The Swag Bag Hag

This year's Oscars Swag Bag is worth over $350,000! And I hate most of what's in it! I mean I'll take the exclusive Artic villa getaway, but what were they thinking with the Prenups? I kid you not, prenuptial agreements from, Trusted Prenups! Is that cynical or what? I'd love to have the tea and chocolate deliciousness though. I am sure this stuff comes in handy to the glamourous, like you and me, but the grateful and secure person that I am will just stay down here in the "extra's call room." On the other hand, if I could customize my dream swag bag, it would contain the following items.

My Dream Swag Bag

1. 10 days stay at the Hotel Le Negresco

With Learn French in France lessons at Centre International D' Antibes

2. A BMW 24 MA40i in San Francisco Metallic

3. Magnolia Bakery "Best Of New York" cupcakes

4. "Tiffany Hardware" watch in Tiffany Blue

5. Amish Popcorn from Williams Sonoma

6. Patricia Green Slippers 

7. 10 Days stay at the Four Seasons Hotel and Spa in Calistoga, Ca

8. !0 Days at the Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, Ca

9. Funko worth $500

10. Omaha Steaks $500

11. Z Chocolate French Macarons

12. $500 at Purr & Company

12. $500 at Ghirardelli Chocolate

13. Pumpkin Pecan Butter from Harry & David

10 Days stay at the. Royal Lancaster London

Hyde Park Suite

11. 10 Days Stay at the Hawthorn Hotel, Salem Massachusetts. 

In October

12. $2,000.00 at Barnes & Nobel

13. Dior Medium Book Tote In Green Floral

14. Christian Dior Poison Set

all versions in the Poison range

15. Lancôme Absolute Longevity Facial Cream

And that's it!

 I know, I know, it's a wee bit unreasonable. Expensive. But if I am going to get a retroactive Oscar for the two movies I starred as an extra in, or the Woody Allen movie my car starred in, then why not dream BIG! As you might gather from my choices, I need a vacation. I really wish I could just have a few days in an amazing hotel, with all the wonderful perks available, but I could settle for a stay at Extended Stay America, and all I need is Uber Eats and a book by the pool.

Maybe One Day/Someday

Okay, I got the dress. I got the snacks. I got the beverages.

I got the ballots, and I am ready to have a little fun.

Are you watching too?

My Oscar Picks 2015

"Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down?"

~Sandra Bullock

From Her Oscar Acceptance Speech

It's that time again... The Academy Awards. I have mixed feelings about watching the Oscars. As a rule I am not much into awards shows, unless a particular favorite of mine is in the running for whatever award is being, well, awarded. But I do enjoy the red carpet. I love me a beautiful gown! I also love me a wacky outfit! Well, within reason. I think the wackiest of all time had to be the swan dress worn by Bjork in 2001! But when worn by Ellen, later that year at the Emmy Awards, it was actually instrumental in bringing a smile and a little laughter back to us after the events of 9/11. I am still smiling, all these years later, when I think about that. :)

In truth, I am also a little sad about this year's Oscar ceremony. Robin Williams is still present in my mind and heart, and when they honor him, I know I will feel the loss all over again. Such a kind man. Such a gifted performer. Such a human soul. Somehow it seems like someone like him should be with us forever. The fact that he isn't is a harsh truth... one that while I have accepted, still seems to be unreal. Enough of that. If I keep going on I will begin to grieve again, and that is no way to honor someone who brought me such delight! 

Okay... On With My Oscar Picks For 2015

 Best Movie

Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Director

Richard Linklater

 Best Actor

Steve Carell

Best Actress

*Julianne Moore

Best Supporting Actor

Edward Norton

  
Best Supporting Actress

Keira Knightly

 Best Animated Feature Film

 Song Of The Sea

Best Music

Original Score

*Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Music

Original Song

*Glory (Selma)

Best Visual Effects

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes

Best Writing

Original Screenplay

Boyhood

Best Writing

Adapted Screenplay

The Theory Of Everything

Best Documentary Feature

Last Days In Vietnam

Best Achievement In Cinematography

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Documentary Short Subject

*Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1

Best Achievement In Costume Design

Into The Woods

Best Achievement In Film Editing

Boyhood

Best Achievement In Makeup And Hairstyling

Foxcatcher

And there you have it. My choices for the Oscars.
 Now, how about you? Care to leave your picks?

Also, as promised, feel free to critique my Oscar outfit. Too safe? Is the Monochromatic style over? Should I have chosen something edgier? I really want your opinion, I mean one day they just might hand out an award for...

Best Female Uncredited Extra
 In A Leading Female Uncredited Extra Role

Me

I am a veteran uncredited extra of  2 movies,
 and one day it could happen, Uncredited Extra could be made a category at the Oscars, so I want to be ready!

Update
My Five Favorite Oscar Gowns
2015

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Blue Jasmine Comes Full Circle

Jasmine French...
"Anxiety, nightmares and a nervous breakdown, there's only so much traumas a person can withstand until they take to the streets and start screaming."

Cate Blanchette as Jasmine French (Blue Jasmine)

Congratulations Cate Blanchette on your much deserved Oscar win for Blue Jasmine! I knew you would be bringing that golden one home the minute I saw the movie, but in truth, I think I knew from that very first day I caught a glimpse of you arriving on the set at the dental office on the corner of Ulloa and Claremont, in San Francisco! It was destined. No doubt about it!

 

And Now For The Elephant In The Room...

If you have been reading my blog, within the last couple years or so, you already know that one of my life's highlights happened when I got to watch Woody Allen shoot the film Blue Jasmine in San Francisco, in late August of 2012. I have written many blog posts about those three days, and all the silly circumstances surrounding the adventure. I shared about the moments of serendipity that took place, such as meeting a chicken on Lexington avenue, with the filming of the film taking place just down the street.

I shared about the awesome street art I found along the way, and my own silly misadventures, like on the first day, when we turned onto Lexington, and suddenly everything went WHITE! I thought I had died! In reality, it was the fact that the sun was in just the right place in the sky to be blinding, as it bounced off the white film trucks that lined the very narrow street! LOL. Nerves, at the prospect of seeing Woody Allen, coupled with a very HOT day, and the surprise of turning onto not just any street, but indeed a street lined with film equipment, made for one nervous woman... ME! LOL.

It was an adventure. One I will never forget. But just one thing. I am actually thrilled for Ms. Blanchette. I am happy for Woody Allen. But being happy and thrilled in this case comes with an elephant in the room.

I admire the man's body of work. I have admired his creativity my whole life. As for is private life... it's none of my business... period. I think a lot has happened, people have been hurt deeply, but it has nothing to do with me. I love Mia Farrow. I love Woody Allen. I think Dylan is a lovely young woman who has had to endure a lot of pain, and I ache for her in that instance. But I wasn't there. I can't throw stones. And being a survivor of abuse, I know that each of us handles our pain differently. As differently as our individual fingerprints. 

It simply isn't mine to judge. 

But I will say this...

If Dylan really believes it to be true... indeed knows it to be true... stop hurting others... press charges against the one who hurt you, and let justice do what it must.

If Woody Allen is innocent, and Mia knows it, stop damaging your daughter and her relationships in the future, because believe me, it will haunt her for a million years. Long after your time on earth is done, Dylan will be in pain, and fighting her demons daily.

Enough said.

Blue Jasmine has come full circle. Personally, I am glad I have the memory of watching the work that went into making that cinematic magic come to life. And last night, when that lovely woman won her Oscar, I felt a little extra happy remembering the fun of that August. But now the last scene has played.

The End.



"I have no idea what I am doing, but incompetence has never stopped me from plunging in with enthusiasm."

~Woody Allen

Mood: Quiet

~Me 

Note: If you would like to read my review of Blue Jasmine see my post here... Blue Jasmine.

Lights, Camera, Action!

"We want to thank all of you for watching us congratulate ourselves tonight."

~Warren Beatty

 

Oh yes... Its Oscar time! When it comes to awards shows, I am not really a big fan, although I do tend to watch the Emmy Awards because my dear and brilliant friend Dan is a two time Emmy winning composer for television, and he tends to get nominated from time to time, and I watch the Oscars because, well, I simply put, I love movies and I appreciate what all goes into making that magic come alive. Not just the glitzy stuff, but the technical stuff as well. I was an extra in two movies, so I know what a long day on the set looks like, and feels like. I was merely a spectator last summer when Woody Allen was filming his upcoming movie, Blue Jasmine, and I got a look at what it takes to be a sound and lighting technician on a movie. A lot of hard work goes into the whole process, from the people you see,  and the people you don't see. Of the three movie sets I have been to, not one of them was run the same way. I think that was what I found most striking about the whole thing. One TV and sometimes in movies, you always hear the same general words...

QUIET ON THE SET! THIS IS A TAKE. ROLL 'UM. SPEED. ACTION!

I didn't hear that word combination on any movie set I have personally been to. Last summer, the sound and camera technicians who were standing across the street from where the filming was being done, moved us aside if they had to, and yelled to each other, "Quiet.. Roll!" To us they said, "Okay folks, it will be 5 minutes, quiet please. ROLL." The technicians working that day were polite and cordial and perfect gentlemen! I imagine it isn't always easy to put up with the public, especially when the movie was being filmed on an open set, on an actual street corner in San Francisco. The locals passersby and fan clusters alike were able to come and go as they pleased, which made it all even more impressive to me. I could go on and on about last summer, but you know, I love the magic, and I appreciate what goes into making it all come alive! So yes, I will be watching the Oscars later, and here are my predictions for the ones taking Oscar home...

(Winners In Red)
Best Picture: Argo
Best Director: Ang Lee (Life of Pi)
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis ( Lincoln)
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)
Best Supporting Actor: Robert De Niro (Silver Lingings Playbook)
Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained)
Best Supporting Actress: Sally Field (Lincoln)
Anne Hathaway (Le Miserables)
Best Animated Feature Film: Brave
Best Cinematography: Skyfall
Life Of Pi
Best Costume Design: Les Miserables
Anna Karenina
Best Documentary Feature: 5 Broken Cameras
Searching For Sugarman
Best Documentary Short Subject: Redemption

Inocente
Best Film Editing: Life of Pi
Argo
Best Foreign Language Film: A Royal Affair
Armour
Best Make-up and Hairstyling: Les Miserables
Best Original Score: Lincoln
Life Of Pi
Best Original Score: Everybody Needs A Friend (Ted)
Skyfall
Best Adapted Screenplay: Life of Pi
Argo
Best Original Screenplay: Flight
Django Unchained

Alright... we will see how close I am tonight. Now, let me share with you my outfit for the Oscars...

My Dress: Monica Lhuillier 

 My Shoes By Prada

My Purse: By Valaria

Pearl and Diamond Choker:

Pearl and Diamond Earrings:

There I am all set! LOL. Oh my, if only! But in a perfect world, that's what I would be wearing! Perhaps one day there will be a category at the Oscars for uncredited extras! LOL. Until then I will continue to do as I do each year, get comfy in my Tweedy Bird slippers, put on my best blue robe slave in the kitchen preparing myself a plate of high end hors d'oeuvres... in this case... Bagel Bites...kick back and enjoy the show! :)

~Mood: Happy

~Me :)


Okay, those are my picks as of 3:30 AM 2/24/12 I will come back and edit this post to reflect the actual winners!

One Day Your Life Will Flash Before Your Eyes...

"One day your life will flash before your eyes, make sure it's worth watching."

-Unknown

Did you watch the Golden Globes last night? Nah, me neither. Frown. I don't know, the thing I enjoy the most about those dumb awards shows is the glitz and glamour, but with the on-going WGA strike, the ceremony was transformed into a news conference, as opposed to the usual delightfully cheesy "you like me, you really like me," "I can't believe you chose me," big todo shows. Sigh.

I can't help but think of my dear old friend June, who passed away in 2005. She used to throw these silly, yet amazing, Academy Awards parties, where all who attended were expected to dress as if they were going not just the Oscar's, but one of the parties that followed. It was fun to get all dressed up in some gorgeous gown or snazzy cocktail dress and make a big entrance. The food, the guest list and the conversation was always great fun. I miss her company a lot sometimes, and I can almost hear her saying, "I wish they would just pay those people what they are worth and get on with it." LOL. Yeah, that was June.

I am also glad I didn't bother watching last night because my favorite new comedy, Pushing Daisies, lost in it's category, Favorite New Comedy, to HBO's "Extras." I haven't actually seen the show, it might be a terrific comedy, but Pushing Daisies is nothing short of pure genius. It is fresh, and new, with a good cast,including Kristin Chenoweth, formerly of the West Wing. She is great on this show, and even treats us to an occasional song, like in a recent episode when she belted out a sweet little version of the Olivia Newton-John tune, Hopelessly Devoted To You.

Pushing Daisies hasn't been airing the last couple weeks, and I really miss it. For all it's flights of fancy, it really does have a serious underlying message. Simply, don't take your life for granted, and don't take those you love for granted either. True love is a very rare thing, about as rare as love at first sight. Relationships take work and aren't always easy, even under the best of circumstances, and remember, second chances are even rarer then love at first sight, if you ever get a second chance, you have probably found a miracle. Okay, so the shows messages aren't all that simple, but they are true.

"In love, it is better to know and be disappointed than to not know and always wonder."

-Unknown

So, if you want to share, tell me. If you could bring a certain someone back into your life, for 60 seconds, would you? And do you know what you might ask them? I have a small list of folks, some friends, maybe even a past love, who I would like to ask about a couple curiosities I have, but at the same time, I might just let the door remained closed. I am happy right now, so why bring all those old feelings back, to run free through my mind. Right? God I sound well adjusted, so strong... don't I? LOL.

Oh well, I am not going to any big Academy Awards parties this year, assuming that the show will go on, no, I will probably just put on one of my comfy nighties, and pop some popcorn and watch the show on TV with Elvis. I will miss my pal June, who would be very angry at me if I ever considered bringing her back to life for 60 seconds just to ask her what she thinks about the WGA strike. LOL. I am pretty sure if I ever did that, I wouldn't have to miss her for long, I would be right there with her... Pushing Daisies! LOL. She would have loved that show!

"Dream as if you will live forever, live as if you will die today."

-James Dean

Pushing Daisies

Golden Globe List Of Winners


-OndineMonet

Oscar Time, A New Poll, And Thee...

"At least when Ronald Reagan rode off in the movies, into the sunset, he didn't take us with him."

-Walter Mondale

The Academy Awards is on tomorrow night (Sunday) do you know where your Black Tie attire is? LOL. Gosh I miss June's Oscar night parties sometimes. I guess sometimes I just still miss June. If you aren't sure who June is, she was a dear friend of mine who passed away a couple years ago. She was a snazzy lady, not perfect mind you, but she was funny, sharp as a tack, opinionated, compassionate, a pain in the butt, and the closest thing to a real mom I ever had. She was more of a mom to me then my real mother was. Sigh. Mostly she was my friend. If she were here, watching me miss her this much, she would tell me, "Oh Pook...snap out of it... go enjoy life." Ok June, I hear ya... :)

So, tell me, are you going to watch the Academy Awards this year? I think I will. I haven't seen many of the movies that were nominated, but I am thrilled to see Ellen DeGeneres on-board as host. She is so sweet, and so funny, and I think I will enjoy seeing someone with a lighter touch as host. I didn't particularly care for Jon Stewart last year, somehow he just didn't seem to have the timing down. LOL. Listen to me go on... almost like June and I are discussing the ins and outs of Oscar night, like we did for so many years. Sigh. Well, while I won't be putting on an evening gown and my best gorgeous shoes this year, I will still probably make something yummy to snack on, while I watch the show. If June were here, she would say, "It's a must."

In honor of the Academy Awards, I have placed a new Ellipsis Poll on the sidebar. Go take the poll. All of the movies listed are among my favorites, and I tried to put in a nice variety for you to choose from. You can view the results of last month's Ellipsis Poll here. Thanks everyone for the amazing response. It seems we all enjoy a good romantic song from time to time.

So tell me, what are your choices for this year's awards in the top categories?

Best Actor - Leonardo DiCaprio - "Blood Diamonds"
Best Actress - Helen Mirren - "The Queen"
Best Picture - "The Queen"
Best Song- "I Need To Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth"
Best Supporting Actor - Mark Wahlberg - "The Departed"
Best Supporting Actress - Jennifer Hudson - "Dream Girls"
Best Director - Clint Eastwood - "Letters From Iwo Jima"

-OndineMonet
"Signs"
Berkeley, California
January 30, 2007
Afternoon