Unexpected pairings

I have been wanting to write about the serialized fiction written collaboratively by Jeanette Winterson, A.M. Homes and some others, which was published over the summer in the UK Guardian, but I simply haven't read it yet. I cannot bear to sit at the computer and read the entire thing, and I haven't yet found an easy way to print it in one big batch, so I can't yet comment even though I sure am curious what those gals came up with. Winterson and Homes, the fantasy romantic and the pragmatic virtuoso. Hmm. Like two tops with no aesthetic compatibility. I just don't see how it's going to work. I'll let you know when I get around to reading it after I read all my students' work...

While searching for suitable moody portraits of Homes and Winterson to steal off the Internet, I came across this photo from The New York Times of Amy Homes and Ethan Hawke. They apparently were speaking at a panel on Jack Kerouac. I'm not sure what to say about that, so I'll go with first-thought-best-thought: Hawke clearly did not see the need to wash his hair.

Much Ado About Nothing (well, not nothing...)

This week's National Enquirer contains some stellar reporting on one of the most compelling stories of our time: Jen v. Angelina. It turns out that Ms. Jolie in a recent New York Times interview (which I read, but at the time, I confess, didn't comprehend the full significance of), contradicted her previous claims that she and Brad had not adulterously carried on while filming that disturbingly violent film in which Brad Pitt slams Angelina around quite a bit. As we all know, Brad and Angelina doth protested too much that Brad did not cheat on Jen with Angelina. Of course, no one really believed that. And now we have Angelina telling the Times how wonderful it is that her children get to watch a movie in which their parents fall in love. And, bingo, confirmation: Homewrecker. Angelina apparently recognized her error after the story's publication and flew into damage control. The Enquirer says she contact Jennifer to apologize, which means she was under some delusion that the apology would be accepted. But, no. "Rather than unleashing her fury... [Aniston] took the high road," the Enquirer reports, saying that Jen told Angelina, "You just go on ahead and keep living your happy life." Brad reportedly is all atwitter over this because Jen is starting to spill the beans about his flaws, including what a vain dumbass pothead he is. I do believe this is the Shakespearean tragedy (or is it comedy?) of our time.

Woman of 30 Rock Rocks Women of 40

Okay, the headline is not quite a palindrome, but clever nonetheless. Today's post is inspired by Jennifer Aniston's appearance last night on 30 Rock. But before we discuss Jen's performance, we need to acknowledge Tina Fey's subversive and feminist choice to put a not coincidentally high volume of 40ish and over women on her Emmy-winning program. Consider the evidence of recent guest stars: Carrie Fisher, Oprah Winfrey, Edie Falco, Megan Mullally, and Elaine Stritch. Just one more reason (in addition to her single-handed derailment of Sarah Palin's attempt to be taken seriously) to love Tina Fey. But now for the verdict on Ms. Aniston's return to her safe haven of the well-written TV sitcom. Whatever you want to say about her choice in big dumb guys or her choice in big dumb movie roles, the woman is indisputably funny.

I always loved Amy Carter

The prospect of the lovely Obama children in the White House has me thinking about Amy Carter. I always loved Amy Carter. She was an independent thinker, very gender-bender in her own way, unapologetically political, and perhaps the first modern feminist to inhabit the White House. Think about it: Did any females wear pants in the White House before Amy Carter did? And look at the size of that book bag! Of course, we took a big step back with the Bush anti-intellectual hellraisers, all blank stares and cold smiles.

Amy Carter was an authentic representative of her era. She was eager to protest injustice, and in fact she was willing to risk arrest while demonstrating against apartheid and military recruiting on college campuses. (Granted, this was post-White House, but she could have easily been at the country club instead.) In contrast, the Bush girls were willing to risk arrest while ordering margaritas underage in a Texas bar.

The Clintons very thoughtfully kept Chelsea out of the spotlight during her White House years. But as we can see in the photo of poor little Amy walking the gauntlet of press with her bookbag on her way to public school (yes, she went to public school), she did not enjoy the same protection. Jimmy Carter, during a debate with Ronald Reagan, even mentioned Amy's thoughts on nuclear arms control, which opened the door to the 13-year-old being held responsible for defense policy. Which come to think of it, might have brought more wisdom to the subject than did Rumsfeld, many years later.

Hooray!

Highlights from the day:

1. Someone set off fireworks in our neighborhood last night shortly after CNN announced Obama's victory. I could see the sparkles through the trees in the dark, and it felt like seeing a hopeful future.

2. Our friend from New York City's Harlem neighborhood sent this description at 11pm:
"I can hear the celebrating outside now. People are yelling from their
windows: "We did it"!! "Obama, Obama, Obama!!" Joy, joy, joy!!! This is amazing!!"

3. Thank you, President Obama, for your shout-out to the queers in your victory speech. Yes, we can!!

4. Despite all the joy, the California vote to overturn gay marriage is depressing.

Brooke Smith is too convincing as lesbian

Brooke Smith, who we love on Grey's Anatomy (not that we actually watch Grey's Anatomy, but, still...), has been fired from the show. Apparently, the network executives said they were uncomfortable with how lesbian-ish the lesbian relationship with Torres was becoming. They like lesbians as long as they're actually straight, I guess. Well, Brooke Smith is better than that insipid show. Plenty more Woody Allen roles for you, Brooke! Especially now that Woody knows you can play gay. He likes that.