Two Actresses - One Face

I saw the new Transformers this week (review coming soon - I promise) and something really bugged me. The film showcases starlet Megan Fox as the token hot chick/lead love interest and other than her bare midriff and fake lashes her appearance shocked me. It shocked me because she is identical to late-1990s starlet Jodi Lyn O'Keefe. Seriously.

...

The girls have more than looks in common.
Both were MAXIM covergirls to promote their recent films :
Megan for Transformers
Jodi for She's All That

Both were noticed for Young Hollywood Achievements:
Jodi won a 2000 Young Hollywood Award
Megan was nominated for a 2005 Young Artist Award

Both guest-starred on "Two and a Half Men" in 2004.

Both played a character named 'Candace' at one point in her career.

And both girls rock heavily-lashed blue eyes with severely sculpted brows:
Megan
Jodi

All of which reminds how completely cookie-cutter and unoriginal Hollywood really is because sometimes I need that reminder!

My Preferred Jessica

From time to time I have to admit to a certain girl crush. Last time it was the efferevescent Mandy Moore. This time it is the stunning Ms. Biel. This confession is actually hard for me as I was so adamantly anti-Biel during her "7th Heaven" days. She was just another little starlet with limited appeal. When she skanked it up to get out of her "family-values"-laden TV show I was less impressed. She came across as kind of desperate and I really thought that she would fade into the shadows of superstar wannabe-ness.

But then Esquire named her the Sexiest Woman Alive and she did a hot bikini scene in Stealth in the summer of 2005 and then she was everywhere. But these incidents did not endear her to me. In truth, I cannot explain exactly why my views have changed but her profliferation has given me time to reflect and I have decided to like her. My positive feelings began with her turn in The Illusionist wherein she held her own with Edward Norton and Rufus Sewell. Next was the emergence of a red-carpet savviness as evidenced here, here and here. Then there is her awesome (I mean, the woman is HOT!) - and wonderfully healthy - body that hints at a well-adjusted mind under all that muscle tone.

But the thing that really convinced me this year was a recent appearance on Letterman to promote I Now Pronounce you Chuck & Larry. In the segment she was cajoled into singing karaoke and it was a fantastically sincere and awkward endeavour. So now I must admit that in the race between the 3 Jessicas (Biel, Simpson & Alba) my choice is the (ok, I admit it) talented and lady-like Biel.

If It Feels Good Do It

Sloan came to Halifax last night. I have been trying to see the band for quite some time but the dates just never gelled with other things in my life. But last night they were here and playing The Marquee. The Marquee is a great music club that is like going to Lee's Palace in Toronto or the Capital in Ottawa. It makes is fine - small - venue to see a band play. So needless to say, I was stoked about the opportunity. But then I had to find someone to see the concert with me. OK - if it had been a real crunch I may have gone alone but that wasn't my preference. So cheers to Anna for accepting my invitation. But then I had a very heavy week at work and got no sleep on Thursday night so when it came time to get ready on Friday I was almost about to bail on the entire plan. What was I thinking!? The concert was EXCELLENT. We go there just as Sloan took the stage and played a rock-fueled 90 minutes of awesomeness before heading home again. All my faves were played. It was so invigorating to be in the crowd. I loved it. It did not disappoint. And now I have one more concert "to-do" to check off my list.

Instant Squee

I have a soft spot for teen drama on TV. I grew up on Degrassi. I was a 90210 fan in highschool. And even though I am well beyond my teen years I still enjoy a good show about young people trying to make their way.

A few years ago I stumbled upon a Canadian show called "Instant Star" created by the team that brought us Degrassi all those years ago. The premise surrounds Jude Harrison, a sparkly girl with a fantastic voice, who wins an American-Idol-esque contest and now must make her way in the big, band music industry. She is supported by her best friend, her sister and her band. She gets all angsty over ex-boyband member-turned-producer Tommey Q. She battles it out with company executive Darius (Maestro Fresh Wes!). I was sucked in from the start primarily because Tommy (Tim Rozon) has perfect cupid's bow lips and Jude (Alexz Johnson - who does all her own singing on the show) is both stunning and - gasp! - likeable.

So last night, in the middle of the 3rd season, these two characters finally committed some kissage. Yay! I really am a sucker for the inevitable character hookups - especially when the characters have chemistry like these two. You can catch up on all the "Instant Star" goodness (and cheesiness - I admit it!) on the CTV broadband network. It is always good to support Canadian talent.

Atlantic Anniversary #2

This week marks my second anniversary in Halifax. I never planned to be here this long but time flies when you are living life in a fantastic city on the coast. In the last year I have managed to get good at my job and still keep my A average at school. I have actually written a few words for my research paper and managed to date more than ever before. These are all good things. Work helped me to travel a good portion of the Atlantic provinces and fun friends added other road trips like this shot from Hopewell Rocks, NB. I have also confirmed some of my favourite things:

- lamb souvlaki dinners from Athens
- italian gelato from Bottecelli's
- chai lattes from Caffe Ristretto
- late night grocery shopping at the 24-hr Sobeys
- quickie trips to Peggy's Cove
- the fantastic student subscription at the Neptune Theatre
- fish'n'chips from Phil's
- Lawrencetown, Crystal Crescent and Clam Harbour
- the Public Gardens on a sunny day
- Shakespeare by the Sea at Point Pleasant Park
- knowing how to avoid the Armdale Rotary
- swimming after work at the lake
- my football guys (they know who they are!)

In all, life here is pretty good. I only wish more of my closest friends were nearby. I have at least one year left on this edge of the country. If you have a desire to visit you better get out here!

... Year 1 ...

Phoenix Time

There is a moment in life when you get blindsided by the fact that the man you believe you could love has, in fact, fallen for someone else. This truth leads to extensive crying where you can feel the tears being squeezed from your eyes while at the same time finding it hard to pinpoint why you feel so much. Then you awake the next day and you realize that you are grieving the loss of possibility. That you are hurt by the re-opening of a rejection wound inflicted many years before. That you are mourning an end of certain things, places, and actions. But if you look deep, in that place you have been ignoring, you realize that you are not lamenting the loss of the man - himself. Part of this is because you know he will never be gone and part of this is the because you know (now) it was never what you imagined. And two days later a friend suggests how good it was to have learned, cried and realized all this while at home. In that place surrounded by those who love you so that you can be reminded of the WHO that you are. The mighty WHO that is the real you and not the unchosen girl you thought yourself to be. And then you remember a lesson from the man about THIS moment. And you repeat it ... this moment. And you pick up the mantra you had left aside weeks ago when you got lost and say it over and over ... "this moment, this moment ..." and with it you jump back into the only sure thing there is - the neverending flux and change of the world.

Maebe & Me

I finally got to meet my precious doll of a niece last week. She is SO amazing. She is smaller than Tag was and such a different personality. She has a full head of hair (obviously) that feels like soft bunny fur. And she smiles ... a lot. I actually got her to fall asleep during my visit so I felt all super-aunt-like until Kat told me to put her in the crib and I couldn't figure out how to get her off my chest and turned around without waking her up. But I managed in the end.The interesting thing about her arrival is that it makes me more motivated to be around. I would really like to be part of the lives of Tag & Maebe. I have no idea if or when I will have kids of my own so these little guys are my current chance to be part of someone's development. And they are so wonderful. Of course I can say that because I don't have them full-time! Anyway, just wanted to show off more pics. This arrival has been the highlight of my summer for sure.

... Aunt Raye Part 1 ...

A Bit of Coupling

I just got the 4 seasons of the UK TV-show "Coupling" on DVD. It is one of my favourites. It is laugh-out-loud funny and as bright as "Arrested Development". One of the most heart-warming moments is the get-together scene for Sally and Patrick. It somehow puts all the emotions of vulnerability, humour and romance into one selection. It is also a winning declaration of love and I am sucker for those things! Enjoy.