'Glee' gets rolling again

A trend to get on pronto... purple

I am loving purple nail polish right now.  

It's dark enough for fall, but prettier and more feminine than black, which is too stark and overdone in my opinion--whatever that's worth :)

I often painted my toe nails purple this summer, but for a fall fingernail polish I am all about it.  

Grab "pronto purple" by Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri line.  You won't be disappointed! 

'Greek' gets its 'Glee' on!

"Greek" is one of those terribly underrated shows.  It's clever, fun, and just plain entertaining.

This week was the season finale, and it was no exception.  It meshes perfectly with pop-culture right now--GLEE!  Intentional or not, this week's "Greek" is right in-line with America's love for all things singing and dancing.

The sororities compete in a sing/dance-off.  With their sorority sitting at 4th-ish, Cassie and Ashleigh know the competition is huge for them.  Ashleigh especially makes it a priority.

Beth, who is easily the dumbest person on the show, actually has something to contribute--she's a dance major!  Yay!  

Just when everything is looking so good for ZBZ, a few forks in the road pop up:

• Cassie is offered an officer position with the overarching sorority council, which means she is not allowed to compete
• Beth is deemed unable to compete because she had left the sorority and never officially re-pledged. 

So Beth is out and so is her choreography, and Cassie is not allowed to help.

Putting the house above her, Cassie declines the position and gets cracking.  One of the pledges steps forward and choreographs the number because she has experience from high school.

ZBZ's "Good Girls Go Bad," was so much better than Gamma Psi's number--no competition.  While the girls may not be up to "Glee" quality, they give their heart and sure do bust a move.  

Somehow it's not enough.  Gamma Psi comes out on top.  Suspecting cheating, our ZBZ's venture over to their rivals house to investigate.  They find evidence that they believe validates their claim, but... set the Gamma Psi house on fire.  

Will the ZBZ's confess?  Was it Rebecca's candle that set the place ablaze or something else?

In other news, Cappie and Cassie let the cat out of the bag--his brothers know and now so does Evan.  I am so glad they did not drag out the secret relationship storyline, even though it provided a few gems: "Yesterday, Ash wanted to know why I have this smile, and I couldn't think of an excuse, so I told her I was thinking of the rise and fall of Mischa Barton." 

As usual, "Greek" left me wanting more!

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

No matter who or what you support, be sure to vote today.  This is a pretty big election if you live in King County or Washington state for that matter.  VOTE!!

Trust me, after you mail in your ballot you'll get this warm tingly feeling inside!  I love election day!

For what it's worth here are my endorsements on a few key votes this election:

Initiative 1033 

Initiative 1033 is the last thing Washington state needs while working to recover from the recession. 

        

Tim Eyman’s latest effort would limit the state’s future general fund revenue because it uses 2009 as its model.  This year saw record-low revenue levels with many cutbacks, business closures, low sales reports and unattractive unemployment levels. 

 

If voters want to move-on and improve from 2009, I-1033 must be defeated.

 

The initiative would severely limit the ability for city, county and state governments to provide basic services from education to health care. 

 

Public schools saw harsh cuts to their budgets this year.  Class sizes would continue to rise and more teachers would lose their positions.  If Washington wants to provide a solid education for every student, I-1033 cannot pass.

 

Higher education would also continue to suffer.  State school tuition would continue to rise making college increasingly inaccessible.  With class availability continually shrinking and faculty vacancies regularly left unfilled, the average time it takes to graduate is likely to increase.  This prospect would make the cost of attending college higher and also leave out more prospective students. 

 

In addition to making cuts on education permanent, I-1033 would do the same for current cuts on health care services.  Health care jobs would be cut and the initiative would harm the state’s Basic Health Plan and nursing homes and other health services for the state’s elderly would be crippled. 

 

Eyman’s initiative would also negatively affect city government’s capacities to fund police forces, fire departments and infrastructure projects.

 

Not only would it make current cuts permanent and lead to more cuts, Initiative 1033 is dangerous because it does not account for unexpected costs like natural disasters.  It leaves Washington state unprepared.

 

A similar 1992 Colorado initiative proves how detrimental passage of I-1033 would be.  The state dropped to 49^th in the nation for education funding, the number of children without health insurance doubled and transportation funding plummeted.  At one point, the state even lifted the requirement that all children be fully immunized before entering school because of a lack of funding to buy vaccines.  Colorado citizens felt the effects so heavily that they voted to suspend the initiative in 2005. 

 

Washington state cannot afford to make the same mistake. 

Referendum 71

Referendum 71, which appears on the Nov. 3 ballot, asks if the state’s everything-but-marriage law should be upheld. 

        

If Washington state voters believe in fairness and equality for all citizens, the referendum will pass. 

        

R-71 gives same-sex couples the same rights and responsibilities that traditional marriages have including: the right to visit a hospitalized partner, the ability to use sick leave to care for an ill partner, business succession rights, and death benefits.

        

Voters should be clear on the fact that this is not a referendum to approve gay marriage.  It is simply about fairness and equality.

        

If approved, it would strengthen Washington families.  It protects every Washington resident in a committed relationship and provides more stability for children and families.  Referendum 71 encompasses family issues such as adoption, guardianship and child support.  Ultimately it would help protect children.

        

It is important to remember that the referendum does not take anything from anyone.  Rather it gives everyone the same rights. 

        

Opponents of Referendum 71 argue that if it is approved it will lead to gay marriage.  The slippery slope argument is weak.

        

On the ballot it explicitly reads, “This bill would expand the rights, responsibilities, and obligations accorded state-registered same-sex and senior domestic partners to be equivalent of those of married spouses, except that a domestic partnership is not a marriage.”

        

The wording is very clear.

        

R-71 does not ask voters to approve or reject gay marriage.  It asks voters to approve or reject an equality of rights for every Washington resident in a committed relationship. 

        

A vote may come in the future asking Washington to approve or reject the legalization of gay marriage, but this is not it. 

        

Approve Referendum 71 and show that Washington state is committed to fairness and equality. 

King County Executive

In difficult times, Dow Constantine is the strongest choice for King County executive. 

 

Constantine’s councilman and state lawmaker background are reassuring with the city facing budget deficits, a potential flu outbreak, and possible flooding.  These are not easy problems to solve, and Susan Hutchison is too inexperienced be thrown into it. 

 

In the debate, Constantine repeatedly reiterated his government experience, record, and that he believes his values are in line with those of King County citizens. 

 

Constantine’s record supports his claims that he cares about the environment, is pro-choice and involved with light-rail.

 

Voters do not actually know much about Hutchison besides that she was a local news anchor.  She does not have a government record to look at and she has not been very upfront about her “values,” as Dow would put it.

 

Hutchison claims to be above partisan politics, but she has made donations to George W. Bush and Mike Huckabee—two notable conservatives, which leaves question about her political beliefs.

 

Voters may want to take issue with the fact that Hutchison did not bother to go to many question-and-answer and discussion sessions until relatively recently. 

 

Hutchison’s main argument is that she represents change as an outsider in Seattle government.  This is not a plus, though, since she lacks any related experience that would lead one to believe that she is prepared for the job. 

 

After watching a recent debate, it seemed that Hutchison did not have a clear grasp on the important issues.  Her solutions were often as vague.

 

When asked to name one program she would cut specifically, she gave no clear answer.  Her inability to answer that question seems odd since she answered the question about how she would manage the budget shortfall with “cutting waste.”

 

Constantine immediately gave an answer.  He explained that he would turn over the animal shelter business to the humane society, who could better handle the issue.

 

There is too much unknown about Hutchison.  Her lack of experience is too great for King County to trust her at this time.

 

Dow Constantine is the best choice for King County executive.

Mayor of Seattle 

(the pesky race that I went back-and-forth about)

While both mayoral candidates are relatively new to the political scene, Joe Mallahan emerged in the later part of the race as the stronger choice.

 

His opponent, Mike McGinn, recently flip-flopped on the Alaskan Way Viaduct/deep-bore tunnel issue.  Since McGinn’s major issue throughout the election has been his opposition to the tunnel, it does not instill confidence in his abilities to serve as major when he is not willing to fight for what he believes is best for Seattle. 

 

Mallahan on other hand, has remained steady in his views and has provided logical reasoning to support these views. 

 

He believes the city has already made a decision on the tunnel and that he will make sure the project is completed on time and within budget.

 

He thinks that the gun ban in parks and other city property is a strictly symbolic gesture.  He does not support it because it does not address the root of the problem.  Mallahan would rather spend money on increasing police officer headcount and programs for at risk youth.  Similarly he wants to use outreach as a way to solve the city’s growing gang problem. 

 

His background also lends well to learning the job of mayor quickly.  With the city facing huge budget issues, Mallahan’s 15 years of senior management experience are comforting.  He is a smart businessman and boasts community-organizing skills, which could be the perfect combination to solve Seattle’s current problems.   

 

Mallahan is the candidate Seattle can count on for a better future.  

Want a smoothie?

Next time you crave a smoothie, instead of heading to Jamba Juice stop by the nearest Clinique counter.  

The makeup company recently introduced their "Vitamin C Lip Smoothie."  

I am in love.  

It is packed with vitamin C and all the antioxidants you could want--all in a convenient tube of lip gloss.

The container is small, which is handy on-the-go.  The twist application method is easy.  Make sure you twist it a few times, though.  

The coverage is sheer to moderate.  Use it all-over for color or just a dab to create an incredibly natural and juicy lip.

After one application, my lips felt delightfully soft and smooth.

I'm hooked.  

I use both "Pink Me Up" and "Goodness Grapecious."  The later gives a bit more punch of color.  The former is lovely, light and natural.  

It's a complete lip treatment for $17. 50.

What makes 'Good Hair?'

Finally a reason to watch baseball

Tune into the opening of the 3rd game of the World Series tonight to get your "Glee" fix this week!

click here to view

Too bad it wasn't a mash-up ;) 

Puck > Finn

Tonight’s “Glee” easily makes my list of the young series’ greatest episodes giving Puck and Emma voices.

Finally Puck, Mark Salling, is given a moment to shine and the chance to develop his character. His tribute to a “Jewish icon,” Neil Diamond, is sweet and well sung. Tonight he proves that not only is he better looking than Finn, he’s also more talented. With his guitar in hand he melts hearts: “hands touching hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you. Sweet Caroline… bahm, bahm, bahm.”

Puck’s relationship with Rachel, though short-lived, is also lots of fun. If only the show had drawn their romance out longer. After all, as Puck aptly points-out, they are two good-looking Jews--it’s only natural.

“Mash-up,” tonight’s episode, gives another treat in addition to Puck. Emma’s rendition of “I Could have Danced All Night” is lovely. It is a true surprise as well, since germaphobe guidance counselor Emma has not previously broken out in song. She is simply delightful dancing around the wedding dress shop with Will. If only Will was her fiancée...

Throughout the night, Will proves that he sure can “Bust a Move.”

To explain the frolic through the dress shop, Will gives Emma and Ken dance lessons as his wedding gift. He also agrees to mash-up both of their very different first dance song choices.

Ken wants “The Thong Song,” Emma wants “I Could have Danced All Night.”

Will finds that the two songs just wont “mash-up”—much like the couple.

In other news, Finn and Quinn find themselves out of the cool crowd and covered in slushies. Taking Emma’s advice on being popular, they come to school behind some “mysterious” sunglasses, which unsurprisingly does not help.

Ken also finally gets fed up with the flirtation between Emma and Will. He tells the football players that they much choose between glee and football.

Puck and the other two players choose glee club. Finn takes the easy, slushie-free road and sticks with football. Before the night is over, he does realize that glee and football are a great “mash-up” and tells Ken that to be a great leader he needs to be in glee club and football.

The episode ends perfectly with the glee kids back together and Will receiving his first slushie facial.

“The September Issue:” A dishy, fascinating look at Anna Wintour and the making of every fashionista’s “bible”

Surprisingly to some, “The September Issue” leaves its audience thinking of the infamously “scary” Anna Wintour as a woman just doing her job, and doing it well.

“There is something about fashion that can make people very nervous,” says Wintour during the film’s opening.

The documentary’s main attraction, Wintour, discusses why some people have a tendency to belittle fashion—calling it silly and frivolous. She thinks it scares people. People who think fashion is a waste of time don’t understand it and are intimidated to try. So, instead they make fun of it, Wintour explains.

Though some refuse to take fashion seriously, Wintour does, as she absolutely should. She is the most powerful woman, if not person, in the $300 billion fashion industry.

Wintour is decisive and intelligent. When she tells a fashion designer that his collection does not have enough color, she isn’t being cruel. She is being honest and a smart businesswoman. She knows where the fashion world is headed and what it needs.

Unlike Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly, Wintour does not try to instill fear in everyone she meets. She doesn’t throw her coat and handbag on an intern’s desk or make impossible demands. Does she know what she wants? Sure. Does she except everyone to be on the top of his or her game? Yes. Is she a devil in Prada? No.

The documentary actually gets the audience to empathize in some ways with Wintour.

You can count her family among the people in the world who think fashion is silly.

Wintour says her career “amuses” her siblings.

Her daughter, Bee, who aspires to be a lawyer, speaks of her mother in a way where you can tell she does not truly respect Wintour’s career or standing. Bee makes quietly cutting remarks that leave the audience feeling for Wintour.

Much of the film is also devoted to the semi-rivalry between Wintour and artistic director Grace Coddington.

A former model, Coddington is brilliant at what she does for “Vogue.” She turns clothes into art. Her fashion spreads are gorgeous and page-turning perfection.

In the film, Coddington fights for a particular spread of hers—a decadent 1920s-inspired masterpiece.

Though the two have their differences, they respect each other and recognize that “Vogue” would not work without both of them.

As an avid “Vogue” reader since my early teen years I have always respected Wintour and been intrigued by her mystique. After “The September Issue” my respect for the brains behind my favorite fashion publication has only grown. The documentary exposes how hard her job can be and how much pressure she’s under to put out the greatly anticipated September issue.

It’s a “Glee” showdown: Boys v. Girls, Terri v. Emma, Sue v. Will

“Vitamin D,” this week’s “Glee,” is really all about vitamin c—competition.

Feeling threatened by neat freak guidance counselor Emma, Terri becomes the school’s nurse in an effort to end Emma’s friendship and budding flirtation with Mr. Schuester. Terri, Jessalyn Gilsig, understands her marriage is dangling precariously and decides to take matters into her own hands.

She calls upon Coach Tanaka, Emma’s “boyfriend”--if only in title. Terri talks him into popping the big question. When Ken tells her that he would be crushed if the answer was no, the new “nurse” is even kind enough to provide courage in the form of over-the-counter uppers.

Now, where did Terri Schuster, a linens store employee, get the idea to become the school nurse? And who painted Emma as nothing but a home wrecking vixen out to steal Will? Sue Sylvester, of course!

See, Sue is filling a bit threatened herself. While writing in her journal, the audience is invited into her evil, yet hilarious mind. She worries the glee club will be the demise of her prized cheer squad, the Cheerios.

If that happens the squad will lose their endorsements, and “without those endorsements, I won’t be able to buy my hovercraft,” she writes.

With this realization, Sue decides she will destroy the man, Will, in order to obliterate the club.

Meanwhile, the glee club has become complacent with their sectionals competition coming from a deaf school and a correctional school. The kids think they’ve got it in the bag and don’t need to try.

Will devises a “glee-off” to get the kids excited again and ready to fight for their place in regionals. It’s boys v. girls. Each team must “mashup” two songs to perform for a “celebrity judge,” Emma.

Finn basically sleeps through the boy’s first rehearsal. Puck sends him to the nurse’s office to take a nap.

Showing how little Terri knows about nursing and good health, she prescribes Finn decongestants, “vitamin D,” to keep him peppy and running. She figures it’s ok because, after all, they are over-the-counter.

Thanks to “vitamin D,” the boys deliver a high-energy mashup of Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” and Usher’s “Confessions, Pt. 2.”

After the boy’s performance, the girl’s wonder how the boys were able to do it and wish they had worked harder on their mashup. Kurt, professing his true allegiance to the girls, let’s them in on the “vitamin D” secret.

Fuming, Rachel and the other girls visit Nurse Terri to get some “vitamin D” of their own.

Their mashup of Beyonce’s “Halo” and Katrina and the Waves’ “Walking on Sunshine” is sheer bubble-gum delight.

No winner is picked, though. Feeling guilty, both Rachel and Finn admit their team’s unfair use of “vitamin D” and decide they must be disqualified. Their confession leads to Terri’s firing and inevitable hell for Will. Principal Figgins declares Mr. Schuester unfit to lead “New Directions” on his own. Sue is his new co-director.

While the true showdown between Sue and Will is still to come, Sylvester seems to be weakening “the man.” When Emma tells him that she has accepted Tanaka’s marriage proposal, he looks genuinely heartbroken. He’s shaken, but will soldier on for the sake of glee.

When it comes down to it, “Vitamin D” was a bit of a mess, but an incredibly entertaining mess. Even when the show is not at its best, it still pleases.

In the words of Rachel, “If there are two things America needs right now, it’s sunshine and optimism. Also angles.”

That’s what "Glee" offers every Wednesday at 9 p.m.

So until next week, America, here's a dose of ummm... angels to keep to you going.

Looking back at a classic: "Rear Window"

In his 1954 “Rear Window,” Alfred Hitchcock successfully draws audiences along with his leading man, James Stewart, into a world of compulsive obsession with the neighbors and the search for truth.

The movie begins as the curtains of Stewart’s rear window rise to reveal a Manhattan apartment complex full of windows and stories. Jeff (Stewart) is a famous photographer cooped up in his apartment with a mending broken leg. He spends his days staring out his window with binoculars and a camera.

What he sees, the audience sees. There is Miss Torso, the dancer who rehearses in skimpy attire by day and hosts parties by night, Miss Lonelyhearts, who is middle-aged and eats dinner alone, the newlywed couple who quickly pull the shades and a bickering couple.

Soon Stewart becomes obsessed with what he believes to be a murder.

He finds it suspicious that the wife of the bickering couple has disappeared even though she is sick and never leaves her room. Jeff also studies the husband closely and notices strange behavior: the night the wife goes missing her husband leaves the apartment in the middle of the night, the husband’s garden is slightly disturbed as if something is buried under his flowers and a large trunk with ropes appears in his wife’s room.

While Jeff spends most of the movie looking in on other people’s lives, he has issues committing to a life of his own. The audience sees that this is wearing on his girlfriend, Lisa Fremont. Grace Kelly makes Lisa elegant, sophisticated and caring. She wishes Jeff would settle down and get married.

At first Lisa is frustrated with Jeff’s interest in his neighbors' affairs, but eventually she joins in and even puts herself in harm’s way attempting to solve the mystery. Her efforts provide some of the movie’s most suspenseful moments because the audience, like Jeff, is confined to watching what happens from a window powerless to help should she get in trouble.

“Rear Window” deserves its status as a classic. The cast is convincing and the movie is skillfully made. Since 1954 it has been remade and inspired movies such as “Disturbia,” but none has matched the original.

GLEE: "The Rhodes Not Taken"

Last night’s “Glee,” arguably its strongest episode to date, boasts Kristin Chenoweth, Queen and finally, musical- theater pieces.

Chenoweth, fresh off her Emmy win, is a real treat as April Rhodes, the boozy high- school dropout and former glee club member who never made it on “the Broadway.”

“The Rhodes Not Taken,” episode five, opens with the glee club somewhat in shambles without the talented and slightly abrasive Rachel, Lea Michele.

This is where April comes in. She joins the glee club as Mr. Schuester’s recruit to be “New Directions’” female star, although she is met with resistance from the club’s members.

The kids do not like the idea of an older person joining, but Chenoweth proves, as she pointed out to the club: “Talent doesn’t age, sweetheart.”

Her sing off against Rachel of “Maybe this Time” from the Broadway classic “Cabaret” is one of “Glee’s” finest moments. It pits seasoned stage performer Chenoweth (“Wicked," “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown," “The Apple Tree”) against one of Broadway’s most promising young talents, Michele (“Spring Awakening”). While Michele holds her own, the veteran Chenoweth proves more engaging. To watch click here.

In her efforts to win over the glee club members, April resorts to providing alcohol, giving shoplifting lessons and implied orgies in the locker room all to Hall & Oates’ “You Make My Dreams Come True.”

In addition to Chenoweth, the episode gives Finn, the football star turned stage star, some edge. He leads Rachel on in an attempt to get her to return to “New Directions.” This endeavor ends with him receiving a deserved slap once Rachel is told that Finn has knocked-up cheerleader Quinn.

Still sans Rachel, the group is forced to go on with a noticeably intoxicated April appropriately and perfectly performing “Last Name,” a song about drinking just a bit too much. Watch here.

Despite receiving a standing ovation, both April and Mr. Schuester come to the realization that “New Directions” is supposed to be about the kids. When April is around, she steals the spotlight.

April’s story wraps up a bit too neatly and quickly, but it presents the perfect opportunity for Rachel’s inevitable return after she finds landing the lead in the school’s production of “Cabaret” to be a disaster.

Back where she belongs, Rachel, with Finn, leads the group in an infectious rendition of Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” This is the first number to recapture the energy and excitement of the pilot’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” Click here to watch "Somebody to Love".

With more performances like this, the better than ever “New Directions” might actually stand a chance at regionals.

“Glee” airs Wednesdays on Fox at 9 p.m.