It never hit me till I saw them back to back–The Wizard of Oz and The Nutcraker–that both of these pillars of the American holiday tradition have much to teach us about the power of little girls’ dreams.

Consider both performances: both center around the story of a mighty, courageous and beloved little girl whose imaginings into far-flung, fantasy destinations result in the most iconic, archetypal scenes that our collective culture has to offer.

To get into the holiday spirit, a group of friends and I decided to see the San Francisco Symphony play live to a tremendous screen showing The Wizard of Oz. How they were able to take out the music sounds but leave the sounds of characters speaking involves technologies way beyond my understanding.

And tonight, The Nutcracker at the San Francisco Ballet. Both audiences filled to the herringbone coutils with little girls in their most partiest, frilliest, flouncy dresses.

And what were we all celebrating, these mesmerized little girls and I? It turns out that we were paying homage to ourselves. Too often do we get bombarded with artistic performances stuck on the male journey, the yang quest. So many movies all about the guys, with women’s roles totally supporting the whims of their central cast husbands/brothers/fathers.

Not so, these timeless classics of which we speak. Not so at all. Within the powerful dreamscapes of our heroines, princes need help in battles, powerful wizards are unmasked, and every supporting male figure in their lives falls hopelessly in love with them under their momentous powers: Scarecrow, Tinman, Lion, Nutcracker, and Count Drosselmeyer. 

And not because of their sex appeal! Not because of womenly wiles nor micro-mini and augmented bra size. These young girls are alluring only due to their steadfast hearts, courageous demeanors and adventurous souls.  

I have always loved both stories so much, and now I understand why a bit better–Oz and Nutcracker are all about Divadom in its purest form. Both young women, Dorothy and Clara, are strong, lovely, and loving women whose extreme courage wins them loyal friends. Dorothy stands up to the wizard and the witch in order to win her freedom; Clara saves her Nutcracker prince from the Rat King wtih the fling of her shoe.

(We will explore the women and shoes archetype later–Cinderella and Clara center on these.)

Both of these little girls not only win hearts but vastly, significantly, epically change the histories of their imaginary (?) countries forever, immediately bequeathed all the largest, most titular roles these lands have to offer. They are LEADERS. They change the thrust of time and forever make their mark on the faraway, never-never lands that they dream up and visit.

But are these places mere fantasy? Or, as famed Czech philosopher Zizek might ask, is the sweet little girl in Kansas/the living room the dream of the all-powerful child rulers of Oz and the land of the Sugarplum Fairy?

These are all powerful thoughts that we women should dream about tonight. Just to see what happens and where they take us.

Let’s plan our own dreamscapes for ‘08! 

(And thank you Zarah, Bharat, Jason, Anna, Amy and friends for both planning and joining me on this epic journey!) 

 Film Review: Lars and the Real Girl

Most of the films out right now are two plus hours long and
full of enough psychological drama to keep you sleeping with the night light on.

Here’s something completely different. 106 minutes of weird, wrapped in poignant, and tied up with an amusing bow. 

For starters, it’s about a socially awkward young man who lives in the garage behind his older brother Gus’s (Paul Schneider)  house in a generic mid-west sort of small town. Lars, played by Ryan Gosling, is a loner at work and a recipient of pity by Gus and  his wife. One day at work, Lars observes his cube mate surfing porn and discovers the wonderful world of anatomically correct life size dolls. By the time the large shipping box  appears on his doorstep he has convinced himself that the plastic vixen inside is actually his internet girlfriend, in town to spend some quality time with him. The film could easily have devolved into  some bad SNL skit, but happily it reveals itself to be a surprisingly entertaining study on people’s need for intimacy and the nature of acceptance.  

If you hang in there and have any affection for the midwest you will grow to love this film.  

You have got to love a town full of people who don’t just humor Lars, rather join in on his delusion. After all, she’s new in town and doesn’t know anyone. Having grown up in the land of tuna casseroles and jello molds I found myself completely invested in the plot. Lars & Bianca have a chaste relationship, no frat house jokes here. There are a lot of laughs thanks to the absurd nature of fitting the visiting plastic girl into the local social scene. Bianca ultimately becomes a vehicle for Lars to work out his issues with his brother and with the town’s help, ultimately heal himself. LARS AND THE REAL GIRL is indy-style entertainment.

You can get the creeps next week with "No Country for Old Men" or "Before the Devil Knows your Dead."

A special offer from our friends!

Warm Up Your 2008 Holidays with the Endless Summer! Purchase a Winter ‘08 Las Olas safari by this December 31st and Las Olas will throw in: $100 gift certificate for your new swim suit at Athleta and the Endless Summer soundtrack CD, the ultimate tunes for your surf safari, such a deal for you forward thinkers and spenders.

The surfbreak is a reef that breaks right to a sandy shore. The waves are plentiful, yet forgiving. The location has been chosen for it’s warm waters, typically gentle waves and friendly surfing community. Las Olas guests surf on soft deck starters or hand-shaped, performance longboards made specifically for women.

Your Surf Safari includes:
• Scheduled ground transportation to and from Puerto Vallarta airport
• Six night accommodations in dreamy, tropical oceanfront villas (includes all local taxes)
• Daily surf lessons with Las Olas caring, expert instructors
• Quality surf equipment including soft foam boards and custom shaped fiberglass boards
• Your own Las Olas rash guard (surf shirt)
• Your own Las Olas water bottle for hydration
• Daily Breakfast
• Orientation and finale dinners, lunch on field trip day
• Daily yoga sessions
• Private one hour sports massage
• Private one-on-one surf lesson with your instructor
• Day safaris to secret surf spots (conditions permitting)
• Bellhop service for arrival and departure
• Daily maid service, including fresh bath towels
• Use of guest robes
• Use of safety deposit box or travel safe
• Concierge service from 8am to 7pm
• Gratuities included for hotel and restaurant service

Other available activities:
Depending on instructor scheduling and guests’ preferences, the following activities may be offered:
• “Love your surfboard” Workshop, How to buy and care for surfboards
• Introduction to Salsa y Guacamole
• Native Mexican Huichol Beading
•"¿Que honda?" ~ Neighborhood Spanish
• Salsa Dance Lesson
• ‘Love Your Beach’ Clean Up
• Sea Turtle Presentation & Baby Turtle Release, Seasonal ~ Fall
• Whales & Dolphins Up Close by Panga Boat, Seasonal ~ Winter

Check current availability and request a 24-hour courtesy hold by calling 831-625-5748 or emailing to info@surflasolas.com. Availability is not guaranteed without a courtesy hold confirmation. Tell them Tango Diva sent you!

You got to check out this new resort I found trolling for deals, okay, this place does not make the cash-saving cut, but damn it’s beautiful. And, sometimes a girl has to splurg on a fantasy vacation, and if you are ready to pull out the Black AMEX and treat yourself, you might want to check out The Regent Palms resort in Turks and Caicos.

This rock star destination is beautifully situated on 12 acres of landscaped gardens on the world-famous Grace Bay Beach. The Palms features 72 one, two and three-bedroom suites with balconies and terraces, most with ocean views. Marble floors, vaulted ceilings with milled crown moldings, wainscoting and custom-made mahogany furnishings lend a luxury residential quality.

Hell, all you need is a few girlfriends to share the cost and you won’t have to sell a kindey! And there is nothing like quality time together where you can gossip while getting pampered and drinking champagne.