My Favorite Things, or, Beyond the Pale

The category is cosmetics.
Practically the only thing Governor Avon Lady, I mean, Governor Palin and I have in common is our mutual love of cosmetics (albeit she wears it so much better). Herewith, a few of my favorite products:
Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation in Porcelain. This goes on like silk, but is absolutely so sheer that I must use...
L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Powder in Porcelain. This really covers, and is available in every major drugstore. If the powers that be ever discontinue this product, I'm sunk.
Trish McEvoy Powder Blush in Natural. I've been using this for years, and it's the closest match to my color (pepto-bismol pink).
Nars Eyeliner Pencil in London. Bizarrely enough, I only found out just this minute from looking on the web that "London" is a color. Up till now I was under the impression it was a place name.
Laura Mercier Lip Colour in Fresh Brown,with Burt's Bees Super Shiny Lip Gloss in Zesty Red. This is an absolutely fantastic color combination. Unfortunately it only lasts till I have something to eat (usually about 5 minutes after applying).

Tried to make me go to rehab

Love it or hate it, Rachel Getting Married (2008), is a fairly accurate depiction of the awful toll addiction takes on family and friends. The drama never seems to stop, here, although I have to say I always enjoy wedding movies, including this one, which comes complete with an a cappella version of Unknown Legend, and assorted other fine tunes. Look for Debra Winger in an extended cameo as a disengaged mom, and Anne Hathaway (who is not Rachel, BTW), taking yet another trajectory in what is turning out to be a more interesting career than one would have guessed based on Princess Diaries.

"What didn't you like?"

"The peace? Or the prosperity?"
The above quote, regarding the Clinton presidency, is taken from the documentary, The Return of the War Room, D.A. Pennebaker's sequel to The War Room, an up close and personal look at Clinton's '92 campaign staffers.
Tonight, we have the top two contenders for the current top spot duking it out on home turf.

Maddening Men

This week's episode of Mad Men (season 2, episode 11) was both bizarre and surreal, with a killer cliffhanger ending. If you're into the show (and if you're not, you should be) check out What's Alan Watching? and Thus Spake Drake, for cogent comments and poignant posts from the likes of moi.

THE segue of the week

After a discussion of Sarah Palin on today's show on NPR, Steve Post went right into a recording of The Stylistics "Betcha By Golly, Wow."

"I Never Cared, But Now I'm Scared"*

How 'bout that debate the other night? Yeah, you betcha, fer sure! With billion-dollar bailouts, bank foreclosures, record job losses, trillions spent on the war in Iraq, and Bin Laden still at large, tell me again how we're winning the war against the terrorists?
On the plus side, O.J. Simpson was found guilty today of I don't know what - kidnapping a stolen football, perhaps? - 13 years to the day that he was acquitted for the murder of his ex-wife.
The long arm of justice, indeed.

*with apologies to Harold Arlen