Iron Man’s Mini-Me: Iron Baby [Video]

That was amazing.

P-C, did you see Wicked? I've been sort of behind so I may have missed your reaction.

In other Things That You Thought Were Good For You Actually Killing You, ingredients in some sunscreens have been found to accelerate growth of malignant skin cancers.

Oh goddammit. I'm going to have to check the ingredients on my SPF 100.

But yes, parasols. Good for everyone!

P-C, did you see Wicked? I've been sort of behind so I may have missed your reaction.

I did! I haven't posted about it yet, so you haven't missed anything.

It was very different from the book, which I expected, and I liked how compressing the story really helped focus on the development of Elphaba into the "Wicked Witch" we know she'll become. Her relationship with Glinda was also clearer in the show. I didn't like what they did with Fiyero, though; that was too "typical musical love triangle" for me.

The Act I finale was amazing and unlike anything I've seen on stage before, largely due to all the special effects. It's a very technical production, and the set and lighting were very cool.

The songs were more pop-y than I expected but weren't terribly catchy; I can't remember a single tune today. But the singing was impressive. We got Eden Espinosa and Kendra Kassebaum, who appear to have played their roles longer and more often than anyone else, so they were great.

Act II was inferior to Act I, and I was tired and sleepy by that point anyway. I did think the integration of the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and Scarecrow was clever, though. But I rolled my eyes at the happy ending. Oh, musicals.

My friends who hadn't read the book really liked it and were impressed that it was so complex for a popular musical, and I do like that they kept some of the complexities and darker themes from the book, but it felt like a sunshine-y happy version of the story. Which still worked. It was a fun show, and I enjoyed it. I like that the way it's framed from Glinda's perspective adds another layer of tragedy to the story.

How is the SPF 100, Jilli?

I used some SPF 70 stuff on the 100 mile day of my bike ride and it is on the danger zone end of the list. It worked well enough--I didn't get burned--but it also didn't rub in very well.

Pop-u-lar! You're gonna be pop-u-ooh-lar! I'll show you what clothes to wear, how to fix your hair! Everything that really counts!

How is the SPF 100, Jilli?

I like it. It's the Neutrogena "dry touch" one, and it goes on smoothly and doesn't do strange things when I apply makeup over it. I mean, it's not going to replace my parasols, but it's a good sunblock.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream

Ah, the other one I use is also on the "Best" list. Excellent; I don't have to change anything!

Cool, I should try it.

I use a Vichy SPF 60 sunscreen when I am know I am going out in the sun. It's super effective, but I can totally feel the film in leaves on my skin, so I don't like wearing it everyday.