Ghost Hunters International - Denmark, Peru

Copenhagen, Denmark at the Trekroner Fort is the scene of this investigation. This is the site of a battle with the British in 1801. The northern building, which was used to house troops during peace time, is the scene of a lot of activity. People report being touched, hearing noises and footsteps. A woman is also heard and seen.

Barry & Angela start out in the basement doing EVP work when Angela gets something breathing in her ear. Maybe the spirits are getting fresh! They start hearing footsteps and follow the sounds when they get a footstep right in front of them. It seems whatever is making the footsteps was playing a game of tag. Angela goes to the basement with Robb this time and they were able to communicate with a spirit using the EMF detector. Angela asks if the spirit is happy that she is there and gets a spike on the EMF. Must have been the same one that was breathing in her ear!

Brandy & Dustin also check out the basement and get hits on the EMF as well as having the EMF detector get knocked over by something unseen as the camera is rolling. The findings are a couple of EVPs, one that sounds, to me anyway, like a dog whining. Robb says it's a whistle. The other audio was of the footsteps. Angela also captures a shape walk by the corner of her video camera.

Back in Lima, Peru, the team is asked to investigate a private residence, Casa Garland. The residence has been in the same family for 500 years, so you know something has got to be going on. The family has seen two nuns and have felt one of the rooms shake for no apparent reason and also hear noises. I would think spirits of nuns would be a good thing but not for them as the family is afraid to stay in the house and has asked GHI for help. One photo taken years ago shows a face in a window that looks like a late grandfather so maybe gramps is hanging around making noises. Robb & Paul, the local investigator, start upstairs in the shaking room and try to provoke the spirits when they hear a noise. Dustin decides to check out the roof and finds cats hanging out there which debunks those bumps in the night.

Barry takes a load of pictures to try and capture the grandfather's image but comes up empty. No evidence is found and Robb says the house is not haunted. Double D

Top Chef - Chefs Gone Country

The quick fire this week is to make a dish using canned goods and pantry staples. Spam seemed to be the most coveted ingredient and pandemonium ensued as all the chefs went for the prized meat. Stefan is getting on Josea's nerves (isn't he on everyones nerves?) but Josea takes the high road and even gives Stefan his extra Spam. Stefan ends up winning the challenge making his already too big head that much larger and Josea regretting that he gave Stefan his Spam.

Before they find out the actual challenge, the chefs are split into teams of 3 and already, no one is looking forward to working with Stefan. The cheftestants are driven to the country to Blue Hill Farm where they are to make a family style meal for 16 people centered around pork, chicken or lamb. The chefs get a tour of the farm and I am wondering if they are going to have to kill their main course. The chefs get to the kitchen and, luckily, their proteins are already dead. Stefan goes about being his superior self and tells Carla & Jamie what he is going to cook rather than being a part of the team. Hey Stefan, there is no "I" in team! Ariane has to work with love birds Josea & Leah who both leave her to her own devices. Ariane, who has done lamb very well in past challenges, is butchering the animal to the point where there is nothing left. She makes a stuffing and tries rolling the lamb but says she doesn't have experience doing that. Leah makes a feeble attempt at helping her tie the roasts and they come out a sad mess.

Team pig was somewhere in the middle with no one really digging Jeff's pork dish. Jamie & Carla give up on Stefan and let him do as he pleased which was soup and roast chicken. Now, it's like 85 degrees and humid on this farm and lunch is served outside in the sun. Who wants hot soup?! Jamie cooked chicken cutlets and Carla whipped up a fruit tart which everyone loved and the team (even Stefan) wins the challenge.

At judge's table, team lamb gets lambasted (hee, hee) by the judges when they find out that Josea has butchering experience and didn't offer to help Ariane with her botched butchering. Leah also does not escape the judge's wrath when they tell her that she too could have done more for the dish. In the end it was a sad day for the over 40's when Ariane was told to pack her knives and go. Double D

Ghost Hunters International - Brazil

The team is in Cambuquira, Brazil at the Grande Hotel. During the tour, they learn that the hotel was built in 1920 by an angry German woman. No explanation of why she was angry, I guess she needed some kind of outlet and said, hey, let's build a hotel! Reports are mostly of apparitions seen throughout the hotel. GHI has the hotel to themselves for the investigation and they get down to business. In the dining room, Barry gets a photo of a shadow then he and Brandy see another shadow in the kitchen.

During the review, Barry's photo of the shadow in the dining room seems to correspond to another form caught on DVR in the corridor. Barry continues on a roll when he gets photos of a figure walking in the kitchen. No audio but the pics more than convince Robb that the hotel is haunted.

The next case is the Little Castle in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Built in 1912 for a wealthy family, the house was the site of the murder of the family in the 1930s. There have been reports of voices and apparitions. A local group is trying to restore the house to it's former glory and wanted GHI to check it out. The house is in ruins without a staircase or roof and taggers have covered it in graffiti. The other problem with this case is that the house is located in the city right on the street making it near to impossible to get any audio. The only evidence was an EVP of a woman saying Eduardo but this could have been anyone and not necessarily paranormal. Double D

Mamma Mia-The DVD Review

Ok, so I don't go to the movies, first of all who can find the time and who can afford it. I rented Mamma Mia and let's just say it was not what I had expected. I knew there was some singing and a couple of dance numbers, but I didn't think it would be all singing with a sprinkling of dialogue in-between. My husband watched the first 5 minutes then it was upstairs to the spare TV he went, claiming that the wide screen was too narrow to watch, this coming from a man whose been known to watch the Lifetime channel. Yeah I know, even my daughter said, mom this is a chick film. Here's the story, musical number, Sophia's getting married, musical number, Sophia invites three men who could be her father, musical number, Mother, Donna (Meryl Streep) finds out, musical number, wedding day, musical number, musical number and more musical numbers. Who knew Meryl Streep could sing and I personally loved her name. Never has the name Donna held such beautiful musical connotations. The three would be fathers, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth (whom I've had a secret crush on since Bridge Jones' Diary-Mark Darcy) and Stellan Skarsgard (you'd know him if you saw him) can't sing worth a lick. The daughter (Amanda Seyfried) is not only beautiful but a great singer, who is she?

If not for the beautiful setting, Greece (next on my bucket list) and my favorite song showcasing Meryl's musical drama, The Winner Takes it All, I would have shut off the dvd and made a Greek salad instead.-Single D

Top Chef - New Judge

In this episode, Fabio starts the day by making everyone breakfast of Spam and pork and beans. You are a chef for goodness sake and this is breakfast, put some eggs in it!

Breakfast over, it's time for the quick fire challenge with guest judge Jean Christophe Novelle. The challenge is the dreaded dessert challenge. Everyone doesn't seem as horrified as in Top Chefs past until Padma announces that they can't use sugar then everyones jaws hit the floor. They all come up with creative dishes which Jean Christophe, being his bad French self says "interesting" about the dishes he didn't like. We will see how well JC does when his show, Chef Academy begins. He will probably Ooh, La, La all the way to the bank! Radhika wins the challenge and immunity by making a whole wheat bread pudding.

Padma tells the chefs that Gail will be replaced with English food critic Toby Young. Apparently he is the Simon Cowell of the food world. Should be interesting. The elimination challenge is to make a family style meal for a blind taste test in which 2 chefs will be packing their knives. Fabio is so busy ragging on everyone that he doesn't check his lamb and it comes out under cooked. Karma! In another twist, the chefs are split into 2 groups with each group acting as judges for the other without knowing who cooked what.

After Toby's scathing comments for the first group, "I've found the weapons of mass destruction and they are in this bowl!", the second group is off and cooking. Toby was more impressed by the second group. He is going to be a force to be reckoned with. At judge's table, he actually got Chef Tom to see his side of things. Jamie finally wins a challenge by redeeming her scallops. It comes down to Carla, Gene and Melissa. Poor Gene, I really liked him and hoped he would do better but his snapper dish was a mess! Melissa's tuna tacos didn't sit well with the judges which surprised me because I'm thinking how can you mess up tuna tacos? Well Melissa did and her and Gene are told to pack their knives and go. Pictures are not available to add but I did find these of Gene and Melissa. Double D

Gone Country Season 3

In a nutshell-

George Clinton snores loud, likes Fruit Loops and cracks his tooth.

George Clinton goes to the dentist.

George is snoring in the dentist chair.

Task-write a group song.

Group wants to write a lively light song.

Richard Grieco walks out.

Richard Grieco has anger and control issues.

Group outing-a forest trip where they are to climb a pole.

Richard Grieco has anger and control issues.

Richard Grieco walks out on the group.

Richard Grieco admits to a fear of heights.

Pairing as a team, Tara and Richard walk a tightrope.

Richard Grieco wants to control the situation.

Tara coaxes Richard to let go of the control stuff.

Tara becomes the Doctor Phil of the group.

Richard Grieco breaks down.

Richard cries.

Richard smiles.

Group hug.

Everyone becomes all warm and fuzzy.

Compose group song on bus back home.

Group song light and lively.

George cracks his tooth again-ouch!

Single D

Ghost Hunters International - Peru

Puerto Bermudez, Peru, Robb is back with Dustin, Irish Barry (my fave, he makes me laugh) along with new members Brandy and Angela, travel to Lima, Peru to investigate the Real Felipe Fortress which was built in 1747. The King's tower is the site of a dungeon and has reports of shadows. People hear voices in the Queen's tower as well as the apparition of a small boy. People also report having a feeling of wanting to jump off the tower. A small child is also seen in the Governor's house on the property.

Barry & Brandy start in the Governor's house and hear a loud bang. Barry comments that he would be impressed if "he" could do that again and they hear another bang. Just when they were getting excited that they may be communicating with a spirit, it turns out to be fireworks. After the initial let down, Barry & Brandy continue their investigation and see a full body apparition!

Dustin & Angela do EVP work in the Queen's tower and get responses to questions on the EMF detector but don't see the boy or get the urge to jump off the tower.

Robb, along with local investigator Paul, investigate the dungeon. Robb asks for a sign and hears footsteps. Paul asks, in Spanish, if there is anyone there and Robb sees a flash of light which could have been from the fireworks.

The findings include an EVP saying "Reina" which means Queen in Spanish, video of a shadow moving on the ramp leading into the fortress and the best piece of evidence was a video of an apparition of a small child which gave me goose bumps! With that, Robb declares the fortress haunted. Double D

The Bachelor-Jason, Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry

This is the musical talent show episode. Shannon is choosing to do a rap tune because that is what Jason did on the Bachelorette. Nikki is scared to death having to do something out of her comfort zone. She's in the bathroom ranting about how she can't do this. I'm like thinking who is she talking to? The toilet or the cameraman? I thought Lauren had the best song and maybe is hoping to get discovered? And our girl Stephanie, what else would a girl sing who constantly wears her hair piled high on her head? Opera of course! But it's Molly that Jason picks out of all of them. Here it's a tent date with burgers and smores. Shannon is saying that she's gonna wait up for Molly to come home, but Molly doesn't show up until the next morning wearing what else, but Jason's clothes. Once the girls get a load of that, they all walk off to their respective rooms, umph! The group date the girls are taken to the set of General Hospital and everyone gets to play like actors in a scene with Jason. For the trial kiss, Shannon quickly volunteers. Mostly this is how many girls can Jason make out with. I'm like thinking, did he sanitize his mouth after kissing each girl, because would that be like kissing the previous girl's germs on Jason's mouth? Yuck! When it was Megan's turn, gawd, I thought she was going to swallow Jason whole. At the wrap party every one's pretty wound up and tense after all that kissing. It was like the girls were feeling a bit guilty like they had just shot an X-rated film! Contrary to what Megan says, she is jealous, hey honey join the group! One side note, Melissa and Megan are the same age, but doesn't Megan look so much older? Maybe it's because she has a kid. Shannon's alone time with Jason is a mix of snot and tears. Ok, she had to blow her nose, but did she have to pick it and get black napkin all over her nose and lips? When she went in for the kiss Jason pulled back. Who could blame him? All that snot and slime! But I was rooting for her, stalker tendencies and all. Every time Shannon talks to Jason, Jason has that look like he's just seen the dog poop in the kitchen. And even though Lauren was the best girl there keeping her composure and asking Jason why did you keep Megan, what do you like her? She doesn't get the rose, that went to Naomi. You have to give snaps to Lauren for asking the burning questions that everyone is dying to know, but afraid to ask.

The two on one date, otherwise known as three's a crowd date, are Stephanie and Nikki with one of them surely going home. They each get treated to a ball gown and are taken to a secluded restaurant. How romantic, oh yeah, it's a threesome. There's a teacher there to give them waltzing lessons. Nikki again goes into iron robot stance because she can't deal. Stephanie swoops in like she's some kind of queen of Sweden or something showing off her dance moves. Once Nikki gets up the courage, it's a game of tag you're it. Very awkward and weird. Poor Jason, he looked like a rag doll being pulled by two bratty girls. I thought for a horrifying second that he was going to keep Nikki, because that is his body type, but thankfully, he kept Stephanie, although, I don't see any attraction between them, just that she'd be a good mommy.

The rose ceremony, Jason has to get rid of two girls. He gives out a rose to Jillian and Melissa, but when it came to give out the last rose with three girls standing, our puppy Shannon, Lauren and Megan, I was like give it to Lauren but when he pulled back and put the rose down, I was like OMG, he's letting all three go. Well, I guess why keep them hanging on? Poor Shannon, she really was winning points with me but I was doing my little happy dance when Megan was sent packing. The look on her face- priceless! Go back home Megan, do your charity work and have people thank their lucky stars they met you!-Single D

I have to chime in on this episode. Shannon got SO out of control, it was pretty scary! She was crying for Jason to come home with her, she wants to meet Ty, you can't let me go, etc. If that doesn't scream stalker I don't know what does. Then she said something about an electric toothbrush and french kissing her dog. Weirdo! Glad she's gone. And Lauren pretty much demanding that Jason give her a rose, big red flag there. I'm thinking future hen pecker. Glad she's gone. Then there was Megan who says there is something between her and Jason but Jason just isn't seeing it. Really glad her and her potty mouth is gone. Don't these women get psychological testing before going on the show, especially when there is a child involved? I'm sure Jason's eyes were opened further than he expected on this episode. Then there was Nikki. When she found out that her and Stephanie were going on the threesome date, she goes on about how Stephanie has a kid, has had a husband and now it's her turn. Is she kidding? Sounds like Nikki would marry the first guy who asked. Poor slob. She needs to do less planning and do more living. That's it for the bad girls, now for the ones I like. I'm pulling for Jillian, her and Jason seem to get along great and have a lot of fun together. We'll see how she is with Ty this week. I would love for Stephanie to be one of the finalists but I just don't see any chemistry. Unless she loosens up and lets her hair down (literally) I see her going home soon. Molly is starting to grow on me but there is still something there that I just don't trust, like she is being fake or something. I just can't put my finger on it. I still think Melissa could grow up a little more but I like her. I didn't like Naomi at first, she seems like a nice person but I'm not seeing her with Jason, at least not yet. This week's dates in Seattle could shake things up. Double D

Gone Country-Season 3 Premiere

Gone Country premieres with a cast that I barely recognize and the only reason why I am watching it this time around is that I happened to see Justin Guarini on the commercials. You know Justin from Idol fame, second runner up to Kelly Clarkson and co-star of famed flopped movie "From Justin to Kelly"? This I am interested in seeing. Justin Guarini a country singer? I think not! With the exception of Justin the only other one I recognize is Micky Dolenz of the Monkee's fame. I can remember in junior high that my best friend Terri was so in love with the Monkees. She even wrote their names in pen on the back of her green corduroy jacket which later that day in school someone hocked the biggest lugee on it! Me, I was crazy about Herman Hermits. Ah Peter Noone with his crooked teeth and boyish grin. Mrs. Brown you've got a lovely daughter....

Anyway, I suppose I should know Taylor Dayne, name sounds familiar but couldn't tell you any of her songs and Sheila E, she's another one. When Richard Grieco entered, I'm like he looks familiar but what from? And then they said, "21 Jump Street". I'm like OMG! I so recognize him, but who knew he sang? Recognizing Richard was like attending one's 25 year high school reunion and being unable to recognize the popular quarterback. Richard keeps telling us that he cuts records in Europe and is known there, I'm like why? Maybe he sounds better to Europeans, you know language barrier and all that.

Joining the cast is Tara Conners, Miss America or as she said, Mess America. As she tells it, she's had some identity crisis after she won Miss America and to that I say, Oh boo hoo! And lastly joining the cast in his rainbow dreds is George Clinton, Godfather of funk. Yeah, but does he sing anything else? His puffy face shows a life of hard living, either that or he slept on his face. First stop for the crew is a trip to the Country Hall of Fame in Nashville where everyone is ooooing and ahhhing, except for Tara, who doesn't recognize anyone there. Singing in the rotunda is George Jones, I knew the first name was George! Gosh, I felt like Tara. Next stop is a nightclub, where the cast has to sing their first gig. Everyone is surprised that they will have to sing right there on the spot, especially Tara who looks like a deer caught in the headlights. Here John Rich is on stage, once again larger than life.

First up is Sheila E banging quite effectively on the drums, did she even sing anything? Justin sang well, but still not seeing him country, or as someone said, it's the hair. Micky does his Last Train to Clarksville, one word WOW! Love it! GC sang his funk song (what else?) and Taylor sounded like a white Aretha Franklin. And then there was Tara....Tara, Tara, Tara. What is she thinking? Come on girl get real and get a real job.

All in all it's a cast of cast offs and has beens. Justin what were you thinking signing on to this show? I guess he can't jump start his singing career, but hey, you're great hosting on the TV Guide Channel and Idol chat!-Single D

The Bachelor-Jason Single Dad

Stephanie is the lucky bachelorette that gets the single date with Jason, much to Megan's grumbling that she left her kid at home. Well, like duh, you signed up for this! Stephanie tells the camera that today is her daughter Sophia's fourth birthday. Jason takes her to the beach where much to her shocking surprise Sophia coming running out. It really was such a touching scene, it almost brought tears to my eyes, almost. But I did see Jason tear up, maybe he was missing his Ty. Off they go to Legoland, where they have the entire park to themselves. WOW-my daughter says that would be neat, but lonely which I understood. Miss "you're hair is pulled to tight" is growing on me. I really wish she would let her hair down so her face won't look like she just got out of the plastic surgeon's office. I thought it was really cute when Jason gave her a lego rose and asked her to stay even though Legoland is not the most romantic of places to be. Stephanie had such a good time, I would have hated to see her go after she proclaims it to be the best day of her life. For the group date, Jason takes the group to a shop where they get to make a cast bust of themselves for Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser. Great idea, here Jason really gets to see what kind of shape the girls are in. First Jason strips down to his bare chest and has to put baby oil on his chest so the paper machie doesn't stick. Erica and Melissa jump right in to help slather that stuff all over his chest. Close your mouths girls! Next it's the girls turn to undress behind a screen which shows their shapes. Hey this is family TV! Shannon was so funny when she said that on her first date with Jason, he saw her naked and touched her breast, well, he helped put on the paper machie on her chest. Megan tells Jason that she's always doing some sort of charity work and that it's been so unusual for a week to go by when someone isn't thanking her for something she's done and saying how great she is. Oh my god, it just screamed look at me, look how great I am, I'm so wonderful! Yuck someone get me a puke bucket! If Jason falls for that crap then he's a real dunce cap. Next Nikki is showing her insecure side by not being able to have a normal conversation. Here we find out that she is some kind of control freak. She tells Jason that she always has a back up plan to the back up plan and that she has her toothbrush lined up with her toothpaste. OCD! Say it with me, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder! Can you say "Sleeping with the Enemy?"

Back at the ranch, Natalie gets the note that says she's the lucky one to get the next single date. Much to the dismay of the girls, it's the "Pretty Woman" date, jewels and a private jet ride to Vegas Baby! Jason says that he's taking her out because he wants to see if he she's deeper than her love for shoes and jewelry, but in the end he tells her goodbye as he whips off the jewelry off of her neck. Of course Natalie gets mad and then spills the beans that the other girls are not in it for the right reasons.

Elimination night it was a duel of how low can your dress go, battle of the clevages. Jason is perplexed about which one of the girls Natalie was talking about, so he tells Lauren what Natalie said, so Lauren tells him that it's Megan and Erica who are the troublemakers of the house. So when it comes to elimination time, Chris Hanson tells the group that Jason wants to get to the bottom of it all so he asks the girls to come clean. There was an awkward deer caught in the headlight, cue the crickets moment. No one wanted to come clean so Lauren told the group that basically it was Megan and Erica that caused the most trouble in the house. Megan, in her see my breast dress, was appalled acting like, who me? I would never say anything like that to Jason. Well, Ms I'm so in love with myself was spared the ax this week as Jason sends, Kari (poor thing we hardly even knew her) and Erica home. I'm wondering why Jason put Lauren on the spot like that and called her out in front of the girls? Maybe it was the urging of the producers. Double D thinks they control more than we see. Shannon meanwhile shows that she can't play in the big girl rink because she doesn't have the stomach for backstabbing which probably says alot about her even tho she still has stalker tendencies.-Single D

Momma's Boys-Finale

A mix bag of treats for this last installment of Momma's Boys, which I must secretly admit, I enjoyed. It was drama times three and the score, momma 1, boys 2.

Poor Jojo, since his mother was too selfish to bring along another girl for Jojo, his last and final date was with his mother. Now didn't I say previously that this was a little to Oedipal? The producers really played it up with Jojo and his mother walking on the beach, para sailing, and watching the sunset. Poor Jojo, even he said this was all a little too disturbing. Rob's last date was with Esther's pick, Lauren. They fly to St. Croix which looked totally amazing and have a romantic secluded date in a beach cove. Gads, I want to vacation on St. Croix just so I can go to this cove. Rob tells the camera that maybe his mother was right in her choice for him although he admits to his mother later that the first and last person he thinks of is Camilla. Michael's last date is with Erica, Penthouse Pet of the Year. Their last date is on a private yacht. Now that's my kind of living. I was glued to the set waiting for Erica to spill about her "real" job. When she tells Michael, he looked really pissed and hurt. When she gets back to the hotel she tells Lorraine about her dubious past as well. Mother Lorraine has her practically married to Michael so when Erica told her about Penthouse, Lorraine was like, oh well, I love you and that is not going to change how I feel about you, even though she totally was dismissive about Megan who posed for Playboy, Penthouse's polite cousin. Michael is like to his mother, do you know what kind of spread Penthouse does? I think not!

For the final elimination, first up is Rob with his choice of either Lauren or Camilla. He tells us should he go for the practical or for the passionate. Ah come on Rob, practical is Tupperware, do you want to settle for Tupperware when you can have crystal, or in this case Camilla? In the end, it was Rob who turned out to be a big momma's boy and chose Lauren because of his mother which he instantly regretted. Camilla did have the smug satisfaction that she really was Rob's first choice and you could so totally tell Rob was heartbroken. Esther you oughta be ashamed! I must tell you the first time I met my husband's Jewish family, me being Asian and all, but that's another post.

Next it's Michael's turn to chose between Erica or Amanda. His mother was hoping for Erica, nude photos and all, but I think Michael thought, how can I pick someone every guy in America will rush out to buy the latest Penthouse? In the end, Michael made the wise choice of picking Amanda the pre-med, 3 language student. They make a cute couple.

And lastly, Jojo's turn, to chose between his mother or Mindy. When Jojo was speaking and just about to tell Mindy, that he can't break his mother's heart, Mindy interrupts and tells Jojo that she doesn't think she could be with Jojo even though she really cares for Jojo because his mother is way too difficult to deal with. Really, ya think? Just then Jojo gets his inner strength on and tells his mother to take a hike because he's choosing Mindy. Go Jojo, he finally did find balls!

Conclusion:

Rob leaves the island vacation early and alone without Lauren.

Erica's contract with Penthouse ends and she travels to Florida to visit Lorraine (still hoping maybe that Michael will change his mind).

And....the producers offer Mrs. B counseling which she declined. - Single D

Book Review-The Twilight Series

When the movie "Twilight" first came out, I had never heard of it, didn't know what it was about and didn't in the least care to read it or so I thought. My daughter had heard of it, but hadn't read it. I guess it hadn't become the sensation here as it had in other parts of the country. But as the movie's popularity grew so did my interest, especially after I had read the reviews that it was a movie about a teen vampire. Eventually the feverish pitch of the movie made it way into my daughter's psyche's need to see it. I told her that movies are always better when one has read the book first, as books are always so much better than the movie, well in most cases. I'll do anything to get her to read more, so I bought the book "Twilight" by Stephanie Meyer, but told her I was going to read it first as I had to screen it to see if it was appropriate for an eleven year old. Of course, I was not overly concerned as most of the theater audience comprised of tweeny to teens. I must admit I was secretly eager to read this vampire novel as I love a good vampire story and especially with this take on a high school girl falling for a high school boy whose a vampire. Now why didn't I come up with that original plot? I loved Ann Rice's "Interview with the Vampire" which of course set the standard for all vampire novels to follow. I liked her "Lestat" but her other novels that followed in that vampire vein lost my attention. She just didn't know when to leave the classic story line alone. "Twilight" is no 'Interview with the Vampire" to say the least, but it does tell a very compelling story that I skipped through this 400 some pages within a weekend. I found the characters very real and of course imaging them made all the more possible with it's theatrical release. I could definitely see it as a movie, ah like ya! "Twilight" makes a good read and a gripping story but it's not going to win any literary prizes. It's filled with pretty vampires that are more human than supernatural, rather prefer to dine on forest creatures than human creatures, don't sleep in coffins, in fact don't sleep at all, and are more polite than your average teenagers. It's a straight forward, gotcha at the seat of your pants reading. I'm thinking it's such a hit with the teens because Edward, the teen vampire, is totally hot and Bella, the awkward clumsy, pretty girl he falls for is your average girl next door. It's a love story made in vampire teen heaven, which I'm sure millions of teen girls are turning pages to see if they eventually kiss, which is exactly what my daughter is looking for.

When I finished "Twilight", my daughter took the book to school, to show off that she too was reading it.

"Twilight" was so good, I picked up installment two "New Moon", hoping that the love story would continue into the sequel. I don't want to reveal the entire storyline, but I was disappointed that "New Moon" takes a totally different turn revealing even more cast of characters of equal menace like the vampires. Did you know that the werewolf were the vampire's mortal enemy? Here Bella hardly even sees Edward which is totally disappointing. This read could have been a totally different series of books in this sequel. Bella is making new friends and travels great distances, to Italy of all places, oh yeah, who knew there is a vampire coven in Italy? Speaking of Italy, another great book that has that sinister vibe and takes place in Venice is Daphne du Maurier's short story, "Don't Look Now", see the movie with Donald Sutherland and Julie Christi. Now back to "New Moon", the whole premise of book two seems somewhat outrageous and decadent. There is one horrific vampire scene which was reminiscent of Rice's Vampire Chronicles and left me with chills.

As I was disappointed with "New Moon", but I still want to finish out the series and am now in the middle of "Eclipse" which is proving slow and steady, no hasty intent on racing to the finish line although my daughter spilled the beans and said that the third book is when Bella gets bitten. Well, didn't we know that was coming anyway? I still have my hopes that "Eclipse" will get better with the increasing pages, but it is not quite the page turner that "Twilight" held over me. Parts of the story tends to meander and roam like filler of styrofoam in a package, you just want to get to the good parts. So stay tuned for my conclusion of "Eclipse" and my review of the last book in the series "Breaking Dawn" which I'm sure won't be Stephanie Meyer's last word on the whole subject, look at JK Rowling, didn't she spin out the Harry Potter series into seven or so books?-Single D

Henry

Henry-too cute in his sweater!-Single D

Momma's Boys-Caribbean Dates

Well it's almost a wrapped up for this season's momma's boys and it looks like momma's boys maybe cutting the apron strings with the exception of Michael, who has shown that he doesn't have any back bone. He lets his mother Lorraine do the dirty job of axing Meghan. He says he can't chose and that it was the hardest thing he's ever had to do. Oh boo hoo! I think the hardest thing he'll ever have to do is stand up to his mother. So what if Meghan's a playboy bunny, at least she's probably got bank.

Next it's Rob's turn to send one of his girls home. He had such a hot date with Camilla, he even bought her jewelry, isn't that somewhat of a commitment? I'm wondering if Camilla is just in it for the game against Esther. Somehow I was trying to picture Rob and Camilla married. Kinda of a stretch but hey, maybe it could work. I've seen couples like that, but one thought always comes to mind, the guy must be rich. Camilla of course would have to convert to Judaism which I'm not picturing. Esther was hoping he would get rid of Camilla and keep Nikki, but Rob took it like a man and chose Camilla over her, but it was not without his sniffling that he broke Nikki's heart and his mother's. Wa wa. His mother should get down on her knees that someone like Camilla would even look twice at Rob, oye vey, he's not exactly Brad Pitt. More like Brad Pitty. But I was glad he kept Camilla although mother Esther is pining her hopes for Lauren.

Lastly, Jojo stood up to the wrath of his demonic mother. Mommy dearest his just not feeling it for both girls. Now you would think with them being white and all Mrs. B would be happy. Well she's not and she's really not feeling it for Mindy and makes the offensive comment that her boobs are too big! Whoa Mrs. B have you looked down lately. Your boobs are huge and going south fast! Let's face it, with all the drama Mrs. B puts on about the color of one's skin, it was all just a pretense. She just doesn't think and will never think that anyone will be good enough for her Jojo. That woman needs therapy. Didn't Shakespeare write about this forbidden Oedipal lusting? At least Jojo stood up to her and followed his heart by telling Mindy that he was falling for her. Hurrah. Now it remains to be seen if he can stand behind his decision. -Single D

The Bachelor-Jason Single Dad

The bachelorettes move into the villa in Malibu. At first I'm like thinking where is this place? Looks more like Palm Springs than Malibu. If I owned a mansion in Malibu, it better have an ocean view. My sister-in-law Nancy, pet sits for the doctor she works for and he has a condo in Malibu. It's like walk down the steps and out onto the beach. She says nothing is better that lying in the bedroom hearing the surf pounding the shore. Now that's my idea of Malibu. Don't get me wrong, that mansion is beautiful. It reminds me of some Italian Villa in Siena. The girls finally get to move in. Where did they stay before? That day, Jason makes a stop at the mansion to get some casual time on with the girls before the serious dating thing begins. Jason joins the girls at the pool and then does a strip tease down to his trunks. You could see all eyes rivet to Jason slo mo pulling off his shirt. Did he do that on purpose? I know he must have loved that. What guy wouldn't? Shannon is the first to be aggressive and tells Jason she wants to rub sunscreen on his back, all the while professing her love and knowledge of his entire history, can you say stalker! She's downright scary and desperate. Stephanie wants one on one time, but isn't aggressive enough against all the sharks. The pool party rose goes to Jillian, you know, hot dog mystic from Canada. Jason takes Jillian to the Disney Concert Hall somewhere in L.A. Never heard of it and never heard of the lounge singer, Robin Thicke. Is he Alan Thicke's brother or something? I guess he's best left in the lounges. I found the whole thing awkward and corny.

Melissa gets the second date, She drives me crazy, just a little too perky, Miss Cheerleader. Melissa gets a lunch on the beach, my kind of date but she seems really too young for him and much too young to assume the role of mother. While on the beach, a blimp hovers over head. There Melissa with prompting from Jason tells her to ask it (the blimp) questions like it were the magic eight ball or something. The blimp ask if they would like a ride. I'm like thinking, yo remember the Hindenburg? Oh yeah, they're both too young! sigh!

The third date is the group date where Jason takes everyone clothes shopping. Hey, these girls lucked out. Next it's on to another pool party where Jason attempts to get his groove on. White guys just can't dance. Molly out of the bunch gets the final rose.

Raquel's feeling left out of all the dates sneaks into the limo that brought back the girls. Clever, but I'm thinking her English not too good which will surely be her undoing. Pretty but not marriage material.

The elimination party, Stephanie tells the girls of her husbands plane crash, which I missed because I was yelling at my husband. Lisa tells Jason she has to leave because her grandma has cancer. I'm like who is she? I really didn't see her the entire time, so I guess good choice for her to leave anyway. It's Sharon, the teacher who gave up her day job to be on the show and Raquel, the Brazilian beauty, I knew her communication would be her undoing. I guess she'll have to find another ticket to America. And hey girls, keep your day job. One thing we learn this episode, Jason makes quick work out of kissing all the girls whenever he gets the chance. Well, I guess you have to try on the shoes before you buy them. -Single D