The Ida Express

Eastenders why did you kill Danielle???

2009-04-02T15:41:00.003-04:00

Dear Eastenders,

God knows how long I have waited to finally see Ronnie's reaction when she figures out Danielle is her daughter. God knows! You have been dragging it out like Days of Our Lives drags out a piss, but I still stayed tuned.

Finally, FINALLY, Danielle opens her mouth and tells Ronnie, and then she gets fucking run down by Janine? Janine??? Are you kidding me?

That's it. I am washing my hands of you crapenders.

Stephanie Beacham Ruins the 81st Oscars!

2009-02-23T11:06:00.004-05:00

I have been watching the Academy Awards since I was a baby. Now living over in the UK, I have to settle for Sky's coverage of the award ceremony, but more annoyingly, have to put up with Sky Premiere's lack luster guests--One of which was Stephanie Beacham. My goodness, does that woman have a bug up her arse? After every major award, Sky had to go back and interview Stephanie on what she thought. She hated everything from Hugh Jackman's opening number to the fact that Heath Ledger won for best supporting actor. Stephanie is highly opinionated for someone who now has to settle on Coronation Street.

The most embarrassing point came when she picked up for her "leading man" Charlton Heston, claiming we didn't understand his view on guns, and how he was such a dear of a man. I guess Stephanie never caught Bowling for Columbine or Heston's many interviews where he exclaimed how much he didn't care that innocent people were dying at the hand of guns all over America.

Stephanie Beacham is one hell of a stuck up cow, and I hate that she ruined the Oscars for the entirety of the United Kingdom. Now let's all hope Deidre finds her out and throws her off her fucking canal boat.

Martha Stewart On Demand

2008-12-20T20:46:00.003-05:00

For the past few weeks I have been driving myself crazy trying to find an old family recipe of Christmas Snow Ball Cookies. I remember enjoying them immensely as a child, but unfortunately couldn't find it in the midst of my cluttery closet.

Since recording my very first podcast and only second interview in my entire life, I have become interested in podcasting. I was just browsing the cooking podcasts tonight when I came across Martha Stewart's On Demand holiday cooking podcats. They were all uploaded a few weeks ago on itunes. She had a specific episode on just these cookies I was trying to track down. They went under a different name: Noel Nutballs(posh aint she?), but filled the void my closet could not.

Let me tell you how much I love itunes. I have been spending thousands of dollars annually since 2004 on this media metropolis, but have only recently realized how much is offered for free. There is a plethora of podcasts-video and audio that cost absolutely nothing and at the same time are jammed full of interesting information. Martha Stewart's podcast is just one of the millions available. I urge you to start browsing for free programmes when you have the time, and I assure you that you will also become addicted!

Season 7 of The Gilmore Girls

2008-12-18T06:37:00.003-05:00

Is it just me, or was the last season of The Gilmore Girls extremely boring? Where did all the clever banter go? Why were the characters suddenly doing things they would NEVER do? What the hell happened? Producers changed-apparently there was some falling out with the original show's creators The Palladinos: Amy and Daniel. What could have possibly happened to make these two leave their "baby"? After all this is the only successful show....I mean project they have ever come up with, so why back down? Hmmm If I could have been a fly on the wall....

They might has well ended the show in the 6th season instead of dragging it out with new writers and producers. Snore.

Nigella's at it again

2008-12-16T19:53:00.003-05:00

Tonight's episode of Nigella Lawson's Christmas Special was simply sublime. Nigella herself never ceases to amaze me. As a cook myself, I appreciate her effervescent originality. In tonight's installment of the show we found fantastic and yet easy recipes for
1: Beetroot and ginger chutney
2: Triple Cheese and Onion Strata
3: Spruced Up Vanilla Cake

She had an old age idea of making Christmas presents for friends and family this year instead of waiting in long lines at the mall. I'm sorry to say I had already beaten her to the punch. This year my loved ones are either receiving baked goods from my tiny bakery, A 100 page cook book written by myself (will be available to purchase later this year), chocolate truffles and/or bespoke websites. Even the Christmas cards this year are homemade. Why waste money feeding the corporate monsters when you can make more appreciated gifts right in your own home?

Nigella's beetroot and ginger chutney was to die for, and it gave me an idea--why not jar homemade pasta sauces? Every year I hand out mini lasagnas to friends and neighbors, but perhaps giving them the crucial ingredient will inspire them to make their own.

The one thing I loved on the show tonight more than everything else was her triple cheese and onion strata. Nigella described it as a savory bread and butter pudding, but it reminded me more of a super cheesy version of ice box cake. I will definitely be adding this dish to the Christmas menu this year. You can never have enough food!

Now, I don't know about you, but her spruced up vanilla cake had me scouring the internet for that Nordic bundt pan. I finally tracked one down at John Lewis--too bad it costs an arm and a leg. I loved how the icing sugar made the cake look like snow covered trees. It was fabulous. You can also add anything else to the recipe like raisins and other dried fruits, and basically turn it into a mountainous Christmas cake!

If you have absolutely no clue what I am referring to, why not check the show out for yourself.

Yum!

Alexandra Burke Just Doesn't Get It

2008-12-15T22:47:00.003-05:00

Her version of Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah is atrocious. Jeff is rolling over in his grave as I listen to this.

For X Factor to take a song with raw emotion and such profoundness and turn it into this mindless pop version with no soul, is abominable!

Were they that lazy to come up with their own "winner's song"? Come on. Leave the good stuff alone, we all know the talentless can never get it. Oh and the choir in the background at the end. Typical bubblegum bull shit. Ridiculous.

Please go buy Jeff Buckley's live version of Hallelujah instead of the dreadful Alexandra Burke version, to prevent X Factor from getting the Christmas number 1 yet again.

And Alexandra...it is time to start standing up for yourself, now that you have "won". Don't let the producers turn you into yet another Leona. Don't we have enough of these types of singers? I don't expect you to write your own music, but at least learn the music you are singing!

The Hills Season 4

2008-12-11T20:08:00.002-05:00

Just when I thought Spencer Pratt couldn't get any worse...this boy has a lot of growing up to do. He slums around the apartment all day and then complains when he has to see Heidi's sister Holly, "24 hours a day"...well maybe if he got up off his arse once in a while, he would see other people as well. I have never seen a more controlling bastard in all my life! It is almost like Heidi has battered woman syndrome--she just can't see what he is doing to her. Sad, really. Enough about them!

Lauren was fantastic this season. I have never admired her more. When Audrina accused her of "hooking up" with Justin Bobby, I was laughing as well! Seriously, does Audrina really think we bought any of that shit? I am assuming Audrina started the rumor herself to get more air time, or the producers asked her to do it for some "drama", but it really blew up in her face! Why on earth would Audrina then call every single person in her blackberry and spread the rumor further? Does she have no brains??? Lauren handled the situation maturely, like she does most situations. I hope she really does wash her hands of Audrina!!!

Whitney is moving on, and good for her. I am looking forward to the new series, "The City". I feel like we didn't get to see much of her this season, so I don't blame her for leaving the show, I mean LA.

Stephanie...Stephanie, Stephanie...you are a useless plot factor. When will they drop you? Like Audrina, Stephanie creates drama just to be on air, and it becomes boring after 5 minutes. We get it, you are better than Spencer...now go home and wipe off that hooker make up.

Gossip Girl

2008-12-09T21:04:00.002-05:00

Is it just me, or was this week's episode of Gossip Girl a little over the top in the dramatics department? Don't get me wrong--I love my weekly dose of Chuck, Blair, Serena, Dan, Jenny and that maid who works for Mrs Waldorf, but when they act like they are pushing 35, it just makes me cringe. Yes, I know it was Bart Bass's funeral, but Chuck getting so drunk and acting "beyond himself with agony" was ridiculous. Blair dressed in her Marc Jacobs best while running towards Chuck and exclaiming, "I love you" was so phony!

Uggg, when will they start acting their age???

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

2008-12-09T10:22:00.002-05:00

I can't say enough good things about Rob McElhenney's It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. I have been watching the show since it began in late 2005. The obvious likability factor of the show, is it is like no other on television. Networks try often at recreating a Seinfeld type sitcom that is basically based on the "nothing plot", but they always fail until It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. I am not saying it is like Seinfeld, in my opinion it is better. Seinfeld was pressured to keep it nice and sweet, but thankfully FX have allowed the cast to have run of the mill and do it the way it was meant to be done.

I like that Charlie Day and Rob McElhenney aren't afraid to push people's buttons. I love that they are constantly trying to push boundaries. Another thing that is great, is the chemistry between cast members. Maybe they all bounce off of one another so well because there are two married couples in the mix: Sweet Dee(Kaitlin Olson)and Mac(Rob McElhenney) & Charlie(Charlie Day) and The Waitress(Mary Elizabeth Ellis).

I just immediatly "got it" when I watched the very first episode. It didn't take Danny Devito entering the show, for me to laugh. I like that Devito is now involved, but I miss the episodes of just the original cast...no offense Danny! You were fantastic in The Nightman Cometh!

Let's hope that It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia is around for years to come. Having been born and raised in South Philly, it is nice to see a show based in the old neighborhood.

Thanks guys!!

Alexandra Burke

2008-12-06T15:24:00.003-05:00

Tonight she gave the worst two performances on the X Factor, that is besides young Eoghan Quigg. I disregard him completely now because I am convinced he will be in the final regardless of whether or not he has any talent. I am just perturbed by all the fuss the judges give Alexandra. She is OK, but nothing special. She's definitely no Whitney or Mariah...or even Leona. Alexandra is just an average singer. She strains, goes off key and well doesn't have a good overall tone to her voice. The X Factor did have two amazing female vocalists this year: Laura White and Ruth Lorenzo, but the public voted them off. So stop pretending Alexandra is this "amazing voice", when the amazing ones are no longer on the show!

Britney

2008-12-03T19:39:00.002-05:00

I am really loving Britney Spears' new album, Circus. For a collection of music which began with just fooling around in the studio, it turned out great. This album is by far Britney's best. Profound and fascinating in places, the music will grab you.

I also enjoyed the documentary,For the Record, which aired in the UK two nights ago on Sky 1. It was one of the more well put together pieces of television I have seen in a while. It was far better than Louis Theroux latest documentary featuring one small part of Philadelphia. But I am not going to waste my time typing about him and his pointless film.

I am happy Britney seems to be getting back on track, I was concerned she may not make it past 2007, but she has proved everyone wrong once again! It's Britney Bitch!

Laura White voted off X Factor

2008-11-08T18:03:00.002-05:00

Wow. I don't even know where to begin. Oh yes I do--why the fuck are these little kiddies voting a gazillion times for little boys who can't sing or old pervy men that wink all the time for odd reasons, when there is actual talent this year on the X Factor?

Laura White and Ruth Lorenzo in the bottom two is like saying no one in the country heard Rachel Hylton's constant sour notes or noticed that Alexandra Burke sounded like she was taking a shit! I am NOT going to apologize for being blunt tonight. I am truly shocked at the public's decision.

People keep saying, "Oh don't worry Laura, you will have a future in the business no matter what." Really? You really think people will remember these contestants 6 months from now? She needed the boost of actually winning the show...or at least coming a bit closer to the final!

I was so thrilled that finally there was a singer who was technically good as well as vocally. It takes more than a little raw talent to be a musician, which is something people keep forgetting. Laura had that musician's ear. She has never hit a wrong note. Why does everyone think it is OK for people to hit "bum notes"...they do matter you know? If you paid £50 to go see a show on the West End, I am sure you would be annoyed if the lead was tone deaf. In the real world people aren't only judged by their looks, but by their actual TALENT!

Whatever I say or write, it will never change. Little girls are always going to vote for little boys, people are always going to vote for people out of spite, others will cast their vote out of emotional blackmail(Daniel...Rachel), so what is the point of a talent show, when the talentless always win?

Re:

2008-11-05T10:57:00.003-05:00

Dear English Opium man or whatever your name is,

Some of us here are British, and some of us are American. We all live in London, and we all think the many many comments you left on here were ridiculous. No one here is trying to put British fashionistas against fat annoying Americans. No one here is trying to put anyone down. This is a BLOG. A blog is for analysis, for opinion on whatever happens to be the subject. Will we offend some people? Obviously. But that isn't our intention. When we write about fashion, television or politics, we discuss these things from both a British and American perspective. Why do you have such a problem with this? Ida herself, yes there is actually an Ida, is dealing with far more serious matters and barely ever posts anymore. Don't take life so seriously!

Good-Bye Republicans! Obama has won!

2008-11-04T23:42:00.004-05:00

Personally I didn't even like Obama, but I am relieved to be rid of the republican way. It is currently 333 to 155. I think Obama's number will grow. Good for him. And McCain...it is too little, too late. If you were really that compassionate, why did you wait until you lost to let us Americans know??? Why did you choose that idiot Sarah Palin to stand beside you. Not all women have brains, and she is the perfect example. Come on...a former beauty queen??? Stupid stupid stupid. You didn't have a chance once you picked her to be your running mate!

I am not one of those people that invests all of my hopes and dreams into Obama. Do I think he will really help build a national health care system that works? No. Do I really think he will fix the economic crisis we are now in? No. Do I really think he gives a shit about the impoverished? No! But I do think it will be refreshing to hear a president not abuse the English language. I do think it will be nice to have a leader with more than half a brain. I do think it will be nice to bring the troops home, and it seems that Obama was the best bet to end this bull shit "war" we are in.

Have fun packing your bags Bush. Too bad you can't erase the past 8 years of highly embarrassing behavior. Good luck to you while you go back to your ranch and suck on a grain of wheat. Can I say this now? FUCK YOU!

Oasis rocked the Electric Proms

2008-10-26T20:42:00.001-04:00

BBC Two aired an Oasis Electric Proms special tonight, and I have to say it was fab. They could have lost the choir though--seriously, what was the point of them?? You couldn't even hear them, and the looked so dorky swaying off beat to Oasis, I just wanted to scream!

The Virgin Daughters

2008-09-25T19:07:00.002-04:00

There is nothing more disturbing than seeing 4 daughters line up waiting to be "blessed" by their father. Not the "Holy Father", but their dad. Oh wait, there is something more disturbing--watching the same daughters sign away their sexual freedom to the same man, their sicko dad. Let me explain. Once again England was "blessed" to be shown another freakish documentary on the purity phenomena. This time Channel 4 followed the Wilson family which consisted of a "self appointed minister" Randy Wilson, a delusional mother and 5 brain washed children of whom 4 are young women. Randy's words at times were incestuous, and at one point I became so sickened I had to go to the loo and vomit. Randy is the creator of the most infamous of the Father Daughter Purity balls, which is held annually in Colorado Springs. Just the title of it sounds a bit creepy, but around 70 young women (some as young as 11) attended the dinner dance with their fathers, almost like a wedding with a twist. The girls exchanged "purity rings" with their fathers, were asked to sign a contract which prohibited them from engaging in any kind of sexual behaviour until they are married and then to top it all off, with father in hand marched under a crossed arch of swords. Sounds crazy? These events are just the latest in the chastity craze that has taken over the United States.

The idea Evangelistic Christians are hammering into young Americans goes as far as saying--even sexual fantasies are not allowed because they are considered 'impure thoughts', but during the hour long film, it became blatantly obvious none of these "Christians" really knew the Bible. They quoted certain scriptures like robots, but when quizzed where in the Ten Commandments it frowns upon pre-marital sex, one young woman exclaimed, "The one where...I think it is 7...thou shall not commit adultery." No, adultery comes after you get married, fornication is two unmarried people having sex, which the Ten Commandments do not condemn! I know I know, parents like to twist around the meaning of the word 'adultery' to somehow mean 'fornication' that way those old commandments would say NO to you acting out on your hormones, but those parents are wrong! In fact the only place in the Bible where people are commanded to "Flee Fornication" is in 1 Corinthians ,

"Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God ...Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body. know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

The next thing that was almost blasphemous was the fact that the fathers, Randy Wilson in particular, were comparing themselves to God. Randy saw himself as the first and foremost being who could control life, and for a Christian he was sadly mistaken. It was offending to watch.

Nineteen year old Christine, whose younger sister(12) attended the ball with her father, said, "As it turns out, not allowing myself to think sexual thoughts makes me nervous, because I want to experience pleasure with my future husband. I don’t want to be a burden to him in that I am not enjoying sex. Recently, a friend took me to see a movie about Queen Esther, One Night With the King, a really romantic story...So I watched it and I had these huge feelings rise up inside me, and I was like, ‘OK, they are still there!’” she says, with relief. Unfortunately, Christine has been brain washed into thinking she should not even date--that to do so would cause a man to betray and deceive her. ????

I'm not sure that these fathers, who so willingly drag their young daughters along to a ball, realize that forcing this point of view on a child, could have detrimental effects years later. Even if some of these girls get married, they may still feel the sexual intercourse experienced with their husbands is dirty and wrong--pleasure may never come into it. Why are their parents taking that away from them? The only answer I can come up with is some Christians do think sex is disgusting behavior.

I am not saying these girls should go have sex every night of the week with random people, I just don't believe guilting them into believing sexual attraction is wrong before marriage is the correct way to keeping them safe. A more appropriate set of events would include an explanation of the risks of unprotected sex and the importance of not being pressured into having it--waiting until one is ready is also imperative and that doesn't necessarily mean until their wedding day!

Looking at images of fathers guiding their children around this spectacle made me sick--these guys are hypocrites! I bet there was a pretty large percentage of men there who have either cheated on their spouses, jerked off in the bathroom to porn before leaving for the event, have or had online relationships with other women or fantasized about a woman other than their wives. How can they in turn judge their own children to the point of putting fear into them.

What would one of these fathers do if their daughter came home one night announcing she was pregnant--would they go by what the 'good book' says and help her raise the baby, or would they lovingly escort her to the nearest Planned Parenthood to discuss abortion options? This questioned was answered when a young woman who had grown up in the purity era became pregnant at 21. Not an age where pregnancy is taboo, but because her parents demanded he never to have sex before marriage this pregnancy shook her family to their core. So much so, they basically disowned her. Eventually this young lady had a miscarriage, but I am happy to report she now owns her own business and has a boyfriend of 2 years and is really loving life. But what a shame her own parents do not want to be apart of it.

The bottom line is no one has the right to force another human to do ANYTHING. It is about time the far right in the US realize this! And please Randy Wilson, get a clue, you by no means are anything like God!

Jennifer Aniston should just shut the fuck up!

2008-09-24T19:12:00.002-04:00

What prompted my outrage was the interview in this month's Sky Mag. Jennifer Aniston was blabbering on about how karma is a bitch and how happy she is to have lost boyfriend after boyfriend after husband. How sad it all is. The women claims Angelina Jolie stole her husband from her, but doesn't she realize 5 years later that Brad Pitt escaped?

The interview opens with, "Jennifer Aniston hasn't changed much in 15 years". Damn right. She never even took a chance with a new hairstyle, and as far as I am concerned her hair describes her perfectly: straight and boring.

Karma is a bitch, which is why Jennifer can't hold a boyfriend. Some of us know the skeletons in that closet.

AJ on Personal Services Required

2008-09-23T21:26:00.003-04:00

It is 2:30 am here and I have just finished watching a repeat episode of Personal Services Required. This one woman who needed an au pair made me irate. I was absolutely appalled by her behavior. She was a racist and exuded narcissistic personality disorder. Her name is AJ, if a name, and the funny thing was in the end, every insult she spewed at either the Russian woman, Julie, or the 17 year old, Chloe, just described her own personal behavior.

The most annoying thing to come out of her mouth was, "I heard Russians were horrible to their children, I hope you won't treat my kids like that." She said this to Julie instead of "hi nice to meet you." Unbelievable. She was immediately envious of Julie's beauty. AJ even stated, "I better not bring any guys back to my house!" Let me just say that Julie barely said two words before AJ decided she had to go. Julie kindly made sandwiches for the children, and ten minutes later AJ came and threw them in the garbage, saying the turkey was off. When Julie questioned why AJ kept off food in the fridge, it added fuel to the fire. Although why did she? I believe she just threw them away to be mean.

Next morning we get the unfortunate experience of seeing AJ in her undies(put a robe on!) parading around the house thinking she is the shit. She immediately grows even more jealous after seeing how wonderful Julie looks. I think Julie was wearing a turtle neck and AJ told her her outfit was inappropriate for cleaning. LOL! To make a long story short AJ spoke to Julie like she was mentally challenged. She was condescending and patronizing because Julie is Russian. Then she has the nerve to fire her because "Julie you are just too nasty!"

Next we get to watch AJ walking around in a bikini, may I just ask the woman to wear "something more appropriate"...she was trying to seduce the new French au pair whom she fancied. It was disgusting to watch as her flab rolled about while she was walking around the pool, but what was most embarrassing was AJ's long braided high ponytail thingie. WTF? Seriously now AJ, what is wrong with you? If you do manage to sleep with hot guy, I bet you would have had to drug him before hand.

For your imagination think Nathan Lane with a bleached blond wig which is in the most absurd pony tail you have ever come across.

I just feel bad for her children, what a horrible example of how to apply makeup. Who only puts eyeliner under their eye with no mascara. It was like she took a black marker and drew two smiley faces under her eyes. fUGLY!

I know I sound mean, but you just had to watch the programme. Check out others who loath AJ.

Alabama Hell: The World's Strictest Parents on BBC Three

2008-09-17T17:31:00.006-04:00

Oh boy. Tonight aired the first episode of The World's Strictest Parents on BBC Three. Maybe it should have been called The World's Sickest Parents...when Mr Garnett announced his plans for "father daughter night" I almost puked. It was obvious he had a hard on for Naomi, and maybe even for Ross as well. His repetitive line about how he had "been in your shoes" must have raised a few eyebrows.

Ross really irked me to no end. I found him extremely annoying and his actions were immensely juvenile. For a 16 year old manboy he should have had it more together. Blaming his insecurities on his sexuality was cowardly. Being gay does not make you shout, "I am going to set you on fire and watch you burn" to your parents. Ross's obsession with Myspace made me giggle, all the while confirming how the British are always a few steps behind. Myspace? OK, the world has moved onto Twitter, and Facebook is much more fun with it's "lil' green patch". Ross just thought he was "the shit" and he was sadly mistaken. Unfortunately he had to visit Mr and Mrs Stepford inorder to figure that out.

The Garnett family was basically brainwashed. All three of the children were almost robotoc at times, so much so the BBC opted to edit out much of the footage of the one daughter. The eldest son was a rat--Ross and Naomi were having a "cig" at a bowling ally, and he just couldn't let that get past his pyscho father. The next 20 minutes of the show aired a huge fight between Naomi and Sad Dad.

The only normal thing in this episode was Mrs Garnett. She was so laid back and easy going, it was a wonder why she lived there, why she hadn't gotten a divorce and how she spawned such bizarre children.

The Family

2008-09-17T17:31:00.004-04:00

If you're like me, you haven't missed the sound of family squabbles since moving out of the home you grew up in 10 years ago, but in case you aren't you may be in luck. There is a new show on Channel 4 that has an extremely annoying mother, a controlling father and three spoiled little brats! It is called The Family. A modern take on the 1974 version, the new series is a bit different. Instead of the director bombarding the family with a film crew, they installed twenty one small remote operated cameras in their house, and watch and edit in a cottage nearby.

The Hughes are a very loud family, and I don't think I will be tuning in again. It was non-stop domestic bullshit, and the father really got on my nerves. It was like he was over acting for the cameras every chance he got. Maybe he has always wanted to be on television, who knows? Who cares? Right. Reality television has become so common, I won't be surprised if ratings for The Family are low. Yeah there were noisy arguments and ferocious children, but overall it was quite boring, not to mention the fact that 4 of the women look almost identical and it was a tad confusing at times to figure out who was who. I think I will focus on my own life, and stop watching!

Helen Hunt looks really old

2008-09-16T19:08:00.003-04:00

OK, I know some might take offense to the "really old" remark, but she does. Jonathan Ross was just presenting his movie reviews on BBC 1, which is how I happened to come across Then She Found Me. The entire time the preview was playing I'm thinking, "why is Bette Midler playing Helen Hunt's mother when Bette looks at least 15 years younger than Helen??" Seriously. Why? Not to mention that Matthew Broderick and Colin Firth both look incredibly young posed next to Helen Hunt. What happened to her?

I must admit the last movie I caught her in was As Good As It Gets, which I think was about 12 years ago...I guess while the rest of Hollywood is lining up for botox, Helen opted to go a different route. That's nice, but she really shouldn't be casting herself as a 35 year old woman when she looks like she is pushing 60.

Ryan Malloy butchers Jersey Boys

2008-09-14T14:35:00.002-04:00

One Night Only on ITV 3 tonight showed a "special" performance by London's cast of Jersey Boys. Ryan Malloy who portrays Frankie Valli sounded particularly sharp, and not the good kind of sharp! Nasely, off key and all over the place would describe the rest of the cast tonight who reminded me of four drunk British men out on their stag night attempting karaoke! It was bad!!

I said it before and I'll say it again: why is this show on the Westend?

Bone cancer

2008-08-22T13:15:00.002-04:00

by D Aronson
Bone cancer is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all new tumors. Not all bone tumors are fatal in fact benign (non cancerous) abnormalities are more common than malignant ones. Most bone cancers are secondary and have been spread from another site. Primary bone cancer which starts in the bone is quite rare constituting less than one per cent of all malignant tumors. They are more common in males, especially in children and adolescents. The most common type of primary bone cancer is osteosarcoma. This type of carcinoma usually affects young adults. It can affect any bone, but the arms, legs and pelvis are more commonly affected. Other less common forms of primary bone cancer include Ewing sarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma and chondrosarcoma.

Primary Bone Cancer
The causes of primary bone tumors are not known; however, adults who have Pagets disease (a bone disease) may have an increased risk.

Secondary bone cancer
Secondary bone cancer is the most common bone cancer. It is a carcinoma that starts somewhere else in the body and spreads (metastasizes) to the bone. The most common cancers that spread to the bone originate in the breast, prostate, lung, kidney and thyroid.

Reticulum cell sarcoma of the bone
A cancerous tumor of the bone marrow presenting in more males than females.

Leukemia
Cancer of the blood, which starts in the bone marrow

Symptoms of bore cancer
Symptoms tend to develop slowly and depend on the type, location, and size of the tumor. The signs and symptoms of bone cancer include: painful bones and joints, swelling of bones and joints, problems with movement, susceptibility to fractures. Less common symptoms include: unexplained weight loss, tiredness, fever and sweating.

Remember bone cancer is very rare so if you have any of these symptoms it is likely to be caused by another condition. Always see your doctor if you have for a diagnosis.

Causes
Although bone cancer does not have a clearly defined cause, researchers have identified several factors that increase the likelihood of developing these tumors. A small number of bone cancers are due to heredity.

Diagnosis
Bone cancer can present itself in any of the bones of the body, but it is diagnosed most often in the long bones of the arms and legs.

Diagnosing bone cancer involves a number of tests, including: X-rays and bone scans to show the exact location and size of the cancer (these are always done prior to biopsy), bone biopsy where a small sample of the cancer is removed from the bone and examined in the laboratory for the presence of malignant cells, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan similar to a CT scan but uses magnetism instead of x-rays to build three-dimensional pictures of your body.

Treatment
The treatment and prognosis of bone cancer depend upon multiple factors including the type and extent of the cancer, the patient's age and overall health status. Tumors may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these.

Primary bone cancers:
The tumor, surrounding bone tissue and nearby lymph nodes are surgically removed. In severe cases, the affected limb may need to be amputated, but this is rare. Treatment may also include radiotherapy (x-rays to target and kill the cancer cells) and chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs). These may be given before surgery, to shrink the cancer and/or afterwards to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

Secondary bone cancer:
Treatment depends on the treatment for the original tumor, but usually includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy. Surgery may be needed to strengthen the affected bone.

Prognosis
Overall, the chance of recovery (prognosis) for bone cancers has improved significantly since the development of modern chemotherapy. The chance of recovery will depend on a variety of influences; if the cancer has spread, the type of bone cancer, the size of the tumour, location, the person's general health and other individual factors.

If the tumor is very small and localized, the five-year survival rate is close to 90 percent. If the cancer has begun to spread, however, survival becomes more difficult. The five-year survival rate is only about 60 percent, and the prognosis is poor once the cancer spreads.

Bone cancer in cats and dogs
Bone carcinoma in dogs and cats can be a challenging disorder. Osteosarcoma is by far the most common bone tumour if dogs, usually striking the leg bones of larger breeds. Chemotherapy significantly prolongs the survival of animals with osteosarcoma when used in conjunction with surgery. For dogs Cisplatin alone or in combination with doxorubicin markedly improves survival time to a median of 8-10 months with the percentage of dogs alive after11 months at 50%.

Feline Osteosarcoma unlike its canine counterpart it has a much lower rate of metastasis and longer term survival can be expected with complete excision. Median survival for cats with osteosarcoma is approximately 2 years with many cats outreaching that.

When mutation becomes a necessity

2008-08-19T16:43:00.004-04:00

BBC 1 aired a documentary on the vicious inbreeding of dogs last night. The audience was shown pictures of various breeds from the 1800s and then of 2008--the deformity of skulls, noses, legs and spines is enough to deteriorate the health of a dog dramatically, but yet these mutations are necessary to win the highest honors at dog shows like Crufts.

The ignorance of dog show runners around the country was enough to make one vomit, "If a a Ridgeback is born without a ridge, it is deformed and must be put down." In an undeluded world the ridge is a spine deformity that has happened because of hundreds of years of inbreeding. "Of course I would never sleep with my sister, but that is entirely different from a dog sleeping with it's sister." Really? How so?

The British Bull Terrier's skull used to be similar to that of a Jack Russell, now it has become so deformed most dogs in this breed suffer from deafness. A pug's snout used to be inches out from where it is now. Their mutations are causing breathing difficulties and visual disturbances to the point where eyeballs are coming out from their sockets. Disgusting? None of this is enough to stop a dog from winning best in breed at Crufts. In the dog show world, anything internal doesn't matter, so a Cavalier with syringomyelia can even win best in show.

This entire show made me thankful I personally refused to buy into the pedigree world--both of my dogs are "muts", but at least they have a better chance of living a healthy life.

Picture above has a pug in it.

Shawn Johnson wins gold...FINALLY!

2008-08-19T07:44:00.002-04:00

I am so pleased that Shawn Johnson just won the gold medal for her beam performance. The Chinese have dominated in men's gymnastics, and I was starting to memorize their national anthem, so it was nice to hear my own in this women's gymnastics final.

Shawn Johnson was by far the best on beam today, and I think throughout the entire olympics. She has the technical ability for difficulty, whereas Liukin is more artistic. Congrats Shawn, you deserve this! You also deserved to win on floor!!