Diva Donna Piranha
The creative genius.  The one whose vision and inspiration sets trends and defines beauty and imagination.

divadonna@winecountrydivas.com

www.DonnaHays.com

What I'm reading:
The DaVinci Code
by Dan Brown
First off, I want to say that I hate reading "best sellers" and other ricockulous nonsense, and I especially hate reading what everyone else is reading or has read or is talking about etc., and the idea of reading something written by someone with a boring ass name like Dan Brown, who hasn't the sense to change it to something hard to pronounce, well, you can see why I'm behind the tacky trend here. But, and you knew there was a huge BUT coming, somehow we ended up with 2 copies and my boyfriend, the amazing Sideshow Bob, aka Colonel Angus among other such colorful nicknames, thought it would be fun if we read it together so we could talk about it. Usually if one of us reads a good book, we have to wait weeks until the other has read it and we can discuss it. So, with all that being belched all over the place, I will say this...... I'm actually liking it. A lot. It's got mystery. I don't know what's going to happen. It has adventure. Where will we go next? It makes me totally want to start a secret club and hide something somewhere in Sonoma and be all exclusive and cryptic and stuff. Wanna join me?

I just saw and loved:
The Muppet Movie
I haven't seen this movie since I was about 12 when my dad and his new wife wanted to get rid of me and the step-kids for a few hours (completely understandable),  and I was in a pretty bad mood that day. Usually if I see a movie while in a bad mood I don't like it. But I remember enjoying the subtle humor woven throughout, and it was no different today. The romantic restaurant scene of Kermie and Miss Piggy with Steve Martin as the waiter was the scene I remembered the most, and the one I enjoyed the most this time. And who doesn't love the Electric Mayhem? The name alone...  I also love the lyrics of Rainbow Connection, as corny as that may be. So take my advice and go see this movie again. 
"LIfe is like a movie, make your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending...."

Favorite books:

Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins I completely love his goofy way of writing, and this book was the most fun one yet. Follow the adventure's of a naughty-ish young girl, her purple sock,
a can of beans and a small spoon who's favorite hide-out is in her panty drawer, (among other interesting inanimate characters) as they travel to Jerusalem. Not to mention Salome and the seven veil of self deception... and so much more than I can say right here.

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez I never read the same book twice, but I've read this one over and over. The story  follows 100 years in the village Macondo, where the entire town has insomnia and it rains
for decades, all recounted while  our narrator is standing in front of a firing squad. VERY interesting characters, nice unusual twists, and an unexpected ending. Fantastic, surreal, smart and adventurous, there's no way I can explain this book to do it justice. Just read it! BTW, I want everyone to know that I read this the first time wayyyy before Oprah put it in her book club.

Favorite movies:
-Secretary
-Freeway
-Toys
-Xanadu
Amelie
-Kinky Boots. I just saw this at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival but you can't rent it yet. I reserved it on my Netflix, for  sometime in October. Go see the trailer right here. 

All Quentin Tarantino movies

I've been  listening to:
William Shatner -Has Been
I totally love this CD!
Best line: "Live life like you're gonna die, because you're gonna!"

Shivaree- Who's Got Trouble?
One of my favorites. It's perfect for most of my moods at any given time. They did a song for the Kill Bill 2 soundtrack called Goodnight Moon. I loved it so I bought this CD. That song isn't on Who's Got Trouble but it doesn't need to be.

Boxcar Saints- Last Things and new release No Water
San Francisco band that I can't get enough of.

Cavemen- Pleiades
Local friends of mine with a great sounding band, right here in Sonoma. Check out their website for show dates. www.cavemenrock.com

High Voltage- An  AC/DC, Bon Scott era tribute band
Ok, I don't actually listen to this CD. I hear them live every chance I can.  I sorta have to since I live with one of these guys. Guess which one? It's actually a really fun show. I always pull my "dancing muscle" after 2 hours of non-stop dancing and partying during the SHOW, and I mean show! You should see it!
www.highvoltagerockandroll.com

KSVY- our local radio station, 91.3 FM
Lately I haven't been able to listen to the radio because it's all CRAP, but I've been trying to be a good Sonoman or at least an informed one and give an ear to hear what they see fit to air in this town. Mostly I think, sorry anyone, it's just "try to kill some air time" with nothing very informative or interesting. Now mind you, this is my opinion and I haven't heard all the "shows" yet. AND, it's all volunteer from what I gather. I'll keep you posted.

June 22- Ok, after listening a bit more, I have to say I've honestly learned a few things, and I'm starting to enjoy the 15 minutes of the morning show I hear on the way to the office. I also like the show I've heard twice, around 1pm or so, about Sonoma history. I didn't know the high school was built on top of a burial ground for the Sonoma Native Americans, who didn't convert to Christianity and died from small pox. Because they didn't convert. Just kidding. Not funny.
I've heard about 10 minutes of the Guys @ 5 every day of the week, and I even won a t-shirt playing "Name That Dead Guy" ! Maybe I'll work out in it. The shows are enjoyable enough.
I'm distressed to say I haven't been able to listen to the Daedalus Howell show Tuesdays at 9pm,  as my alter ego just doesn't have the time.

July 27- Hey! That Daedalus guy moved his show to Thursdays at 10pm! I guess I'm lucky that way. Thanks DH! Now everyone give a listen and send me your reviews...

Diva Lora Amore
The playful sidekick with connections. She knows where to go for the fun and how to make the most of every day in the glorious sun drenched wine country.

divalora@winecountrydivas.com

What I'm reading:
The Amulet of Samarkand
(The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1)
by Jonathan Stroud
Ok, I haven't finished reading this book yet, but I want to tell you about it.  It has sucked me in so completely that I've found myself dreaming about this story, in some form, every night after I've read a chapter or two.  Now, it's true I've had dreams that make Clive Barker look like Mary Poppins, but that has nothing to do with this book review.
What I like best is that one of the main characters (the stronger of the two) is a djinn (that's a genie to all of you Disney and Nick-at-Nite viewers) and he is constantly talking directly to the reader via footnotes.  It adds to the chaos of the telling-of-the-story and thereby increases my enjoyment of it. (I like chaos; THRIVE on it; just ask my co-Diva or my husband). 
While this is actually a book for young adults, (hey! I'm not that old!) I find it to be well written and the characters well developed.  This is book one in the series (hence the name above) and I am hopeful that book 2 and 3 are better developed than other books written in a series format.  Um, say for example, those books about a boy destined to be a magician.  Oh, they started out ok, but quickly "sold-out" to every action figure/video game/Halloween costume merchandising opportunity that presented itself.  But who am I to judge?  I'm probably just jealous that no one has made an action figure of me, yet...BUT I DIGRESS...
So, in conclusion, I like fiction written with an intelligent pen.  You can borrow my copy when I'm done.

I just saw and loved:
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Best line: "What could happen to an Old Fashion?"
 

Favorite books:

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle Ok, do not tell my husband this (I mean it) this book makes me want to go to Provence.  All politics aside, I can't imagine anything better than peddling through the Luberon to a little chateau where I nibble on platters of goat cheese and charcuterie and dip crusty bread into green-golden olive oil and drink rose wine.

(Does that sound like a diva picnic or what?!?) More than anything, I love Peter Mayle's breezy style of writing and his ability to make all Frenchmen seem like children (are they?).  His comical portrayal of neighbors and townspeople always makes me laugh out loud even though I've read this book 17 times and I can't imagine ever parting with it. Invariably when I am done reading A Year in Provence, I hunt down some green picholines, coeur de chevre, comte, banon and a little Rouge du haut Poitou and have myself a little pique-nique!  Vive la fromage!  Viva la vin! (Especially the vin)

Atlas Shrugged

Favorite movies:
-Dirty Dancing
-North by Northwest
-Groundhog Day
-Breakfast at Tiffany's

I've been  listening to:
INXS-Switch  (Vegas baby!)

AC/DC- Highway to Hell

Il Muerto 2

Free tickets! See the second film starring Lora and written and directed by Donna.
See it here now!
click the skull
if you dare