Dreamgirls Director Bill Condon - Caught on Film... Kind Of













I am starting to lose love for my digi-cam. These past few days I've had to be patient with it as it refused to take the photo I wanted until the moment had passed, it let red-eye occur despite my telling it not to and it has let me down in terms of focusing when it should. Sweet little Canon, you better buck up or you won't be going to London with me in March.

Last night Rob and I checked out the film festival VIP room at Indochine. With our passy things you gain entrance to this stylish cocktail lounge throughout the week. Santa Barbara feels a lot like L.A. right now. Everyone seems to be looking you right in the eye to see if you are 'somebody' then they resume darting their view around looking for the next 'somebody'. The streets are quiet, with a lot of locals hiding out until the film festival goes home. I don't quite understand it myself.

We called Tori and Kyle (the most spontaneous people we know. We love that.) about an hour before the Bill Condon event to see if they wanted to go too. They joined us at Intermezzo for a snack before the Montecito Award ceremony at the Lobero Theater, which we ended up walking in to late.













I didn't know who Bill Condon was before last night. He's a writer and a director and sometimes an actor. From his director's chair (along with a great interviewer - yay) on stage last night it was clear he is also a very good story teller. His most famous films are Dreamgirls, Chicago, Kinsey, Gods & Monsters but he was candid about shedding light on what the hell he was thinking when he directed Candy Man; Farewell to the Flesh. I like people who can laugh at themselves.

I have not seen Dreamgirls yet because it is a musical and getting Rob to watch a musical is like trying to get a cat in a cage; arms and legs holding on with all his force and claws out. I have been following the Cinderella story of Jennifer Hudson though. She started her public career on American Idol, was let go from the show and the next thing you know she's nominated for a Golden Globe - which she won. She won a S.A.G. award earlier this week and is nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in Dreamgirls. I love stories like that.

Having arrived late to the Bill Condon award show we didn't know that Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose were sitting near the front row.
When it came time to give Bill the Montecito Award the ladies got up and presented it to him and said some lovely words about working with him and how they enjoyed him as a director.
Sincere apologies on the quality of the photo...















Today I'm actually going to see a film that was accepted into the film festival. Did I mention I love having this time off?

Honored Movie Star Survives Painful Interview

Last night Rob and I attended the Helen Mirren Tribute at the Arlington Theater which is located a block away from one of our favorite local restaurants/lounge Epiphany. Rob took me to dinner there before the event started at the theater. Crispy salmon rolls, spring rolls, small steak with blue cheese and bacon dressing, frites with au jus.
I am not posting any photos of what I decided to wear. I need some help and I need to go shopping. I'm pretty sure I saw a much older lady wearing exactly what I was. I'm going to say we both looked classic.










So at the Arlington there really was a red carpet. It felt special to glide past the lines of people waiting to get in. Rob secured front row, center seats for the best possible view of Helen.
She arrived late but was worth the wait. She sat behind us by a few rows with William H. Macy until she was brought to the stage by Peter Morgan (The Queen, The Last King of Scotland). He was a very witty presenter and gave the audience some insight into Helen's true nature. Did you know she has a tattoo? I wish he could have stayed to interview her but no...

At this point in the blog I want to make it clear that I have never met Roger Durling the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Film Festival. Whether he was given the opportunity or had requested to interview Helen Mirren last night I don't know. Sir, it was painful to watch. It was the kind of interview where every question was...uncomfortable.
For instance -

Roger: So Helen, do you feel that the fact that your parents are Russian prepared you for the role as a maid in Gosford Park?

Helen (looking fabulous by the way): Well, um, actually my father is Russian and my mother is British.
At which point (thank you to whoever you are) a member of the audience yelled out to Roger "SHE'S AN ACTRESS!". He quickly moved on from that question.

If you have seen Robert Altman's Gosford Park, you would know that she wasn't a maid in the film but the Housekeeper. Gosh!










It only got worse from there (sorry Roger). He mispronounced her childhood nickname (she corrected him), messed up the names of films she has appeared in (she let this slide until the third time), completely misjudged one of her more famous roles as Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect, calling her a "strong woman". She didn't let him get away with that. She explained that she wasn't interested in roles as strong women.
Sidenote: Jane Tennison's character is clever yet a complete mess struggling with a serious addiction to alcohol...










I think the audience wanted to collectively apologize on behalf of our town. Helen, please know that we loved seeing you and you handled a bad situation with class and charm. We would like to apologize for leaving your tribute early. It wasn't you - it was him.
To you Roger - a good leader knows when to give somebody with more interviewing talent a chance to show it. Next year, delegate.

More from the film festival to come...

Santa Barbara Film Festival - What's a Girl to Wear?

Once a year the stars descend upon us in our little town for the Santa Barbara Film Festival (January 25 - February 4). This year Rob and I have the pleasure of enjoying platinum passes for a few events. I wonder how Will Smith feels about having his face dangling from people's necks?











I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. Dressing up for me is putting on something besides flip-flops and putting some lip gloss on. I find myself in a bind for what to wear tonight to the Outstanding Performance Award for Dame Helen Mirren. I mean, c'mon - she is amazing. If I look like that when I'm older I'll be a happy woman. My new friend Ninette had this advice for me and I thank her:

Looking fabulous and a little avant garde is a must when a red carpet is involved. Jeans are o.k. so long as they're paired with sassy boots, alluring stilettos, or a quietly sexy top. If you have a fabulously feathery or spicy scarf, definitely throw it on. But a dress with leggings or opaque tights and boots or peep toe shoes looks very of-the-moment and will keep you warm. Oh my god, I sound like Elle magazine! But the key is something a little different, a little daring, and evening make up! Smokey eyes and glossy lips! Take a picture, please, and have a fabulous time!

I really like Helen as an actress, having discovered her for the first time on a BBC show called Prime Suspect. Now she's got a shot at an Oscar for Best Actress as her role in The Queen. I confess, I have yet to see it but I'm sure seeing her tonight will inspire me to head to the theater.












Other award winners this year include Will Smith, Forest Whitaker, Al Gore & Davis Guggenheim.

Sweet Redhead Turns 33 in Fine Wine Haze

Magical birthday week for Rob started with a visit from San Francisco Sarah. It was so great to see her. We all watched the Golden Globes together and ate too much cheese while being catty at celebrity wardrobe picks. I think the girls over at gofugyourself.com do a proper job of summing up the hits and misses of the night and I encourage you to peruse the pics on their site.













Rob's older brother Scott made his way out of the snow in Seattle to join us for a fun-filled four day weekend. It only took a few days for him to stop squinting at the glowing orb in the sky. He has visited us in Santa Barbara before but this time we were able to set up him in our guest room instead of on an air mattress in the middle of a tiny living room floor like in our old apartment. I suspect he'll be back more frequently now. Scott is one of the most original people I know. He has a huge sense of humor and isn't afraid to use it. When he and Rob get together this is usually the first thing they do (yes, that is an Atari game)...










We gave Rob special birthday rights for all four days, so at any time whatever he felt like doing we did it. This was a whirlwind that included chili at Cold Spring Tavern, Chumash Casino, Kalyra Winery, The Neighborhood for happy hour with friends, Paoli's amazing deep dish pizza, Golden Tee at Old King's Road, Brunch with Pete + Adi at The Four Seasons - Biltmore, croquet, putting green, Pan's Labyrinth, Tonic, a few fabulous home cooked meals, a six hour limo + wine tasting tour: Foxen Vineyard, Zaca Mesa, Koehler & Gainey, outdoor jumbo chess, Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, The West Wing and cheesecake.




























































I have to say that when I met Rob he was a 100lb 23 year old. I've had the privilege to watch him grow into a more mature, amazing man - handsome and alive with humor and an ability to enjoy every moment to it's fullest. I am a lucky girl. Happy birthday darling.

Merry Christmas Ya'll!










Christmas season in Georgia (Newnan to be exact) was the best holiday I'd had in years. I flew in early to help my sister Kim finish up her shopping so we could focus on our Christmas dinner game plan. Kim is one of those people who should be a contestant on Top Chef because she would win. She has a palette of consistent ingredients that are as distinguishable as a signature and I strive to recreate some of the scrumptious meals that have come out of her kitchen.

My niece Ava grew up so much since I last saw her in April 2006. Her favorite word is 'no'. She thinks a camera is called cheese, which makes sense if you think about it from a 2 year old's point of view. I wooed her with the Elmo Aqua Doodle so hopefully our playtime will stay with her somehow until I get to see her again. Shameless bragging photos of my favorite kid in the world...






















Mort arrived later in the week, then a day later sweet Rob flew in from L.A. and then everything was as it should be.
My brother in law Ken treated us all to a hockey game at Philips Arena (Atlanta vs New Jersey) which turned me into a teenager. I was so excited to see a live game again. The last time I went to a game was way back in Montreal when the Forum was still around. We hollered for Atlanta (I secretly wanted New Jersey to win but feared getting beat up) from the Canongate private suite. When I say suite I mean sweet. Plush seating with an incredible view of the rink and even a private bathroom. Ken's company is doing really well and it was a lot of fun to enjoy the perk. Thanks Kenny!


















Ken struggled through the flu over Christmas weekend but rallied for the hockey game, Christmas Eve at his brother's house and by Christmas morning he was on the mend. Kim made everything perfect. Croissants, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hot coffee. We settled in for a two hour marathon of opening carefully chosen gifts from each other. I'd say we were all spoiled.
The night of Christmas Eve, Rob and Mort braved the cold and built Ava a table and two chairs so she would wake up Christmas morning to find them assembled in the living room - a must for any budding little artist. It only took two tries to get it right!













Adi taught me how to knit a few years ago and I continue the craft but am limited to making scarves so far. Rob has always been jealous of the handmade goodies I've made for every girl I know - I mean to say - he has never been a recipient of one of my projects. This year I wanted to go big so I made him a beautiful grey and charcoal mohair/wool scarf just in time for...










...the trip to London that I gave him for Christmas. I tucked his passport into the box that the scarf was wrapped in.
I know you must be thinking, wait a minute you don't even have a job and you're splurging on a Virgin vacation package to London? I know. It is kind of crazy but it is important. He's never been overseas and it is time. Thank you ValueClick stock. I'm thinking this trip will break the proverbial seal on international travel for us, making it seem less impossible. It is a priority for us both.

~Sigh~
Sad that the trip is over now, the holiday tucked away for another year. Thank you Kim for a truly wonderful time, right down to Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song being the first thing I heard on Christmas morning. You know me so well.


What's Up For 2007?
Well I signed up for something I've always wanted to do but couldn't manage on top of a full time work week - working with elders in my community. I'm just waiting for the call for some shifts with what seems to be a good local company called LivHome. Though completely unrelated to any professional experience I have in online marketing I've always thought it would be something I could learn from. I hope to have some stories soon of the individuals I'll get to meet in this new experience.
London in March, which will foster some amazing photography from my husband I'm sure.
Continued good health, good friends and good times all of which will be recorded here on Melhouse Place.

A happy new year to you wherever you are.