multimedia

I don't thoroughly enjoy a lot of biographies but I just finished Ellen Burstyn's biography titled "Lessons In Becoming Myself". I've been a fan of Burstyn's since the first movie I ever watched that she was in. That would have been the movie she won the Oscar for, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. From there I saw most of her other movies. Reading her book, which is replete with Hollywood anecdotes (and not lame ones either), it's hard to imagine someone with so much talent living such a difficult life and having so many self esteem issues. She tackles the abusive family issue, the issue of sex to feel loved, the self esteem issue, the domestic violence issue; this woman has been through nearly all of it. She's also travelled the world and actually lived on the street in NYC. It's really well written and vividly describes her physical, mental and spiritual journey. The only quibble I have with the book is when the present Ellen goes "back" to try and talk to the past Edna Rae. Yes, Burstyn was actually born Edna Rae Gilooly. The book has made me want to go back and see her movies all over again.

In other media: On the radio I'm enjoying Chris Daughtry's first single, "It's Not Over". Daughtry was one of the 12 finalists in season 5 of American Idol. He was so sure he would win that the look on his face when he was voted off was one of genuine surprise. He was one of the ones Simon predicted would be in the final two. Oops. Daughtry's album is full of catchy tunes and, while his sound is not original, he is talented enough to pull of a solid album.

Another song I'm enjoying is rapper Akon's "I Wanna Love You". Another solid album, Akon has a number of songs on the album that are catchy and almost pop sounding.

Just a few things I'm enjoying in my personal world.

peace,

paul