And the Winner Is...

So this is the first time in five years I've missed the Oscars. Some of my favorite memories are spending the night with my sorority girls and critiquing outfits and pronouncing our award predictions. Actually I think most of the award choices are ridiculous and rigged by liberal progressives in authoritative positions, but nevertheless, I enjoy watching the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. They definitely know how to keep you glued for several hours.

Sadly, this also is the first year I've been more personally interested in the results. Ever since watching The King's Speech with my dear friend Nadia a couple months ago, I've watched excitedly as its award potential swept past other more "Blockbuster" films. The King's Speech is one of the most inspiring and uplifting films I have seen since The Emperor's Club. I have never felt so sympathetic for the protagonist, and the historic portrayal of the Royal Family's turmoils at the time is excellent. Definitely one I look forward to purchasing on DVD and watching again and again over the years. Do you think The King's Speech will take home Best Picture?

Too bad I'm going to miss seeing Mr. Darcy's charming smile and acceptance speech.

In Vino Veritas

I've been gradually getting back into the habit of wine lately. I never really realized how much I missed it until I began reading Wine & War. It's such a riveting homage to the wine culture in France and its role in European history. The Kladstrups have beautiful prose that paints a vivid picture of the strife that French Winemakers faced during the Nazi occupation but also moments of intense patriotism that rise up defiantly in the face of adversity. As a budding oenophile, I also experienced some disheartening moments when they described the looting and greedy consumption of France's treasures such as the late 19th and early 20th century vintages of great houses like Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Chateau d'Yquem, Pol Roger and Taittinger. But at the same time, imagine having the remarkable experience as one of De Nonancourt's men in the French 2nd Armored or being in the 1st or 3rd Battalions that discovered Goring's stash of Wines, Champagnes and Liquor in Berchtesgaden!

That's actually one of my favorite scenes in Band of Brothers. The utter awesomeness that Nixon experiences when Winters takes him to Goring's wine cellar and allows him his pick out of anything there. How incredible would that have been?!? One reason why its one of the best mini-series ever. EVER.

Speaking of wine... had a fabulous bottle of Vouvray tonight. A little sweeter than I expected, but the full body balanced it out nicely. Excellent none-the-less. Hints of pear and peach would go nicely with dessert items.

I've also had a sudden impulse tonight. All of a sudden I had an inclination to up and move to France and work in the vineyards for a year or so. I know there's plenty of opportunities for that here in the States, but once you start reading and drinking French wines, well, there's something different about it. Like a whispering longing to see where it all began. I don't know why, but I really wanted to get up at the crack of dawn and walk up and down the vines, pruning, checking the grapes growth... I wanted to really get to know the terroir first hand, learn about wine making from the bottom up, immerse myself in the French language and participate in hundreds of years of tradition. Maybe I will someday, but for now I'll let the inclination linger in my heart and see if I still desire it a few years from now.

Let the Interviews Begin

Alright! One week in and I've already had some positive feedback for all my job search efforts. And these are serious careers, not a part-time stint at Starbucks as I was anticipating. My first interview is this next Tuesday morning with a pretty good looking position. The company looks legit and reliable with great prospectives at leadership and management potential in the future. Not sold completely, but at least it's something to work towards these next few days.

Keep me in your prayers. I'm going to need it as I've been out of practice for interviews for a while now. Now, where did I pack that business suit...

Oh, and I went shopping at Pottery Barn today. Muoy successful! Had a gift card that's been burning in my wallet for ages. Turns out they're doing a President's day sale (15% off) plus I bought all clearance items. I'd say it was a day well spent. So now this lovely dog graces our fireplace mantle and some awesome vintage silver plated stocking hangers that will just have to wait till Christmas. I always love the style of Pottery Barn, but I'd have to say that lately they've disappointed me in the quality department. They're currently promoting a line of faux potted plants and up close they look most definitely plastic! Tisk, tisk, Pottery Barn. Stick with the live plants you have online. Like this lavender plant! Even though I could buy one at a farmer's market for three-quarters the cost.

On the other hand, I'm becoming even more fascinated with Restoration Hardware each time I walk by the store at Cherry Creek or look at the catalog on our coffee table.

Oh, and I've been eyeing these wine racks from Crate & Barrel. The simplicity of it allows the art of the wine bottle and label to show off well. This will be one of the first things I'll buy once I get that big girl check!

Mile High Living

Did you know Denver is called the "Mile High City"? I didn't until last week when we passed the sign that boasted it. 5,280 feet high. Yep, I officially arrived to my new hometown as of last Friday night. Apartment searching was a bit annoying, as expected, but Paige and I are now partly settled (no furniture yet, just a cozy queen inflatable mattress) into a nicely inexpensive one bedroom on the border of Denver proper and Aurora.

I've never been particularly sold on Denver, but its better than Hillsdale for sure. I'm not exactly the nature loving kind of person that usually gravitates to this place - you know, the person who would spend a weekend camping, wears everything North Face and drives a Subaru. Nothing against that type of person, I actually find them refreshing to socialize with from time to time. Inspires me to love nature more and shopping less. All things considered, I'm just not that type of a person, so I was more attracted to Denver for its big city-ness rather than the proximity to nature. We'll see how quickly that changes. I've already had new acquaintances suggesting we join them when they next "hit the powder" aka snow. Our apartment is also just a few feet from the Cherry Creek Reservoir bike paths. I'm even starting to find myself fantasize about hiking mountain paths with a dog someday... just don't let me turn in my Land Rover for a Subaru.

I like Denver so far. The people have always been so pleasant and friendly. Haven't accomplished too much yet beyond apartment nesting and job apps. I am aggressively on the job hunt. Don't care what it is, I just need that paycheck soon. 15 applications down as of today, whew! Next order of business after a job is finding things to participate in. Maybe a Chorale group. I've already received some great tips from new friends at St. Mary's Procathedral Anglican Catholic Church. Great Church by the way - I felt at home because they all new what Hillsdale College was & supported its mission!

I would love to join a prestigious group like the Canto Deo Choir or the Musicians of St. Clare who travel to the Vatican and other European tours to perform sometimes. I'm not exactly "professional" in my singing with a fancy degree and all, but I hope that my years of training and my love of vocal performance will help me join something as great as this. Maybe not right away; Maybe I'll have to work up to something this great. I'd also like to try things like Wine tasting groups, maybe a Book Club... the possibilities are endless. I'm in a big city now!

By the way, I listened to Shadow Divers on audio Mp3 on my way out here and would HIGHLY recommend it. It's a great blend of history with the thrill and adventure of a novel. It made highway time fly by.

No internet at the apartment yet, but I'll be sure to make a Wi-Fi trek again when there's something blog-worthy.

In Vogue

I was just revisiting one of my favorite fashion magazine spreads, Vogue's July 2010 "1950's family" photo shoot with Natalia Vodianova & Ewan McGregor. The fashion has a timeless elegance and McGregor's suaveness of course makes each of these images utterly delectable. Just thought I'd share the beauty. The dog picture is one of my particular favorites!

This picture of Ioan Gruffudd and Rachel Weisz is also one of the most beautiful ad campaigns for Burberry. It probably makes my top ten because: 1. it's Burberry, 2. it's shot in London, 3. it features my beloved Horatio Hornblower, and 4. it's one of the most romantically stirring, yet playful ads I have EVER seen.

Hitting the road tomorrow morning for Colorado! Two unfortunates arose. One, Snowpocalypse delayed us a day, but it's been nice to have one extra day with friends and family. Two, Paige and I have waaaaay too much stuff. So sadly, there is no longer any room in the trailer for a stop-off at Fort Pitt for cheap hotel furniture acquisitions. Rover, parent's car and trailer are otherwise all packed. Just baked some Chocolate Chip Cookies for the road (and to encourage Dad to be a happy camper for the early morning departure.) Keep us in your prayers as we hit the snowy road!