Cultural Fix - Bonus Edition

Just saw the movie version of "Atonement" (I know - I saw a movie made by someone other than Pixar or Disney - it's a miracle) - loved it. Loved the story, loved the way they told the story...and loved James McAvoy. Wow. Obviously I'm not too old to...ahem...admire a handsome gentleman. Scottish, no less - be still my heart!

On a less visually entertaining but funny note, trust me on this one and check out "Miss America Reality Check" on TLC. I know, I thought the whole Miss America thing was dumb and outdated, too - and I thought this would be a train wreck...but they really are working these ladies over to get rid of that icky pageant hair and 10 lbs. of makeup and turn them into beautiful modern women. In the meantime, you really get a chance to see which ladies are nasty little pageant twits and which are genuine, intelligent women who actually deserve the crown...and believe it or not, there are a few in the mix. (And no, I'm not a bitter pageant hater - I actually was Southeast Arkansas Junior Miss way back in the day - so don't go bashing me for pageant-parsing.)

TLC, you've hooked me - I'm actually planning to watch the pageant for the first time in many years. Let's hope you succeed in tossing the cheese out with the pancake makeup and hairspray - just please promise me we won't see anyone baton twirling while singing "Ave Maria" and knitting a sweater for their talent routine. Or, if that's the case, please promise me you'll give the judges paint guns to try to shoot the chick off the stage - now that would be a talent competition. :-P