I’m still trying to catch up on the nominated films. Last night I saw ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and loved it. What a ‘real’ story, set in a real slum. It told it just like it is. I hope it wins best picture at the Academy as it did at the SAG awards.

I still wanted Frank Langella to win best actor. He did such a fantastic job doing Nixon.

I got “thinker” too, Deber. I don’t know how they quantify these kinds of tests. They seem to have single answers to situations that may have several good answers. Oh well, it’s just for fun. Of course I think!

I watched the SAG awards last night. I would have voted for Frank Langella, but he didn’t get it. Sean Penn did. Slumdog got a lot of applause and won best film. I haven’t seen all the nominated films yet, however. I can remember when we were members of the Academy. We got to see all the nominated films for free, and it was a marathon for a couple of weeks until our eyeballs nearly fell out. We also judged the newly presented animated films. That was pure torture. They play it for about 6 minutes and ask for audience applause. If it doesn’t get much, they cut it and move on to the next one. Some were horrible, and there were hundreds.

Well, Liz, I agree with you, Frank Langella should get the Oscar for his fantastic portrayal of Nixon. I was blown away by his acting. If anybody cares.

Well, Mommy, I peruse my cc statement to see how much I spent and on what. Sometimes there are charges there I don’t remember, so I phone their number and ask about it. Occasionally someone has put me on a “yes, I’ll buy it” list and I never heard of them. You have to keep a close watch for people who would love for you to be their customer… even if you don’t know about it!

I’m not at all religious, but that song has always been a favorite. This time, it gave me chills. What a beautiful voice.

You’ve been ‘duped’ for eight years, Della. How would you know the difference?

Jeez, Della, he hasn’t even gone to his office yet! Give the guy a break.

Y’know I’m all for freedom of speech and like that, but I’d like the WOWOWOW powers that be to DELETE the DUCK right now. He’s just stinking up a very nice inauguration day conversation for us.

Sorry, Ava, but I had the same reaction. Bed spread was my first thought. I don’t think the off the one shoulder thingy looks good either. Oh well, she didn’t ask me anyhow.

Debra, what makes you think that old ladies don’t remember or engage in LOVE or even love making? We can remember all the real loves in our lives and the ones who got away too. Loving and being loved is an every day life style, not something that disappears when one arrives as some invisible 80’s wall. I’ve got only 4 years to go, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to forget all that good stuff!

It was a fun business to be in, in those old days, Frannie. 2 hour lunches at the best restaurants in Hollywood, and Bloody Marys in the 5 gallon water cooler on Fridays. *whew* I was in the business from about 1957 to 1969. It was just about then that the CGI stuff was beginning, making all the animation people moan that the business will put us all out on the street. Effectively it did, except for a few studios who still do special cel animation. A younger generation took over then. If I had another lifetime, I’d be doing CGI for sure. I’d LOVE to be doing that!

Ahhh, Emcye, the images that come to mind… however today in Tucson has that open, clear, cloudless blue sky and a lovely temperature to wander around in my back yard. And I don’t think my Great Dane, Savannah, would mind sharing her wading pool with anyone as long as they pet her now and then. Don’t know how much actual ‘floating’ you could get done, but that’s just a detail. And we’ve got birds too! OK, you’re all invited to come to my house!

Carrie, I worked in the animation industry in LA too! What studios did you work for? My first one was Shamus Culhane, where I learned animation. Then moved to many various studios as we did in those years. After I married, we both ended up at the Bullwinkle studio in Hollywood. Later on, we worked freelance for many places. My husband was a director and I was an animator.