The Devils Candy
I'm reading "The Devils Candy" (1991) by The Wall Street Journal reporter Julie Salamon who chronicles the making of the film version of The Bonfire of the Vanities, one of Hollywood's all-time biggest flops. So far it's an absorbing read, mainly because I'm a film buff and the name dropping that goes on is very interesting.

BUT...on the back flap a reviewer writes the following description to talk about how powerfully this book chronicles the destruction of what should have been another great picture by Brian DePalma:

"Like watching a World Trade Center tower topple onto Wall Street." --Kirkus Reviews

What a weird metaphor to have used, but how could Kirkus Reviews possibly have conceived that 10 years later the world unfortunately could very easily picture such devastation in a less figurative way. In hindsight the quote also makes the title of the book "The Devils Candy" take on new meaning.

Here's a photo of the back cover

Are they expensive?
(Looks at price tag)

My mind screams "Yes" in answer.

I have a theory, if a shoe goes by two names--it is expensive! EG: Monlo Blanicks, Jimmy Choos, Franco Sarto, Kate Spade, etc.

Do I own any of these? No. Well, actually I do have a few pairs of Franco Sarto's, they just fit my feet so well and I got them at DSW so they were in the $50 range. Thus, a steal!

And although I love shoes, I would never bring myself to spend the big bucks for the famous designer shoes and plus I'm a baby when it comes to uncomfortable shoes.

I have small feet, size 5, which makes finding "grown up" shoes difficult. I actually end up getting a size bigger and I've gotten so used to sliding in my sneakers and boots that now, when I find a shoe that fits I'm not used to having my toe so close to the edge.

One Tree Hill Signing
Last night I was given the assignment to cover the One Tree Hill soundtrack CD signing in the city. I had never watched the show, but I recognized one of the stars, Chad Michael Murray, from the movie "Freaky Friday."

Since I wasn't able to call the PR contact in advance, my name was not on the press list, so I flashed some credentials and was able to talk my way into the press junket.

I met each of the cast members, all of them seemed very down to earth and friendly. Tyler Hilton was especially talkative and animated. Bethany Joy Lenz was very pretty and sweet. Chad, also nice, admitted that he has OCD, but declared that he was not a neat freak. After they left the crowd he was holding his fiance's hand, she's also from the show, but I actually didn't get to speak to her, which is why I can't recall her name.

Again, I've never watched the show, so I didnt ask any questions about it, lol. I was like "What's your fav song on the album?" But that was OK since my story was about the CD being released and the commotion it caused.

I had to give a draft of my story to my "editor" by 9:45 that night, so I only had an hour to write it, but here's what I had: One Tree Hill CD Signing

Here are some phtorazzi pics from the event.

Dedicated to the memory of my father

Benny Settembre
April 10, 1954 - Jan 24, 2000


It may have been 5 years since I last saw your familiar face, heard your wise ass jokes, ate your pizza or sang oldies songs in your beat up old car, but you have stayed in my heart all along.

There is not a day that goes by that I'm not reminded of you, so much of ME is you.

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you back home again.

Missing you always!
Your friend and daughter,
~Tara

PS: If you want to continue to feel melancholy like me, here is a poem that I wrote a couple of months after he passed away, just before my graduation "Left Behind"

PPS: Didn't he resemble DeNiro? He acted a lot like his film characters at least, especially in Midnight Run. People would actually stop us in airports and ask for his autograph and he'd go along with it and sign Bobby D, lol.

News Story: Ha, I can't argue with this: Jan. 24, called worst day of the year


"I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up DOES rejoice. Still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend."
--Shawshank Redeption

A step down?
Does anyone else find it a bit unsettling that Academy Award winners, Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Catharine Zeta Jones are doing television commercials? Are they that desperate for more $$

Kidman can be seen in Chanel #5 perfume commercials, Zeta in T-Mobile ads and Roberts is doing voice overs for AOL.

I mean shouldn't they have some higher standards now that that they have the covitted golden award?

Come on, you never saw Katharine Hepburn in a TV commercial, and yes they had TV's then. DeNiro and Jack aren't pimping themselves out in TV ads like teeny boppers Britney Spears and frankly neither should the Best Actress winners.

PS: Speaking of the Academy Awards check out: