Ah, thanks Tess! Wow, you caught it early. As usual, I'm late to the party. Isabella's character was a gem. Stanley Tucci is the best--I was surprised by his ferocity! Nice to see it after all the arancini! Lol.
Happy Birthday, Alisa! 🥳🎂Hope it’s been a sensational celebration and you ate lots of cake. I’m right behind you—turning 55 in Feb. Two 5s sound auspicious to me. Double the luck or something. Thanks for all the fun recommendations and tips in this post. Putting Conclave on my list. Speaking of Black Doves, I just noticed that it was the second new Netflix show to feature a Brita filter! The first was Man On The Inside. I guess Brita wants in on the cultural zeitgeist.
You’ve got all kinds of goodies for us this week. I saw Conclave and couldn’t agree more. Although I don’t have the film language to back it up as you do. You describe it so well who wouldn’t go see it?! You could be a movie reviewer too.
So excited about your pilot, your new Empress Editions venture, your taking time for some self-care, your birthday. All of it. Lots of love to you. Xoxo 🤍🩷🤍
I've been meaning to write you all last week! Missing you so much, and thinking a great deal about what you wrote in your last post! More soon! xoxo 🩷🩷🩷
Happy birthday, Alisa! I'm sorry I didn't read this yesterday so I could have been on time. Drats. I hope you had a great one. I'm also so glad to hear that you're happy with the way the "Ellery" pilot turned out. That must be incredibly gratifying, and a wonderful bday present.
Thanks, Chris! It was low-key this year. And yes, to have the pilot done and feel like it doesn't completely suck--is amazing. Now, we are deep in finishing the edit on Quickies and that's educational--I have to tell you! Lol! I can't wait to share an excerpt of that book as things progress and I'm really hoping to do a comedy writers room early in 2025 for gotham girl folks. We'll see! More news as it breaks!
Happy damn birthday, Alisa. Sorry I'm getting this in a day late, but I believe in dragging out the celebration! Wishing you a marvelous year ahead (despite everything else that we have no control over)! Le sigh. xo
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays friend, and a year ahead full of Empress-kicking ass. Your Ellery rewrite sounds so deeply, creatively satisfying. You deserve all of this and more, while all the nay-sayers can go suck their thumbs in the corner. It's only a matter of time that the entire lot of them come crawling back for apologies. I'm also breathing a good long exhale as you exit parental care duties and launch yourself into some wildly beautiful YOU time on the east coast. I think your girls are there too? Your wizardry belongs in that dynamic setting and I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve.
Thank you, lady! So glad you are in my life! But oh, gosh...lol, no one needs to come crawling back, hahaha. Sorry if I gave that impression. There will always be jerkwads in every industry and notes are normal. I mean, they're wearing when you're not getting paid for the extra round, but I'm sooooo grateful for the last ones because they're often the best and *most* necessary. Packing right now and just hoping my flight isn't delayed due to high winds--not afraid of wind any longer! xox
Aw thanks! And isn't "Habemus Papam" the funniest-sounding Latin you've ever heard??? I think Sags are the best--they're the gentlest fire sign! Is your birthday soon?
Happy Birthday! 🥳 And what a gift that you're heading East tomorrow - hurray! Thanks for the heads up about Conclave; adding it to my list of things to watch, read and do. But when can we read your book about Ellery and her daughters?? It's going to the top of my reading pile as soon as I can get my hands on it. So glad to know you and for our friendship- may your next year around the sun be as bright and lively as you are XO ❤️
Oh, Susan! Having you in my life this year has been such a joy ❤️! Truly--you inspire. Ellery Goes Dark will be out on November 4, 2025, so it's a while from now. Heather's book will be out on April 15th, so that might be the ticket! For now, thank you for the kind wishes... I can't believe I have to get packed, again! Ghaaaaagh!
I have those dates noted! And a bit of a bummer that we all have to wait almost a year before your book comes out, but I'm sure Heather's book will help tide me over. 🦋😘
And I'm in the middle of watching Black Doves. Fun thriller very well written and acted. With wit, too. Why are the British so much better at spy shows than Americans?
Black Doves is indeed fun and that he wrote it over a week between Boxing Day and New Year's is just... well, magic, when that happens. Maybe when you grow up steeped in the tradition of Ian Fleming's Bond, The Avengers, MI5, and John le Carré, the visual and verbal vocabulary of the spy's world feels more second nature?
A week! That's insane. While Black Doves has its share of shooting scenes and gore, they're done mostly tongue in cheek. America has no answer to either James Bond or John le Carre. We are far more violent. I'm American and when MI5 goes up against the CIA, I always root for MI5.
I saw Conclave before the election and was thinking “I hope this isn’t going to be life imitating art—or vice versa.” Whoopsssssss.
Isabella Rosalini’s character is the best in that movie. But I went bc I have a heart hard-on for Stanley Tucci! ♥️♥️♥️ and happy belated!
Ah, thanks Tess! Wow, you caught it early. As usual, I'm late to the party. Isabella's character was a gem. Stanley Tucci is the best--I was surprised by his ferocity! Nice to see it after all the arancini! Lol.
That rice balls comment!!! I’m crying laughing!!
Happy Birthday, Alisa! 🥳🎂Hope it’s been a sensational celebration and you ate lots of cake. I’m right behind you—turning 55 in Feb. Two 5s sound auspicious to me. Double the luck or something. Thanks for all the fun recommendations and tips in this post. Putting Conclave on my list. Speaking of Black Doves, I just noticed that it was the second new Netflix show to feature a Brita filter! The first was Man On The Inside. I guess Brita wants in on the cultural zeitgeist.
Oh, I like the double the luck! And yes, I'm thinking Brita must have some blanket deal with Netflix. So exactly their style!
Haha. I didn’t notice until you just mentioned it. The Brita. Great product placement.
Happy birthday beautiful!
You’ve got all kinds of goodies for us this week. I saw Conclave and couldn’t agree more. Although I don’t have the film language to back it up as you do. You describe it so well who wouldn’t go see it?! You could be a movie reviewer too.
So excited about your pilot, your new Empress Editions venture, your taking time for some self-care, your birthday. All of it. Lots of love to you. Xoxo 🤍🩷🤍
I've been meaning to write you all last week! Missing you so much, and thinking a great deal about what you wrote in your last post! More soon! xoxo 🩷🩷🩷
😘
Happy Belated Birthday, woman! I would normally say I hope you have a fabbity-fab day, but by the looks of it, you did a'ight. LOL
Thank you, lady! It was very cake-oriented but low-key! Which I will take :)
Same!
Happy birthday, Alisa! I'm sorry I didn't read this yesterday so I could have been on time. Drats. I hope you had a great one. I'm also so glad to hear that you're happy with the way the "Ellery" pilot turned out. That must be incredibly gratifying, and a wonderful bday present.
Thanks, Chris! It was low-key this year. And yes, to have the pilot done and feel like it doesn't completely suck--is amazing. Now, we are deep in finishing the edit on Quickies and that's educational--I have to tell you! Lol! I can't wait to share an excerpt of that book as things progress and I'm really hoping to do a comedy writers room early in 2025 for gotham girl folks. We'll see! More news as it breaks!
Happy birthday, gorgeous! Does that make you a Sagittarius? We just finished binging Black Doves. Very good.
You’ve got so many exciting things going on. Congrats to all! Well done and well deserved. 🥰🙏
Thanks, lady! So glad you are in my life! 🥰 And yes, I am a Sag--we are funny fire signs!
My dad is a Sag. One of the brightest people I know.
Happy damn birthday, Alisa. Sorry I'm getting this in a day late, but I believe in dragging out the celebration! Wishing you a marvelous year ahead (despite everything else that we have no control over)! Le sigh. xo
Thanks, Sandra! I'm so glad to know you and have you in my life 🥰. I love dragging out the celebration, so hooray for that! More, very soon! xo
Right back atcha, sis! So happy we connected. Let’s chat soon, when your lovely dust settles. xo
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays friend, and a year ahead full of Empress-kicking ass. Your Ellery rewrite sounds so deeply, creatively satisfying. You deserve all of this and more, while all the nay-sayers can go suck their thumbs in the corner. It's only a matter of time that the entire lot of them come crawling back for apologies. I'm also breathing a good long exhale as you exit parental care duties and launch yourself into some wildly beautiful YOU time on the east coast. I think your girls are there too? Your wizardry belongs in that dynamic setting and I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve.
Thank you, lady! So glad you are in my life! But oh, gosh...lol, no one needs to come crawling back, hahaha. Sorry if I gave that impression. There will always be jerkwads in every industry and notes are normal. I mean, they're wearing when you're not getting paid for the extra round, but I'm sooooo grateful for the last ones because they're often the best and *most* necessary. Packing right now and just hoping my flight isn't delayed due to high winds--not afraid of wind any longer! xox
Adding Bebe to the bookstore music rotation immediately xx
Ohhhh! She will love it! Thank you!
Happy birthday, Alisa.
Conclave definitely on my list. Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini always get my attention!
Thanks for an interesting read. (Your China visit was a film plot in itself!)
Thanks, Holly! I need to post some more pix of China--the amazing food and the washer/dryer that irons your clothes! Lol. :)
We are both a Sag, meaning we are the best in the Astrological world. Happy birthday to you funny person.
Btw I love the words "Habemos Papan" They have stuck in my head from a few Popes ago.
Aw thanks! And isn't "Habemus Papam" the funniest-sounding Latin you've ever heard??? I think Sags are the best--they're the gentlest fire sign! Is your birthday soon?
got the spelling wrong? my bad. i might have the spanish version
Hahaha... Everyone gets the spelling wrong...
Happy Birthday! 🥳 And what a gift that you're heading East tomorrow - hurray! Thanks for the heads up about Conclave; adding it to my list of things to watch, read and do. But when can we read your book about Ellery and her daughters?? It's going to the top of my reading pile as soon as I can get my hands on it. So glad to know you and for our friendship- may your next year around the sun be as bright and lively as you are XO ❤️
Oh, Susan! Having you in my life this year has been such a joy ❤️! Truly--you inspire. Ellery Goes Dark will be out on November 4, 2025, so it's a while from now. Heather's book will be out on April 15th, so that might be the ticket! For now, thank you for the kind wishes... I can't believe I have to get packed, again! Ghaaaaagh!
I have those dates noted! And a bit of a bummer that we all have to wait almost a year before your book comes out, but I'm sure Heather's book will help tide me over. 🦋😘
Agree about Conclave. It was a visual feast.
And I'm in the middle of watching Black Doves. Fun thriller very well written and acted. With wit, too. Why are the British so much better at spy shows than Americans?
Black Doves is indeed fun and that he wrote it over a week between Boxing Day and New Year's is just... well, magic, when that happens. Maybe when you grow up steeped in the tradition of Ian Fleming's Bond, The Avengers, MI5, and John le Carré, the visual and verbal vocabulary of the spy's world feels more second nature?
A week! That's insane. While Black Doves has its share of shooting scenes and gore, they're done mostly tongue in cheek. America has no answer to either James Bond or John le Carre. We are far more violent. I'm American and when MI5 goes up against the CIA, I always root for MI5.
Me TOO!
Happy Birthday! Great read!
Thanks, mister!