Another Monday. So to start the week off on the right foot, today we've got actor Brendan Fraser in the house to lighten up the mood. Good morning Brendan!

Hmmm...awake yet?

I have no idea when this was taken or for what movie, but damn...

A few stats:

Born December 3, 1968 in Indianapolis, IN. Thanks to his father's job he holds a dual citizenship with the United States and Canada and speaks fluent French. Stands an imposing 6'3.

I'll admit I'm a Brendan Fraser fan, and if his name is in the credits, I'm there! (Which is why I'm pretty perplexed over that photo above - did I miss my chance to see two-hours of him dressed like that?)

So, he's had some less-than-memorable roles (Looney Tunes, Bedazzles and Dudley-Do-Right to name a few.) Spend an evening with him in Blast from the Past or The Mummy and all is forgiven.

The father of 3 young boys, he's one actor known for being approachable to fans and for being quite down to earth.

I believe you have a responsibility to comport yourself in a manner that gives an example to others. As a young man, I prayed for success. Now I pray just to be worthy of it. ~ Brendan Fraser

Happy Monday!

 Score one for Neil! From opening number to sticking himself in the audience when his category was being announced, he was brilliant. Self-deprecating, smooth and charming - he hosted the show with a flair all his own.

The night was a wonderful tribute to the art of the small screen and even though some of the usual stand-by's won AGAIN, it was great to see so many of my favorites in one place. (Really, can we have some kind of cap on years in row people/shows can win this thing...make it a bit more interesting for us folks watching?  Just sayin')

After losing to Jon Cryer, he proclaimed he wouldn't let the show get "awkward" and then proceeded to cut to Jon in the press area and asked him to show the audience the envelope just to double check he was the right winner.

Good stuff.

 The show zipped along and a great pace and even ended on time!  The only thing that threw me was the bloody family guy snippet that was a little more "ew" than funny.  And there were plenty of laughs not from the host too. The show opened with Best Female Supporting Lead in a Comedy and the funny ladies nominated all donned eyewear from a pirate patch to goggles! Vanessa Williams the only nominee, who true to her character, did not play along.

The memorial tribute was moving, as always, and a poignant reminder of all the artists that have passed this year. So many big names, the segment was beautifully done accompanied by the live performance of the tear-jerking song, "I will remember you" by Sarah McLachlan.

And last but not least...Dr. Horrible made an appearance (did we have any doubt?)

 Happy Monday!

ADAPT ~ The ability to adjust to new circumstances.

This Thursday night at 9pm on Fox, I'll be in front of my TV anxiously awaiting the season debut of Fringe, so it's only fitting that Joshua Jackson get the honor this morning.

Born in Canada in 1978, Joshua started on his current path to hollywood stardom at the tender age of 2 as the baby in The Changling.  Since I was in middle school when he was born, he's pretty much been flying under my radar as nothing more than a cute kid for quite some time.

From The Mighty Ducks to Dawson's Creek, we've watched Joshua grow up on the TV. But, he has done movies and has appeared on the London Stage as well.

"I try to move on knowing that I can't always be successful and sometime I may fail. My goal is to keep the non-success rate always lower that the success one."
- Joshua Jackson

Currently Joshua Jackson stars in the oddball sci/fi Fox channel hit, Fringe. With his dry humor and that scruffy look he's been sporting - he's not flying under the radar anymore. Josh has grown up.  And seriously, who doesn't love a smart guy with an attitude?

 A QUICK BLOG NOTE: I've added a blogging schedule to the sidebar and a daily word up top. I'll be going through the alphabet and you'll find a new word to start each blog post. The blog schedule is when you will find me here. On days not listed you will either not see a new post or it's an anything goes day!

When writing my books and creating characters one of the most important traits I need to sit down and hash out for both my heroine and hero is always their sense of style.  Are they a t-shirts and jeans person or are they the khaki and polo shirts type?

Well, today's post isn't about any of my written characters - it's about one of the characters living in my house. My son!

On a recent school shopping trip - this is what we came home with.

Yes, they are green plaid sneakers! (they are very cool in person, even with the price tag that came with them *cough*)

Now, to fully appreciate the sense of style that goes with these shoes, you must understand that my son only wears plaid shorts.

My son has NEVER worn dull clothing. He was always the one grabbing for the flourescent orange shirts, anything bright green - in fact, the wilder - the better.

His taste in guitars mimics his taste in his clothes - nothing dull hanging on his walls or in his hands. (and for the record the fender with the sculls on it is pretty awesome looking, so I am not complaining!)

But what makes him Man Monday worthy today is exactly this sense of unique style. He's not a follower, at 15 - he is his own man, follows his own path and is one of the most polite and respectful teenagers I know (and I work in a middle school, so I'm not just blowing smoke here ) A good student and a talented musician...okay I've done enough gushing for one day.  Let's just say, he makes his momma proud - even wearing green plaid sneakers!

Enjoy your sneakers, kiddo. 

A more appropriate title would be "My Summer Guilty Pleasure" but since it's Monday, I'm going with it.

First I must confess that I have not seen the play and had no intention of renting this movie, but a friend suggested I would love it (and I KNOW she's reading this and wondering wtf took me so long!)

Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard round out the trio of male leads in this over-the-top cheesefest.

But after a few minutes I DID find myself singing along and tapping my feet. ABBA is a guilty pleasure in itself, a whole movie of nothing but their music - oh yeah, I'm there. And I must warn you, there is A LOT of singing and dancing in this movie - more than the average musical, or maybe it was just my impression?

After getting over my initial bout of laughter when Poor Pierce began limbering up his vocal cords (sorry Pierce), I was eventually able to get past it. The trick is to not look at his lips while he's singing - look elsewhere (and it's not hard to find another place to look when we're looking at Pierce ) Colin did a better job in the singing department, but sadly, Pierce had more singing parts.

Meryl Streep was great, but, Christine Baranski was fabulous! I don't think I've ever NOT enjoyed a character she's portrayed - and her scene on the beach with the young guys where she is every inch a cougar...loved it.

The dance number at the end while the credits were rolling was enough to get me off the couch and dancing along (even the strange looks I got from my daughter couldn't stop me from singing and dancing along!) She tried to look down her 10 yr old nose at me, but guess who I caught watching the movie in her room last night? And singing along? YUP! Another ABBA fan is born.

So, at this point I have to give credit where credit is due...Meredith - thank you! I can't think of a better way to spend a rainy afternoon than with Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth dancing and singing on my big screen tv. Sometimes cheesy and over-the-top is just want we need to put a smile on our face and laughter in our hearts...

Happy Monday!

Quantum Leap...remember this? In 1989 the show debuted and I loved Sam Beckett! He even won a Golden Globe for the role in 1992.

Yes, I'm showing my geeky side - I freely admit to loving anything paranormal and time travel is a personal favorite.

Necessary Roughness...aka...tight football pants

There was even a romance in here to balance out the football - something for both the hubby and me to enjoy...can't argue with that (or those tight football pants.)

Oh yeah, what paranormal-scifi girl wouldn't be thrilled with Scott as Capt Archer at the helm of the Enterprise?

And now just to round out this post, a few facts about the man of the day.

Born in 1954, today's man monday is actually an older man for me - woohoo (that doesn't happen often, so give me a minute to enjoy the rush...)

He's 6 foot tall and Scott Bakula is his real name. Married twice, father of 4, he's been on broadway, the big screen and the small.  AND...he's got a brand new series just picked up on the cable network TNT, "Men of a Certain Age" costarring Ray Romano and Andre Braugher. While it doesn't involve anything scientific in the way of space travel or time leaping...and I don't think any tight football pants are planned anytime soon either (waa) - With those three in the mix, I'll be sure to catch the show.

Happy Monday!

Today's post is not about my Dad, but about the man I married. While most Dad's were relaxing with a beer in one hand and cigars in the other, my husband stayed home with the kids yesterday - without me.

He cooked one hell of a breakfast of homefries and eggs (I'm not the best breakfast cook, so this was definitely to the benefit of the entire family!) and then off I went for the rest of the day.

I'm sure he had a beer or two, and I know at least one cigar was smoked...but he also made dinner when I got home.

Want to know why?  This wonderfully unselfish man gave up his day of rest and relaxation for charity. Yes, you read that right.  Yesterday was my romance writing group's very first booksigning event in support of Suffolk Literacy and our small group of 8 local romance authors, sat in the lobby of Pindar Vineyards for a total of 2 hours and raised $381 for charity!

Happy Father's Day to my honey, I've been blessed (and so have our kids!)