..and the leak continues. And will for weeks and months to come....

An airborne aerosol of oil coming to spray the Gulf

A boat captain friend says that come hurricane season, the oil and poisonous chemicals used in an attempt to "clean up" the spill will be swept up and hurled onshore like an aerosol of oil and chemicals, then sprayed on land like a massive hit of WD-40.

Plants, animals, people and machinery will be smothered by the stuff.

Breathing the sea of oil and chemical droplets will, minimally, sicken living organisms and most likely kill those who won't have a chance to protect themselves with masks or other ways to prevent the intake of the stifling, poisonous compounds.

This while BP tells UK television audiences the damage done to the area from the continuing hemorrhage of oil caused by BP's attempt to save money will be "minimal" and BP's profits soar greater than they have in their history, giving investors huge stock dividends.

Here's a live feed of the oil spill posted by BP itself last Thursday. Note the fish swimming by that is swept up and drowned in the spewing oil (NOTE: if you cannot see the embedded image, click here to go directly to the YouTube website):

Start! Thief!

Perhaps it's her arresting, severe style and good looks; or maybe her magnetic, cool charm; possibly it's her refusal to disclose anything about herself portraying the intriguing, brilliant, skillful, articulate and enigmatic character Kalinda Sharma.

Whatever it is, Archie Panjabi steals every scene she's in as she investigates whatever she deems necessary, where ever she wants to, in the new CBS hit, The Good Wife.

I keep wanting to see more and more of her character. Writer-producers Michelle and Robert King have been good enough to oblige me - and still, I want more.

The British actor is in a supporting role here, but she could easily carry her own series - I'd be happy to see Kalinda do her thing every week!

Panjabi's smarts are no act - she has a doctorate in management; her feature film pedigree is one to be envied - starting out in the BAFTA-winning East is East as the soccer crazy player; then on to Bend It Like Beckham, followed by The Constant Gardner, portraying the title character in Yasmin, and a reporter in A Mighty Heart.

British TV viewers have enjoyed her in Grease Monkeys and Sea of Souls.

The Kings have set us up with such a great series - it started to wane just a bit but came back with a steamrolling roar - the season finale is next Tuesday (CBS 10/9pm).

I've already written about what a superlative portrayal Julianna Margulies (already winning awards for her performance as Alicia Florrick) brings to the screen every week. The Kings have given us a cornucopia of riveting characters in The Good Wife, but when Margulies and Panjabi share the screen, kaboom! Fireworks!

The is she gay subplot is a great addition to the mix; with all the dramatic and legal twists and turns and desperate decisions being made by so many untrustworthy and flawed characters, I can hardly wait until next season!

Meanwhile, sadly, CBS did just as I predicted, which is why I now DVR the episodes to watch later: they started reruns early, did not have a reliable, systematic release of the new shows, which frustrated me enough to stop counting on watching it every Tuesday night. This is the stuff that kills great series. Before you know it, they'll be switching nights and times and ...

I hope, hope, hope CBS sticks with The Good Wife and handles it respectfully - the cast and crew are so strong and accomplished (Paris Barclay is one of their lead directors); with the Kings in charge, this should be a solid mainstay of the network for years to come.

And look for Archie Panjabi to become a major player internationally in quality television programs and feature films.

Take the pledge!

I took the pledge; I hope you will, too.

That is Oprah's No Phone Zone pledge.

I pledged that I will not use my cell phone while I'm driving. No texting. No checking who's calling. No using the speaker function or using a headset. No more meetings while I'm driving even using it handsfree. No surfing the net or following the news online. No double checking my calendar. No. Phone. Use. While. Driving.

If you want to join us, you can take the pledge here.

The Whole Truth is at Cannes!

Thanks to the fantastic Spotlight Pictures team for doing such a splendid job of representing our film The Whole Truth at the Cannes Film Fest! You can see their pitch here!

We love you guys!

Northwest Images

This is a fern tip.

It will unfurl naturally - without fuss or fury, without consternation or desperation.

It simply allows life to take its natural course.

I imagine people are the only creatures on earth who do not allow their lives to unfold as peacefully and harmonically.

These are but a few reasons I love living in the Northwest.

All photos by Colleen Patrick.

An American Icon

At one time Roger Ebert discounted Doris Day's immense talent, skill and onscreen magnificence.

He has since not only apologized but kicked himself for being so short-sighted and for not taking her body of work seriously.

Doris Day is an American vocal and acting treasure.

If you haven't seen her in Calamity Jane, you are not a genuine film buff. She's hilarious. Her timing impeccable - and her range astonishing and her voice, well, typically perfect.

At the end of the film, she rounds off her sassy character singing the tender and soul searching Secret Love - a song adopted by everyone who has loved someone they're not "supposed to."























IMO, the reason Doris Day's on screen performances were so superb, whether suffering in Midnight Lace or kicking up her heels in Calamity Jane or meeting Rock Hudson or James Garner toe to toe in romantic comedies that still stand up today: her devotion to her singing.

She was a consummate singer - she took her singing so very seriously, continuing to perfect every detail of her chops, while taking her acting ... well, not as seriously.

But everything that made her a great singer made her an even better actor. Timing. Phrasing. Intent. Eye work. Breathing. Gestures. Sincerity. Body language. She put her performance out there for us 100% while simultaneously making her character hold back *something* we could never pry from her, which only made us want more. And she made it all look easy - the definition of a real artist.

At 92, she lives a reclusive life with her dogs now. I wish she would allow someone to interview her - just to talk about her craft. Especially singing, because everything she did artistically for her music, she applied to her acting.

Enjoy.