From Julie at Election Time

I am obsessed about the election. Marty voted for McCain but the rest of us are voting the correct way. Even though voting democratic in Utah is kind of a lost cause. I think it might be closer this year than in the past. That "news story" about Richard was great, very funny. I have voted every time since I was 18 but mostly picked the one I felt was the least objectionable. But this time I really want Obama to win. I feel hopeful that things might chance and things might be looked at in new ways. Maybe naive but I hope it is true.

Latest movie that I really liked was " Autumn Rush" and favorite book was " The Book Thief". You should try both. I have always felt like the "white Trash" one in the family because of my choices in TV, movies, books but I think by not limiting myself to only the classics, meaningful things, I happen upon some really good stuff that makes me laugh, cry, feel wonder. I stand by my love of fantasy, imagination etc. Plan to watch my favorite movies over and over and read the Harry Potter books over and over and try to avoid anything that tries to make me a "better, more insightful, etc person. Real life is okay but I need to escape sometimes. Hope things are calming down there. I'm worried about how things are going in the world but hopeful that I will be able to retire someday.

Reilly Says This Is The Real Santa Claus

OLDIE BUT GOODIE FROM MALAN A.

Am I a total Californian now? I don't know but I'm probably heading that direction. I work for myself so I don't do 9-5 so I head to the beach several times a day during work hours to avoid traffic. I have a beach chair and boogie board in the back of my car that are with me at all times, just in case I have a beach freakout and have to go quick. It's amazing living near the ocean, whenever stressed out and start getting weird I jump in the car and drive to the beach and as soon as I see it I feel peace. It works every time. My online advertising business has blown up in the last 2 weeks and I am incorporating and hiring an account next week because I'm kind of caught off guard by it.

I live in Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills between Hollywood and Studio City. There are celebrities everywhere here. s and see who lives here,I guess Frank Zappa had a home here when he died, not sure where though. I've had some big star-sightings at the local organic store lately... I ran into Lucy Liu in the vegetable isle, like almost ran her over... and Jessica Beal was just leaving as I got there.

It's very different here than Oklahoma, everyone I meet is either an actor, musician, writer, filmmaker or something cool. Love it and I feel like I found the place I need to be.