South Africa

I absolutely loved Africa. I am so amazed by all that Peg and I saw and did while we were there.

I am so blown away by the animals, the beautiful vista and the wonderful people we shered the experience with.

Bernie was our Ranger, and she gave us the greatest gift: her outstanding knowledge and love for the animals we spent time with.

And I did some CRAZY STUFF- like petting a cheetah. Yes I did. An adult male and I snuggled and he reminded me of Storm... only bigger... WAY BIGGER!

I got to see Hippos, and birds on Hippos...

And even saw some lizards- such a lovely blue color. I love blue!

And look who just walked up and met us on the road...

I love Africa!

I am SO going back!

Emmy nods

The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced. And I realised I watch watch way too much TV.

For "Outstanding Drama Series", two of my favorites appeared with 4 shows I NEVER watch...

•"Mad Men"- I love Don Draper, I love the reinvention of the agency, as though it was a character itself, and Roger just has some of the best lines on television.
•"Downton Abbey"- the epic drama covers war and peace for an English family. After a heartbreaking season that saw to main characters die, I can't wait till the January new season...

And then there are the others...
•"Breaking Bad" My brother raves about this one, but I just have not gotten there yet... a someday series. •"Game of Thrones" My brother loves this one too. Red Wedding was the episode I watched. HOLY COW! Moral of the story, don't get attached to anyone.
•"Homeland"... don't know the show, so I got nothing...
•"House of Cards" on Netflix... won't be seeing this one any time soon


For "Outstanding Lead Actress in a drama series, four of my ladies turned up

•Michelle Dockery, "Downton Abbey" Mary frustrates me with her stubborn streak and I hate that she and her sister Edith can be so cruel to one another. Killing Matthew will only strengthen the work.

•Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men" Peggy in Don's office... WOW!

•Kerry Washington, "Scandal" HER FATHER IS TRYING TO KILL HER- my jaw dropped for sure. Not sure why they didn't get a best drama nod. And I am totally on Team Jake. Who her father put in the hole...

•Connie Britton, "Nashville" I am totally Team Deacon- He better not be dead!


Outstanding lead actor in a drama series- Two of my best guys made the list.

•Jon Hamm, "Mad Men" Of course he is the Susab Lucci of Drama, but here's to hoping...

•Hugh Bonneville, "Downton Abbey" After watching 4 seasons, I an totally hooked.


Oustanding supporting actor in a drama series- Love my guy!

•Jim Carter, "Downton Abbey" Totally love his fatherly character!



Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series- My two ladies rock

•Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men" Joan is totally in charge!

•Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey" LOVE HER IN EVERYTHING, but in this she is just the best crafty old lady! Don't get on her bad side!


And when it comes to comedy, it is ALL ABOUT Big Bang where I come from!

Outstanding comedy series

•"The Big Bang Theory"

Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series

•Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"

Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series

•Mayim Bialik, "The Big Bang Theory"


Totally want them to sweep!


Outstanding miniseries or movie

•"Political Animals" I really liked this series- I was reminded of West Wing... Loved it.

•"The Bible" I thought this was extremely well done, and I was surprised not only by some of the stories included, but also by some skipped over.

•"Behind the Candelabra" This one BORED me to tears- and I thought it would be so interesting... Very disappointed. So much so that I gave up without seeing the end.

As for actors in miniseries, Political Animals does it for me.

Outstanding actress in a miniseries or movie
•Sigourney Weaver, "Political Animals" A powerful woman running the world

Outstanding supporting actress in a miniseries or movie
•Ellen Burstyn, "Political Animals" Love Ellen, and this character is one of her best.


Outstanding reality competition program...

•"The Amazing Race" The one I want to be on...

•"Dancing With the Stars"... The one I can't stop watching...


Outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition program

•Tom Bergeron, "Dancing with the Stars" He is okay, but the judges give the show flavor...

•Anthony Bourdain, "The Taste"- I don't watch this show but I love Anthony Bourdain...


Outstanding variety series

•"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" Who doesn't love Jon Stewart?

In other categories, I have no opinion...  Can't wait to see how my folks make out on September 22nd.

A big week in the storm that is politics

DOMA decision Where gay marriage is legal (12 states and counting) federal recognition of those marriages will be required.

Voters rights Section 4 -- the formula the federal government uses to determine which states and counties are subject to continued oversight -- was struck down. Roberts said that formula, which was devised in 1972 and later reauthorized by Congress, is outdated and unworkable. (CNN.com)

Affirmative Action The Supreme Court, in an anticlimax, sidestepped a sweeping ruling on affirmative action Monday, directing lower courts to re-examine whether a race-conscious admissions program at the University of Texas at Austin should survive constitutional scrutiny.
The 7-1 ruling reflected a broad consensus across the court's ideological spectrum, but the justices reached near unanimity only by bypassing the core question in affirmative-action cases—whether racial diversity qualifies as a compelling government objective justifying preferential treatment. (Wall Street Journal)


Proposition 8 was sent back on standing- the folks who brought the suit to court don't have standing to bring it to court, so it will go back to the ninth circuit in California and be dismissed on those grounds. Not an answer, but a good start.

Texas abortion filibuster Wendy Davis -- the 50-year-old Democrat postpones changes in abortion access. Fighting the good fight.

Zillow update

Two years ago, I wrote about my house being underwater. Very underwater.

My house hit a value of $109,817 today on Zillow. Which means my house is worth about $10 more than I owe on it. This would be hilarious if it wasn't so sad.

It is a good thing I really love my house- cause I am going to be here for a while.

Martyr

"The Vatican is confirming the death by beheading of Franciscan Father, Francois Murad, who was martyred by Syrian jihadists on June 23." This is the news today.

Franciscan Father Francois Murad died after fighters linked to the jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra attacked the monastery where he was staying in Gassanieh, in northern Syria, in the convent of the Custody of the Holy Land where he had taken refuge.

He was brutally beheaded and of course there is video- his head slowly sawed off with a small knife- I use a larger one to cut up chicken. Afterwards, his head was held up for display, before it was balanced on his lifeless body. The second man beheaded with him- the knife was too dull, so it was dropped to the ground in favor of a sharper one. I could watch no more
The attackers believe the men supported the current leadership in Syria.

I am heartsick. Saddened. And so angry. To do this to a holy man. Any holy man of any religion. Any man... I would not do this to an animal.

Rest in Peace...