HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. I'm a few months behind the rest of the food and movie critics, but I finally saw JULIE & JULIA.  I have to be honest and say that while I thought the first half was funny and worth all the "acclaim," the second hour seemed a little predictable and stale.

Yes, Meryl was able to "inhabit" her role and make me believe she WAS Julia Child.  However, her mannerisms, speech pattern and voice almost bordered on charictature.  I say "almost" only because of those emotional scenes where Julia contemplates not having children [which I wanted the movie to explain why - could she not have children?  Was Paul Child unable?].

Amy Adams, bless her heart, just got on my last nerve.  I love that the real "Julie Powell" was able to create a blog that changed her life, as well as others.  But if "Julie" is anything like Amy's whiny "I hate my life while I have to walk past Ground Zero everyday to work" portrayal …….. no wonder her friends walked all over her!

I felt that the screen writers had written themselves into a wall, and decided to rush the ending – Julia works for years on the book as she and Paul are transferred throughout Europe; At the same time, Julie has a fight with her husband, realizes she is a better person due to Julia, whips up the monumental duck recipe and WHAMMO, she's a food network star!  All within the space of 10 minutes!

However, there is one catch that the movie does not address .. Julia Child told a reporter that she thought Julie was making fun of her.  What happened after that?  Did they meet and make up?

At The Same Time, I can not get "The Voice" out of my head!  I have been listening to Mariah's music constantly since last Tuesday's concert.  Huge thanks to The Pink Diva for sharing the above picture!

Therefore, I have decided to create The Diva's Special Voice Playlist: 

**Disc One: Mariah – The Pop Star** 

1.  Fly Away [Butterfly Reprise]; 2.  Someday; 3.  You're So Cold; 4.  Emotions; 5.  Make It Happen; 6.  I Don't Wanna Cry; 7.  Love Takes Time; 8.  To Be Around You; 9.  Can't Let Go; 10.  Honey [So So Def Remix]; 11. Now That I Know; 12.  Without You; 13.  Open Arms; 14.  One Sweet Day; 15.  Anytime You Need A Friend; 16.  Sweetheart [Duet W/ JD]; 17.  Butterfly; 18. Fantasy Remix [Duet W/ O.D.B.]. 

**Disc Two: Mariah – The Emancipated Voice**

1.  Last Night A DJ Saved My Life; 2.  Heartbreaker [Duet W/ Jay-Z]; 3.  X-Girlfriend [With Kandi Burrus on Background Vocals]; 4.  How Much [Duet W/ Usher]; 5.  Against All Odds; 6.  Boy (I Need You) [Duet W/ Cam'ron]; 7.  Clown [Song supposedly about Eminem?]; 8.  Migrate [Duet W/ T-Pain]; 9.  Touch My Body; 10.  It's Like That; 11.  Get Your Number [Duet W/ JD]; 12.  Shake It Off; 13.  We Belong Together; 14.  Fly Like A Bird; 15.  I'm That Chick; 16.  Betcha Gon' Know; 17.  Standing O; 18.  Obsessed [Jump Smokers Radio Remix]; 19.  Up Out My Face

It's Showtime Synergy! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. She started an hour and a half past the ticket time of 7:30 pm; some of her comments and audience chatter was hard to decipher [either because of the Fox's poor acoustics, or was she just mumbling]; and she appeared to have some trouble balancing on the 3 inch stiletto heels.  HOWEVER, the woman and the voice were INCREDIBLE!  BRING IT TO THE RUNWAY INCREDIBLE!!

From her opening number of "Fantasy" / "Shake It Off" [on a swing no less, wearing some huge hot mess tutu skirt], which Jermaine Dupri made a surprise appearance to my personal fave, "It's Like That," to "Obsessed" [huge crowd reaction], Ms. Carey simply strutted from one side of the stage to the other.  No overbearing sets, no high concepts of artistic expression, and NO lyp-syncing Britney and Janet; just a band, great background singers [including her duet partner on the "I'll Be There" cover, Trey Lorenz, and two beautiful big divas], a goofy but loveable demeanor and THAT VOICE!

Mariah also paid a special tribute to Diana Ross by performing Diana's "Love Hangover," and then mixing it in with her own "Heartbreaker!"  She even mentioned the diva's name. 

And when Nick Cannon's wife performed "Fly Like A Bird" and "We Belong Together" [which she announced was named Song Of The Decade 2000-2010 by Billboard Magazine], we went to church yall!  There was some SANGING!  Not singing, SANGING!

A huge shout out and thanks to THE PINK DIVA for purchasing the tickets, and asking me to attend.  So far, we've seen Madonna, Tyler Perry and now Mariah together!

It's Showtime Synergy! 

HAYYYYY!!  OK, ok …….. I know that the Diva has not posted since 12/31/09, but I have a good reason – sort of.

From last Sunday [1/10] thru last Friday [1/15], I was travelling thru southern Cali-Forn-I-A for business!  The home of movie stars, swimming pools, and papa, papa, paparazzi!  These days, however, all the Californians discuss the bankrupt state government, immigration and the unbelievable cost of living.  Yes, San Diego is nice, but $1500 a month for a studio apartment?

The weather? Great!  San Diego? Great, would love to go there on vacation.  Move to California?  Not on your life!

Anyway, what has been going on during my little blog break ……..

1.  HAITI – My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti.  But you know me …….. This country is experiencing massive destruction, lack of water, homelessness AND STILL neither Anderson Cooper [CNN] nor Bryan Williams [NBC] look like they working in third world conditions.  How is this possible?  How did the tv crews get into the country with relative ease, while the relief efforts are taking forever to land?  And why do the newsmen ask the stupidest questions?  "Excuse me, you just lost your home and family, how are you feeling?????"

2.  I have stated many times that my favorite i-tunes podcast is GAY PIMPIN WITH JONNY MCGOVERN, starring Jonny, Linda James, Martin Beauchamp and Erika Toure Aviance.  These fantastic creatures of underground New York nightlife have made me laugh and feel proud since 2006.  In fact, I recently wrote to Jonny about his great new video, "Bossy Bottom," and the diva received a response back!  

Well, last Tuesday, Jonny and the crew announced that they would be ending the current podcast.  Jonny [who is a regular on THE BIG GAY SKETCH SHOW] is moving to LA, Linda is going back to school, Martin has work and family commitments, and Erika is riding the waves of "My Pumps."  Gang, I'm going to really miss you [although I can go back and listen to the 175+ free episodes].  In this pre-packaged pop world, you brought back individuality!

3.  Thanks to the encouragement of my neighbor, Lady Diana, I decided to join a gym near work today.  In the past, I've had success and failures with gyms.  However, the fee is very small, there was no long term contract, and many of my neighbors are members. 

4.  In less than two days, The Pink Diva and I see THE VOICE, Ms. Mariah!

New Year, New Attitude, New Desire to Blog More …………………

It's Showtime Synergy!