sure I'll have much to discuss...and lots of screencaps to post (and yeah...I might find a few of Sayid, just because...)

In the meantime...here's an update of what's been going on in my life recently. Just to kill time and fill up space. :D

Around the time that I decided to put this blog on sporadic hiatus I started taking work out tips from a young man at the gym who I'd become acquainted with. Just through the little advice he gave me, I lost 35 pounds between July and November. During that time, he and I have become good friends and he's taken me under his wing and decided that he would like to train me...to help me meet my physical goals. So, he helped me put together a whole new diet and exercise routine and I've lost another 14 pounds since November (bringing my current weight to 186)...and he thinks I can get all the way down to 140 or 150 by the time my 40th birthday rolls around. I've never been that slender! So, I'd like to take this time and opportunity to publicly thank him for taking such an interest in me and being my friend...

Thank you, Jess. You are one of the sweetest, funniest, most generous men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. You have no idea how glad I am to know you....and I'm looking forward to all the butt-kicking workouts you're going to put me through in the future. BRING IT!

Um, what else? I haven't had time for much else besides working out and reading and trying to keep my house in some semblance of order. Even with Logan gone most of the time, this place STILL looks like bears live here....extremely literate bears...but bears just the same.

I just finished reading "Buddenbrooks" by Thomas Mann. It was pretty good (I was surprised I liked it as much as I did), but it wasn't anything to get that excited about. I will get around to reading his "Death in Venice" before long.

Bookfool recommended (in glowing and adjective laden phrases) that I read Charles Baxter's "The Feast of Love"...so I'll be picking that up from the library tomorrow. If Bookfool says "read it"...I am SO there!

Otherwise, the books I've been reading have NOT really been setting my heart ablaze...and that is sad. I SO much want to fall in love with something right now...but I just haven't found 'the right one' yet *sigh*. Anyone got any suggestions?

Anyway...tomorrow look for a "Lost" discussion post sometime in the afternoon.

Kookie out!

Flight of the Conchords

When last we left our hapless Kiwi Kuties, their manager had scored it big with another two man band (The Crazyy Dogggz).

Now, thanks to the folks at Funnyordie.com, I give you Episode 1 from the second season of "Flight of the Conchords" starring my pals Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement.....(did I mention that I actually know these guys??? I KNOW!! It's still hard for me to believe too!!). The full season officially begins on HBO on January 18th....be there, or be square.

Even if you aren't a fan...if you don't laugh in the first 5 minutes (or at least by the end of Murray's song), then I give up.

PS-This video is only available in the US. It will be available to Canadian views on the 23rd of December... sorry.

Season 2 Online Premiere - Flight of the Conchords (US Only) - watch more funny videos

The Year in Books

Well, the end of the year approacheth and it's time to take a look at the year that was. For me, I didn't finish as many books as I would have liked, but when I look at the list, I realize that I read more quality books than any single year of my life to date...so I'm very happy about that. I started the year reading lots of Polynesian literature and I ended it reading lots of Spanish/South American/Mexican literature. I'm going to list the books I read this year from worst to best (in my opinion). Grab some coffee...it's a LIST!!

Emily's Reasons Why Not-Carrie Gerlach--idiotic chick lit dreck!
Flying Fox in a Freedom Tree-Albert Wendt
The Kiwi Laughs-JC Reid ed.
Infinite Jest-David Foster Wallace--LONGEST book I've ever read. And not just in pages.
Maps and Legends-Michael Chabon
Solaris-Stanislaw Lem
Ghost World-Daniel Clowes--Graphic novel...the movie is better.
Fat Girl-Judith Moore
Persepolis-Marjane Satrapi---Graphic novel...I'm not even going to bother with the movie.
Fall on Your Knees-Ann-Marie MacDonald
The Heroines-Eileen Favorite
An Alphabetical Life-Wendy Werris
Schindler's Ark-Thomas Keneally--The movie is much more compelling.
Button, Button: Uncanny Stories-Richard Matheson
Gargantua and Pantogruel-Francoise Rabalaise
Inventing the Abbots-Sue Miller
A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers-Xiaolo Guo
Chasing Stanley-Deirdre Martin
Breakfast with Buddha-Rolando Merullo
For Matrimonial Purposes- Kavita Daswani
Maus-Art Spiegelman--I really didn't want to read any more graphic novels after this one (I didn't like it, and was discouraged...but I DID find one I loved...as you'll see further down the list)
The Shipping News-Annie Proulx
The Double Bind-Chris Bohjalian
Missy-Chris Hannan
The Invention of Everything Else-Samantha Hunt
Sophie's Choice-William Styron--I liked the movie better.
Stranger in a Strange Land-Robert Heinlein
Comfort Me with Apples-Ruth Reichl
These Is My Words-Nancy Turner
Early Bird: A Memoir of Premature Retirement-Rodney Rothman
American Nerd: The Story of My People-Benjamin Nugent--I even love the title of this one. Makes me proud to be a nerd.
Quirkology-Richard Wiseman
Heartsick-Chelsea Cain
The Year of Living Biblically-AJ Jacobs
Einstein's Dreams-Alan Lightman--recommended by Stefanie
The Lives of Circus Animals-Christopher Bram
Once Were Warriors-Alan Duff
Memories of My Melancholy Whores-Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Steppenwolf-Herman Hesse--one of Jemaine Clement's favorite books. I totally understand why.
Biblioholism-Tom Raabe
Just After Sunset-Stephen King
Atmospheric Disturbances-Rivka Galchen--recommended by Bookfool
The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted-Elizabeth Berg--As a career dieter, you can imagine how much the title of this collection of short stories appealed to me.
Martin Eden-Jack London--recommended by Rob Hardy.
Pastoralia-George Saunders
The Monsters of Templeton-Lauren Groff
The Girls-Lori Lansens
Loving Frank-Nancy Horan
The White Tiger-Aravind Adiga--won the Booker Prize. I preferred the book that came in third (it is my number one book of the year)
Crooked Little Vein-Warren Ellis
Knockemstiff-Donald Ray Pollock
The Complete Polysyllabic Spree-Nick Hornby
Duma Key-Stephen King
Watchmen-Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons--the BEST graphic novel I have EVER read! Amazing. Can't wait for the movie.
Gentlemen of the Road-Michael Chabon
Twilight-William Gay
The Age of Innocence-Edith Wharton
Bonk-Mary Roach
Dexter in the Dark-Jeff Lindsay
The Gargoyle-Andrew Davidson

And here are my Top Ten Books that I read this year

The World Made By Hand-James Howard Kunstler--a postapocalyptic tale that defies all expectations.

The Terror-Dan Simmons--a horror novel with a conscious and a brain.

The View From the Seventh Layer-Kevin Brockmeier--a collection of short stories that will stay with you for weeks after you read them.

The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread-Don Robertson--recommended by Bybee. An amazing story about growing up and the power of friendship.

Pocho-Jose Antonio Villarreal--considered one of the seminal novels of Mexican Literature...about a young man straddling the line between the culture of his ancestors and the culture of his adopted homeland.

Last Night at the Lobster-Stewart O'Nan--there are seriously no words to describe how I feel about this book. Love? Adore? Fascinated? Haunted? Yeah, all of those and more.

Love in the Time of Cholera-Gabriel Garcia Marquez--I was surprised I loved this, because I sort of hated "One Hundred Years of Solitude"....but love it, I did. Dreamy and romantic and heart rending.

Don Quixote-Miguel de Cervantes--there is a good reason this is a classic of world literature. Pure, unadulterated magic on every page.

The Garden of Last Days-Andre Dubus III--I hated Dubus' "House of Sand and Fog", but I loved this. Taunt, suspenseful storytelling. Just flawless.

The Fraction of the Whole-Steve Toltz--came in third for the Booker Prize (WHY???) Ugh...I just loved every word of this novel. It's a keeper.


*Phew!* I hope that wasn't as labor intensive to read as it was for me to compile! In any case, if you are stuck for something good to read, anything in the top (meaning the bottom) 25 or so of this list is well worth your time.

Sexiest Man Alive

It never fails. Every year I get swept into People Magazine's stupid 'Sexiest Man Alive' debate. Why? Oh yeah, because I love sexy men...duh. This year they surprised me, though. Instead of their usual boring, blonde, bland, Brad Pitt-y, Matthew McConaughey-y pick, they chose someone who is GENUINELY sexy!! *GASP*



Thank you, People Magazine for getting it right (for once)!! If you go to their website, you can see some other likely (and not so likely) contenders for the crown. What People? ...really?...Zac Efron?...Robert Pattinson? Are we 12? How about some real men? Javier Bardem is a good choice, but where is Robert Downey Jr?





Ah ha! Salon also has a sexiest man list...but theirs is slightly more unconventional....(i.e. grownup). However, they also have a few glaring omissions.

Follow me, I'll show you how it's done...




Of course, they almost always neglect Naveen Andrews (who is a long time favorite of mine). Why? Obviously he's too awesome for them. In fact, I'm pretty sure Naveen was constructed of blocks of solid awesome.







And what about Sendhil Ramamurthy? I mean, come on! That face!!













Here's a new one for ya'll. This is Matador. He's the co-star of VH-1's "The PickUp Artist", which I am currently addicted to.... (don't judge me!). Okay, I watch the show JUST to see him...*heavy sigh*. I honestly could stare at his picture until my eyes fall out.


Notice how I didn't go with my usual suspects this time (like Jemaine Clement or Johnny Depp)?? It's not because they aren't sexy (heavens no!). I'm just trying to break out a little. 'Cuz that's how I roll these days. I'm a maverick.

The point of this post? Eh, there is no point...I just wanted to post some pictures of hot guys. Sue me.

Kookiejar out.