Saturday, December 29, 2007

Jane Ellen-- A Woman of Substance


Jane Ellen is my friend. I am so honored to be able to type that sentence and share today a bit about who Janie is. I get the right to call her Janie, because she has been my dear friend for nearly 10 years, and we were almost namesakes! When I was born, my Mom initially planned to name me Jane Ellen. I even had a birth announcement in the paper that said Jane Ellen L was born.... then a correction announcement after Mom spit out Laura Ellen later on! It was fate-- Janie and I couldn't really share a name, it would be too confusing, but it was also fate that brought us together, via the Internet and a common love of some particular pop/tv culture.

Janie is a composer, multi-talented musician, author and speaker. She has overcome obstacles both ordinary, and unusually difficult to become a presence strongly felt in the musical field as well as the Internet where she has won many awards for web design over the years. Janie has several CD's available and I'd recommend that you purchase them all- you won't regret it! Janie's CD's are available at CDBABY



Our family plays her CD's often, but most notably at Christmas, or when someone needs soothing, be it man or upset feline! We even played one of her CD's in the background at my Mom's memorial service two years ago. Her music evokes many emotions, from calmness, to joy, to sadness, to love. Much like Janie herself!

Janie is undoubtedly the most optimistic person I have ever known. Also one of the most supportive friends I've ever had, she always offers up hope and prayers, and extra love, and is never judgemental no matter how bad the situation is, or who is in trouble, or who has left the planet..she finds a way to make me feel better. She's funny too! I will occaisionally tease her about living in "AlbaKookie", and she laughs right along, and comes up with humorous responses, never taking offense.
Janie is also one of the busiest and most productive people I know. She gets more done in a week than I do in two months!

Ok-- now I've had my say, let me share with you some professional information about Jane Ellen!

First of all, I suggest that you take the time to explore Janie's MySpace page at JaneEllen Music
Below is the text of Janie's latest newsletter, which will show you what a busy woman this talented lady is!

Jane Ellen’s Journal
a life in the artsFeed on Posts Comments December news as the year flies by
19 December 2007 by janesjournal

I’m currently going through a lot of personal changes, and although nothing is earth-shattering, everything is happening with such momentum that I’m expending all my energy simply trying to keep things from spinning out of control. I had hoped to be back blogging by now; I miss it far more than anyone probably realises. I can at least post my December newsletter, however, and hope to write a post or two before the year is out.

Greetings from Jane Ellen’s Official Website!

Dear Friends,

It’s been a roller coaster ride since the release of my last CD, and I can scarcely believe the year is nearly over! I promise not to take too much of your time, but I did want to touch base with everyone once more before the new year.

On the recording front, there are only a few copies of the limited edition CD Flowers in Winter still available, and I’m thrilled with the response that it is generating internationally. Even after the physical CDs are sold out, mp3s will still be available via CDBaby.com, iTunes, and other reputable download companies. Please remember to check out the work of London-based charity SoundAid which uses music donated by independent artists to raise money for Heifer International. You can find my SoundAid EP Heartsounds here: www.soundaid.org/janeellen.

More recent news in brief: Happy Day Radio in South Korea; Mystic Age Radio (www.mysticageradio.com) in Ft Pierce, FL; and Spirit Within Radio (www.spiritwithinmusic.com) in Lubbock, TX are all currently broadcasting tracks from my three CDs. German composer/recording artist Sascha “Psycomatic” Hummel requested permission to sample ‘Time for Rejoicing’ for a new work due out in 2008. Pianist/composer Alessandra Celletti, of Rome, Italy, is currently reviewing one of my piano works; Parisian harper Eve McTelenn has graciously accepted my set of Celtic harp pieces; while cellist Ivan Pelayo, of Guadalajara, Mexico, has requested several of my chamber scores to study for possible performance. New Orleans artist Stuart South has asked permission to turn a photo taken of me at a childhood accordion competition into a painting, and I am looking forward to seeing the results next year.

You can expect to see some changes at my website, www.janeellen.com, but it will take some time to implement them. I will be eliminating a lot of older sections to make room for a new focus on my musical work and compositions. I’m also working steadily with interactive networks such as MySpace (www.myspace.com/janeellenmusic) and Classical Lounge (www.classicallounge.com/janeellen) - both of which have brought me an amazing amount of publicity in a relatively short period of time - and I will be linking all of these sites together.

If, for any reason, you wish to stop receiving these newsletters, simply reply to any mailing with the word “unsubscribe” written in the subject line. Your wishes will be immediately respected. If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, and you wish to join the monthly mailing list, send an email to jane@janeellen.com with the word “subscribe” written in the subject line.

Thank you for your continued support, your encouragement, and your friendship over the years. I wish you, and all whom you love, the brightest and most beautiful blessings of the season, and look forward to seeing you next year!

Follow your heart,
Jane Ellen



Please honor my friend Jane Ellen (my Janie!) by visiting her website, leaving feedback here and on her blog, and by purchasing her CD's. You'll be discovering an amazing talent just as she really hits the big time!

Peace and Light,
Laura
The More Books The Better

Friday, December 28, 2007

Computer Woes...force me out of Hibernation!

Just when I was settled in for a nice long hibernation period, my one year old PC decided that the CMOS battery had failed and that it needed a trip to the PC hospital. The local hospital said the surgery needed couldn't be performed locally, and that my third arm would have to take a plane ride to Kentucky for it necessary work! Kentucky!!!!!! So, if there is anyone out there in Kentucky with my computer from Best Buy next week, please, please, fix it fast, fix it right and send it home to Momma!

I am at my second favorite place (home is first!)...the library. So, although I am surrounded by books and dear friends, and actually out in the "real world", I don't have the capabilities to log on when I want and may not make it every day even...but I'll do my best as often as I can!

At least I have tons of books here and at home to keep me busy, but my updates may be sporadic...please check in often!

Laura
The More Books the Better

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Rest In Peace Brave Woman


Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto poses in her home in London in a 2002 photo. President Bush condemned the assassination on Thursday of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.
(Stephen Hird/Reuters)

Once again the dangers of this world hit us and hit us hard. We MUST get Bin Laden out of his caves and tunnels and show him the same mercy he has shown others. That is, none, nada, zip. There is no doubt in my mind that he is behind this...no, I can't prove it, but I can feel it in my gut. I also sense more danger now that this has suceeded-- Bin Laden and others feel the taste of blood again and aren't afraid to push for more. Opinion expressed here is entirely my own and in no way should reflect on any other websites linked to this blog.

Laura
The More Books The Better

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

General Hospital BUZZ and I don't mean Steve Burton's haircut!

There are a ton of new scoops out there, and I've sent them to Karen for her to make sense of. She understands the show better than I do at this point in time. All I read made my head spin! There's a ton of backstage and behind the scenes info. Methinks they could use the behind the scenes stuff as fodder for the actual show.

I've read and seen previews about fire, bombings, babies, hide-outs, mobs, drugs, Logan isn't a killer, backstage ad libs, scab writers, engagements, relationships, JFP emails (love that one, he heh) and MORE.

Check in at Wubs, probably tomorrow morning or afternoon, unless Karen gets ambitious tonight. She may not even be online until tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I'm reading like mad-- have over 30 books waiting for me, and 57 more en route. I think I have an addiction-- or else it's an excuse to not start the 2 books I have plans to write. I do have a friend to keep me on track with that, starting January 1. Also joining a writer's group for encouragement and feedback. Yay. Something positive!

I have no cool pictures to share today-- but if you are up late and want something interesting and different to listen to, find Coast to Coast on your local radio station (airs at 1 am on WRK0 here) for a discussion about the presidential candidates and their UFO related experiences, plus info on UFO documents released by the Clinton Library. Coast To Coast

Have a good night!
Laura
The More Books the Better

Monday, December 24, 2007

Wishing you and your family


A Very Merry Christmas, and a Happy Healthy and Prosperous 2008!
Laura, Mike and Sophie

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Cynthia Baxter- Reigning Cats and Dogs Mysteries

Cynthia with Stepdog, Bailey



Yesterday, I wrote about the importance of libraries, and how often I'll borrow books and then buy the ones I really love by my favorite authors. What better thing to cherish than books which really speak to you?

I happy to be a mystery buff, most particularly humorous murder mysteries. Yes, that's what I said...humorous MURDER mysteries! I love a book in which the characters are unique personalities, with their own funny quirks, and I really enjoy following them throughout a whole series of books. In fact, I'm often frustrated in having to wait a year or so between books, and love the idea of having previous books in a series on hand to re-read right before a new one comes out. That way, I'm back in the "feel" of the setting, the characters and the general tone.

I'm an animal lover as well as a mystery buff, so several years back, when I first discovered Cynthia Baxter's "Reigning Cats and Dogs" books I was beside myself and doing a happy dance! Recently, I've been lucky enough to establish a personal acquaintance via email with Cynthia and find myself as charmed by her as I am by her books. I asked Cynthia about what she'd like to see on this blog, and she had a really great suggestion. "encourage readers to write about their pets -- names, physical descriptions, and interesting quirks -- since I'm always looking for animals to include in my books (either Jessie's patients or the pets of the people she meets during her murder investigations). It might be fun for people to write about their pets and read about other people's pets -- and hopefully I'll be able to include some of them in future books." Sounds like a plan to me-- I'm thinking of my cats various stories as I type! Also, please know that Cynthia is a very responsive author, who would love to hear from you and you can either email her directly through her website or leave questions here as comments and she will answer you (her email is quickest though).

Cynthia has a great new book in the "Reigning Cats and Dog" series, entitled "Who's Kitten Who?". When I finished reading, or rather devouring, this book, full of my favorite characters who I have come to consider buddies (even the furred, feathered, and "other"), I contacted Cynthia with a question about one of the characters involved and was delighted that she responded promptly. While I do recommend that you get all of the books, and do read them in order, each one is purrfectly fine as a stand alone.

Here is an Editorial Review from Amazon
Editorial Reviews

Book Description
When it comes to murder this sleuth isn't pussyfootin' around...

Veterinarian and amateur sleuth Jessica Popper takes center stage in the cast of an up-and-coming Long Island playwright’s last production—and the fur flies as Jess finds the theater world littered with clues to Simon Wainwright’s murder. Was the killer the actress who’s a real glamour-puss? Or her rival for Simon’s affections, a disheveled costume designer who looks like something the cat dragged in? Or how about the fat-cat Broadway producers?

Jessie’s no scaredy-cat when she’s on the prowl, but she loses her cool when her future in-laws and their monstrous Maltese descend on the tiny cottage she shares with fiancĂ© Nick Burby, Lou the one-eyed Dalmatian, rambunctious Westie Max, and the rest of her menagerie. Between coping with the “Invasion of the Burbarians” and playing cat and mouse with a killer, Jess could use nine lives herself. But curiosity killed the cat—will that be Jessie’s fate by the time the curtain falls?

About the Author
Cynthia Baxter is a native of Long Island, New York. She currently resides on the North Shore, where she is at work next mystery, which Bantam will publish in Fall 2008.

OK- Editorial Reviews aside, I'd like to give my two cents. DVM Jessica Popper is smart, funny, cares about pets and people, and has a real sense of justice and the American Way. Oh she's not Superwoman, she has her flaws just like the rest of us. The future in-laws drive her nuts (frankly they drove me nuts--but I still wanted to read more about them), she's got a bit of a commitment issue when it comes to men, and she just can't seem to contain herself when it comes to doing things her own way even when it puts her life in danger. Her companion animals are great, her friends are fun and they all speak to me and I can picture each and every one of them. I recently interviewed some other mystery authors and came up with the Very Original Question about who would play their heroine in a movie. Well, I can tell you this, I can picture all of Cynthia's characters and they are each ThemSelves and I can't think of any known actor or actress-- it would all have to be newly discovered talent to make me happy. I've read all of this series, and recently learned that Cynthia has written over 40 other books under the name of Cynthia Blair, including several YA books and some contemporary women's fiction. I'd like to give them all try because I really enjoy this author's style. She writes from what she knows, from her heart, and her brain (and she is a brainiac- graduated from MIT no less).

Below are links to the previous books in the "Reigning Cats and Dogs" series, and I know I am looking forward to the next release in 2008 Monkey See, Monkey Die







I have found Cynthia to be a really nice, humble woman, who is genuinely surprised that people love her books! Please do visit her website Cynthia Baxter and be sure to let her know how you feel about her books-- and send along those animal stories! I have plenty of my own to send her, so don't let me win by sending the most myself!

Thanks for reading- now go get the books! You'll love the cover art, the fun titles and every page in between, I promise!

Laura
The More Books the Better

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Gemma Halliday -Author Contest


Good afternoon my reading buddies! I received the following news letter from author Gemma Halliday today, and she agreed that it would be fun to share her contest with readers of my blog so that you, too, can become familiar with her books through my links and her website. Gemma's website is a fun place to visit and you can head on over there yourself at Gemma Halliday

I think a great part of this contest is that Gemma isn't just asking readers to buy her books, but asking you to request that your library purchase them. This makes each copy available to so many more readers, and also every time you use your library, you are supporting them, helping our beloved librarian friends keep their jobs and being a part of your community by interacting with your library! I know my library is my favorite place in town!Peabody Institute Library




I have enjoyed all three of Gemma's previous books, and although the library is a wonderful option, you can also buy them from Amazon for your collection! I find that often, I will get a book from the library and if I really love it- then I buy it to have in my bookcases. You should see my house, lol-- we have bookcases everywhere but the bathrooms! Gemma's "High Heels" series will soon be a tv series on the USA Network! Congratulations to Gemma!







Happy holidays, everyone! This is my favorite time of year - when the air turns crisp, the fireplaces are cozy, and everything at the mall is 50% off. ;)

One of my favorite things about the holidays is the food. Sadly, those who know me know I'm more of a “microwave until it’s thawed” kind of gal than a great cook. But one thing I do know is cocktails! So, getting into the spirit of the season, here are a few of my favorite cocktail recipes:

CRANBERRY CRAZE COCKTAILS
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 3 oz. cranberry juice, 2 oz. orange juice and 1 ½ oz. vodka. Shake sharply and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with lemon lime soda, then squeeze a dash of lime juice and sprinkle with frozen cranberries.
To make them virgin for the kids, just leave out the vodka!

HOT BUTTERSCOTCH CHOCOLATE
Make hot cocoa in a coffee mug any way you prefer. (I’m a firm believer in the instant packets.) Add ½ oz. of amaretto and 2 oz. of Butterscotch Schnapps, then stir well. Garnish with a layer of whipped cream. Yum!

And, if you’re really in the mood for something simple and tasty, try an IRISH MARTINI. Just mix vodka and Bailey’s Irish Cream in a cocktail shaker to taste and voila!

Also in the spirit of giving this season, I’m sponsoring a contest for signed cover flats of my upcoming book, ALIBI IN HIGH HEELS. And the good news – everyone who enters will get one! Check out all the details on my website.

Looking into the new year, I’ve got a ton of fun projects planned. First up in February, you can catch my short story “Mark of a Bond Girl” in the Dream & Desires Vol. 2 charity anthology to benefit victims of domestic violence. In March, the next Maddie caper, Alibi in High Heels, releases. And in May you can read my very first novella “So I Dated an Axe Murderer” in the These Boots Were Made for Strutting anthology. You can read excerpts of all three right now on my website


Also in 2008, I’m excited to be sponsoring a very fun Bachelor Auction! I’ll be auctioning off Valentine's Day virtual dates with 8 hot romance novel cover models, including Playgirl Magazine’s man of the year 2007 and two former contestants on the Mr. Romance TV show on the Oxygen network! All proceeds from the auction will go to benefit victims of domestic violence, so a hot hunk for you means a huge helping hand for a family in need. Be sure to check my website for details starting in January!

You have all helped make 2007 such a wonderful year for me, and I want to thank you all for being the best readers ever! I hope you have a wonderful holiday and a very fabulous new year! (And if Santa should happen to drop off an extra pair of size seven stilettos at your house… well, you know where to send them. ;) )


~ Gemma



GH-- A Really Bad Day



Even when you are having a really bad day-- someone will screw you!
This is how GH made me feel today! Liz and Jason after learning about Georgie! EWWW!!

Unlax and Rewind

Feeling a little holiday stress? Then it's time to Unlax and Rewind!
Suggested reading:


For your viewing pleasure:


Or, you could do what I'm doing today and watch the Spacewalk-- should be about 6 hours on NASA TV. This is the ISS Expedition Spacewalk and is airing now on NASA TV which you can also watch on the web. Way cool!

I did spend the requisite few minutes going back and forth between Regis and Kelly and The Ellen Degeneres show this morning. Regis reminded me of a preview I saw last night for the new Jack Nicholson movie "The Bucket List". Since one of my all time favorite actors, Sean Hayes is also in this movie, I will brave the elements to see it as soon as possible. Meantime, I'm going to think about my own personal "bucket list" and will update you when it's decided! Now, Ellen was just pure fun with Carmen Electra, showing exercises you can do in bed! Ellen had an adorable "Hello Kitty" bed, and she had a good point-- if you were just listening to the audio of the show, you'd hear a whole different show! If Ellen hasn't aired yet in your neck of the woods, be sure to catch it when you can!

Creepiest picture of the week-- you pick!

Photo from TMZ.com

These poor kitties were actually cloned in Korea to glow in the dark!

Miscellaneous notes-- anyone know where I can get a Tofurky on the North Shore in MA in time for Christmas? Trader Joe's isn't carrying them this holiday! We had one for Thanksgiving and it was great!

Oh- and pssst--- I did watch GH again for about 2.5 minutes on SoapNet, and I swear I could see Georgie's eyelids flutter slightly when Spinelli was trying to see if she was breathing! Did you see it? Absolutely meaningless- just made me wonder why they didn't have the extra heavy glue on the false eyelashes to help Lindze keep still!

GOLDEN GLOBES and WRITERS STRIKE also Soap Stars join picket line



Soap Stars have now joined the picket lines- see pictures at SteveBergman

The folowing taken directly from internet sources and I recommend that you visit their sites for full text and updates.
Partial text of latest from DeadlineHollywooddaily Make sure to visit that site for more information.
URGENT! The denials were announced tonight at the big WGA West membership meeting taking place right now at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association had requested a waiver for its NBC broadcast, but the WGA rejected it. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences had asked for a waiver to use clips from movies and past Academy Award shows which the WGA rejected. I'm told that once AMPAS asks to use WGA writers, that will be denied, too. For days alreadyt, emails have been circulating inside the major Hollywood talent agencies discussing what the actors and directors and even writers should do about attending since WGA picket lines will be erected outside the events. (See my previous, Golden Globes Screwed By Writers Strike?)

At the start of the meeting, WGAW president Patric Verrone introduced chief negotiators John Bowman and Dave Young as well as SAG prez Alan Rosenberg to the crowd of striking scribes who gave all four men a standing ovation. The venue was 2/3s filled. "A lot of resolve at this meeting. It was a very good meeting," one WGA attendee told me. "The maybe 12 dissenters who showed up were quickly shown where they stood by the resounding cheers and applause all through the meeting for the board and negotiating committee."

7:29 PM: The WGA West and East just made this statement:

"The Writers Guild has notified the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and dick clark productions that their requests for an agreement to allow writers to prepare material for the 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards show have been denied.

The Guild has also denied a request from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for a waiver in connection with the use of clips from motion pictures and past Academy Awards shows for use during the annual Academy Awards presentation.

In letters to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, WGAW President Patric M. Verrone described the Guild’s respect and admiration for both organizations, explaining that:

“Writers are engaged in a crucial struggle to achieve a collective bargaining agreement that will protect their compensation and intellectual property rights now and in the future. We must do everything we can to bring our negotiations to a swift and fair conclusion for the benefit of writers and all those who are being harmed by the companies’ failure to engage in serious negotiations.”

The signatories producing the Golden Globes and the Oscars are West Coast signatories. The WGAW’s Board of Directors concluded, reluctantly, that granting exceptions for the Golden Globes or the Academy Awards would not advance that goal."
8:30 PM: The meet has concluded. Here's other news from it:

No negotiations are scheduled.

The networks are going to start givebacks to advertisers.

On Wednesday at 7:30 AM, the Los Angeles City Council will hold a hearing about the writers strike's economic impact and the AMPTP and WGA will both testify.

Starting in January, the WGA will commence STRIKETV.com, where clips of video material will be put up and advertiser support sought.


The following is direct from Bloomberg.com

Striking TV Writers Deny Golden Globe, Academy Awards Waivers

By Juho Erkheikki

Dec. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Striking U.S. television writers will not be allowed to write material for the 65th Golden Globe Awards show and the Academy Awards presentation won't be able to use clips as the union pushes studios to reach a wage agreement.

The Writers Guild of America denied requests by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Dick Clark Productions for the Golden Globe ceremonies and by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the presentation of Oscars, it said in an e-mailed statement dated Dec. 17.

``We must do everything we can to bring our negotiations to a swift and fair conclusion for the benefit of writers and all those who are being harmed by the companies' failure to engage in serious negotiations,'' Patric M. Verrone, president of the union, said in the statement.

Writers, who walked off the job Nov. 5, have been unable to reach an agreement with the studios on the growing use of their work in digital media. Talks broke down for a second time on Dec. 7 after the studios rejected demands for higher pay for use of work on the Internet and a proposal to extend union jurisdiction to include animation and reality shows.

To contact the reporter on this story: Juho Erkheikki in Helsinki at jerkheikki@bloomberg.net

Monday, December 17, 2007

Darkest, Meanest GH EVER

OUCH my EYES! OUCH my HEART STRINGS! Today's GH is just so awful- especially for the Holiday season. I don't mean poorly done-- it's very well "executed", but it's just so awful.... Kate hit the nail on the head when she said that tonight was much worse than the Black and White Ball.

Georgie looked much more dead than Emily ever did. Poor Spinelli finding her! Poor Mac! Poor Maxie! Poor ME watching this! I need a Xanax!

Now it seems pretty obvious that it is Cooper. Way too obvious. I really think it's Cruz! Or Max! She wouldn't be afraid of either of them. I do think Max snapped awhile ago about Mrs C. Cruz could be a rogue cop, hired by Alcazar (still living in hiding and going to get Skye back when Robin Christopher leaves GH). The way Cruz insisted that Mac go to the Crime Scene-- it almost seemed like a perverted wish to have his boss see his daughter dead. Ugh. This whole thing is twisted! Twisted I tell you! Karen said to me earlier that it couldn't be Cruz because he was at the Metro Court with Mac. I had an AHA moment-- Georgie was ALREADY COLD when Spinelli found her-- so she was dead awhile. We don't know the exact time frame of the shooting vs the killing do we? Also Maxie making a point that Coops hands were cold...well, duh, he left his gloves at home...so if he had killed Georgie there would be prints on the darn cord!!!!

When Cooper and Maxie were watching the snow, and going on about the silence of the snow...I got the creeps at first thinking about how silence could wake Georgie up because she's so sensitive. Well, not anymore. Never mind all the sirens going off in the distance! Duh-- they couldn't hear them!

I still want that Xanax-- Kate collapsing from shock, I was right with her! Good thing Diane showed up to have deep discussions and gave the woman some hard truths to face.

I even enjoyed Trevor with Ric, although when he ordered Ric's Scotch, he forgot to say "neat" as Ric requested. Oh well.

Sonny cracked me up when he said "IwanJohnnyZakkhradhrasradead" really fast and all mixed up like that!

Well that's all right now.... I don't have a Xanax, so I guess I'll have a glass of water and a few deep breaths!

Laura
The More Books The Better

What a RUSH

Anyone who really knows me, knows that the Canadian Rock Band RUSH has been my favorite band for over 25 years. I've had the honor to meet "the boys" three times and have been to over 35 concerts. I was so excited yesterday when I visited RUSH to learn the following news:

Dec 06 07

Congratulations to RUSH! It has just been nominated for the 2008 Grammy's in the Best Rock Instrumental Performance Category for Malignant Narcissism


ROCK INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE
"The Ecstasy Of Gold" - Metallica; Track from: "We All Love Ennio Morricone" [Sony Classical]
"Malignant Narcissism" - Rush; Track from: "Snakes & Arrows" [Anthem/Atlantic]
"Always With Me, Always With You" - Joe Satriani; Track from: "Satriani Live!" [Epic/Red Ink]
"Once Upon A Time In The West" - Bruce Springsteen; Track from: "We All Love Ennio Morricone" [Sony Classical]
"The Attitude Song" - Steve Vai; Track from: "Sound Theories Vol. I & II" [Epic/Red Ink]

Also- great news for us fans! Rush is going to continue their Snakes and Arrows Tour in 2008!
RUSH EXTEND WORLD TOUR INTO 2008. I am particularly psyched since I've had to miss the last two tours-- first times ever that I didn't get to go..and they are coming back to Boston!


TORONTO, ON – December 12, 2007:

After a hugely successful 2007 run, Rush are pleased to announce they will extend their Snakes & Arrows World Tour into 2008. The band will begin rehearsals in March to revamp the set list before kicking off the tour with their first ever appearance in San Juan, Puerto Rico in April.

2008 will see Rush tour in over 40 cities throughout the United States and Canada making stops in many where they haven’t performed in well over a decade including: Orlando, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Austin, Jacksonville and Winnipeg to name a few. Along the way, Rush will play new venues in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Seattle and will revisit some familiar ones in Boston, Washington and Charlotte amongst others. Rush fans can look forward to a complete tour announcement in mid January. As details develop more information will be made available at www.rush.com and www.livenation.com.

Due to the overwhelming response of their fans in North America, the “Snakes & Arrows” tour has been Rush’s highest grossing tour ever and the best attended in many years.
Snakes & Arrows (Anthem/Atlantic Records) was recorded in the fall of 2006 with Grammy Award-winner Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Velvet Revolver) with Rush co-producing. Their first album of original material in nearly five years, Snakes & Arrows debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200. In addition, the track "Malignant Narcissism" has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

Since releasing its self-titled debut album in 1974, Rush has been universally regarded as one of the most inventive and exciting groups in rock, famed for virtuoso musicianship, epic soundscapes, and dramatic lyricism. The band’s extraordinary body of work – which includes such acclaimed works as 1976’s “2112,” 1981’s “MOVING PICTURES,” 1996’s “TEST FOR ECHO,” and 2002’s “VAPOR TRAILS” – has achieved worldwide sales exceeding 35 million units.

Fans will experience the technical virtuosity and hard-rocking compositions they have come to expect from Rush members, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart.

The Rush tour in North America is produced by Live Nation Global Touring and SRO/Anthem.

For complete tour & ticket information, fan club memberships and more, visit: www.rush.com


Sunday, December 16, 2007

Random GH spoiler musings and GO PATRIOTS!

There are tons of new spoilers out there-- confirmed or not, I don't know...but I keep chaning my thoughts about this text killer, and I do agree with Karen's rumor that alternate endings may be in place with even the cast not knowing!

Right now, this is my vote: Coop-- perhaps nuts from Iraq and can get rehabbed as a character for having PTSD? They've done crazier things! Or Coop hired by Alcazar (who is secretly alive somewhere) to eliminate women in Sonny's life, and once he has a taste for killing again, he goes after Maxie for cheating on him, then kills Georgie because she's on to him. OR Coop avenging everyone around Sonny for Sonny hurting Brenda? And Jax hurting Brenda? Ah well, let the scabs or the producers figure it out and write it! It may really not be written yet at all.

2nd killer-- Max. Can't have Carly...can't go on without her. Snapped. Working to ruin Sonny also.

I was going with the rogue cop Cruz theory-- and this could still be so.


Ok- back to my books! I just finished two good ones:



I have to go shovel again! Hubby is out getting paid to remove snow, so someone has to do it here, bad back or no! I can't get out the back door! Snow blows, lol!

BTW- GO PATS

Friday, December 14, 2007

Gh preview clip

Also from YouTube-- previews from 12/26-12/27

YouTube

Don't forget to buy something from Amazon for your favorite Christmas email buddies- they'll even gift wrap and it's not too late!

GH Luke visits Hades

I have to admit I really loved Luke's visit to Hades! It was funny, creative and I really wonder how much of a hand Tony Geary had in writing the whole thing. I was baffled by Skye being his guide, but that's ok-- she looked beautiful and he was very hopeful at first! Here's a YouTube clip of part of it..enjoy!

Late Night Humor may return in January

Latenight tries to stage comeback
Hosts may be back on air by Jan. 7th
By JOSEF ADALIAN
Conan O'Brien is likely to return in early January, according to latenight insiders.

With latenight ratings continuing to plunge, the betting in network circles is that several hosts will be back on the air by Jan. 7, if not sooner.
Nothing's been officially decided, and nobody will comment. But with the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers so broken up, people familiar with the situation said several hosts are nearing the conclusion that it's time to return.

Latenight hosts have stayed off the job since the strike began out of deference to their scribes. And while talks were ongoing, they didn't want to take away any leverage from WGA negotiators by returning. They even went so far as to begin paying their nonscribe staffs out of their own pockets.

So who will come back first? There's some talk that the Big Four hosts -- David Letterman, Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien and Craig Ferguson -- may all return around the same time. While informal discussions between the NBC and CBS camps have continued via backchannels throughout the strike (Daily Variety, Nov. 16), absolutely nothing like that has been agreed upon.More than one option(Co) Daily Variety
Filmography, Year, Role
(Co) Daily Variety

Latenight insiders, however, believe Leno and O'Brien are most likely to return in early January, no matter what Letterman decides. NBC has to be concerned about the plunging ratings for both shows, which in recent weeks have lost nearly half their audience.

ABC's Jimmy Kimmel has actually done OK in repeats, a reflection of the show's audience growth in the past year and a sign regular Leno and Letterman viewers may be checking out the "new" guy. Getting a read on his intentions has been more difficult, though some latenight observers believe he may also be preparing to go back soon.

Biggest fear in latenight circles is that the WGA will denounce hosts who come back. Carson Daly, who's not even a WGA member, took a tongue-lashing from the guild and has had to endure at least one disruption of his show by disgruntled scribes (Daily Variety, Dec. 13).

Those worries -- and a desire not to be the first host back -- explain why nobody has returned to the air this week, even though talks have broken down. Some latenight insiders fear the hosts may yet still decide to stay off the air.

Writers for both Letterman and O'Brien have been quoted as saying they'd understand if their hosts returned to work, particularly since they stayed off the air for nearly two months.

Meanwhile, the latenight laugh blackout continues to help ABC's "Nightline." For the second consecutive week, the ABC News broadcast beat both Leno's and Letterman's shows -- the first time that's happened since 1995.

More than one option(Tv) Iran Crisis: America Held Hostage
(Tv) Nightline
Variety

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

It's been awhile

Sorry to not have posted in days. Just feeling my back pain and having icky weather and no motivation. Has anyone ever tried Jointflex for arthritis pain? I just bought some-- $19.99!! But a money back guarantee, so I figured it's worth a try.

GH is pretty much boring me to tears, but I try to watch some of it. The whole Emily thing is just creepy. What is she- a zombie?

It doesn't look like the writer's strike is going to end soon. Good thing I enjoy House repeats on Tuesday night! I'd love a doc like Greg House on daytime TV!

Well- have a good day. Maybe I'll post again if this Jointflex stuff works on my back and leg!

Laura
The More Books the Better
ps- I just had to return some library books- unread---that's how not "myself" I am!

Friday, December 7, 2007

Writers Stike update

THE FOLOWING IS FROM LATESHOWWRITERS.COM..for some reason my blog rejects their link..I did not write this and only want to share.
Laura
The More Books The Better
This "blog" or "webblog" or "internetwebblog" or "interwebblognetwebblog" will feature the thoughts and observations of Late Show writers Eric Stangel, Justin Stangel, Bill Scheft, Steve Young, Matt Roberts, Tom Ruprecht, Jeremy Weiner, Lee Ellenberg, Joe Grossman and Bob Borden regarding the current writers strike.


There is a lot at stake with this strike and these are serious issues. The Late Show writers are on the picket lines every day they are scheduled. We are not making light of this situation. One way to get people to pay attention to the strike and its issues is through humor.
Best,
THE LATE SHOW WRITERS

And now a LateShowWritersOnStrike.Com World Exclusive...

"Speechless" Ugly Betty

(Note from Laura- I made a change in which Speechless is shown on my blog )




Friday, December 7, 2007

FRIENDS TO LAST A LIFETIME
BY LEE ELLENBERG

Over the past four and a half weeks, we writers have spent endless hours picketing. We come home with aching backs, tired legs and sore feet. But, one silver lining has been the wonderful friends we’ve made on the picket line. Yes, it’s true, with so many people walking the lines, it’s difficult to remember all their names, but nonetheless, I am confident many of these friendships will last a lifetime. If I may, I’d now like to list those people with whom I’ve been fortunate enough to establish a lasting bond:

The guy in the hat.

The woman in the hat.

The woman in the hat, who I had originally thought was a guy in a hat (oops!).

The guy who always smells like a hamster cage, although, unsettlingly, he doesn’t own a hamster.

The guy who earlier today elbowed Buck Henry out of the way to snag the last bite-size Almond Joy.

Richard Belzer (not the celebrity, the one who wrote for Crosswits in ’86).

The girl who, even though I’ve told her my name 20 times, still thinks my name is “Stavros.”

The guy who looks like a fat Kyle MacLachlan.

Alan or Adam Zweibel…I forget.

The guy who wrote for Airwolf for 3 seasons and ends every story with, “That man’s name? Jan-Michael Vincent.”

And, last but certainly not least, my new best friend who was kind enough to share with me the details of his collapsing marriage…guy in brown pants.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Mission Impossible




Thoughts on the bits and pieces of GH I saw/heard today. I might just have to watch the whole thing on Soapnet with the radio on playing some cheesy Christmas songs and the sound down on the TV.

When Trevor was talking to Johnny and he said "WHOA WHOA WHOA"... I so wanted him to break into song and end up singing "Feelings, nothing more than feelings" Dating myself..but it was a very funny song back in the day.

Jerry/Alexis-- only saw a bit, but loved her talk of his "suspiciously large", bank deposit. Yeah, uh huh.

Leyla wanted to have a drink with her MATES? Since when do they say Mates (meaning Friends) in Iran?

Now- the Mission Impossible theme really kicked in when the detective wanted to talk to Jason about Emily's murder and said "My question, should you choose to answer it" really struck a "Your Mission, should you choose to accept it" nerve with me, and made me wonder if Jason has an implant that will make him self destruct if he does wrong. Or if the whole thing will become action packed right up to the end of the show and then it ends in freeze frame with slow mo music...

What am I reading you may ask? Do I recommend these books for holiday gift giving? Or just for yourself. I am all for the SELF thing, but it can't hurt to give books to people who love to read (especially when they read during GH!)

Yes, very good for that happy family holiday feel...NOT, but intersting read. Dark.
Here is me, the beloved arthritis poster girl--I'm trying, it might work!
Desperate Houswives fans should like this one!


More tomorrow-- a gal can only read so much at a time, and cook and clean and watch TV and take care of a husband and one and a half demanding cats!

Laura
The More Books the Better

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

General Hospital today

Thoughts on the little bit I saw today (WHY do people always call me around 3 pm? Is it an omen?) Anywho-- I love Kate's coat/jacket. Wonder where I could get one? Sonny's dimple smile still works for me. Any guy with dimples works for me! Funny, my husband doesn't have dimples--but he works for me the most!

Spinelli should listen to Jason and get out now. He is young, smart, not all THAT involved, except computer stuff and could get a great job at ELQ or somewhere.

Why when the girls have their night out do they always have to go drinking? Couldn't they go shoe shopping or something like that? I wouldn't want a bunch of hung over doctors and nurses working on me the next day.

TVGuide reports on Kristina Wagner's return and how sad the whole first day was for her, doing scenes of Georgie's funeral and having Maxie rag on her about being an absent Mom. While it may be true of Felicia, what a way to make Kristina want to come back for more than short term, eh?

I'm finding myself saying and writing "eh?" a lot lately-- it's so cold it feels like Canada to me. Time to play some Rush CD's, eh?

Laura
The More Books the Better

Monday, December 3, 2007

Monday updates

Blatantly took this graphic from my buddy Karen at Wubs.net just because I Wubs the idea of Sarah as Brenda!
Rumors are running rampant about just who Sarah Brown will play when she returns to GH.

Also my friend Marlena has another column up about the GH Black and White Ball at MARLENA DE LACROIS SOAP OPERA FOR THE THINKING FAN

Genie Francis will be appearing in the Hallmark Channel original movie "The Note" on December 8th at 9pm.
Today, watch for Genie on "The View" on ABC. Check your local listings.

The writer's strike continues, negotiations continue...blah blah blah..... nothing big to report this morning.

Laura
The More Books the Better