Or Who’s That Girl?
A few weeks ago, during a typically foggy, chilly Santa Cruz morning, I decided to take a brisk walk to get the blood moving, revitalize the senses and energize my mental state. It was early in the day and as such I chose to simply hide my comfortable almost-pajamas and disheveled almost-awake self with a black trench coat cinched dramatically at the waist, a pair of extra large sunglasses, and a neatly tied black scarf atop the leftovers of the previous night’s fantastic hairdo. As I headed for the front door, a brief glance in the mirror told me I looked a lot like a movie star in a clichéd disguise, more specifically (and fantastically, in the true sense of the word—the derivative of “fantasy”) I imagined I looked a lot like 1970s era Elizabeth Taylor dodging the public eye. (Need I remind you that it was very early, and I probably had not yet had my reality-inducing first cup of coffee, so humor me.)

The average moviegoer may enjoy this film version of Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling book. The movie doesn’t require much effort on the audience’s part. All one needs to do is sit and be led to believe that one is witnessing a major transformation taking place in the life of a troubled writer named Liz (played by Julia Roberts). But anybody who truly understands (or wants to) the art of real personal triumphs—transformations that hit you to the core and set you sailing somewhere profoundly new—must know that real change can be hard work.

Of course we are complete advocates of shopping locally, but what’s a girl to do when it’s midnight or she’s trapped within the confines of a cubicle and she has a burning desire to buy a new (insert your favorite item here)? The answer is to shop online. Amassed here for your convenience is a list of fabulous websites that are guaranteed to quell even the worst case of shopoholicism in no time flat. We’re obsessed with shopping online.

swirl.com

Designer duds at a deep discount.

Note: Check out the latest Obsessive Beauty blog and enter the next contest.

Editor’s note: This year’s fashion issue was a huge hit, as was our Win It and Wear It Contest. So, from here on out, we’ll be holding a weekly contest at the Obsessive Beauty blog, where you can win more fashionable items from the people featured in the fashion issue, and many others. Upcoming prizes include jewelry from Stripe, a ring from August Mae Designs, panties from Manu, jewelry from Idle Hands, a leather accessory from Nuala, a facial from Beauty 360 Santa Cruz, a wallet from Wallflower Boutique, a hair cut and hair products from Urban Groove, and much more. The next contest begins on Wednesday, Aug. 18. In the meantime, check back here frequently for blogs about fashion and beauty.

Heading in to Comedy Central’s Roast of David Hasselhoff

‘Anton Chekhov’s The Duel’ an exercise in ennui
It might surprise 19th Century Russian playwright Anton Chekhov to see naked women in a adaptation of his work. But it’s not entirely gratuitous in Anton Chekhov’s The Duel, an international co-production of a Chekhov novella whose heroine, a young society matron transplanted to a sleepy seaside resort in the Caucuses, is so ripe for life, she’s fairly bursting out of her corsets. Which makes her the perfect visual and emotional contrast to the story’s protagonist, a slight, sallow, petulant malcontent whose only response to the natural beauty of both the seaside and his mistress is profound boredom.

Anyone that knows me knows that I love Alan Moore – and anyone that knows that knows that of all of his gifts to the comic book world, his 16-issue revamp of the (I guess) classic 50’s British hero Marvel Man (Miracle Man in the states to avoid the obvious legal entanglements) towers as my personal favorite of his. Hell, it’s probably even my favorite comic book ever written.

While I’ve never actually read much of the source material that Mr. Moore’s run set out to deconstruct, it’s for good reason. The guy was a blatant ripoff of DC’s Captain Marvel, complete with his own family and magic word that transforms him into a superhero. I never felt like I was missing much but it looks like I’ll get the get the chance to find out since this week Marvel releases the first in a series of fancy hardcovers collecting a bunch of those original comics from over a half century ago. While I can’t imagine it being all that great it’s still nice to see old titles like this maintained for historical value and not just left to vanish into oblivion.

Plus Letters to Good Times
Yoga is a good thing.
And, over the the years, after sweating my Polish rump off in Bikram Yoga, I feel as if I’ve learned a few things about living, and living well, along the way—well, I hope that’s the case. But ask me on a Tuesday, when the paper is on deadline. It’s actually the best time for me to practice the essence of Yoga. (Or, in many cases, be reminded to—and I’m not sure what cosmic teacher taught me this, so forgive me—”get the hell out of my own way.”)

Films This Week
Check out the movies playing around town.
With reviews and trailers.