The Girl In The Basement

 

“Mary Skinner, the actress that played the girl being held captive in the basement, was very good, she's beautiful, but she has a natural look that sets her apart. I tried to find more of her work, but this is just about the only thing she's done, which is a shame, I hope she comes back to acting at some point.”

Saturday was movie night at the Swingin’ Beach Pad and the film de jour was The Girl in the Basement starring the renowned actress, Mary Skinner!!! In fact, Mary joined us and gave us a running commentary of the film from the lead actress point of view.

Made in 1996, the film is more of a thriller than a horror film, but still kept my attention. With a running time of about 2 hours, we swept through about 3 with commentary and witticisms and munching on pizza. We laughed until we cried, mostly from Mary making fun of herself, and shared some much needed time together. We even watched the extras and got to see Leon, her pug sitting on her lap while she was getting her bruises applied. It was marvelous.

With all this talk of films and film making, I want to make one. I used to work on films, but nothing big and that was more than a decade ago. For now I will just be the voyeur and enjoy the fruits of other people’s labor.

What about your brushes with fame, I know you have some. Care to cast a spotlight on your tales of the rich and famous???

A More Perfect Yellow

No this is not another piece about lemons, but it is so apropos that it comes the day after my lemon sermon.

A couple years ago I was introduced to the 48-Hour Film Project. This is an independent festival of sorts that is open to inspired film makers, their friends and anyone else they can corral into going completely insane for 48 hours. The festival is open all over the country and contestants are eligible to win in their area and move up to nationals.

Premise: On Friday night at say around 7pm your team gets a character name and line of employment, a line of dialogue and a genre picked out for you. Then you are on your own to write, shoot, edit and score your short film to be turned in no later than 7pm on Sunday evening. The project managers put all the films together to run at a special showing (usually the following weekend, so you have had time to rest) and the panel and viewers judge and pick their favorites.

Sounds like fun huh?? My first introduction was a spirited guy I worked with who had one line in his friend’s film. Unfortunately they had problems burning it to DVD and didn’t make their deadline. The director has made a few other pieces – The Apple Tree is one of my favorites.

But on to A More Perfect Yellow. I loved this piece, not only because it is very funny, but also because it is so well done. I can dig the angst stuff that most independents put out there, but they just seem a bit too self-indulging sometimes and heavy. This one is neither. Viva La VHS is a great group of professionals and they have some wonderful help, Guy being the location scout is just one. (The apartment at the beginning with cool furniture and view is his and the set for Santiago’s interview is the Postcard Inn, a fab hotel in St. Pete.) They have gone to nationals with this and hopefully they can even go further.

Take a Look

Artsy Thursday

I hosted an artists’ party at my house a while back, inviting all my creative friends to showcase their paintings and sculptures, perform their most interesting performance pieces and play the songs that sing in their hearts. I took the opportunity to read some of my poetry (getting the response that those who really followed what I was saying wanted to jump in front of a truck – it was pretty down stuff.) One of my friends wasn’t sure if she would be comfortable in this crowd since she didn’t see herself as an artist. But she was a great cook. I told her to make the hors d’eouvres. She was a hit being the only artist whose pieces were edible.

As I see it, there is a connection between art and food and Thursdays are devoted to art in the visual, written and sometimes majorly messed up fashion. So I christen thee – Artsy Thursday. Observance – the word Thursday is a bit drab and not really very artistic, though I guess it could be argued that it holds a minimalistic quality that could be defined as merely pretentious.

So let’s drop the pretention and let me share with you one of my favorite films so far, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. I had never heard of it, or seen a trailer, but by happenstance, Paul found it playing in the area and shared with me the synopsis. Though the story sounded nice, and the plethora of great looking actors from Heath Ledger to Johnny Depp and Jude Law filled the screen, I was still unphased. Then he said: Directed by Terry Gilliam. The angels sang and I was hooked.

It was the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon and a great way to escape a stressful week. I don’t want to give anything away, but this was Heath Ledger’s last movie and he died before it was even half way filmed. This left the director in a predicament missing his friend and star, as well as seeing before him another lost film. But as he says, when you have a magic mirror you can do anything and he did, using his brilliant imagination to transcend death and use the talents of Depp, Law and Colin Farrell as substitutes for Ledger in a seamless telling of his fantastical tale. I didn’t even know about all that until after I saw the movie.

Paul is a big movie watcher and loves spending at least one weekend day, relaxing in the dark with strangers surrounding him. I am more of a home moviegoer, but have come to appreciate stories on the big screen, no matter how small. This has allowed me to see films I may never have seen, and actually enjoyed them like Up In The Air, with George Clooney (who I really won’t talk about since I just don’t care for him – too slick) and Blind Side with Sandra Bullock (another not so much a favorite in the Hollywood crew.) But I really enjoyed both. But nothing stimulated me as Doctor Parnassus and his magic mirror. I can’t wait for it to come out on DVD so we can watch it on Guy’s projector in his new Swingin’ Beach Pad and enjoy cocktails at the same time (it’s definitely a film for those who like to alter their reality, but not just for them.)

Share with me a recent discovery you have made. I would love to know what pulls you from the mundane through the magic mirror to paradise.

Loren Cass - WTF

Really, I wasn’t sure to expect when I went to the St. Pete premiere of Loren Cass, a film based in St. Pete in 1997 and shot entirely here. It spoke of being about the influences of the race riots in south St. Pete in 1996, but was more of an art film and inspired the same discussions most art films bring out.

Guy and I agreed on some things and bluntly disagreed on others. He found it to be the kind of film he wanted to make back in his art school days. I found it to lack a storyline and to be very discombobulated. Both are true. The cinematography is great, it was shot so well with a feeling that you are there and the gritty lives of the characters. The acting was good with people in front of the camera for the first time reliving what I feel that some experienced during that time.

Guy, paraphrasing the sound bite of the local Times critic, urged me to see that it reflected how the city felt at that time. I disagreed since I lived here at the time and this emptiness and panic only encompassed a few neighborhoods. It was more a punk rock saga of youth disconnect, either homeless of middle class, finding fault in the system and looking for pity from those who pulled their head out of their asses and did something about it.

The scenes were separated by clips from news interviews of the riots, poetry snippets from William S. Burroughs and the like as well as a great punk rock soundtrack. I enjoyed it on the whole since it was great to try to pinpoint what each location was and to see my city on the big screen. St. Pete is a great location for so many kinds of films and TV. Plus, the local film commission is incredibly helpful to all film makers with a staff that is more than knowledgeable about the industry and the location sites throughout the county.

As a first-time film maker and young impresario, I think Chris Fuller has a long and prosperous career in front of him. If you get a chance to rent it, do and just sit back and let it was over you, with maybe a beer or two.

Just Me Weekend

As last weekend was a whirlwind of people and places to see, this weekend is the polar opposite with the only similarity being the heat. I dwelled in cube land all day thinking only of what to do with my three days of Just Me Bliss. (No wonder I had a hard time figuring out how cloud computing and virtualization make the world go round.)

Coming off the Julia and Julie high I have been on for weeks, I set about with a very flexible plan to make this weekend just as exciting as the last, just with less people and spending less money. As an INFJ, I need a plan at all times. Flying by the seat of my pants is not recommended for my sanity and since there is only a smidgeon left, I had to treat it with care.

Food – cook new recipes from the South Beach books that have yet to be returned to the library. See Julia’s book was being requested by another resident on the waiting list, but South Beach books are free and clear to be re-checked out as often as my little carb-free heart desires. Plus, as my last entry got me thinking, I want to go through at least some of the printed-out recipes I have and see what I can make. You ask, Just for one person? Well there is always another work week and willing guinea pigs to chow down on my leftovers.

Love – Spending more time with the kids is necessary for not only my heart, but theirs as well. I have missed them so. Unfortunately it is too hot to do much outside, but we can play inside and make time for kitties too. Maybe even catch up with some old friends.

Art – Knitting!!! Even better knitting flowers. Since there are so many projects I want to do (preferably knit flowers) I will work on those I already started and tease myself with the knitty bits. How to do this with the pups around is another thing to plan out since they don’t like when I take their yarn.

Exercise – I have rejoined the Y and am looking forward to getting back on the ball this weekend (that sounded naughty). I quit WW and my office gym giving myself an extra $15 a month after paying for the Y. It is closer to my home, has more to offer and now even has dance classes – sweet.

Rest – There is something to be said for lounging around. I lounged at Patrick’s, but this weekend is alone rest time and I get to choose what to watch and when. Plus there is nothing else exciting beckoning me to leave the comfort of my couch and bed. So far I have “Repo: The Genetic Opera” and “The Secretary” to watch. I’ve been waiting for the right moment for “Repo”, and found that the small cinema near my house has a group that is doing auditions for the piece. It’s sort of like a Rocky Horror Musical Thing. I was going to watch it with Guy, but that never transpired so I get this weekend for Just Me. Then there’s “The Secretary”. This is the second time I am watching the stunningly cute as he got older, James Spader and the wild Maggie G as they perform the rituals so many couples desire in their bedrooms. My first time was with a boyfriend who was very into the oh so nice on the outside, dirty on the inside theme (but the rest of that story is documented only in my memoirs).

So that is what I have planned. Don’t know if I will blog or not since that seems like I am being social and sometimes Just Me time is about being well … Just Me.

What do you like to do most? I love to eat!

This morning I was left in awe of the previous evening’s voyeurism. Does it count as voyeurism if they want you to watch? Are you paying attention? Good.

We are talking about a film. A wonderful film of two stories, many subjects and a pinch of inspiration. Julie and Julia is based on a blog, two books and two very interesting women. Julie Powell, trying to find meaning in her life took on the task of learning to cook by making every recipe in Mastering the Art Of French Cooking. Julia Child wrote the book back in the 60s to teach Stepford Wives how to cook more than TV dinners. Julie wrote a blog about her experience and a subsequent book now made into a movie.

It was like porn to watch it. The oohs and ahhs of butter and eggs, meats that were never stricken from any proper chef’s table and chocolate. Plus, both ladies enjoyed their share of cocktails. It also reminded me of a XXX feature because the subject matter is risqué in today’s world of no carb, low fat, South Beach, Weight Watcher and such mentality. Even Julia said it in her biography, It’s all a matter of portion. Eat your share of fruits and veggies and whole grains most of the time and then partake in the succulent wonder that is veal or lamb or duck or mounds of cream and butter.

I equate a lot of food with sensuality. I have only known a couple men who understood and appreciated food as well as were great lovers. Mostly they were one or the other or both. I have actually broken up with those who tried to feed me something less than worthy (Veggie Primavera with Hot Dogs) and those who refused to try anything different than their five top restaurants never venturing beyond their usual. That meant sex was usual and predictable and even worse, just plain bad.

But good food and great company can inspire the senses just as well. Inspired I was to venture into making blueberry pancakes for breakfast and a vegetable gratin for dinner.

The pancakes were from a mix, but it was one of those whole wheat organic mixes and the blueberries were fresh. Thankfully I topped them with some Florida honey since the organic flour left a lot to be desired. It did have a nutty quality, but tasted so Healthy, I had to douse it with more honey. But that is never a problem.
The gratin was an inspiration from Julia. I checked the book out of the library a couple weeks ago and perused the pages. It’s generally not my kind of book since there aren’t any beautifully photographed pictures of food. Instead of looking at the picture and finding what I wanted to eat through sight alone, I had to read the ingredients and the description she used to transcend these dull women’s lives. Magic.

The gratin called for anchovies and potatoes along with eggs, cream, butter and Swiss cheese. I used this as a guide and instead cleaned out my fridge. A couple potatoes, some zucchini and yellow squash, a red pepper, and baby swiss and cheddar cheeses. The end product was more like an egg casserole than a gratin that I knew, but I loved it. I can’t wait to try something else.

Have You Been Brainjacked?

The feel good movie of the year: Brainjacked. If you can appreciate a touch of cult conspiracy with a dab of high-brow humor, some huge fake tits and lots of blood then you will love this film.

My friend Andy Lalino is one of the writers and I have known him for at least 10 years. We used to work together and we immediately hit it off when we found we both loved 80s music; the new wave kind not the other stuff. We would talk songs and in the time before iPods and massive downloading, we would swap CDs and tapes. One of the nicest and sweetest men I have ever met, Andy has a dark side that he reveals in his films. I love that.

But he doesn’t do it all on his own. Andrew Allan is his cohort in crime. Andrew is also a writer and directed the film. Plus, from the screening on Saturday night, there were a lot of old familiar faces from my television days, which was cool.

I have to admit I was feeling a bit wary about going to this film since I thought it would be an overly gory film and because it didn’t start until 11 pm and I like to go to bed early. But on both counts I was very happy. I did cover my face a few times when there was drilling, but the jeers and cheers from the audience let me know when it was safe to peek again.

I don’t want to spill too many of the beans, but the short take goes: a teenager who has a pretty bad home life runs away and meets a very sweet teenage girl who says she has found the answer to all of life’s problems. She takes him home to a sort of futuristic commune run by a doctor who has all the smoothness of an evangelist (in fact he reminded me of the guy who heads up the Scientologist church right now). To relieve the boy’s physical and emotional pain, the doctor has developed a sort of medieval cure by drilling into the brain. It seems to work until the doctor uses his power for evil instead of good and …….

It was neat to decipher when each scene was shot, since it is a local flick, and if I could recognize any of the actors. The script captivated me enough to keep me from nodding off and that is always a plus.

So next in line is finding a distributor and other projects in the works. I can’t wait for the next one. Keep up the great work Andy!

A Nose For Cinema

I have been suffering for almost a week now with a blistering infection on my nose. It is gross so I will spare you the gruesome details, but I have been mostly working from home and refusing to show my blasphemous face in public. This had made me quite resourceful so as to not become too bored and developing new meals with what I have in the freezer and pantry.

Even with a crap load of channels there really is nothing on TV. I have resorted to Netflix and Hulu, as well as a couple suggested sites. So far those worth mentioning are My Kid Could Paint That about a 4-year old abstract artist (?) and the issue if it is really art or has the wool been pulled over everyone’s eyes about abstract style. The paintings look great and the parents seem a bit down to earth promising to give their daughter a varied education even though her pieces are going for thousands of dollars. It reflects back to a show I saw about a 14-year old girl who could do photo-realistic paintings and how her mother just let her learn what she wanted and never bothered to have her learn math or science or even how to think critically. It is the old-fashioned way of thinking that girls aren’t smart enough or that if there is any real effort needed then it is hard and should be dropped. Speaking as an adult who, as a child had my share of challenges, I think that telling kids it is OK to only do the easy things makes for lazy, dull children. Challenges can be fun. For instance, I still have an infatuation with numbers. But as a writer and artist, and a woman, this is considered a contradiction. I love science as well. I have been blessed to have other women around me who appreciate these “boy” things, but my love of learning and education is even greater than the love of art. Plus it really helps to know some of these things when doing things you love – like knitting (counting stitches, figuring out patterns) and cooking (measurements, chemistry, physics) or just playing with the dogs and cats (anatomy, physiology, psychology).

Another controversial topic is premised in the films Zeitgeist and Zeitgeist Addendum. I was first made aware of this by some friends who found it very thought provoking. As did I on first glance. The first night I watched the movie, I was shocked by the supposed truths in the film – Jesus never existed, the myth of Christianity comes from the ancient Egyptians, 9/11 was an inside job, we are made to be poor. Though I don’t agree with many of the actual “facts” in the film, I find it nice to question what we are told. In fact, on the second watching, I started to do some research myself and found that the film maker stretches the truth quite a bit. If I believed everything in the film, it would have been easy to go on and feel like all my questions had been answered, but I had a stirring feeling that I was being bamboozled by a conspiracy freak. The jury is still out on that. The Addendum was a lot duller than the original and the film maker seemed to have less to say so he shared his soap box with other “experts”. You be the judge, it is an interesting watch anyway you look at it.

The pain from my nose mostly comes at mid day and late night – when I have to smother it with ointment. This is when I find that the Internet movie watching rises. Sitting at my kitchen table looking out at the brick road, I find a modern sense of peace watching what is going on outside and inside the Web at the same time. So it is the perfect time to check out some pop history in the form of Wanted and Desired: Roman Polanski. I have been a fan of Polanski’s for years, probably since I was a teenager. Though he is an elfin man, there is something stirring about his personality and especially his history. This film chronicles his run-in with the American Judicial System and tracks, through flashbacks, the infamy that made him so famous. Another controversial topic, especially for Americans since no one really cared that he was pluking 15-year old Nastassja Kinski, but when it became an American girl then all bets were off. But the film is actually less about that liason and more about the rape of our justice.

Lastly, I am getting hooked on Meerkat Manor. This is an interesting, but heart-wrenching show about the Whiskers Family of Meerkats out in the bush of South Africa. It is realistic and the narration done by Sean Astin (Patty Duke’s and Gomez Adam’s son) pulls at the heart strings. I like watching it while I have a puppy or kitty close by to soothe my tender nature and make it through the 20 minutes of rambunctiousness and heartbreak.

I figure this is what it is like to be a shut-in. So far not so bad, but let’s see what the next few days have in store.

Nine Jobs to Ponder

This week’s Writer’s Digest challenge is to write an essay about what you would do if you were laid off right now. Instead of getting upset and panicking, what job would you do if you had the freedom to do it. I had this thought when I was laid off and played with ideas for things I would like to do if money and time were no object. I never acted on them, but for an hour or so it was nice to dream. So today at my one year anniversary at this particular stop in my life, in no particular order, here are 9 jobs I would love to attempt if I got laid off today:

*Ghost writer---A couple years ago, when I was laid off, I got addicted for a week to bad autobiographies, my favorites being Pete Burns and Jodie Marsh (both recent attractions from Celebrity Big Brother 4.) Both books definitely had the sound of the “author’s” voice, but I knew that neither of these D-List celebs actually took the time to put pen to paper. Jodie’s especially sounded like her with an airheaded tone and self-absorbed condescension in each word that I imagined her collagen bursting lips. But wouldn’t it be fun to get to know these people and showcase their “talents” as writers? I would love some low-level starlet or has-been rock star as the topic to poke and prod with questions crafted from lame Internet articles. To quietly live their lives in the background for a week or so (I figured it wouldn’t take long to get 200 pages down) and then watch them on the talk show circuit saying how they slaved as I got 20 percent.

*Cook for a small café---Perfect case scenario: I get hired to help out in a small café downtown doing lunch and dinners for local foodies and the occasional tourist who adores food. I start crafting some of my own delights, cooking for the throngs and bargaining with the suppliers finding only the best products for my customers. It would be whatever attracted me, soup today, salad tomorrow and muffins. Plus comfort foods, casseroles, roast chickens, exotic veggies and chocolates. I would pick the wines, beers and cocktails all with no respect to cost since the owner would be raking it in with a full house every night. I would be the Cinderella story with no professional background, just doing what I love. I could score a cookbook deal from it and maybe even a guest shot on the Food Network. And maybe a date with Tyler Florence.

*Purse designer---So far my designs have been appreciated by friends, but I have thought of expanding to include the general public, but for now the cost isn’t too effective for selling, even in the finest boutiques. Each purse takes about 15 to 20 hours to knit and then the sewing and inspiration take time as well. I would love to spend my days knitting, but after 8 hours a day I know I would regret this choice. If I could sell one or two a week, maybe I would appreciate this expression inside of me. I yet have the pull to make one for me since now other projects are coming to light, but soon.

*Massage therapist for cancer patients---I started thinking about this when I was in massage school. I thought about how nice it would be for those afflicted with cancer to receive a gentle touch after all the poking they usually get when they receive treatment. There are a few forms of therapy that are used for patients and a local hospital, Morton Plant/Mease, is one of the most esteemed cancer centers in the world and they have therapists who use therapeutic touch for cancer treatment. I have been thinking more and more about it since the regular massage field is so oversaturated that it is almost impossible to make a decent living (unless you provide some happier endings than other therapists.) It is still a thought, with the emphasis being now on getting the training which isn’t too cheap. Why does it always come back to cash?

*Party planner---This is a fantasy job, though from watching the witches on TV, I don’t think my kinder sensibilities would help me excel. But I do love planning a party. I love picking a theme, making a menu, doing invitations and decorating. Of course as a professional, I would need to hire a staff, get some PR rolling and deal with divas. On a smaller scale, would be birthday parties for spoiled brats, Sweet 16 parties to rival coronations and, of course, debutante-like soirees for Botox-enhanced, figure-altered trophy wives. But then again that could be fun. Maybe I could interest them in “penning” an autobiography I could write.

*Porn film writer---Being that I am only one county away from one of the hottest adult-film industry locals, it is a thought that crossed my mind. Pasco County has its share of “stars” and “starlets” and it seems ripe, even in this economy to take my pick in the industry. Of course, I wouldn’t want to do the average “movie.” I have thought about writing films that stimulate both men and women with lots of hot sex and action paired with romance and story. What a novel idea. I figured it would suit both minds and make a new field for the industry. Sort of like a historic romance novel meets the Happy Hooker. As a huge fan of well-written (and not so well-written) erotica, I could see this catching on. Add to it cookbooks for the dinner before and novels to go along with 3 or 4 page chapters, I think this could work. But where would I begin?

*Wine store clerk---Take another love of mine, well make that two or even three, and let me sip as well and I could be very happy. I used to study wine with vintages, varietals and tasting notes to share with my friends in a wine club that we had created. I would research the wines and write notes on them for every one to enjoy and even considered doing a Web site (with Mich’s help), but the group fell apart and my tastes changed when I no longer really had a pal to wax poetic about wine with. But I did think it would be great to research and teach others all while pairing the wines with food and meeting new folks to hang with (never know who could be there????) There is a local shop that I used to frequent weekly getting to know some of the other patrons and staff, but as my wallet got lighter so did my tastes, plus I felt like a desperate single chick going there alone with all the old men and couples.

*Travel writer---I love to travel. I love to write. So what could be better? Plus I could get it paid for. I would write about the locale, the food, the experience and take notes for a variety of travelers to enjoy. I jotted down notes in my journal while on my various trips, but never spent the time refining their style. Yet I would love to share my food experiences cooking in Tuscany, the plethora of things to do in Portland, eating cheese and wine on a train from Amsterdam to Brussels, walking around Paris alone and loving it, sitting on the cabin porch in the woods listening to nature speak, searching for the perfect shell on Sanibel Island and so much more. Though I would get tired of not being home, especially with my new addition, I could maybe cut paths for dog lovers in the travel world.

*Photographer---I have been taking pictures as a thrilling hobby since I was 13 and I am pretty good at it. I have been told by two separate photogs that my work is extraordinary and rivals some who have studied, with a natural sense of seeing and a simple lack of too much technical knowledge. Even with the advent of digital and the fun and ease it provides, I still love my 35mm Minolta and film. Those little mistakes are genius sometimes and I always saw the photo in my head perfectly before it was ever developed. I am trying to fall in love with my digital, but it isn’t the same, sort of like a first love-though I had to move on and I appreciate the simplicity of the newer model, there isn’t anything like the first. “The First Cut Is The Deepest.”

What would you do??

Ladybugs DO Bite

Renee told me today that she once was bitten by a ladybug. I scoffed thinking and feeling that these peaceful creatures would never bite. Yes, they do gobble up aphids like tourists at a Las Vegas buffet, but not a person, especially not a kind person. She must have done something to provoke the spotted beetle to sinking its teeth into her. But even then, I was not a believer that they even had teeth to sink into flesh with.

So she looked it up. And she was right. The Asian ladybug is known for small bites that feel like cat’s claws. Scientists believe that the bugs do this to extract salt from the skin. Since they don’t have tongues they need to do it some other way and therefore the nibble. This made me think of the salt sucking people on the old Star Trek series. Not sure why, but that episode always sticks out. Probably because we only had 3 channels of TV when I was young and Star Trek reruns were a staple on the local independent station.

What brought us to ladybugs were my reflections of the weekend. Saturday night I had single girl night. So I made some heavy choices. I said no to self pity, no to drowning my sorrows and no to treating myself badly. Instead I made a nice dinner of something he wouldn’t have liked anyway – bar-b-que chicken and “fried” green tomatoes. Recently he hasn’t liked much that I made so I knew he was moving away from me. I got a great bad book to read – Sidney Sheldon’s Bloodline and spent the evening getting lost in that powerful world while cozying up to the kitties.

At about 150 pages I drew the line and switched to TV for entertainment. This is where we get back on track with ladybugs. I watched one of my favorite girlie films, Under the Tuscan Sun. For those of you not aware, there is a woman in the film who is the eccentric and loves wearing hats and being passionately in love with the boy of the hour. She tells the whining Diane Lane that she needs to stop being so sad about being dumped and alone. She shares her story of being a little girl who wanted to catch ladybugs, but the more she looked she couldn’t find them. She became so tired that she took a nap in a field and woke up covered in these little specks of joy (not the biting ones I presume.) The metaphor of the ladybugs and love didn’t go wasted on Lane or me. When Diane meets a dashing Italian gent who sweeps her off her feet she joyfully tells her romantic mentor that she has found, “Lots and lots of ladybugs” the feeling grew in me too, as hope. Of course he says it is too difficult for their relationship and finds another chickie to charm leaving Lane hurt once again. At the end of the movie (spoiler alert) she is resting in her garden during a wedding and a handsome American writer picks a ladybug off her dress and they live happily ever after.

So the tale of ladybugs. Of course it seems, I always seem to get the biting kind, especially right in the ass.