Ain't She Grand

Full disclosure: Before Grand Hotel, the only Joan Crawford film I'd ever seen was Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?  To be perfectly honest, I had to double-check to make sure I was watching the same Joan Crawford in Grand Hotel. She is so perfectly sweet and sarcastic that she steals every scene she's in, and when she's not on screen, I found myself wondering when she'd be back. Not a small feat, considering the other names she's up against (Greta Garbo, John Barrymore).

Plot-wise, I'm happy to report that most of the action was unpredictable, a nice departure from the films I've seen so far. It starts as a kind of lighthearted, romantic romp -- but then there's a twist that brings everything way, way down. I'm not sure if I liked the story, ultimately, but I'm happy to have seen the other side of Joan.

Best Picture Death Race: 4 films seen; 78 to go.

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Posted in: BestPicDeathRace

Progress Report

It's now the middle of the year, and I dread that I have not made the progress necessary to meet, um, any of my deadlines. So I decided to take stock and form a plan. And I also decided to live-blog this fascinating process. You're welcome.

Best Picture Death Race: I stalled out on this one when our DVD player stopped sending pictures to our TV. It starts up, shows me the welcome screen, and then my TV tells me it gets no signal. This is frustrating, and does not inspire me to want to watch movies.
Time remaining: 37 and a half weeks. Movies remaining: 79 (if I watch them in order, including those I've seen). New plan: At least two movies per week; sometimes fit in a weekend marathon.

Twice Baked Challenge: This one is going to be tricky for me, because The Fisherman and I just started our own inter-marriage Biggest Loser Challenge. But it'll be great for you, because I'll probably just bake a lot of stuff and give it away. But how much do I actually need to bake?
Time remaining: Six and a half months. Recipes remaining: 52, counting "a trio of truffles" as one. New plan: So basically, I need to bake a new thing every four days? That is crazy-talk, unless one of those new things is a sauce or beverage. New resolution: weekly baking sprees, involving two or more recipes. Watch the Twice Baked blog, because seriously, there's going to be a lot to give away.

Passport to Everywhere: Yeah, I have til 2014. At least I have this one.

Photo by Steel Wool, Flickr

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The Queen of Mexico

I'll be writing about my trip to the Riviera Maya at Recommend and probably also a little bit at Jetblogged, but there's one particular attraction in Playa del Carmen you'll only read about here: the Reina Roja.

My itinerary included several hotel site inspections, with this fiesty little place slipped in, as if nobody would notice we were all of a sudden inside a SEX DUNGEON. A hotel spokesperson took us around and explained that the place was inspired by a "love of women." Then he took us to the porn room.

(I did not take photos in the porn room.)

Now I'm just trying to decide: to what publication should I pitch this place?

These freaky mannequins were stationed all over the lobby/bar area, in various stages of (un)dress. It's not the fashion I'm opposed to here, but the mannequins in the first place. Is this sexy to someone? Anyone?

Here we have "The Green Room," which is a room covered entirely -- floor, walls and ceiling -- in astroturf. See above, re: mannequins. Anyone?

Aw, look, guys. It's the honeymoon suite.

And, naturally, a tattoo parlor, inside a cage, inside a bar. This is where great ideas are born.

In all seriousness, my trip to Playa was a wonderful time, and I can't wait to go back to redeem the hotel stay I won in a raffle. And no, you weirdo, it's not at the Pervy Mannequin Palace.

Passport to Everywhere: 36 stamps to go.

0. Little Whale Cay

1. Bimini

2. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

3. Playa del Carmen, Mexico

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Posted in: PassportToEverywhere