Friday Five

1. This.  This may be my most favorite thing ever!  I love me some George Clooney!


2. And while we're on the topic of James Corden, this is also awesome.  The West Wing has always had a special place in my heart, and between Alison Janney appearing in the real White House briefing room as CJ Cregg and this, I'm dreaming of a WW reunion coming very, very soon - fingers crossed!


3. Tony Award nominations came out this week and as assumed Hamilton trumped everyone.  They broke the record with 16 nominations.  And of course, they deserved them all.  But there were other great nominations too.  Jennifer Simard was the only nominated player in Disaster! which she totally deserved.  She was the absolute funniest part of that show. It was also lovely to see Zac Levi, Jane Krakowski & Laura Benanti, as well as the show She Loves Me get nominated.  She Loves Me was just a very sweet musical and everyone in that cast was perfect for their roles.  (Although, I wish Gavin Creel would have also gotten a nod).  While no one really stands a chance this year against Hamilton, it's fun to see so many of the shows I've seen get some recognition.

4. This "feud" between England, the US and Canada is the cutest story this week!  

Unfortunately for you @FLOTUS and @POTUS I wasn't alone when you sent me that video 😉 - H.https://t.co/sjfSQvkzb6

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 29, 2016

Dear @POTUS, @FLOTUS and @KensingtonRoyal - did someone say "bring it?" Canada's ready for @InvictusOrlando.https://t.co/TxBAMPvTYs

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 2, 2016

5. This guy's work is my new inspiration.  I now have 3 of his gorgeous prints.  I just love his stuff.  I wish I had a beach house so I could decorate every wall with some of the beachy prints.  For now I'm happy with my Tybee Island Lighthouse, Big Ben and Loving NY.  So great!

Friday Five

1. I really can't say just how incredibly happy it makes me that Trump lost the Iowa caucus. I just can't bring myself to live in a USA that is run by that horrible human being.  I know it's a long way to go but at least he's been knocked down a peg or 2.

2. George Clooney is just so darn dreamy!

3. I have never been to Canada nor have I ever actually had poutine, but I feel like it would make me very, very happy.  Honestly, cheese, fries, and gravy - all good things.  How can they not be anything but delicious?  Now I may - fingers crossed! - get a chance to try them before I finally reach Canada. 

4. I think I said it on Sunday, but in case I wasn't clear, I LOVED Grease Live! It made me so very happy!  I've never been so happy to be wrong.  So while stalking the internet after the show on Sunday, I found these amazing behind the scenes photos.  How much fun does it look like they were having?  If only I could sing, dance or didn't feel like I was having a heart attack every time I spoke in front of a group, I'd love to get the chance to have this much fun!

5. Bad Lip Reading may be my most favorite part of Football season!

Tomorrowland

As much as I love George Clooney, I never really hold much stock in his movies.  He's not been in anything that I've loved since ER.  His movies are usually high concept - I actually liked, not loved Goodnight and Good Luck - or just too ridiculous for words.  I'm looking at you Oh Brother Where Art Thou?  But when word came out he was doing a Disney movie, I was pretty excited.  Not to mention, a Disney big-budget high concept, gorgeous movie like Tomorrowland - what wasn't to love?

Then the reviews came out and apparently it was less than impressive.  But it still looked great so I still went to see it. And?  The one thing I learned? Sometimes the ratings lie.  I thought it was awesome!  And not just because George Clooney was in it - though that's a piece of it; he's just so dreamy!  I loved the message of What's Next?!  It wants us to keep looking forward and looking up.  Be creative.  Be curious.  Be smart.  Be open.  Honestly, what's more needed right now than good ideas?!

I also loved the fact that girls kicked butt.  Honestly, there are a lot of damsels in distress out there getting rescued by great big brave prince charmings.  This one had George as an unlikely prince charming but the 2 strongest characters were a little girl robot and a 16 year girl.  And you know what?  They saved the day by using their brains and kicking a little butt. Girl Power!

On a more shallow note - George Clooney!  And Hugh Laurie!  And a perfect little boy that looked exactly like a little George Clooney.  And 2 awesome female actresses that will have quite the careers.  In other words, the casting was perfect!  Also, the special effects and CGI were pretty drool worthy. 

Basically, on a scale of 1 to ER, George finally made a movie that's on par with the best show ever! 

Bummed

So this happened today...

Just a few months after this happened...

Don't these guys know that they're supposed to be waiting for me to make the big wedding leap?  Now that my future plans have gone up in smoke, I guess I really need to start looking for a husband...It was so much easier being mentally betrothed to 2 of the most eligible bachelors in the world.  : )

Friday Five

1. Billy Joel in the Soviet Union: In the summer of 1987 Billy and his family and band all went to play multiple concerts in the Soviet Union. At the time he was the first American to do so in the communist country.  I'm not sure if it was older or just made this year, but I caught a documentary on the tour this week on Shotime.  It was fabulous.  In my mind, Billy Joel can already do no wrong.  But to see footage and hear his thoughts on the whole experience was pretty amazing.  Seeing the country full of optimism, brings hope for the country now, which seems to be back to where they started these days all those years ago. 

2. The Olympics: Every two years, without fail, I get caught up in the hype.  It's quite hard not to.  The stories behind these amazing athletes are just so inspiring.  This year, admittedly, it's hard to have that same sense of wonder and optimism, when you hear about the (let's call them) "issues" they're having in Russia.  Let's hope that the world coming together in solidarity will open the eyes of the Russian government a bit to easing up on the crackdown on people who are different and unique.

3. Sherlock Q&A at the Apple Store in Covent Garden, London: Apparently, in London, one of the many awesome things they do is have Q&As with HUGE movie stars at Apple Stores on a random Tuesday night.  Seriously?!  I'm definitely living in the wrong place. You can catch the whole Q&A on iTunes for free if you have a free 45 minutes.  It's well worth it and completely charming - as usual...

4. I love that major corporations (Google, The Guardian, BBC) are standing up to the Russian government and telling them they won't stand for hate and bullying. Way to go Google!

"The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play." (Olympic Charter)

5. This one might be just a bit shallow but I'm a pretty happy camper that George Clooney is in a new movie.  That means he's all over the talk shows promoting.  He's always charming, always smart and always hilarious.  Not to mention, he's pretty darn cute as well : )

Sunday Loves

1. Kristin Chenoweth's Oscar Dress: My absolute favorite of the evening, Gorgeous!

2. George Clooney at the Oscars: Even with his Paul Bunyan-esque beard, he's the handsomest man in the room.  Though I'm slightly biased, he can do no wrong in my book : )

3. My new tea shelf in the kitchen.

4. Chocolate-Chocolate Cupcakes courtesy of Chef Dad.

5. Lazy Sundays.