-- Dag, that's a lot of books!

I just checked out Dan's blog post about all the books he's reading (there are 22 on his list!) and exclaimed out loud "Damn, you're reading a lot!" He laughed. "That doesn't even include the magazines and audio books I'm working on!"

wow. My hero.

Here's what I'm currently reading:

The Hummingbird's Daughter, by Luis Alberto Urrea. Set in 1800s Mexico, a charming tale about how a young girl captivates the hearts and minds of the Mexican people. I wasn't turned on by the book jacket description:

"Miracles and passion abound in this mesmerizing novel -- everywhere hailed as a masterwork -- the story of a young woman whose gifts as a healer lend her the aura of a saint, and who must come to terms with a surprising destiny as all of Mexico rises in revolution, crying out her name."

Not only did it not turn me on, but it turned me off -- I'm not big into saints and this just makes the entire thing sound flaky. But I got the book anyway, because I love Urrea and I have not been disappointed. It's absolutely entrancing.

When you are engulfed in flames, David Sedaris

A wolf at the table, Augusten Burroughs -- I stopped reading this at some point though because it's so dark I just needed a break. It's a memoir about Augusten's dark childhood and damaging father. It's the only book of his I have not read though, and I mean to finish it.

Plato and a platypus walk into a bar: Understanding philosophy through jokes.

Diary of an emotional idiot, Maggie Estep. I've abandoned all else to read this nonstop the last few days. I picked it up Thanksgiving day and could not put it down. Set in diary form detailing one woman's fast-paced life filled with dysfunctional lovers and ribald exploits. Hilarious and thought-provoking at the same time.

There's also a few pubs: UC Berkeley California's Wellness Letter, Bottom Line Health, The Funny Times, The Week, Oprah (YES I like Oprah, don't make me defend it), Pesticides & You, and our local town paper, the Bowie Blade News. And online: Google news, the stuff in my reader, and the Washington Post (but not everyday, though that's a goal -- that or the NY Times).

Have I mentioned I like to read?

-- more domesticity

You'd think after all I ate on Thanksgiving that I'd put myself on a strict diet of lettuce and lemon rinds for the rest of the year. But nooo. This morning I was in the mood for a feast and made french toast from fresh-baked challah bread (using almond milk instead of regular milk -- it was good!), scrambled eggs and turkey bacon. Mmm! Now I am cleaning the house top to bottom, getting ready for the coming week.

Pamela Anderson Plans To Go Serious

Pamela Anderson is ready to ditch her image as a sexy blonde pin-up - so she can reinvent herself as a serious actress.

Now she's 41, the former Baywatch babe is keen to keep her clothes on and be a better role model for her two sons.

And that means more straight acting roles, instead of reality shows like her disastrous recent stint in Pam: Girl on the Loose.

A source tells Star magazine, "Pam felt her management team just saw her as a sexy pin-up, and she wants to be taken more seriously".

Tyra Banks' Show Faces Cuts

Tyra Banks' Show Faces Cuts... Supermodel-turned-TV presenter Tyra Banks is facing a raft of cuts to her daily talk show - as networks feel the pinch of the global economic downturn.

The Tyra Banks Show is to move to CW network's afternoon slot and will see the production schedule cut from 34 weeks to just 26 in a bid to slash costs.

The series has suffered a nine per cent drop in ratings since November last year (07).

Sharon Stone, Madge among Playboy’s Sexiest Celebrity Cover Models

Many Playboy bunnies have gone on to fame and fortune after gracing the cover of the famous men's magazine.

And some of Hollywood's biggest stars have boosted the mag's sales with alluring, enticing cover shots. Now, a list has been compiled to reveal the best celebrity cover models over the years.

The list tailored by FoxNews includes -
1. Raquel Welch, December 1979
Welch's career might have been waning in 1979 but her sex appeal was still at an all-time high. The cover headline read, “A Celebration of the Decade's Most Desired Women.”

2. Ann-Margret, October 1983
The same year that Ann-Margret made a TV movie playing a dying mother of ten children, she posed for her Playboy cover.

3. Sharon Stone, July 1990
After “Total Recall” with Arnold Schwarzenegger and a cover and nude photo spread in Playboy, Sharon was off and running to major Hollywood stardom. Playboy listed her in the “Top 25 All-Time Sexiest Stars of the Decade.”

4. Dolly Parton, October 1978
Dolly graced Playboy in full bunny attire: tail, ears, and double-Ds. That same year she won a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

5. Farrah Fawcett, December 1978
Fawcett, who steadfastly resisted appearing nude in films or magazines throughout the 1970s and 1980s, caused a major stir by posing nude in the December 1995 issue of Playboy, which became the best-selling issue of the 1990s, with over 4 million copies sold worldwide.

6. Joan Collins, December 1983
Joan was 49 when she posed for a 12-page pictorial and the cover of Playboy. That same year she starred in a made-for-TV movie called Making of a Male Model.

7. Burt Reynolds, October 1979
Burt has been on the cover of Playboy only once, fully clothed. But from 1973 to 1983 he was featured seven times in Playboy's famous annual “Sex Stars” pictorials.

8. Sally Field, March 1986
In 1986, she was between films, but she got a little career boost, Hef-style, with her cover pose in bunny tail, fishnets, and all.

9. Madonna, September 1985
Madonna embarked on her first concert tour in the U.S. in 1985 titled The Virgin Tour, with the Beastie Boys. In July that year, Penthouse and Playboy magazines published a number of black and white nude photos of Madonna taken in the late 1970s. Madonna took legal action to try and block them from being published, but when that failed she became unapologetic and defiant.

10. Barbra Streisand, October 1977
“A Star Is Born” earned her an Oscar, a Golden Globe, numerous Grammys, a Barbara Walters interview, and a Playboy cover.

-- home

Lobotomized by mind-numbing traffic, but I am home. Been writing from my phone the past few days and now too, as I don't feel like setting foot near a computer. Hope your Thanksgiving was rich with good food and good times.

Meet Kanye West's new model girlfriend

Kanye West, who is due to perform two tour dates in Auckland and Wellington next week, is reportedly dating supermodel Sessilee Lopez.

The hip-hop star is said to have grown close to the catwalk beauty after personally selecting her to appear in the music video for his single Flashing Lights.

A friend of Sessilee's is quoted by Britain's The Sun newspaper as saying: "Kanye was instantly smitten with Sessilee and it's not hard to see why. But it's more than just looks for Kanye, they get on really well and have a deep connection.

"Recently, Kanye has invited Sessilee to several parties and the pair have also had a few quiet nights together."

However, it seems 31-year-old Kanye faces competition for Sessilee's affections.

The American beauty - who modelled lingerie at the Victoria's Secret fashion show in Miami earlier this month - is being romantically pursued by a host of handsome stars.

The source added: "Everyone wants a piece of Sessilee, she is one of the hottest models around. But she is very fond of Kanye though."

Kanye has been officially single since splitting from fiancee Alexis Phifer in April.

The pair are believed to have separated because Kanye - who has just released new album 808s and Heartbreak - was too obsessed with his career.

Alexis said at the time: "It's always sad when things like this end. But we are still friends. I wish him the best in his future and all of his endeavours. He's one of the most talented people I've ever met."

-- appropriate after thanksgiving

When the heart is full, the eyes overflow... (In Yiddish: As dos hartz iz ful, gai'en di oigen iber.)

-- not related to thanksgiving, but

Hope you had a happy one anyway. Now I bring you more utter ridiculousness from the supermarket... to which I say *who cares*!

Eva Mendes likes to show her Twin Assets

Hollywood actress Eva Mendes says she prefers to keep her ample chest under wraps, but won’t mind exposing them on ‘special occasions’.

The Hitch actress has been dating filmmaker George Gargurevich since 2002, reports China Daily . "I don't wear short things. As for cleavage, I'll bring the girls out at certain times but I don't parade them too often. I like to keep them for special occasions!" Eva said.

Eva, 34, recently revealed her love for high heels, but never buys heels above 5 inches because she finds it so difficult to move around.

"I absolutely love shoes. I can never have too many pairs. I especially love ones with huge stiletto heels - but it's always a circus act when I walk in them. I am all over the place,” Eva said.

-- home in nj

Traffic was nonexistent. First thanksgiving ever like this.

-- proof of start time

Setting off now for the highways, lets see bout this traffic thing.

-- out of office autoreplies

I am absolutely busting a gut. I have to repost this:

Ten favorite automated e-mail responses, from Ron Crumbaker's ITForum:

1. I am currently out of the office at a job interview and will reply to you if I fail to get the position. Please be prepared for my mood.

2. You are receiving this automatic notification because I am out of the office. If I was in, chances are you wouldn't have received anything at all.

3. Sorry to have missed you, but I'm at the doctor's having my brain and heart removed so I can be promoted to our management team.

4. I will be unable to delete all the e-mails you send me until I return from vacation. Please be patient, and your mail will be deleted in the order it was received.

5. Thank you for your e-mail. Your credit card has been charged $5.99 for the first 10 words and $1.99 for each additional word in your message.

6. The e-mail server is unable to verify your server connection. Your message has not been delivered. Please restart your computer and try sending again.

7. Thank you for your message, which has been added to a queuing system. You are currently in 352nd place, and can expect to receive a reply in approximately 19 weeks.

8. Hi, I'm thinking about what you've just sent me. Please wait by your PC for my response.

9. I've run away to join a different circus.

10. I will be out of the office for the next two weeks for medical reasons. When I return, please refer to me as "Kate" instead of Dave.

-- Acts 1-5: girl's (unsuccessful) attempt to buy glasses

Act 1: girl gets eye exam. Because her eyes are freakishly dilated, she cannot see and thus cannot pick out new glasses.

me: I'm going to have to come back later because I can't see anything right now. Can I please have my prescription?

clerk: um, sorry. The doctor just left so, no.

me: I can only get the prescription when the doctor is here?

clerk: yes

me: (annoyed sigh) Fine.

Act 2, one week later: Girl, while out running errands, notices eyeglasses store in shopping center.

me: ooh! Let me check out their selection.

hubby: oh those look nice on you.

me: done!

me (to clerk): I'd like these, please. Except my prescription is at this other place.

clerk: No problem, I will call them.

clerk: Hello, I'm calling from The Better Eyeglass Store With A Nicer Selection And More Competent Employees, I need a prescription you have on file.... Oh, you can't?

me (overhearing): Here! I will talk to them!

me (taking phone): See, I was just there last week but you couldn't give me the prescription then. I need it now. Can you fax it here?

(incompetent) clerk: Sorry. The law says we can't do that. But if you have a personal fax, we can fax it.

me: I do! I have a personal fax. (gives number)

me, to nice clerk: I'll have to come back later, after I get their fax. (Suddenly it occurs to me: crap, why didn't I just give them the fax number here? How would they have known?)

Act 3: Two weeks pass, the fax never came. Girl has called the nice place twice to make sure they still have the frames, and the incompetent place twice to request that they send her the prescription. Each time her molars get a little smoother as she grinds her teeth in frustration.

Act 4: Another week passes, which involves at least three attempts to stop by the incompetent place to pick up the prescription. Through a series of repeated comedic errors, the paperwork is never obtained.

Act 5 (today): The other store finally gave up and put the frames back into circulation causing girl to spend an additional hour searching for them. Another attempt to get the prescription was made:

me: Hi, I called earlier to see if you could have my prescription ready for me. I am five minutes away.

(incompetent) clerk: Sorry. We're closing now.

me: Can you please mail it then? I've requested this multiple times.

(incompetent) clerk (sullenly): Well, ok. But it's going to take a loooong time.

me: How long?

(incompetent) clerk: I don't know. It has to be mailed from the Really Fucking Far Away office. Nothing can be mailed out from here. And *I* won't be in the Really Fucking Far Away Office until MONDAY. hmph. So wait until after Thanksgiving, Bitch.*

(*alright, so she didn't really say the last thing, but she was thinking it. I could tell.)

To add to my joy, I just realized that my coupon expires in days and I am going to have to repeat the entire rushed scenario next week.

I hate buying glasses.

-- useful blog add-ons

Wow, I just found this great list of blog add-ons and wanted to share, like a chat app, a PDF generator so people can download your web pages as ad-free PDFs, forms, make a chat room, see how many viewers are currently visiting, print your blog, and lots more.

--> Check it out!

I am going to have to look at this later.

Kim Cattrall goes topless for Titian's masterpiece

Actress Kim Cattrall, the star of Sex and the City, has posed semi-naked to appear in a recreation of Titian's masterpiece as part of a campaign to save the artwork from being removed from public display.

The Police Academy star went topless for a modern version of 'Diana and Actaeon' to help artist and photographer Tom hunter raise 50 million pounds to save the artwork from hitting the open market.

Kim, a regular at the London National Gallery and a huge admirer of Titian's work, argued viewing the painting as 'being in the presence of genius... it would be a tragedy if it were not on public view'.

The 52-year-old actress had been enlisted by Hunter along with a troupe of twenty somethings students to pose for the 21st century version of the painting, reports the Telegraph.

He said, "Kim is the perfect Diana. Just like the Greek goddess, she combines beauty with a sense of threat. She was a great sport and at 52 made an amazing Diana. She more than held her own among a room full of twentysomethings.

"The picture can't of course hold a candle to the original which deserves to remain on public view. This painting is sublime and to lose it to a private collection would be a tragedy," he added.

Beyonce Premieres ‘Cadillac Records’

Beyonce glams up the red carpet in a black Dolce & Gabbana dress with puff sleeves at the premiere of her new movie, Cadillac Records, held at The Egyptian Theater on Monday in Hollywood. The 27-year-old actress finished off her outfit with a glitzy belt and Brian Atwood heels (the backs were jewel-encrusted).

Beyonce portrays singer Etta James in the drama musical, out Dec. 5. Cadillac Records explores the 1950s musical era, chronicling the life of the influential Chicago-based record-company executive Leonard Chess, and the singers who recorded for Chess Records.

Beyonce, 27, and husband Jay-Z, 38, recently topped Forbes’ list of Hollywood’s richest couples - with combined earnings for 2008 of $162 million.

Hollywood’s Top 10 Top Earning Couples are as follows:

1. Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles - $162 million
2. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith - $85 million
3. David Beckham and Victoria Beckham - $58 million
4. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill - $35 million
5. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - $34 million
6. Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann - $30 million
7. Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani - $28 million
8. Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman - $25 million
9. Tony Parker and Eva Longoria Parker - $22.5 million
10. Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart - $22 million

Eva Mendes Like to Keep my Cleavage For Special Occasions'

Eva Mendes says she only shows off her chest on special occasions.

The Hitch star - who has been voted one of the world's Most Desirable Women - does not believe in flashing too much flesh and only wears low-cut tops when she feels it is appropriate.

She says, "I don't wear short things. As for cleavage, I'll bring the girls out at certain times but I don't parade them too often.

"I like to keep them for special occasions."

-- biggest purse you ever saw?

So on movie night, I picked up some takeout and brought it over my friend's house in this special insulated picnic bag. When I walked in with it bulging (here it's empty) he told me later he thought, "Man, that is the biggest purse I have ever seen!"

So maybe I'll start using it. Freak people out. Anyone need a small pony smuggled anywhere?

Karolina Kurkova Named World’s Sexiest Woman

It takes a lot of things to be sexy: An angelic face, well-toned body, smoking hot appearance. Karolina Kurkova has it all and that's what earns her the title "The Sexiest Woman in the World!" She was named by E! entertainment television as being The Sexiest and tops the list beating some of the sexiest women in show business like her fellow Angels Giselle Bundchen, Adriana Lima and Heidi Klum!

I wonder why Megan Fox or Marisa Miller are not on the top 10 list, as they were too given a similar titles.

The Victoria's Secret model was recently ranked by Forbes a one of the world's highest paid models as well. Gorgeous and rich?! Some girls get all the luck!

Anyway, here are the remaining hotties from the complete top 10 list:

1. Karolina Kurkova
2. Bar Rafael
3. Angelina Jolie
4. Gisele Bundchen
5. Scarlett Johansson
6. Adriana Lima
7. Heidi Klum
8. Penelope Cruz
9. Manuela Arcuri
10. Shakira

Michael Jackson cancels plan to appear in UK court

Michael Jackson will not appear in a London court on Monday after the U.S. pop star reached a settlement "in principle" with a Bahraini prince suing him for reneging on a recording contract.

The reclusive 50-year-old had agreed last week to testify at the High Court.

"As Mr. Jackson was about to board his plane to London, he was advised by his legal team to postpone his travels since the parties had concluded a settlement in principle," a London spokeswoman for Jackson said on Sunday.

"Therefore, he will not be attending court on Monday," said the spokeswoman from PR company Outside Organization.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Khalifa, second son of the king of Bahrain, said Jackson failed to honor a contract to record a new album, write an autobiography and produce a stage play.

He also told the court last week that Jackson owed him $7 million after the prince paid for legal costs, travel and other expenses in 2005 and 2006.

Jackson and his children spent time in Bahrain as a guest of the royal family following a 2005 trial on child molestation charges, but he backed down from plans to work with Sheikh Abdullah in 2006.

He was acquitted of the charges in 2005, but the trial left Jackson's career, reputation and financial status in tatters and he has been a virtual recluse since.

NO VALID AGREEMENT

Jackson's lawyers argued that there was no valid agreement with Sheikh Abdullah, and they have tried to portray the prince as a generous but naive, star-struck pop music amateur.

They also say Sheikh Abdullah's payments to Jackson and his staff were intended as gifts, not part of a business agreement.

Details of the personal and financial relationship between Jackson and Sheikh Abdullah surfaced during the first week of the trial.

The court heard that the prince gave Jackson and his representatives $1 million before he had met the star, and provided $35,000 to pay for utility bills at the singer's Neverland Ranch in the United States.

He paid Jackson $2.2 million in legal fees, and more than $300,000 for the services of a motivational "guru."

Sheikh Abdullah also spent $450,000 on Jackson's brother Jermaine in late 2004 and early 2005, and paid for a Rolls-Royce car for him in California.

Jackson and the prince spoke by telephone and collaborated on songs long-distance during the 2005 trial.

The courts took the unusual step last week of issuing tickets to media outlets wanting to attend the hearing on Monday, in anticipation of the huge press and public interest his appearance was likely to generate.

-- How sad is that?

I must have been feeling pretty bad about yesterday's lame entry, sent from my phone shortly before midnight in a desperate attempt to meet the day's obligatory NaBloPoMo posting. Because I dreamt last night that I was driving over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, hit an ice patch and went careening off the edge. As I plummeted towards the water, I thought, "omg! I have to blog about this!"

How sad is that??

-- movie night

It just wouldn't be the same without the centipede.

-- lowen and navarro concert tonight

I'm at a Lowen and Navarro concert now with Dan Navarro (left) and David Glaser (right). If you haven't heard of L&N, they wrote the lyrics to the song "We Belong Together" that Pat Benatar is famous for. I only recently discovered them through a friend and am really enjoying their tunes. I needed so badly to be transported by music tonight and was really grateful for the trip up to Baltimore to hear them sing. I also met them afterwards, they were both so warm and engaging. Time stopped for a little while...

Sample tune: Cold Outside (from Amazon's clips page)

Christina Aguilera Heads to AMAs Rehearsals

Christina Aguilera arrives at the Nokia Theatre for the 2008 American Music Awards rehearsals in Hollywood on Thursday.

The 27-year-old will open the AMAs on Sunday with a seven-minute medley of her greatest hits.

According to Us Weekly, the opening number will include “Genie in a Bottle,” “Fighter”, “Beautiful,” “Keeps Getting Better” and “Dirrty.”

“We are very excited to have Christina Aguilera perform at this year’s show,” Dick Clark Productions President Orly Adelson said in a statement. “She raises the bar with each live performance and you can expect something special at the 2008 ‘American Music Awards.’”

Paris Hilton: 'I'll Never Get a Tattoo'

Paris Hilton says she will never get a tattoo.

The heiress - who recently split from boyfriend Benji Madden - has had her fair share of tattooed lovers, but swears she will never get body art herself - as she is too scared of needles.

Paris says, "I love tattoos but I don't have one and I would never have one.

"I'm too scared of them. I think I would get sick of it too. I would be over it too quickly and then it would be too late."

Kim Kardashian’s Bikini Moment In The Sun

Kim Kardashian was in Miami for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and the reopening of the Foutainebleau Hotel, where the show was held. Quite naturally, she took the opportunity to make some waves out in the surf.

-- my coming home present

Is a busted internet connection. I'm sending this from my phone. More tomorrow, I need some shuteye.

-- a day in Deception Pass, WA (pix)

Today we went to Deception Pass to gaze at the waters and walk around. Here are some pix. I'm packing to come home tomorrow so I don't have much time to write, but hopefully pictures will tell the story.

Lake near Deception Pass, Washington state

On the beach

The sun sets over the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Dan gets ready to take more pix

Pebbles on the beach

Me taking pix with my new point-n-shoot!

-- for Kevin Forgot

I didn't forget.
For Kev at sucktackular.com...

-- awards! For me and you.

Wow! What could be more awesome than kicking back on vacation with my email & readings only to see I was nominated for two bloggy awards?

One from Haute Pocket, whose blog name I can never write without also saying it out loud just because it's so much fun, passed on the Super Scribbler Award after winning it herself. Thanks, HP, you are the best! And NO I am not on drugs. You ARE witty and brilliant. I await eagerly for your book. (C'mon now, time's a wasting! Well I'll give you some leeway. You can start on it after the big move.) Readers, if you need a laugh, check out miss HP and you'll be giggling in nine seconds, guaranteed. I love her passionate and hilarious rants, like this list, love at first (nipple) sight, and, a post I've read multiple times when I needed a laugh, sometimes a girl just needs some cock.

The other, the Kreative Blogger Award, from Kimmers for Life, another one of my favorite bloggers and budding authors. I first found Kimmers shortly after she got allergy testing. Her account at the doctor's had me laughing out loud and I was hooked. Sometime after that came her hilarious post on the suckiness of renovation but my alltime favorite, however, is this: kimmer's account of a day at work (short but sweet!). I emailed it to 16 of my friends minutes after she put it up.

So now I am passing these on. (Note, if someone else has already nominated you, I'm trying not to repeat it even if I wanted to anyway...). However, if you have won ONE of these awards and not the other (like Kimmers) then I am nominating you for the other one. Otherwise, I pass on both!

kellygo - she describes even pieces of ordinary life with clarity, feeling and humor. Not to mention she makes the world's most delectable monster cupcakes. I know because I've eaten them. But even if I didn't know her personally, she would still be on my fave list.

isweatbutter - One of the first bloggers I started loyally following, I love this guy. His posts either make me laugh and feel warm inside or make me dive deeper into myself but yet somehow feel less alone. He his deep and funny and because of this, I will forgive him for telling me about head cheese.

kimmers for life - Kimmer's posts read like a best friend's letter -- honest and open and funny. Reading her blog is like taking a short vacation from everyday life into someone else's sharp and unpretentious mind. She is going to be a bestselling author someday but y'all have proof right here: I knew her first!

A day in the life - I stalk his blog for hilarious posts about his unmarried redneck neighbor, food, and himself. I have to keep kleenex handy to wipe my screen (or at least be smart enough not to drink) when reading his wry updates.

Jeepgirl - not only a good blogger but a really interesting person. I called hubby over recently. "Look at her account of her past 10 years, doesn't she sound so cool?" Her writing is honest and fun and she seems like a blast to hang out with, especially on Halloween.

Niffer all grown up - I kick myself for all the times hubby said "you know, I have this really cool coworker we should hang out with" but somehow life got too busy. Except for the one time we did meet up, just before she moved across the country. Her funny and thoughtful posts about raising a family go right to my core.

Another excuse to procrastinate - Another blogger that makes me feel like I'm hanging out with an old friend. I read her recent post about doing yoga on wii fit and, though I'd never heard of it before, now have to check this out! Libby is sweet and funny and I love reading about her death marches hikes!

The QC report - this blogger is actually writing a book and when it's ready, I am buying it. Several copies. I discovered her blog right after I adopted a kitten and a friend emailed me her kitten post (scroll to "Guest Quarters" or read the whole funny archive). I usually end up emailing snippets to friends with one hand over my mouth stifling my laughter.

Thanks, y'all, for being you. You know I love you all!

-- whale watching in the Pacific Northwest

So yesterday we went whale-watching.

A Dall's porpoise swims gracefully off towards the horizon.

Me on the ferry.

It takes about an hour to go from Whidbey Island to San Juan Island on the ferry (Anacortes to Friday Harbor). The ferry has cozy areas to sit and liquify while gazing out the window. Would be a most awesome commute though it's expensive -- $45 for a roundtrip ferry pass!

Taking pictures on the topside ferry deck.

Dan about to get into the boat. We chose Maya's Whale Watching because we like the more personalized experience of a smaller boat and also because of the great feeling I got when talking to the captain, Jim Maya. He was excellent, could spot eagles and wildlife from afar and was a very warm and interesting person.

Views of the Puget Sound

The water was silky smooth and the temperature a gentle (for this time of year) 50 degrees, a beautiful day to look for cetaceans.

We spotted a minke whale (which looked like a distant blip on my tiny point-n-shoot so I didn't bother) but also ran across a pod of Dall's porpoises.

Dall's porpoises

A Dall's porpoise arcs gracefully out of the water.

Inside the boat, a fellow traveler eyes a whale ID sheet while captain Jim Maya keeps an eagle eye out on ripples and other signs of underwater activity.

Dan could never tire of this.

Video! (20 seconds)


And another (1 minute):

-- to Dolores from Portugal

Hey, I know what you mean. I sometimes feel like deleting my writings too. If you start up another blog, LMK, I'd love to stop by. Hope school is going well! --blogrollandroll

-- how about where NOT to find them?

Found this in the hotel lobby. I would generally prefer NOT to seek out bears and other beasts that would enjoy dining on my flesh, but maybe that's just me.

Breast Fest Film Festival 2008 in Toronto

Toronto will hold the world's first Breast Fest Film Festival next week to raise awareness about breast cancer globally.

To be organised by Toronto-based non-profit organisation Rethink Breast Cancer, the November 21-22 festival will feature films, individual stories and discussions about the issues surrounding the disease.

By showcasing films about the emotional toll of the disease, the festival will use the powers of this media to engage and educate audiences about the disease, Rethink Breast Cancer said Tuesday. The festival will also connect people to each other and to the breast cancer cause, it said.

On the pattern of the Toronto International Film Festival, film screenings will be followed by panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions with film directors.

"So many people are touched by breast cancer, but each person's experience is very different, resulting in a wide range of needs that are not always met through traditional support and education options," said Rethink vice-president Alison Gordon.

"The stars of the Breast Fest Film Festival are the women and men who have shared their stories, through which we hope to engage and connect people, and encourage them to think differently about breast cancer," she added.

The festival will open with the Canadian premiere of Living Proof, which highlights the importance of breast cancer research through the true story of Dennis Slamon of the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) who helped develop the breast cancer drug Herceptin. Renée Zellweger is one of the executive producers of the film.

Next day, the winner of the Breast Fest Film Festival short film competition will be presented the Amazing Grace award – named after well-known Canadian filmmaker Grace Cianciotta.

Those touched by breast cancer will also share their stories at an international forum to be held November 22.

Australian Music Star Keith Urban Is One Of The World's Sexiest Men'

Australian country music star Keith Urban has been named one of the sexiest men alive, but he didn't bend it like international soccer ace David Beckham who topped the hunks' list.

Twenty judges were recruited by Entertainment Television to come up with a list of the world's 25 hottest blokes now deemed the Sexiest Men of the World.

All Black hunk Dan Carter came in at No. 11.

Urban, who once posed nude for Playgirl magazine, came in at a respectable 16, thanks to his virility and versatility.

"He's sort of the guy that came in and saved Nicole and he gave her what she wanted - which was a baby," the Australian judge, Ask Sam's Samantha Brett said.

"He goes from rugged to red carpet in five minutes flat."

"He's always so well put together, he's down to earth and he's sweet."

Kidman has two adopted children with former husband Tom Cruise and had a baby daughter with Urban in July.

The list is one in the series of sexiest lists that have rated cover models, celebrity body parts and pop divas.

Ms Brett, who was recruited to the Los Angeles judging panel, said Beckham was the obvious choice for the number one spot.

"Becks is the ultimate package - he's sporty, he's cute, he has a great fashion sense - he's got the six-pack abs," she said.

"And he's a dad, and so that's the ultimate 'wow' factor for women, I think, seeing a doting father."

Acclaimed US actor Johnny Depp took out second.

"Johnny Depp is the bona fide bad boy and women are addicted to guys that are a bit naughty," Ms Brett said.

"And every girl wants to be the girl to change the bad boy but of course that's never going to happen."

Selma Blair is Snake Sexy

Selma Blair works out a fun gray dress at the Hellboy II: The Golden Army DVD and Blu-Ray release party held at Element in Hollywood on Tuesday.

Check out Selma’s ring! It’s Loree’s Coiled Snake Bondage Ring in white gold, black rhodium and grey diamonds, which retails for $30,000.

Selma, 36, currently appears in the NBC comedy, Kath & Kim (an adaptation of the Australian show with the same name). The show co-stars Molly Shannon. Former Baywatch babe, Pamela Anderson, has reportedly agreed to make a cameo appearance on the show.

-- aerial views from 20,000 feet

I absolutely love flying. Views of the earth from the air are so otherworldly and exquisite that I am consumed with nothing else but their beauty while staring out the window.

View of a dried riverbed in the midwestern plains.

Farmland, midwestern plains.

I love the textures of the land. More farmland.
Look at the tiny town -- who lives there?
What must life be like in a place
so separate from the rest of the country?

The land starts to get some texture
as we get closer to Colorado.

The mountains are so fractal in nature.

Passing over clouds, they look like giant swaths of cotton batting.

Getting closer to the mountains
of Denver, Colorado.

Snow!

This looked like a road from the air
but I can't be sure it's not railroad tracks.

And the sun sets.