In Which Christopher Robin Blogs the Oscars (Second Half)

I could seriously watch the montage of fabulous, fabulous actresses over and over and over. If seeing these inspirational women can make ME so emotional, what must this mean to some young actress who waits tables sixteen hours a day?


Ooh, Forest Whitaker. You are a BADASS.

Jack Nicholson can take whatever you throw at him. This is a fact. He also acquiesced to swapping his trademark sunglasses for tinted eyeglasses while he makes his award presentation.

Based on seeing him at the awards, I must accept the cold, hard truth that Colin Farrell and I share a haircut.

The song from "Once" wins! There is justice in the world, at least for this moment.

The In Memoriam section is classy, as always. Heath Ledger. Oof.

OK, I'm fading a little. The idea of using active soldiers as a "hook" to award a documentary Oscar just doesn't sit well with me. I'm not quite sure why.

Oh, please let NO END IN SIGHT win the documentary Oscar. Pleeeeeease.

Well, close. TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE.

"Well-Respected Man" for Diablo Cody's background music? Huh? Nice tat, by the way. She trumps even Tilda Swinton in her barefaced shock at winning.

OK, Best Actor. Daniel Day-Lewis is a twofer, right? Whoa. Is he gay? No, I just misunderstood what he said. OK. As you were.

Best director, Coen Brothers, duh.

Best film another duh.

A good night for the Coen Brothers. And, I'd say, an expecially good night for Diablo Cody and Tilda Swinton.

And...we're out.

In Which Christopher Robin Blogs the Oscars

Completely incomprehensible opening montage.

Jon Stewart cleans up nice.

OK, the "make-up sex" line made me laugh.

Things seem subdued, though I'm sure there are as many butts in seats as usual.

OK, I believe I have seen none of the contenders this year. There used to be a time when we'd scramble to see every film nominated for Best Picture; it really added to the experience of watching. Now...I'm pretty much lost.

Gaydolf Titler? Yikes. I bet Stewart can't wait to get off the stage.

The costuming winner rocks SO hard. That speech? Fifteen words, maybe. So classy.

Steve Carell channeling Michael Scott at the Oscars seems out of place.

Brad Bird! Excellent.

Is it me, or are there fewer nominees in a number of categories this year? (Makeup, Animated Feature)

Didier LaVergne has the world's best hair. I think Europeans are better at giving concise, heartfelt responses.

The fuck? "Happy Working Song"? This woman seems like an overly-earnest nanny. Oh well; it's a living, I suppose. I really like her dress, though.

Is Dwayne Johnson not going by "The Rock" anymore? He seems more hot than freaky, though just a year ago I would have said the opposite. Ah...I think he's dropped 30 pounds or so. That must be it.

Jennifer Hudson's breasts must have their own zip code.

"Oscars Salute to Binoculars and Periscopes." Brilliant, and blessedly brief.

"Raise It Up." That's what I'm talking about.

I take back what I said before. There are TOTALLY empty seats there.

Ohhhhhhh...Bee Movie. Well, having to listen to Jerry Seinfeld's voice did lead to some beautiful images. The animated short feature category looks incredibly cutting-edge.

Holy krapoly. I cannot BELIEVE Cate Blanchett lost Best Supporting Actress. Tilda Swinton rules the skool, but still.

Zzzzzz. Kristen Chenoweth sure can sing, but I bet you ten bucks that one of those construction workers was ABOUT to drop the man balanced on his shoulders.

Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill are much-needed about now. "I'm Halle Berry."

And now...Part Deux.

In Which Christopher Robin Blogs the Super Bowl (Second Half)

Having awoken from my Tom Petty-induced slumber, I eagerly await the second half of sweaty men and mediocre advertising.

Carl Edwards is far more articulate than I would ever have expected from a NASCAR driver.

Cars.com is sort of two for two, though neither one's made me fall out of my seat.

Cartoon pandas with bad Chinese accents? The fuck?!?!?

I love the primitive nature of the challenges. I understand why the onfield penalty flags (the yellow ones) are literally thrown, since the players need to have both visual and audio notice that something has stopped play. But Bill Belichick stood around for five minutes and THEN threw a red weighted nylon flag onto the field. It's so...physical.

The Bud Light cavemen ad is, for the record, the first ad I laugh at all day. I tend to like things busting up and people tripping and falling.

Why would Bridgestone threaten to kill Richard Simmons, then leave us blue-balled by not following-through? Lack of follow-through is definitely a pervasive theme of today's commercial selection.

Gah! The Patriots are not too exciting today. I can't figure out why they went for it on fourth down. This game is boring.

Etrade.com gets the #4 vote from the babymomma contingent. Baby puke is funny.

Scratch the order...it must be reset. That Chester Pitts NFL ad was just gorgeous. I couldn't figure out where it was going till it got there. OK, my new #1. All others move down one rung.

Nicely shot Coke ad, and of course I am a sucker for anything with Stewie in it. But it doesn't break the top 5.

I walk out to get another water...the Giants score a touchdown. Brady must be hating life right now. Giants 10 - 7.

OK, Etrade got me again. Clown rental, specifically. I'm glad the kid didn't barf twice.

The Patriots are about to look like schmucks.

Uhhhh...scratch that. Things get interesting with 5:22 remaining in the 4th quarter.

Go baby go baby go...

Point-after is good. Pats 14 - 10. Oh me of little faith...well, still 2 minutes left.

Giants threatening with this drive. OK, I just saw the first truly interesting play this game, and it was amazing. Manning breaks the sack and throws under pressure to Tyree, who. catches. it.

Giants on the 25, using their last timeout at :51. And now...Giants 17, Pats 14. Plaxico. Plaxico. Plaxico.

It's over. That last second lasted a long time.

Giants 17, Patriots 14.

Whoda thunk.

In Which Christopher Robin Blogs the Super Bowl (First Half)

Having just put J down for a nap, I'll be noting my thoughts on the Bowl as it happens.

First of all, Jordin Sparks is NERVOUS. Wow. Just get the songs started, and it will all flow from there...OK, she's done. She did well.

Tedy Bruschi needs a stylist.

I think there should be a quota on Super Bowl rings (and this is from a Patriots fan). Tom Brady has three?!?! And a possible fourth today?

First major section of ads, precipitated by an onfield injury. Fire-breathing ad for Bud was the dumbness I would expect. The Audi ad tried too hard and just ended up being tasteless.

I enjoy saying "Plaxico." It sounds like a DuPont polymer. Plaxico. Plaxico.

Giants end zone toss intercepted. But they answer back with a field goal.

OK, the Diet Pepsi Max ad wins so far. I'm sure "Wake up, people!" originated in some dismal marketing meeting at Pepsi, and it just rolled from there.

Brady not too impressive yet.

Bridgestone promised a big payoff with a screaming squirrel, but left us hanging.

Touchdown New England. The kick is good! Score 7 - 3.

Man, GoDaddy just doesn't even CARE. I kind of like that.

Dell guy = schmo.

Wow, Chris Tallman was just in a cool Cars.com ad. Yay for ComedySportz.

My TALKING STAIN?!?!?! But...it's funnier in retrospect. Okay, #2 ad so far.

Interception by New England. That just got them out of trouble...

Hey, Hank made the Budweiser Clydesdale team! That's nice for him. #3.

Giants botch the handoff. Yikes.

Hang on. Nursing break. While I'm gone, discuss the dancing "Thriller" geckos.

7 - 3 at halftime? Zzzzzz...

None of these commercials seems to make sense. And, today at least, I can't blame lack of sleep.

Tom Petty and his beard are on stage. He opens with "American Girl," no surprise there. "Won't Back Down" is a little too mellow-sweet for my taste. This is a song we used to yell at each other on the farm crew when the bales got too heavy.

"Free-falling." As my husband notes, this would have been a really hot show about 20 years ago. Everyone is so...calm. But I have to say Tom Petty seems to find the whole thing hilarious, so I imagine he's in on the joke.

Ah yes, "Runnin' Down a Dream." And....we're out.

In Which Pooh Enjoys a Pedicure and Kanga Brags on Roo

Well, the last time Pooh enjoyed any visceral pleasures, it was also in the foot realm (the massage at Barefoot Sage). This time, I took J to Zenana Spa with a friend and her six-month-old son.

I was, of course, nervous about taking J out, compounded with concerns about the weather. And, as usual, things turned out fine. With a bottle of "Mom" and her sling to ride in, J did well and even fell asleep for a few moments.

I'd highly recommend Colleen at Zenana. She did a great job juggling two clients at once, was patient with the babies, and helped us wrangle our diaper bags, etc.

And now...time for another picture of J, this time hanging out with her Aunt Val.

In Which Pooh Has A Foot Rub

The two of us went to a foot spa today while a friend babysat The Small One. It was an utter pleasure. I found myself thinking about work during it (probably because my boss called my cell phone in the middle of the massage portion), but in a fun, non-threatening way.

I've heard other moms returning to work say that going to the office is like a respite for them after taking care of an infant. I do have to say that I feel more interested in my work, more creative and more ambitious than I have in years. The "break" must have done me good.