The Cast of “Trust Me”

Trust Me is a new TNT show that is able to boast that it stars a lineup of acting talent that includes: the unforgettably witty and hilarious Eric McCormack (Will & Grace, The Andromeda Strain, Alien Trespass) as Mason McGuire, the ‘adorkable’ (and you’ll-wish-you-were-dating-him) Tom Cavanagh (Ed, Jack & Bobby, Scrubs) as Conner, the pretty and surprisingly funny (!) Monica Potter (Boston Legal, Patch, Head Over Heels) as the wonderfully named Sarah Krajieck-Hunter, the exquisitely radiant Sarah Clarke (Twilight, 24) as Erin McGuire, the comical Geoffrey Arend (Garden State, Undeclared, Greek) as Hector, the amusing Mike Damus (Popular, Joan of Arcadia, Brutally Normal) as Tom, and the clever Griffin Dunne (After Hours, Snow Angels, An American Werewolf in London) as Tony Mink.

Now, what good is acting in the talent department without good writing? Psh! Maybe I’m biased (since I write, if you didn’t pick up on that factoid) but this show is lucky to have Hunt Baldwin and John Coveny as writers. You might recognize these names as co-executive producers on another TNT show, The Closer. Together, these two have over 20 years of experience in the world of advertising. Which means they really know what they’re writing about. In this sense, I like to think of it as reality TV show that I’ll actually like because it’s not ‘reality TV’! (Dear Project Runway, you’re the only reality show I like, let me know if you’ll come to my sleep-over.)

So, we’ve got ‘talent, talent, talent x500′, and while this sadly does not always add up to a TV show worth watching, Trust Me has ‘watchability’ in spades. It has EXTREME WATCHABILITY. I already love this show so much it’s like an exercise in some extreme sport you’d play at The X Games (which is, incidentally, the last place you’d find me as I can’t even ski). I’ve only seen two episodes but I’m extremely excited to see more.

For those who know me closely, you’ll know that I was very nervous before I interviewed Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanagh. (Admission: I had a stress ball with me the entire time I was on the phone.) Well, these two guys made it impossible not to smile and feel at ease (like magic). I knew I had to do the call because I’d hit myself if I didn’t! (And while I am not so good at Kung-Fu, I have a low tolerance for any pain at all.) I’m so, so glad I did it. If you find yourself given a chance to talk to celebrities, these should be the first ones you talk to because they seemed down-to-earth instead of, um - up-to-Jupiter.

TNT allowed me to watch the first two episodes of Trust Me, and I’d like to talk about the pilot episode. The show is set in the world of advertising (no, this is not in anyway a replica of Mad Men) which is a world I don’t actually think of all that often.

Our three main characters are Mason, Conner, and Sarah (insert your own Terminator-inspired ‘Sarah Connor’ joke

here). Mason and Conner both have quick wit. But Mason is more serious and sarcastic, while Conner is charming and neurotic. Conner is also the true prankster of the duo. Sarah is introduced by an effective ‘cute meet’ that teases us in the direction of believing Mason and Sarah must have a past together. (So far, we don’t know anything more.) As the show progressed I decided there’s room for a genuinely fun love triangle between all three of them.

Monica Potter plays Sarah with a true sense of playfulness that I was not aware Potter could portray. (When I saw her in the 90’s chick flick Head Over Heels the comedy seemed… tame.) While other shows give you a leading lady who is simply glamorous and gorgeous, Trust Me gives us the gorgeousness in a package that contains 95% more relatability and quirkiness. (Think: more Liz Lemon on 30 Rock, less Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell). She’s still basically the main ‘cheerleader’ archetype, but she’s also entertainingly batty!

I wasn’t looking to take notes specifically on the editing or sound effects - but I did. Both were done well and with a consistent quality that let me know that the show was cared about and not thrown together all willy-nilly at the last minute.

The process of creating an ad concept, interesting tagline and commercial can be scripted and acted with a force so dull it makes me brainsick. That is not the case with this show - I felt totally immersed and interested in every step. To touch back on the script writing - the show is highly quoteable.

A fun thing the show does is have subtitles/title cards put on an overlay over the start of some scenes. These are not only informative to let you know a location, but it tells you if someone is ‘the enemy’ and what something actually means (i.e. ‘A kill or be killed situation’). Hi, wit - I like you in my TV shows!

This is the kind of TV show I hope other critics will hail as ‘deliciously entertaining’. At the end of my notes on the pilot I wrote two words: worth watching. Then I put an a carefully-placed exclamation point.

If you’re looking for a show has has the two s’s, the w, and the e - look no further. For anyone who doesn’t know, that’s: smart, sharp, witty, and entertaining. And yes, I made that up just now. Maybe I have a career in advertising ahead of me. No? Fair enough.

I really wanna know: Will you give this TV show a chance?

ShareThis

30 Rock Online Webisode Review - B

The Outburst part 2 is also ready to view! To summarize: Angela never gossips. Kevin keeps bathroom doors open at inappropriate times. Toby’s voice is sad. There’s a bounty out for info? YES. Oscar quotes Jerry Maguire? YES. Kevin never took acting classes. Who knows!?

The Office Webisode Review: A+

ShareThis

House M.D. : Last Resort (Caption it!)

Facts can (sometimes) be boring, so let’s get them out of the way!

1. This episode was directed by House M.D. executive producer, Katie Jacobs.

2. This episode is the longest of all House episodes to air, clocking in at 68 minutes.

3. The main guest star was Zeljko Ivanek.

4. Why was House looking in Cuddy’s desk? It’s an UNSOLVED MYSTERY, sorry. It was never explained so it’s up to you to decide if he was stealing something, just snooping, or hiding an invitation to a disco-themed Christmas party he wants to invite her to.

5. Many people don’t like this episode, or this season for two reasons. One reason is because they dislike the ‘new team’ (especially the focus on the character Thirteen aka Olivia Wilde) and the other is that they dislike ‘Huddy’ aka House and Cuddy flirting and kissing and robbing banks. Actually, people would be swayed to like them more if they did rob a bank together, I bet.

Adding up the Pros and Cons of Last Resort:

1. I did like the episode but I don’t like the new team, and I’m not a big fan of House/Cuddy, either. (CON)

2. House referenced the movie Dog Day Afternoon, which I’ve never seen. Should I? I always like pop-culture references. (PRO)

3. I really liked the phrasing House had when he said, ‘…cool constellation of problems’. (PRO)

4. It was easy to tell early on that House didn’t have his Vicodin on him, or had apparently run out of it. But he never once made any demands that to work he needed some. Was he working through the pain, forgetting the pain at some points, or being selfless/nervous? You could see at the end of the episode he popped some Vicodin. What do you think? It was an interesting storypoint, even though they never mentioned it aloud. Which, in turn, means they’re treating us like smart viewers! (PRO)

5. There was a commercial with Jane Seymour (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman!) because she’s apparently designed some jewelry for a cause. I’m sure the cause is worthy and all, but the jewelry is UGLY.If you’re a celeb - man, hire someone who knows what they’re doing to help you design things! I will also not be buying the house that Justin Timberlake designed! Having a ‘goldfish room’ just isn’t practical. (Unless you’re Chris from The BBC’s Skins.) (Not applicable, just bugged me.)

6. They made everyone very identifiable in scenes with lots of people. I was giving them nicknames like ‘purple beret girl‘ and ‘emo boy with scarf‘. But then the girl took off her beret and it ruined my entire system. Foiled again. Still, there was: nurse, couple, big guy - you could still tell who the people were pretty easily. And they did find ways to develop their personalities into the overall story arc - which of course, is crucial if you want people to care about them. (PRO)

7. My heart LEAPT FOR JOY when, for an INSTANT, the old and new team was all together (mostly). Sigh. Chase and Foreman didn’t want to play, though. (CON)

8. I could believe that the characters would really do exactly what they did. Realism, check! (PRO)

9. House was super-snarky. Just how I like him. I also like him in arglye socks so I hope they write that in later on this season.(PRO)

Bonus: My diagnosis for the guy? Easy, psh - chicken pox.

Cons: 2

Pros: 6

—-

Misc:

I finally saw Across the Universe (the two-disc Special Edition) and loooove, love, love it. The problem being that I’ve totally overplayed it and am currently sick of it. Thanks to IMDB I am able to see who played Jude and Prudence - my favorites of the film. If you are too lazy to go see, it’s Jim Sturgess and T.V. Carpio.

I really loved the movie version of Dear Prudence, as can be seen on YouTube (wait until the singing starts to judge it!):

My second favorite song/scene is probably I’ve Just Seen a Face:

Okay, and this one was great, too! (I Want You / She’s So Heavy)

Chance are good I’m going to be buying the Across The Universe soundtrack [Deluxe Edition] since the songs are so fun and great and ahhh. It makes me have a whole new appreciation for The Beatles and so I want to go listen to their original stuff. Although, people mock me because I totally believe in the conspiracy about how Paul McCartney isn’t the original Paul McCartney. Imposter, ahoy!

Yes, I believe in the ‘Paul is Dead’ thing! Okay, I know you think this is nuts. BUT, if you look at other websites that compare the faces and the height of the original Paul to the other (against the other guys) it starts to look really fishy! I’m a skeptic, I swear.

ShareThis

Leverage pilot picture : The Nigerian Job

If you like a good A-team, you’ll enjoy this show. I ended up watching the pilot twice. This show is an action/thriller in a similar vein to Alias or 24. Their motto could be ‘yay for deception!’ Only they don’t wear wigs - uh, yet.

Timothy Hutton plays Nathan Ford - our Robin Hood ringleader. He has a major thing for Sophie Devereaux as played by Gina Bellman. She’s an actress with the ability to think on her feet - even when they’re pinched by expensive shoes. These two characters have a past together, although admittedly (though I like romance) I am the least interested in them and their intertwined story. I mostly enjoyed the three other main characters: Parker, Spencer and Hardison (in no specific order).

“That’s 20 lbs of crazy in a 5 lb bag,” is how Christian Kane’s character, Eliot Spencer, describes Beth Riesgraf’s character, Parker. He isn’t lying, either - she is crazy. Crazy in the best way possible. Parker is a thief who became one when her father got mad at her and angrily told her to, “be a good girl, or…a better thief.” She decided on the latter. When I saw what she did in retaliation, at first I thought it was overkill. But as we got to know the character I decided that she truly is that crazy. She’s very possibly the most dangerous person on the show due to her unpredictable nature.

Leverage pilot picture : The Nigerian Job

Eliot Spencer is what I’d call a humble badass. He’s an expert in all things violent, so you should probably not piss him off unless you fancy having your limbs broken.

On the other end of the spectrum, Alec Hardison (Aldis Hodge) doesn’t try to be humble, nor should he. He’s the tech guy, and he also brings in a lot of the funny.

Quotes I liked:

“How many plans do we have? Is there like, a plan M?” - Alec Hardison
“Yea, Hardison dies in plan M.” - Nathan Ford
“I like plan M.” - Eliot Spencer

“…that makes me cry inside in my special angry place.” - Parker

“You seem pretty relaxed for a guy with a gun pointed on him.” - Alec Hardison
“Safety’s on.”- Eliot Spencer
“Like I’m gonna fall for that.” - Alec Hardison
“No, actually he is right, the safety is on.” - Nathan Ford

Leverage pilot picture : The Nigerian Job

The series premiere is on Sunday, December 7th at 10/9 c. It will be airing commercial free. The regular time will be on Tuesdays at 10/9 c. - this will start December 9th, so you’ll only have to wait a couple days for your next Leverage fix.

ANNOUNCEMENT!

I will now be contributing to the blog run by Taylor, TEN Gossip, a couple times a week - how exciting is that? (Um, VERY!) Did you hear about my fake!boyfriend cheating on me with Emily Blunt?

ShareThis

Yvonne Strahovski is Sarah Walker and Zachary Levi is Chuck Bartowski on CHUCK

I randomly picked the NBC network to feature (mostly cause I was watching their Thursday night lineup when I decided to do this, so oops - the secret’s out) for this review. Let’s take a look at EVERYTHING they have to offer us TV viewers. In the big buffet of entertainment there’s no need to waste time watching the less than stellar and missing out on gold.

NBC Shows on Saturday

You’ve got Knight Rider at 8 p.m. which I would never-ever watch, and I’d recommend the same to you if you value your braincells. Later on Saturday Night Live (SNL) is on at 11:30. It always has potential to be great. For moi, deciding whether or not to tune into SNL depends greatly on the guest host and musical act. Also, I just have to say:  I miss Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey. Sigh.

NBC Shows on Sunday

I don’t really watch any TV on Sunday.  But if you like sports or news, you’ll be happy to tune into NBC on Sundays. Otherwise, you can do something away from the TV…or, WHO am I kidding, watch one of your Netflixed movies!

NBC Shows on Monday

Okay, this is a GREAT night for TV. At 8 p.m. there’s Chuck, and at 9 p.m. there’s Heroes. Those are two amazing shows and should be watched with surround sound. At 10 p.m. there’s the Christian Slater show My Own Worst Enemy. I don’t watch this because I’m not a huge fan of action/action/action/boom! shows. If it was a movie, I’d probably give it a shot. But since it’s a TV series, I’m just not willing to get invested in it. (I hope Christian Slater will still invite me to his pool parties.)

NBC Shows on Tuesday

There’s a whole bevvy of shows I don’t watch here, like: The Biggest Loser, Law and Order: SVU

Joshua Gomez is Morgan Grimes and Julia Ling is Anna on CHUCK

NBC Shows on Wendesday

Life comes on at 8 p.m. I hear good things about it, and it’s supposed to be really all sorts of amazing. But I don’t feel like I have time to watch it…so I don’t. :X There’s also Law & Order at 9 p.m. (I’d rather watch the SVU edition than this one.)

NBC Shows on Thursday

This is the night NBC has been trying to reclaim ever since Friends and Will & Grace left the air. They’re actually (finally) doing pretty well. Starting at 8 p.m. you’ve got My Name is Earl, Kath & Kim, The Office, 30 Rock, and finally ER. I don’t watch the first or last shows I’ve listed, but the three comedies in the middle are sometimes the best part of my entire friggin’ week.

>> Kath & Kim quick review: I never saw the original Aussie series, which may be why I like this one and don’t feel like it can’t measure up to the other. It’s a great screwball comedy, and it’s full of really BRIGHT colors and nonsense served up just the way i like it. Kath and Kim are both always smiling (I bet they go to San Diego invisalign) and in turn, it makes me smile. It’s not yet an unmissable show for me, but it might become one later on. Kath and Kim are not my new BFF’s right now, but I WILL answer their calls and meet for sushi.

NBC Shows on Friday

Deal or No Deal - oh man, how is this still on air!? At 9 p.m. there’s Crusoe which I have zero interest in and haven’t even ever accidentally watched. Ten p.m. brings you Lipstick Jungle, which is yet another show I don’t watch. This is the kind of night I’d call ugly.

Aaaand, that’s your week with NBC TV!

ShareThis

The Starter Wife / USAnetwork.com

The official website says of the next episode: “Molly’s life lands in turmoil when she is exposed as THE Hollywood tattletale. Needing an escape Molly retreats to Destinies Rehab Center with Joan and Rodney. Catch the premiere of “The Remains of the Snow Day” this Friday at 10/9C only on USA Network.

What do you get while watching? From the character of Molly, you get insight on life from the perspective of an ex-wife, a single parent, a woman who feels (and has undeservedly been) ousted from the cool table at the lunch room. She’s not a victim and it’s because she doesn’t let herself be one. A good bit of the show revolves around politics in different niches. Politics - with Prada bags and better hair.

Lauren Merkin Handbag Inspired by Molly Kagan

Make sure to read about the exclusive Lauren Merkin Handbag.

You can catch up and watch The Forty-Year Old Virgin Queen and The Diary Of A Mad Ex-Housewife on Hulu.com

The Starter Wife / USAnetwork.com

Memorable Quotes:

“Oh God, I hate how much I love these boots.” - Molly

“Isn’t there a way to stay sober without becoming a good person?” - Joan

“I try to avoid humiliation…with…limited success.” - Molly

“So I’m doing it again. Crushing on a hetero guy. Mocking the very core of who I am.” - Rodney

“I can do ANYTHING with a swizzle stick.” - Joan

“Earning a living isn’t my backup plan. It’s my PLAN.” - Molly

REMEMBER to enter our fabulous contest for The Starter Wife!

Pictures for the next episode:

ShareThis

Naturally I’m kidding. After all, if you saw even a second of the recent Emmy Awards then you know that 30 Rock won several Emmy’s, and they don’t just give those away willy nilly. The show was nominated for a total of 17 primetime Emmy Awards. If you want to know what they won, check out this post.

People have been aware of the sheer awesomeness of this show for a while though, and guest stars have lined up to participate. This LONG list of guest stars in the second season includes: Carrie Fisher, Will Armisen, Matthew Broderick, Andy Richter, Jason Sudekis, Elaine Stritch, Rip Torn, Edie Falco, Tim Conway, Will Arnett, David Schwimmer, Al Gore, and Steve Buscemi.

Who stars in the show? Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski, Tracy Morgan, Scott Adsit, Jack McBrayer, and Judah Friedlander. Hm. God, who are these people? They have funny names. How do you even pronounce half of those? Ridiculous. People in show biznass (read: business) should all make their names easy to pronounce and spell, like Joe Smith and Nancy Kerrigan. (What ever happened to her?)

Do you recognize her? Does she work at Costco?

Listen, listen, listen. Listen to me! (No, I’m not an only child - why do you ask?) This show is hilarious. 30 Rock makes me laugh even when I watch the same episode three times in a row because my DVD player is defective. Sitcoms are wonderful to own on DVD because they are much easier to watch repeatedly and enjoy, which isn’t always the case if you purchase dramas.

On the technical side, well - the DVDs did not explode, which is always a good sign. More seriously… everything loads quickly, which I always appreciate. There’s no wackadoodle waiting around to be had.

Let’s talk bonus features. There are none! Oh, I make so many jokes. Hahahah. Shut it! There’s tons, you fools. TONS. We’ve got deleted scenes of hilarity, a taped table read of the Cooter episode (totally enjoyable), a feature of Tina Fey when she hosted SNL, “An Evening with the cast of 30 Rock” from The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the cast of 30 Rock performing the episode “Secrets and Lies” at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (UCB) in NYC, and of course audio commentaries.

The commentaries include: Tina Fey with husband and 30 Rock producer Jeff Richmond, Jack McBrayer and Jane Krakowski (who are so adorable together, like siblings), Judah Friedlander (he makes his own hats!), Will Arnett (who made me LOL when he wasn’t doing awkward pauses on purpose), Fred Armisen (who mock-seriously does the entire thing in bitter sarcasm as he explains things to you like how evil Jack McBrayer is, and how the money deal is the most important thing for him so he turns down offers for six months and then agrees to shoot for half a day) and more. I love it.

“A promise is what show business is all about. You must always promise. Promise, promise, promise. And then if you don’t deliver on it, at least you promised something.” - Fred Armisen commentary

Tina Fey is Liz Lemon on 30 rock

30 Rock season 2 quotes:

“Practice, meetings? What is this - a marriage?!” - Tracey Jordan

“I’m not against fun! I went up on my roof the other day!” - Liz Lemon

“We have a chance to make this country great again. We need hope. We need change. We need experience. We need…PENS.” - Jack Donaghy

“Hey, nerds! Who’s got two thumbs, speaks limited French, and hasn’t cried once today? [pointing both thumbs at herself] This moi.” - Liz Lemon

“I’m whipped! Angie got me up at 7:30 today. Did you know that in the morning, they have food, TV, almost everything. It’s pretty good.” - Tracey Jordan

“Hope you’re ready to party like it’s 1999. Which, according to my bible, will be in seven years.” - Kenneth Parcell

“Did he just talk to me like I’m ugly?” - Cerie

“Never go with a hippie to a second location.” - Jack Donaghy
“I need to do that that rich people do where they turn money into more money. Can you teach me how to do that?” - Liz Lemon
“With my eyes closed.” - Jack Donaghy

“Are bare feet ‘in’ now, or do you just have your shoes off?” - Jena Maroney

A couple more quotes at IMDB.com

Buy 30 Rock - Season 1 DVD

Buy 30 Rock - Season 2 DVD

For more, Sirlinksalot.net : 30 Rock

ShareThis

You may have already heard the song Devour fromThe Sound of Madness album. This is because the Devour single was released in May of ‘08 and has been used as the theme song for the WWE pay-per-view Night of Champions 2008. Now, I’m not even remotely interested in wrestling (I openly mock it) but I still like the song. It’s the kind of anthem I suggest playing when you want to feel forcibly powerful (or need a reminder to stand strong).

The third song on the album is the introspectively-tinged song Second Chance. Open and honest lyrically, it still has an unapologetic tone and a fierce attitude. The seventh song is Sin with a Grin and it has the mighty type of fast sound you want for a song to play while you drive down a long stretch of road with the windows down. Two other songs that stand out to me are Call Me and The Sound of Madness. While you listen to the songs below, check out some Shinedown photos and assorted pictures.

Now is the time to check out where the Shinedown concerts are taking place. They’ll be in the States until early October (10/2), when they will be making rounds in Europe.

The official music video for Devour:

Hear the song Second Chance:

The 45 music video, the song that had me first interested in the band:

The Sound Of Madness / The Sound Of Madness Limited Fan Club Edition

ShareThis

Jessica Stroup as Silver on 90210

The American Idol 2008 tour is being presented by Pop-Tarts? HA! That’s just bad business planning. Hello, ‘pop tarts’?! They’re not just tasty snacks. And yea…you could totally take that phrase wrong and to a dirty place. (Actually, I hate Pop-Tarts, they taste like sugared cardboard.) For anyone who is a fan you can visit the website: American Idols Live Tour 2008

I am hoping that I’m just starved for new TV and that’s combined with really low expectations…because I put on the new 90210 for background noise and I haven’t been compelled to change the channel. This is NOT a seal of approval, or saying that I think it’s a wonderful show. There’s pretty clearly no substance, but as a fruit filling it’s cute the way The O.C. could be. 90210 is reclaiming California from The O.C.’s reign, but no one will ever be cuter than Adam Brody as Seth! NO ONE!

Here are some assorted notes: The actress portraying Naomi looks

Dustin Milligan as Ethan on 90210

like Rachel McAdams. (IMDB.com doesn’t have their 90210 page very full, she isn’t listed. / Edit: Okay, I googled around. Her name is AnnaLynne McCord. It’s pretty weird that there is no space between ‘Anna’ and ‘Lynne’.) Spring Awakening is their musical? Very cool. The character of Silver (Jessica Stroup) is interesting, with an actual personality. I like her spunk. Pig pranks? Oh-so cliche. I thought this show was going to be more edgy than the 90’s version? It’s nice to see Jessica Walter (Arrested Development) on TV.

Check out the stellar scriptwriting:

“Are you breaking up with me?”

“I’m breaking up with us.”

OH, WOE.

I need to catch up on One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl. Then I will feel like I’m back in high school. Except for the part where high school is hardly like the reality these shows depict. I mean, sure, we all had Chanel purses, but teachers were never that strict.

UPDATE: Wow. Was I drugged before? The new 90210 is AWFUL. Oh man, so bad.

ShareThis

I sought this Lifetime DVD out because it stars one of my favorite actresses, Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars, Heroes). Bell acts in this wonderfully, as does Anne Heche (Men in Trees). But that is the last you’ll hear about them in this review. I could gush at how cute Kristen is (believe me, I could!) but I’m going to focus and simply share with you why I loved this story.

It is based on a true story of a teenage girl who lives with several step-siblings and takes care of them in lieu of a mom. They actually do have a mom, however she’s not winning any mom-of-the-year awards (I don’t think Michael Scott of The Office would even give her a Dundie award). She’s selfish, drug-addicted, and needless to say, rather unreliable when it comes to anything, ever. This forces the children (including Gracie) to fend for themselves and endure horrible living conditions that don’t contain any actual home, let alone a daily supply of food (it’s enough to make me grateful for the times I’ve had to eat cardboard masquerading as Ramen). And that’s only the beginning of the list.

Gracie’s Choice allowed me to step into Gracie’s troubled and worn shoes (as though I were reading a small, sacred diary found under a mattress) and see life from her particular vantage point. It’s not hard to connect with Gracie’s character because she experiences trials that many of us have felt an angle of (for instance: loneliness). Once I connected, I was swept into the story as though it were unfolding in real time before my eyes. I was a witness.

Too often we forget how other people live, because we don’t want to deal with it, or we never see it around us. We believe that our problems are the greatest. It’s just…how we are. Maybe instinct? Maybe because we’re caught up (often justifiably) in our own worlds and lives. (Believe me, when you start to worry about everything wrong with the world you end up curled in the fetal position, listening to Sarah McLachalan CDs for days. The best cure for this is to have a best friend who will bring you Arrested Development DVDs, force-feed you Sesame Chicken, and remind you that there are still good things in this world, and also - no one expects you to fix everything that is wrong in it. …Unless you have really judgmental parents. Then maybe you need to date someone with a motorcycle and quit Med school to become a mime.)

While watching (as well as after the fact) I felt a sense of ‘if Gracie can manage so much, surely I must at least be able to (insert a painfully small task that needs doing in my life)’ in the sort of way that sounds magnificently hokey (I know) but really makes me feel empowered (*Wonder Woman stance /Buffy pose*) to do things in my life that I have been too lazy or fearful of attempting.

I’m going to use the ‘I’ word now. Inspiration. We (as a society) pull that word out a lot. But is that a bad thing? Does it possibly mean that there are simply plenty of reasons for us to cite someone as an inspiration? I think that’s actually a good thing.

The downside here is that the word ‘inspriation’ loses meaning with more use. But it never makes one inspiration any less than it is. In my instance, she may not have inspired me (right now) to do something as large as what she did (I’m still working on cooking pancakes that don’t burn). Nonetheless her story affected my life. And I’m just one person. Who knows what her story may inspire you to do

The other biggest pull this story has is the way it talks about family. This is a touchy subject for me. Which, actually made it all the more relevant for me to view and reflect upon. As you might expect, this story does end happily - and I found myself in the sort of teary-eyed, smiley, sort of way that you appreciate more than you may want to admit.

Buy Gracie’s Choice - under $5.00

ShareThis