louise on the left (coast)

A little while ago we went to The Groundlings , a comedy club in Los Angeles which I'm embarrassed to say I'd never been to before. I went because my husband had tickets since he's currently working on a piece about Orange County native, Mikey Day (Probably best known for his You Tube spoof "David Blaine Street Magic" .) UPDATE: Link to the story Peter Larsen (finally) wrote about Mikey Day, here . (took him long enough...) Anyhow, I can't believe it took me so long to go, because I totally forgot how funny really great comedy sketch work is. However, will admit that when I heard the title of this show -- "The Groundlings . In the study. With the candlestick" -- that I almost bailed out on going because I can't bear to sit through any spoof even loosely based the board game "Clue." But, this show is great -- (not even remotely associated with Clue, thank you, Jesus.) we had a wonderful time, and by the way, our

I'm sorry, but nothing EVER makes me laugh harder than watching re-runs of Extras... Here's Kate Winslet, talking about her husband 's Oscar.... And, this one, well, just makes me howl.

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Radiant Best-actress nominee Melissa Leo arrives at the Kodak Theater for Sunday's 81rst Annual Academy Awards. MSNBC ran a story about last night's neck and neck race for the Best Actress Oscar, which, as I predicted, could very well have gone to Melissa Leo. I really thought last night would end up being a long-shot, outsider win for both Rourke and Leo...And I kind of think all their fellow nominees, thought so, too. With votes split between Winslet, Streep, Leo could claim best actress prize By Courtney Hazlett The Scoop msnbc.com updated 1:29 p.m. PT, Sun., Feb. 22, 2009 "LOS ANGELES - The buzz about an Oscar upset in the Best Actress category is too great to ignore. Perhaps everyone just wants something new to talk about at this point, or maybe it’s true — “Frozen River” star Melissa Leo could walk away with 8-1/2 pounds of golden Academy love in her hand. One voting member of the Academy echoed sentiments I’ve heard several times this weekend. “

Pete says he passed on good wishes from me (to Melissa Leo) on her way in and she was genuinely touched to hear about all these efforts to cheer her on, and all that, good stuff, so, yay! What can I say, I'm just really, really happy for her right now. He said she looked great and that her son was there with her although she was walking down the press line with her producer and director and fellow actress Misty Upham. He said the most gorgeous, the most glamorous ones, other than Melissa, of course, were, in order of gushing: #1: Kate Winslet. (He says she's so stunning and genuine and real and bla, bla, bla...Every year he gushes about her. And she does look amazing. He's always adored her, with good reason.) #2: Penelope Cruz #3: Taraji Henson #4: And he seemed a bit speechless after talking with french actress, Marion Cotillard, who won the Best Actress Academy Award for her role as Édith Piaf. He said Langella looked nice, but kind of reserved (aka: shy) and

Okay, so maybe it's because it's overcast today, or maybe it's because I just can't stand waiting to see Melissa Leo tonight at the Oscars but today just seems like an eternity till those awards start! Anyhow, I had to see what she's been saying in her most recent interviews managed to find some photos of her looking fabulous. (Can't wait to see what she wears tonight!) First of all, can I just say that I had no idea she was "dragged kicking and screaming to Vermont."    Or that her dad lives in Long Island or that she hasn't seen Thelma & Louise. Wow.   And, secondly, I love that she goes on record stating she's a "method" actor, which is kind of bold statement to make given the hype surrounding that term. She's a brave one.  She just has to win! Hell, she'll give the most interesting speech, for God's sake!  Doesn't that count for anything!   For God's sake, just hurry up and pick Melissa!   Here's that

My handsome, tuxedo'd up reporter husband, Pete Larsen! Note: Dashing handsome Orange County Register reporter with handy-dandy notebook interviews "difficult" celebrities on the cement carpet. (Oh, wait, that's not "Steve" in Blue's Clues, is it?) Peter Larsen, The Orange County Register : Hello, Miss, can you answer one or two questions, for me? Miss Larsen #1 : I need to check with my press agent, first. Reporter: So, who do you predict will win the Academy Award for Best Actress this year? Miss Larsen #2: Why, Mom's old school chum, Melissa Leo, of course! We all saw Frozen River can't tell why on earth it got an "R" rating, because Mommy talks like that all the time. Note: Dashing press vehicle including official OSCARS press pass. Okay, so, once again I waved so long to my husband, tuxedo'd up and ready to meet and greet the stars who strut down the infamous red carpet on their way into the 2009 Academy Awards.

Here's another David Thorne classic... "A few weeks ago, a guy moved into the apartment across from me. I know little about him apart from the fact that he owns cane furniture as I saw the delivery guys carry it up. I bumped into him on the stairs once and he said hello but I cannot be friends with someone that owns cane furniture so I pretended I had a turtle to feed or something. "Last week when I checked my mailbox, I found that my new neighbour had left me a note stating that he was having a party and to let him know if the noise was too loud. "The problem I have with the note is not that he was having a party and didn't invite me, it was that he selected a vibrant background of balloons, effectively stating that his party was going to be vibrant and possibly have balloons and that I couldn't come...." ( For more click here .)

I was going through some of daughter #2's first grade school work from last year. The kids were required to write about their field trip to the Pacific Symphony the day before. Next time, the cookies get put on a higher shelf, I think.

I originally wrote this in the comments section regarding a former post regarding having seen Frozen River . However, I thought this comment was interesting enough, and certainly long enough, to merit it's own post and not just languish, buried in some random comments section somewhere. So, here it is, again with a little re-working in it's own private post. From Me to Prince Gomolvilas re: Melissa Leo in Frozen River: ...Yeah, it's (Frozen River) is a film which I think is incredibly respectful to all the characters in the film. Let's face it, (unfortunately) I think Winslet may win this year, because she's so well known, but I'm obviously loyal to those who've touched my life personally, and this time, I actually think Leo deserves to win. And, yes, I'm a fan of all the women nominated this year. How do you call any one actors work "the best?" You can't. But, you can choose who to honor that year. Leo was as good as any of the others

Saw this late one night last week and had to share great news. No, it's not about Jesus, it's about heat with no flame! (Same thing.)

And I can't tell if that's a good thing, or just a really bad karmic joke at my expense. Probably both. I mean, isn't that always the case? Let me just state, that I've had the ongoing misfortune of spending countless Oscar ceremonies at home in front of the television, while my husband gets to don a tuxedo to be part of the "Red Carpet" scene each year. I have lost track of how many times my kids and I have waved goodbye as he drove up to LA in his old Volvo, leaving the three of us at home to scan the "pre-show" sea of reporters all feeding at the red carpet. My husband is the pop-culture reporter for The Orange County Register, and has actually been quite fortunate to land covering this gig for several years in a row. He's usually easy to spot in a crowd. He's 6'6" and wears Buddy Holly-esque glasses. And he's nice to people and asks great questions of those wise enough to answer them. He's not going to dish about g

Okay. I've had three days of non-stop play-dates, sleep-overs and general people, people, people...And now, I have enough time to catch my breath and offer up something more adult-like, serious and generally, quite profound. I rest my case.

Okay, I'll admit that when my eye scanned this headline off of Huffington Post, I did a double take. I thought it would lead to a crazy-lady story. Then I clicked on the video and fell in love with Ms. Hayek for doing what I think is the most natural and loving thing in the world. She breastfed an infant who was hungry. Salma Hayek Breastfeeding An African Baby boy As a mom who nursed both her kids and got over all the taboos about this the minute I lay eyes on my babies, I learned how profoundly nourishing this is for an infant. But, there still remains so much stigma about all this, today, even though it's been proven to be the best thing one can offer a baby. Well, I just want to say "You go, Selma!" and remind the world that Angelina and Madonna never once shared their titties with a stranger's hungry babies!

I know I'm late to the table in discovering this wonderful site, TED (Ideas worth spreading) but, I'm so glad I found it now. It's a great medium to essentially find "master classes" on, well, that which makes us tick. Pretty cool site. In any event, since I'd just read Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Eat, Pray, Love over "December Break" (Which is such an ironic phrase for any parent, don't you think?) and was really in in awe of how refreshing Gilbert's fearless approach to story-telling was. I found her book very inspirational in just how open she was to finding the creative process in her life. So, naturally, since I found her book so interesting, I also found her own "master class" on the subject of fear and production of creativity equally intriguing, as well. Thought you might too.

...And now, thanks to Retro Junk, my kids taunt me by singing this at me till I run screaming from the room... Did anyone else get this this was suppose to be about Mozart's Magic Flute? Who knew? I just thought it was cool to hear Jack Wild's accent every Saturday morning.

The old CBS Children's Film Festival was a such a great way to teach children about diversity and tolerance. If there was ever a time to revisit past children's entertainment successes, I don't know if I'd choose to dredge up The Electric Company before bringing back some of the really great stuff, like this. Don't tell me there's a shortage of great international short films about kids, right now. Remember "J.T.?" I wrote about that, a month ago and so many people said they were moved by this film growing up. That was from these folks, too. Time to bring back the good stuff from the 70's.

I had an odd conversation this week, with a kid in middle school.  Not my own. And I'm still trying to sort out if I've done the right thing. Early in the morning, I dropped my kid off at middle school and this day, actually walked my child into to school. I'm a chatty mom who actually loves kids.  I love watching them interact and I love seeing what they wear to school and all that stuff.  I think it's really fascinating watching kids grow up at this stage, you either love middle schoolers, or dread them.  And I'm definitely someone who loves that age. In any case, as I was walking back to my car, I passed a boy I knew since elementary school, so I asked  what I thought was a simple question: I said, "How are you today, 'James Watson'?" ( clearly, that's so not his real name .) To which he answered 100% sincerely (which is why I love this kid. He really is like that.) in front of the other boys hanging around. "Hello, Mrs. Larsen. Well,

Because she deserves to.   That's why. I mean, have you even seen Frozen River , yet?  (Well, do.) She's amazing in this film.  Her performance is so brave,  honest and most of all, so moving. Okay. It's true, I'm biased. Because I knew her way, way back in grade school, and remember what a dazzling talent she was even back then. I watched her rehearse from the wings thinking "One day everyone will know how powerful and talented Melissa Leo is. And one day she will be honored for those gifts." Well, guess what? This is that day.   ( Check out this recent story about her nomination from CNN.) This is the day when everyone needs to get off their asses and go see Frozen River . People need to know what some of us already do, that Melissa Leo is both the Bruce Springsteen and Lucinda Williams of American actresses. Simply put, she's simply one of best actresses we have working today. And Frozen River is her movie. You gotta see it. Period. And,

I have no idea why I think this is funny.