don't eat the pudding

This week, JK Rowling commented: "I loathe people who say, 'I always read the ending of the book first.' That really irritates me," she said. It's like someone coming to dinner, just opening the fridge and eating pudding, while you're standing there still working on the starter. It's not on."

Having a guest going into your fridge and eating your pudding would be incredibly awkward.

I haven't finished the seventh book yet. I have been tempted, but have not, skipped to the end. I have also been incredibly careful about where I navigate on the web. And I didn't watch The Today Show yesterday.

Okay, I actually didn't even finish the sixth book until Monday night around 12:30. Unfortunately, someone had already spoiled the ending of HP6 quite a while before I got to it. I guess that's what I get for reading it two years late. I got on the Hogwarts Express a little late in the game.

(Warning: Weeds Season 2 Spoiler Alert below)
For the last week and a half or so, Harry has creeped into every one of dreams. The other night, it featured two of my favorite of-the-moment things. My dream was that Nancy (Mary Louise Parker's character on Weeds) had to become involved with Voldemort in order to gather information to protect Harry. A little bit like how Nancy had to continue her relationship with Agent Wonderbread (a top-notch nickname, I might add). My subconscious is eager for me to finish the seventh book and for Weeds to begin its third season in a few weeks. I love my subconscious. It knows me so well.

an all-new Parent Trap

Lindsay Lohan was arrested again. On another DUI charge. And cocaine. Again. She was just released from rehab less than two weeks ago.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/07/24/lohan.arrest/index.html

Doesn't it just seem like some people will really NEVER learn?

My favorite part is the statement from Lindsay Lohan's lawyer: "Addiction is a terrible and vicious disease. Since Lindsay transitioned to outpatient care, she has been monitored on a SCRAM bracelet and tested daily in order to support her sobriety. Throughout this period, I have received timely and accurate reports from the testing companies. Unfortunately, late yesterday I was informed that Lindsay had relapsed. The bracelet has now been removed. She is safe, out of custody and presently receiving medical care."

I'm not going to make fun of someone's addictions. But she was voluntarily wearing the sobriety anklet and she didn't even last two weeks out of rehab before drunkenly chasing down her (now former) assistant in her Escalade.

I see a pretty clear issue here. Perhaps, just perhaps, she was not prepared to leave rehab when she did.

Just a thought.

for the record

I don't play anything on TV. But, for a minute when I was much younger, I wanted to. Oh, did I want to.

Confession: When I was about 11 or 12, I wanted to be a soap opera actress. I would write myself scripts (where I, obviously, had all of the best lines) and rehearse them in my room late at night. I was, what you might call, a little strange. But I liked to write and I liked to "act" (I use quotes, because, well, I was acting for my mirror mostly), and I genuinely thought that I was preparing myself for my future. Guess I was a little... off.

I never wanted to be a real celebrity, though. Even at 12 I knew that wasn't happening. I just wanted to live in New York, work on All My Childen and maybe win an Emmy because I would be that good. That was my realm of reality at 12. I was a kid with ambitions.

that loving feeling

There are some things I just really love. Seriously in love. Some are people, some are places, some are objects, but I'm in love with them, in some way or another. I feel instantly happier in their presence.

1. Mesa Grill, off Union Square, NYC. I mostly love this place because I love Bobby Flay. Two words: squash blossoms. I think he's a brilliant chef and I would eat just about anything he could feed me, with only a few exceptions because they could kill me. But Mesa itself is not only a culinary haven, it's also just incredibly comfortable for me. The decor is warm and friendly and I especially love sitting in their balcony for a lesiurely dinner. I'm going there tonight for Restaurant Week, so that's why it goes first on my list.

2. Weeds, on Showtime. I think this is, hands down, one of the best television shows in recent history. It's dynamically written and acutely aware of itself and what the picture of family and suburban life that it presents. Plus, Mary Louise Parker has incredible skin. She's fantastic in the role, too, but that skin.

3. My friends Mary and Michelle. Each for different reasons and the same reasons. Mary because she's incredibly put together. If she tells me something is going to be okay, I can believe her. She just has everything under control - she knows what she likes, she knows who she is and exudes confidence. I love that. Michelle because she is confident in a "you just wish that you could be as lively as I am" way. She can look cool, be cool and leave others in her cool dust. I enjoy my time with these girls immensely. I'm not afraid to say anything off-color around them and that feels satisfying.

4. My new bag. I love handbags. Chic, versatile handbags. This is the first new bag I've purchased in over a year. I'm seriously elated. It makes me feel more adult and stylish than I have in a while.

5. Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center, Syracuse University. I had a breakdown there once. I filmed portions of my sketch show, CowTV there, with Sean and Lisa; I learned to light a "set," if you can call it that. I would go to Panasci when I needed a break from the Box, as I often did. I did my French homework there. Panasci was one of the largest open indoor spaces on campus. It was well-lit by the sun most days (or by the snow, as the case may be) and was reasonably quiet under peak campus hours because it had comfortable chairs and couches on which to curl up and nap before your next class. I often curled up, but I never napped, despite sometimes wanting to. I recall feeling enveloped in the best of Syracuse there.

That's not all I love, but all I have the energy to recall today.