The Must List: Michael Jackson, The Good Wife and Laurie Notaro

The Must List: Michael Jackson, The Good Wife and Laurie Notaro

Three things that I’m loving this week….

1. This Is It

This Is It

Last weekend I watched This Is It and the movie was amazing. Michael Jackson had more talent in his little finger than most singers and performers put together could ever hope to have.

I grew up listening to the Jackson 5, but one of the most defining memories of my teenage years was the release of  Off The Wall. With songs like “Rock With You”  and “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough,”  I played it over and over and over.  A couple of years later he released Thriller and it was like my life changed forever. I spent countless hours dancing in my room to “Wanna Be Startin’ Something,” “Beat It” and “Billy Jean.”

He got a little weird as he got older and he looked totally bizarre, but he was an extraordinary talent and This Is It is a great reminder of that.

2. The Good Wife

The Good Wife is great!

I recorded this series, but I didn’t start watching it until a couple of weeks ago.

If you aren’t familiar with the show, Alicia (Julianna Margulies) is the wife of Peter (Chris Noth, aka Mr. Big, from Sex and the City), who is a disgraced state attorney. The story focuses on Alicia, who is trying to raise her kids while returning to work as an attorney after enduring the scandal. The “New York Times” says “the story begins where sex scandals usually end.”

The storyline of Alicia emerging from Peter’s shadow, slowing establishing her own identity is well done. Instead of letting the situation destroy her Alicia chooses to straighten her spine and move forward. And the show never really paints Chris Noth’s character as evil or good. It’s intriguing.

Plus, you know, it has Chris Noth.

3. Laurie Notaro

I discovered her by accident. Or rather by Kindle. Laurie Notaro’s books were recommended based on previous purchases and I downloaded one on a lark.

I think Laurie Notaro had to be Jen Lancaster’s inspiration. She has the ability to turn a simple everyday occurrence into a riotous event. She writes the way I hope to some day.

Most of her books are memoirs — so far I’ve read We Thought You Would Be Prettier: True Tales of the Dorkiest Girl Alive and I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies): True Tales of a Loudmouth Girl.

If you’re looking for sharp, funny writing buy her books. Now.

I’ve Fallen And I Can’t Get Up

I’ve Fallen And I Can’t Get Up

Some days just suck from the moment you first crack open your eyes in the morning. The alarm goes off and you know within milliseconds what kind of day it’s going to be by how sharply the alarm pierces your brain.

Today was one of those days.

I didn’t sleep well last night so my day started with a deficit, which only made me cranky. I tried to grab a few extra minutes but that only made me late, which totally continued the tone for the day.

I finally got to work this morning, but I had one of those Just Can’t Do Anything Right days, which, of course, ups the ante on the Cranky Factor.

I counted the minutes until I could go to lunch because I knew I’d have an hour to myself—just me and my Kindle with a new issue of Newsweek.

I finally got out, ordered my food and settled in. I started to feel my shoulders relax and the tension leave my body. I started to think I could salvage the day after all.

That’ll teach me to think.

Whoooooaaaa!

When it was time to go back to work I walked to the restaurant door and noticed that it had started to pour. My first thought was, “Wow, it looks slippery. I need to be careful.”

No sooner had that thought left my head—like it was still hanging in the air over me—than I opened the door, took two steps and my right leg slipped out from under me. When I tried to save my balance, my right leg went out in front of me and my left leg completely lost any traction on the pavement and I slammed down onto my left knee. I tried to stop my fall with my left hand, but only managed to jam my thumb, slam my elbow into the ground and jar my left shoulder.

Meanwhile, my left leg was bent under me and that foot twisted under my butt. I was basically in a hurdle position on the ground, in about two inches of water.

After the instant shock passed, a loud “FUCK!” escaped from my mouth before I could stop it.

I took a quick inventory and tried to stand up. I could put pressure on my leg so I knew my foot wasn’t broken but I was concerned that I sprained my ankle or foot. It took me a minute—in the pouring rain—to gather my already diminished wits and try to walk back to my car.

I hobbled back to my car, holding on to random vehicles and structures to keep my balance. Once I got in and sat down I almost fell apart. It was just too much to deal with in that moment.

I pulled myself together and drove back to work, and as each block fell behind me, my thumb, my knee, my foot, my ankle, my shoulder and then my head all started to ache.

By the time I got back to my office I was fighting back tears, tired and sloshing in my jeans.

Now that I’m home I’m going to sink into a hot bathtub, get under the covers with the electric blanket cranked up, pull the blankets over my head and go to sleep and pretend like today never happened.

Until I wake up again tomorrow and realize my foot is the size of a football.

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