FRIDAY FROTH...

An Education is a little sleeper of a movie that is up for three Academy Awards including best picture. This movie may not have gotten a nomination for best picture from the Academy if there had only been five nominees this year instead of ten; I however, have it solidly in my top five. This coming-of-age story is set in 1960's London and stars Carey Mulligan (nominated for best actress) as Jenny. Jenny is every parent's dream child--straight A's and headed for Oxford, virginal, and plays the cello--until she meets older and oh-so-sophisticated David. Peter Sarsgaard as David is an interesting combination of smarmy and suave that keeps the viewer guessing as to his intentions. He gives Jenny the "romantic" version of life that she has daydreamed of and she starts wondering what Oxford has to offer her. The "educations" in An Education were what I found most interesting: Jenny doubts the one that she's worked hard for; in a role reversal, Jenny seems wiser than her parents and she gives them more of an education than they give her; and, she elucidates Danny, David's best friend, educating him on Danny's character flaws and the impact their schemes have on innocent people. This movie is well written (it's nominated for best adapted screenplay) and well acted, so don't play hooky!

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Valentines Day is this Sunday, have you gotten your sweetheart a little something yet? I've done an informal survey to help you out.

Girls still love to get flowers for V-day. But don't get them long-stemmed red roses! They'd prefer you pick out something more unique and representative of them. Butter cups or daises for the sweet and innocent ones, orchids for the exotic girls, garden roses for the traditional types, and a bouquet of different flowers for the girl who always keeps you guessing.

The second most-wanted gift was spa services. Get them a mani/pedi, facial, or massage, and they love it when you go with them, so treat yourself too.

Number three on the list is dinner out, or better yet home cooked by you--this should include clean-up and something gooey chocolate for dessert.

Lingerie came in fourth with the stipulation that is should be pretty/sexy and NOT trashy/sexy. Yes, there is a difference. If the saleswomen has two inch fingernails or five inch heels you are in trouble; if she looks slightly embarrassed for you then know you are in good hands.

And number five is no surprise--jewelry. About half of the women stipulated only if it's an engagement ring. The other half stipulated only if it's NOT an engagement ring.

And now for the guys. Funny, they all got this "look" on their face like someone had just offered them the most luscious piece of chocolate ever. And then, almost immediately, the look of rapture turned to this real embarrassed look and they started to stutter. It took me at least two seconds, but I finally figured it out, and I'll bet you have too. When I asked for their second, third, fourth, and fifth choices I just got blank stares!

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Dear Mr. Gibbs,

Tsk, tsk, tsk. As my almost sixteen year-old daughter would say: Really!

What were you thinking? Presiding over a press briefing with notes on your hand to deride Sarah Palin was a new low. The right was outraged, the left was embarrassed, and those of us in the middle are wondering why you are so concerned about Sarah Palin?

Let me lay it out for you:

A--you are the president's press secretary; you are supposed to be informative and dignified not funny, B--you AREN'T funny, and C--when you bring Sarah Palin up at a press briefing when Sarah Palin hasn't done anything of any national importance then (surprise), you make us think about Sarah Palin and not about what the White House is trying to do to get this country back on track.

Two words for you Mr. Gibbs: Tony Snow.