My all-time favorite actress, Cate Blanchett, will be revisiting her iconic role as Queen Elizabeth in this fall's The Golden Age. Geoffrey Rush is back as her confidante and trusty sidekick while this time around sexy Clive Owen as Sir Walter Raleigh catches her romantic eye. I'm sure fireworks will ensue, being QE is known for her virginal status... but, hey, it's the movies! 

I'm a total sucker (and, yes I know, a big dork) for a costume drama and this time it looks like I'm gonna hit the jackpot. Check out this trailer if you're in the mood for a little costume porn like me. The movie releases everywhere in October but will debut in September at the Toronto film festival as it's Gala feature. ooh, la, la! I can't wait, I can't wait!! Photo source

Six degrees of freelulu! Okay, here goes, this one is a technicality because it involves a little time travel, but I'm counting it anyways. My husband (1) has an ancestor who shall remain nameless (2) who was beheaded by the order of Henry the VIII (3) who is Queen Elizabeth's father (4) who is played by Cate Blanchett (5) in the movie!

These two leading ladies, Renee Zellweger and Joey Lauren Adams,  have been tricky to tell apart since they both co-starred in Dazed and Confused. Renee became the breakout star between the two... but they both share the same slightly-squinty eyes and big smiles. Well, if Renee ever needs a sister in a movie... I think we've found our actress. If Joey's not available, we could try Jewel?

6 degrees of freelulu: My brother's wife went to high school at the same time as Renee in Katy, Texas. I have know idea if they knew each other or not... but proximity counts! Let's see, that makes three degrees!

That time is upon us once again... time to plan out which calendar will grace our cubicle or hallway or closet or kitchen in 2007. Well, do I have two hot ones for you - there's one for the lads and one for the ladies! The sexiest men and women of Reality TV have each scored their own wall-hanging gig - and you can check them out here.

The only reason I'm interested, is my 3rd cousin on my dad's side of the family (I think he's a 3rd cousin - through the Middleton family) Burton Roberts from Survivor: the Pearl Islands is Mr. April. He's lookin real good these days... it's nice to see that he's got his shirt on. My grandma would be proud...

I have to admit that I don't know most of the contestants on these calendars -- and I'm a reality tv junkie. I can say that the usual trash is there on the women's calendar including Tonya and Trishelle from Road Rules/Real World. Hopefully my cuz is keepin' it clean and staying away from Trishelle! Can't get enough of these reality stars? Check out Burton's adventure vacation business -- it really looks like a cool idea. Book your vacay now!

6 degrees of freelulu: Me to Burton - that's only 2 degrees... that means I'm only 3 degrees from Jeff Probst and Mark Burnett! Who's got connections now, baby? 

In honor of Dom's birthday - I present to you the best non-related twins ever - Dom Deluise and New Orlean's superchef Paul Prudhomme. I swear Paul is just Dom's alter ego, the resemblances are just too uncanny. These two share more than the same looks - they both love to cook, can you tell?

6 degrees of freelulu alert! I have a connection to Paul, for about 3 years, I worked with Paul's nephew at a commercial printer. That's only 3 degrees! 

I'll take that bet. I'm sure the most "openly closeted gay man in America" - AKA Anderson Cooper -  will eventually give up the goods - heck, even George Takai finally came out of his space-age closet at 60. All the greats eventually do when they realize they haven't had children but still need to leave a legacy - and finally acknowledge their success despite their sexuality.

We'll be waiting Anderson.... at least you're in good company. There are also odds on Tom Cruise, Vin Diesel, Oprah Winfrey, Jake Gyllenhaal and Condoleeza Rice to eventually out themselves too. In the meantime, you can amuse yourself by checking out Anderson's odds at Gambling 911.

6 Degrees alert! Anderson is my 10th cousin through my mom's mother. We share a great, great,something, something grandfather Cornelius Gerritze Van Duyn. 

The second richest guy in the country, Warren Buffett, announced his plan to give away 85% of his vast fortune (roughly $37 billion) - not to the poor, or the homeless, or the sick, or the oppressed - but to the RICHEST guy in the country, Bill Gates. If you don't believe that the world is run by a mere handful of folks... you are mistaken my friend.

In reality - he is donating his money to his children's charities and the Gates Foundation. As an Applephile, I must be suspicious of Bill Gates and all his activities, but it's hard to fault his foundation, The Gates Foundation, and it's efforts to end infectious diseases and improve schools.

The plan calls for Buffett to donate 10 million Berkshire Hathaway class B shares of stock to the Gates' foundation, another 1 million to the Susan Thompson Buffett foundation, named for his late wife, and another 350,000 shares each to the three foundations run by Buffett's three children, Susan, Howard and Peter. 

Buffett formalized the donations in the form of a letter to each of his children and to the other foundations. He signed the kid's notes "Dad" - how cute!  He joked that he never wanted to find himself addressing a letter to Anna Nicole Smith. haha. Nervous joking perhaps? I'd be sweating a little if I donated $37 billion.  

Read more at CNNMoney...