A new series just started in the UK (Thursdays on Sky One) called "Project Catwalk" (like 'Project Runway' in the US, but in London, and hostedby Kelly Osborne), and I said, hey, I've heard good things about the U.S. show, despite the fact that at first glance it seems like the kind of show that actively makes you lose intelligence quotient while watching, but what the heck: the new season of American Idol hasn't started yet, so I'll give it a try. Judgement: I LUUUUURVE it. (That's right. 'Lurve'. It's like 'love', but with more drool.) Even Kelly Osborne - who tries unsuccessfully to make skank cool - was growing on me by the end of the show. On the one hand, my bride and I kind of raised our eyebrows at the idea of a "British fashion" show, which is about as oxymoronic as "French hospitality." This was reinforced by the fact that the design contestants showed up to the program dressed like they had just been attacked by a Salvation Army outlet sale. But within minutes the beauty of the show started to shine through: This is an entire show which encourages cattiness. We spent the entire hour mocking everything about the show, the contestants and the final catwalk display. And at the end of the hour I felt an all-over roseate glow that I normally associate with post-coital moments or a really good pee. Genius.

Last night I rented Lucky Number Slevin Yeah, ok, so it's super violent, and decidedly grim. But it's also smart and funny, with some excellent performances by a outstanding cast (Joshua Hartnett, Lucy Liu, Ben Kingsley, Morgan Freeman & Bruce Willis. Ok, so Lucy Liu was enough to get me to pick it up off the shelf, but the rest are distracting enough when she's not on screen). To understand why I liked this movie so much, you have to understand that one of my other favorite movies of all time is Payback, another exceptionally violent, but smart film (though I still think Payback is the better of the two). It's not the violence that is so appealling (I'm not sick, you know), it's the kind of witty interchange of smart humor overlaid on a very violent underworld that is surreal, and like a humor multiplier. Think I'm off my rocker? Liar. You liked Pulp Fiction, so you know what I'm talking about. This is like Pulp Fiction's younger cousin. Not quite as big, but worth hanging out with. Go rent it.

I've so fallen in love with this recipe that I had to share it. I know what you'll say. Maple syrup? Yep. Maple syrup. It's not just for pancakes any more. We've cooked it two times in the last three days, once as an accompaniment to Asian food, the second time as a side to the Grady Burrito night. Versatility, thy name is Grilled Corn Salad. Recipe 2 10oz cans of kernel corn 1 red bell pepper ~4 tbs chopped cilantro (coriander for the Brits) 3 or 4 scallions, finely chopped 2 small limes, juiced (approx 4 tbs) 3 tbs maple syrup. 1/2 tsp salt 1 small chile, diced (optional) Black pepper - to taste Drain corn completely and toss into dry skillet with 1/2+ of the red bell pepper, diced. (Roast/blacken remaining bell pepper on grill or open flame for garnish) Dry roast this mix until charred. Meanwhile, toss your cilantro, scallions and diced chile (optional) into a mixing bowl. In a separate small bowl, mix lime juice, maple syrup and salt. Toss roasted corn/pepper mix in with cilantro/scallions. Add lime juice/syrup mixture and stir to coat. Add fresh black pepper to taste and garnish. Credit for the original recipe, believe it or not, goes to Crisco.com. I've only modified it to make it simpler and to reflect our tastes.