*waves to lovely readers*
So, I'm not sure how y'all are ending up here at my little ol' blog while searching and trying to find out more about Justin Furstenfeld's baby...but up until now, you've been leaving without learning anything about her. In fact, until so many of you found me while trying to find out about her, I had no clue that he had a baby. So thank you to you all for helping to educate me.
Anyways, I figured that since you are all somehow winding up here and having to go away without learning anything about what you came looking for, I figured I would help you out a little. I asked a few of my friends at RockBandLounge.com who happen to be Blue October fans as well if any of them knew anything. Several offered that they thought he had become a father at some point this year. But the lovely Maritime Gal dug up these links.
This link will take you to a video where Justin discusses taking a few months off earlier this year to be home with his wife when his baby was born. And in this one one, you will find a short video clip where Justin is discussing the joys of fatherhood. *Edited to remove broken second link. Sorry, the article with the video must have been moved by the publisher.*
I hope that this helps all of you out who are looking for information on him and his baby. I do not know exactly when she was born, or what her name is. I don't know anything about a song written about or for this baby, so for those of you who are looking for a baby song, I am sorry. Also, if any of you know any more about this, let me know and I will gladly blog about it so that everyone who is looking can find it.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The Project Runway Rundown, V4.3
Jack reveals at the beginning of the show that he is HIV positive. I'm not sure why that is relevant, but whatever. The guys are giving Christian a hard time, but he seems to take it pretty well. His confidence has taken a bit of a knock, but he knows that he makes clothes "so much better" than a lot of the other designers.
Heidi tells them that they won't need their models for their next challenge, and sends them on a field trip to meet Tim Gunn and find out what this Project Runway first will be. Tim introduces them to Tiki Barber at 10 Rockefeller Center in New York. They don't know anything about him, or who he is...but they all think he's hot. They're right. And their challenge is to design an outfit for Tiki to wear on the Today Show. They are starting to panic about having to design a menswear outfit due to the meticulous nature of the fit required.
Back at Parson's, they have 30 minutes to sketch and a budget of $150. They will have two days for this challenge. Of course, Tim says to "make it work."
Sweet P doesn't know how to even sketch for men. We are shown lots of empty pages, finger tapping, and panicked expressions. This is going to be a serious challenge for most of these designers. Kit is a tv stylist, so she feels a bit more confident about color and fabric selection than many of the other designers. This one could be really scary, what they wind up putting out.
Several of the designers chose to do a suit, even though Tiki specified that a suit is not mandatory. That will be a LOT of work for them, and a ton of tailoring. It is interesting to see how so many of the designers are asking each other questions about how to do it. Jack is using his own pants as a pattern for his design, and some of the designers are starting to think it is unfair. And then still others want to borrow his design. This could get ugly. I think what Jack asked Tim Gunn and what he wound up interpreting Tim's answer to be are two very different things. Victorya and Carmen are tracing his pattern, and he is allowing it to happen. Things are getting chaotic in the workroom, that is for sure.
Christian sews fast, which is an asset. Chris says he's older than everyone else and doesn't have formal training. Rami makes a comment about his slacks being draped and not traced off of another pattern.
Tim announces that he is sending in the male models and that they will have an hour with them. They are pretty boys. Very pretty boys. The girls are excited about how hot the male models are, and some of the guys are excited too. I can't say I blame then. Kevin says he is the only straight guy in the room, so he stays focused. Sweet P is excited about how well her pants fit her models ass. Fresh N Fruity turns around so that she can't see her model while he's changing. Ricky is in full on panic mode. Jillian is practically starting over from scratch after working with her model. It doesn't seem that she is alone.
Tim comes in again and asks them to gather around, to meet a special guest. Tiki's wife, Ginny, has joined them briefly to do a walk-through with Tim and critique their work. She loves the color and idea of Jack's work. Ricky is planning on doing a jacket, vest, shirt, and pants. That is a bit scary. Four pieces is nutso. Kevin is working on a double-vent in the jacket, for Tiki's butt issues. Carmen is working on a more leisurely look and Ginny and Tim are worried about the design that she is working on. She is now going to panic about what to do, since it is reminiscent of a Members Only jacket. She doesn't have enough fabric to make major changes. Jack doesn't think he can finish his jacket, so he will try to finish the shirt and pants. Ricky is *bleeped*. In his own words. Time is about up, and no one seems to have anything finished. This is going to be really, really interesting.
Runway day arrives, and everyone is seriously nervous and scared. It seems that Jack has decided to carry Christian into the workroom every day. Ricky is going balls out. Carmen is concerned that she won't have time to do a shirt that she hasn't even started on yet. Tim arrives and sends the models in, and they've got two hours to get everything finished. Kit finished three pieces and is pleased with how they came out. Ricky puts his model to work sewing buttons. Sweet P's shirt looks horrific and doesn't fit right at all. Everyone is running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Carmen didn't do a shirt, so she just draped a piece of cloth around him underneath the jacket. And time is up.
Joining Heidi, Michael, and Nina on the judging panel is none other than Tiki himself.
Jillian's design is four pieces: pants, shirt, vest, and jacket. The collar is awfully big, and there is a lack of color. It is all in black other than an off white shirt. Sort of boring, but at least it is all finished. It looks to fit fairly well, though I'm not sure it is fitted as well as Tiki would like.
Carmen designed a khaki pant with a taupe jacket lined with a touch of some red patterened fabric. Instead of a shirt, she has placed a piece of blue fabric and draped it across his chest. The jacket looks very dated to me, the pants don't fit well, and all in all, it is just blah!
Christian made a three piece casual look. The shirt is an interesting design, with no collar but a touch of an off-center opening. The pants look to fit okay, maybe a tiny bit baggy, but I'm not sure about the jacket. It looks a tiny bit old fashioned too, much like Carmen's only in a different way.
Kit designed three pieces: a jacket, pants, and a shirt. The shirt is a simply textured collared shirt. The jacket looks a bit feminine to me, it is done in a fleece. The navy, khaki, and white are a good color combination, though a bit overdone. I would have liked to see some more color in her design to make it stand out. The double-venting in the jacket are a nice touch.
Rami made a navy pant, khaki casual jacket, and a white collared shirt. I like the design of the jacket. It is different than everything else we've been seeing. Again though, I would like to see some color. Tiki looks good in color. The pants are a pretty good fit.
Sweet P made pinstripe slacks and a collared shirt with a tie. The tie won't fit in the collar because it is so poorly done. The collar is far too big. The pants look a bit feminine in the way they fit at the waist and hips. The sleeves appear to be too short. The shirt is baggy in places and too tight on the shoulders. It is pretty horrific.
Steven made a gray slack, a striped collared shirt, and a fitted hunter green sweater. I really like this look. Without going to a suit, it still looks professional and well put together. The crotch of the pant doesn't look quite right though...something is not right there. There is also some sort of a scarf going on around the neck.
Victorya designed a black pant, black shirt, and a white fitted jacket. I actually really like the jacket she made, and I think that it looks good with the black underneath. And even though this outfit is devoid of color, I think it works and is more interesting than many of the other designs we have seen. It has a black collar on it, and the shirt underneath is a knit top instead of a button-down collared shirt. It is a good look.
Kevin gave us color too! He designed a basic black pant and jacket, and paired it with a lilac collared shirt, a deeper purple tie and pocket square. I like how he has styled it, with the shirt untucked, to give it a more casual feel. The pants seem a bit loose, but overall this is a good look. The back of the vest is a lovely gray.
Chris gave us black, black, and more black. He designed a basic pant, a knit collarless shirt, and a zip up jacket that appears to be collarless as well. Smart moves on his part to avoid the collars, as far as time is concerned. I'm just not wowed. I would have liked some color, or even different shades of a monochromatic look. It all appears to fit pretty well.
Jack designed a pinstripe slack and a pinstripe shirt. I like the details he put into the shirt, as far as how the stripes went at a different angle over the buttons, the pocket, and the collar. This look works for me. He may not have had time to finish all the pieces he originally intended, but he made a smart choice by putting in the extra details in what he did and leaving the parts he could not finish.
Ricky designed a basic black slack and jacket and a white shirt. He threw in a touch of color with a red pocket square. It looks okay, but there is nothing in this outfit at all that wows me. It is simply too safe. At least his clothes fit his model pretty well though. He still has pins in the outfit, it seems, and can see them in the runway lights. Not a good sign.
Rooty Tooty put out a casual gray slack, with a khaki long sleeved knit top and a brown vest. It is a pretty good casual look. It all seems to fit pretty well. It looks more put together than a number of other looks we have seen.
Jack is named the winner, and his design will be worn by Tiki on the Today Show. Nice. My favorite was Kevin's, though.
Somehow Sweet P made it through and is still in. That leaves Carmen and Ricky as the possibilities for going home. Carmen is out though, for leaving her model half-naked to go along with other pieces that didn't work. I can't say I am too upset about her leaving. She seemed way too full of herself for my taste, but without the talent to back it up.
Heidi tells them that they won't need their models for their next challenge, and sends them on a field trip to meet Tim Gunn and find out what this Project Runway first will be. Tim introduces them to Tiki Barber at 10 Rockefeller Center in New York. They don't know anything about him, or who he is...but they all think he's hot. They're right. And their challenge is to design an outfit for Tiki to wear on the Today Show. They are starting to panic about having to design a menswear outfit due to the meticulous nature of the fit required.
Back at Parson's, they have 30 minutes to sketch and a budget of $150. They will have two days for this challenge. Of course, Tim says to "make it work."
Sweet P doesn't know how to even sketch for men. We are shown lots of empty pages, finger tapping, and panicked expressions. This is going to be a serious challenge for most of these designers. Kit is a tv stylist, so she feels a bit more confident about color and fabric selection than many of the other designers. This one could be really scary, what they wind up putting out.
Several of the designers chose to do a suit, even though Tiki specified that a suit is not mandatory. That will be a LOT of work for them, and a ton of tailoring. It is interesting to see how so many of the designers are asking each other questions about how to do it. Jack is using his own pants as a pattern for his design, and some of the designers are starting to think it is unfair. And then still others want to borrow his design. This could get ugly. I think what Jack asked Tim Gunn and what he wound up interpreting Tim's answer to be are two very different things. Victorya and Carmen are tracing his pattern, and he is allowing it to happen. Things are getting chaotic in the workroom, that is for sure.
Christian sews fast, which is an asset. Chris says he's older than everyone else and doesn't have formal training. Rami makes a comment about his slacks being draped and not traced off of another pattern.
Tim announces that he is sending in the male models and that they will have an hour with them. They are pretty boys. Very pretty boys. The girls are excited about how hot the male models are, and some of the guys are excited too. I can't say I blame then. Kevin says he is the only straight guy in the room, so he stays focused. Sweet P is excited about how well her pants fit her models ass. Fresh N Fruity turns around so that she can't see her model while he's changing. Ricky is in full on panic mode. Jillian is practically starting over from scratch after working with her model. It doesn't seem that she is alone.
Tim comes in again and asks them to gather around, to meet a special guest. Tiki's wife, Ginny, has joined them briefly to do a walk-through with Tim and critique their work. She loves the color and idea of Jack's work. Ricky is planning on doing a jacket, vest, shirt, and pants. That is a bit scary. Four pieces is nutso. Kevin is working on a double-vent in the jacket, for Tiki's butt issues. Carmen is working on a more leisurely look and Ginny and Tim are worried about the design that she is working on. She is now going to panic about what to do, since it is reminiscent of a Members Only jacket. She doesn't have enough fabric to make major changes. Jack doesn't think he can finish his jacket, so he will try to finish the shirt and pants. Ricky is *bleeped*. In his own words. Time is about up, and no one seems to have anything finished. This is going to be really, really interesting.
Runway day arrives, and everyone is seriously nervous and scared. It seems that Jack has decided to carry Christian into the workroom every day. Ricky is going balls out. Carmen is concerned that she won't have time to do a shirt that she hasn't even started on yet. Tim arrives and sends the models in, and they've got two hours to get everything finished. Kit finished three pieces and is pleased with how they came out. Ricky puts his model to work sewing buttons. Sweet P's shirt looks horrific and doesn't fit right at all. Everyone is running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Carmen didn't do a shirt, so she just draped a piece of cloth around him underneath the jacket. And time is up.
Joining Heidi, Michael, and Nina on the judging panel is none other than Tiki himself.
Jillian's design is four pieces: pants, shirt, vest, and jacket. The collar is awfully big, and there is a lack of color. It is all in black other than an off white shirt. Sort of boring, but at least it is all finished. It looks to fit fairly well, though I'm not sure it is fitted as well as Tiki would like.
Carmen designed a khaki pant with a taupe jacket lined with a touch of some red patterened fabric. Instead of a shirt, she has placed a piece of blue fabric and draped it across his chest. The jacket looks very dated to me, the pants don't fit well, and all in all, it is just blah!
Christian made a three piece casual look. The shirt is an interesting design, with no collar but a touch of an off-center opening. The pants look to fit okay, maybe a tiny bit baggy, but I'm not sure about the jacket. It looks a tiny bit old fashioned too, much like Carmen's only in a different way.
Kit designed three pieces: a jacket, pants, and a shirt. The shirt is a simply textured collared shirt. The jacket looks a bit feminine to me, it is done in a fleece. The navy, khaki, and white are a good color combination, though a bit overdone. I would have liked to see some more color in her design to make it stand out. The double-venting in the jacket are a nice touch.
Rami made a navy pant, khaki casual jacket, and a white collared shirt. I like the design of the jacket. It is different than everything else we've been seeing. Again though, I would like to see some color. Tiki looks good in color. The pants are a pretty good fit.
Sweet P made pinstripe slacks and a collared shirt with a tie. The tie won't fit in the collar because it is so poorly done. The collar is far too big. The pants look a bit feminine in the way they fit at the waist and hips. The sleeves appear to be too short. The shirt is baggy in places and too tight on the shoulders. It is pretty horrific.
Steven made a gray slack, a striped collared shirt, and a fitted hunter green sweater. I really like this look. Without going to a suit, it still looks professional and well put together. The crotch of the pant doesn't look quite right though...something is not right there. There is also some sort of a scarf going on around the neck.
Victorya designed a black pant, black shirt, and a white fitted jacket. I actually really like the jacket she made, and I think that it looks good with the black underneath. And even though this outfit is devoid of color, I think it works and is more interesting than many of the other designs we have seen. It has a black collar on it, and the shirt underneath is a knit top instead of a button-down collared shirt. It is a good look.
Kevin gave us color too! He designed a basic black pant and jacket, and paired it with a lilac collared shirt, a deeper purple tie and pocket square. I like how he has styled it, with the shirt untucked, to give it a more casual feel. The pants seem a bit loose, but overall this is a good look. The back of the vest is a lovely gray.
Chris gave us black, black, and more black. He designed a basic pant, a knit collarless shirt, and a zip up jacket that appears to be collarless as well. Smart moves on his part to avoid the collars, as far as time is concerned. I'm just not wowed. I would have liked some color, or even different shades of a monochromatic look. It all appears to fit pretty well.
Jack designed a pinstripe slack and a pinstripe shirt. I like the details he put into the shirt, as far as how the stripes went at a different angle over the buttons, the pocket, and the collar. This look works for me. He may not have had time to finish all the pieces he originally intended, but he made a smart choice by putting in the extra details in what he did and leaving the parts he could not finish.
Ricky designed a basic black slack and jacket and a white shirt. He threw in a touch of color with a red pocket square. It looks okay, but there is nothing in this outfit at all that wows me. It is simply too safe. At least his clothes fit his model pretty well though. He still has pins in the outfit, it seems, and can see them in the runway lights. Not a good sign.
Rooty Tooty put out a casual gray slack, with a khaki long sleeved knit top and a brown vest. It is a pretty good casual look. It all seems to fit pretty well. It looks more put together than a number of other looks we have seen.
Jack is named the winner, and his design will be worn by Tiki on the Today Show. Nice. My favorite was Kevin's, though.
Somehow Sweet P made it through and is still in. That leaves Carmen and Ricky as the possibilities for going home. Carmen is out though, for leaving her model half-naked to go along with other pieces that didn't work. I can't say I am too upset about her leaving. She seemed way too full of herself for my taste, but without the talent to back it up.
Double/Double Week
This week was Double/Double week at RockBandLounge.com's Rock Star: All Stars competition. Each singer put up one Rock Star performance and one non-Rock Star performance...and out of the Bottom 3, two singers were cut from the competition.
So, now it is time to say goodbye to the fabulously talented dirtyPhil Ritchie from Season Two, and husky voiced Deanna Johnston from Season One. It was a hard week for me personally, because all three of the singers in the Bottom 3 were amongst my overall favorites in the competition, so I knew that we would be losing two of them at once. I suppose I will eventually get over it. LOL.
Anyways, you need to check these two out! You can listen to dirtyPhil singing with his band Lennex at their MySpace page. While you're there, be sure to listen to their new song, Thank You and Goodbye. I really, truly love that song. I've blogged about it before. So listen to it! And be sure to listen to some of Deanna's music on her MySpace. Also, check her out as one of the singers on The Singing Bee! She is my favorite of the regular singers on that show. Big shock, I'm sure.
Also in the Bottom 3 this week was Jordis Unga. She has survived for another week, but if she is your favorite, be sure to go to RockBandLounge.com and VOTE for her!
So, now it is time to say goodbye to the fabulously talented dirtyPhil Ritchie from Season Two, and husky voiced Deanna Johnston from Season One. It was a hard week for me personally, because all three of the singers in the Bottom 3 were amongst my overall favorites in the competition, so I knew that we would be losing two of them at once. I suppose I will eventually get over it. LOL.
Anyways, you need to check these two out! You can listen to dirtyPhil singing with his band Lennex at their MySpace page. While you're there, be sure to listen to their new song, Thank You and Goodbye. I really, truly love that song. I've blogged about it before. So listen to it! And be sure to listen to some of Deanna's music on her MySpace. Also, check her out as one of the singers on The Singing Bee! She is my favorite of the regular singers on that show. Big shock, I'm sure.
Also in the Bottom 3 this week was Jordis Unga. She has survived for another week, but if she is your favorite, be sure to go to RockBandLounge.com and VOTE for her!
Monday, November 26, 2007
The Project Runway Rundown, V4.2
Sorry it has taken me so long to get to this. The holiday weekend has put me behind on everything, but I am finally getting to this now.
This second episode begins with all of the designers reminiscing about Simone and discussing how difficult the judging was. Note to designers: Y'all had it easy for your first challenge!
Heidi meets them on the runway and allows them to choose their models. I still miss how they did it in the first season, where each challenge, they got to choose their models again. You still had some relationships form between certain models and designers...but overall, it was interesting to see how they would mix things up. It gets boring when the same designers choose the same models over and over and over again. Then Heidi tells them they will be designing for a "pop culture and fashion icon." Of course, they all start speculating on who it will be. Madonna??? Come on people. Y'all sure do think big, don't you? Snow White would be interesting though.
Tim Gunn has the designers gather around, and he introduces them to Sarah Jessica Parker, their icon, client, and a judge for this competition. They will be working in pairs to design a two piece outfit for SJP's line Bitten, with a budget of only $15. Their designs will sell for under $40, and the winning design may be sold as part of the Bitten fall/winter collection. They all sketch and then pitch their designs to SJP...and then she chooses 7 to go ahead with their designs. Sweet P is starting to panic about the team thing already. I can't say I blame her. The team challenges are always iffy...and there are some people on this cast I would NOT want to be paired up with!
Dear lord, during their sketching time they cut to a diary room quote from Ricky where he is once again CRYING! He may challenge Andre in this area. As they are pitching to SJP, some of them are so verklempt that they can't speak. Elisa pitches a "polymorphic" design to SJP. Oy. What the fuck is polymorphic? She is seriously on another planet. And Carmen Webber is a bit full of herself. LOL. Oh well.
The seven designers chosen to go forward with their designs are Elisa (WTF???), Kit, Victorya, Marion, Ricky, Christian, and Rami. Sweet P is the last teammate to be chosen...and Elisa is the last one to choose. Poor Sweet P. I am not sure that I like her, but I really don't want to subject her to Planet Elisa. I am worried for her. But Elisa is excited for some reason...she wanted Sweet P from the beginning, she says.
While shopping at Mood, most teams go for jerseys, fleeces, and cottons. With their limited budget, they will have to shop smartly. They only have until midnight that night to finish their pieces, so they will have to work very quickly.
Rami is thinking about how to make his design work for varying body types. Stephen is concerned about the intricacy of Marion's design. Elisa is trying to explain her polymorphic dress to Sweet P and winds up spit marking the fabric. With the spit marking, Sweet P starts to freak out. I can't blame her. Elisa is a fruit loop. I think I will now call her Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity. Ricky is crying again...this time because SJP chose his design to move forward with.
Tim comes in to give his comments. He is concerned about time with Marion's garments. He also thinks that Christian's design is looking a bit fashion backward instead of fashion forward. Me too. Victorya has designed a vest with a racer back that Tim is intrigued by. He tells Rooty Tooty that she is cuckoo. I agree. I am glad someone has said it to her. I don't think she knows how to use a sewing machine. She may be afraid of them. I'm not sure. But she is trying to do everything by hand. Sweet P is worried about time and "making it work." I can't say I blame her.
Elimination day arrives, and the ladies are discussing how they are worried that Rooty Tooty can't use a sewing machine. Sweet P is determined to MAKE IT WORK. Let's hope she can. At least for her sake. Part of me hopes she can't, so that Fresh 'N Fruity goes home.
Tim Gunn comes in and tells the designers to knock SJP's socks off. They've got two hours to fit their models and do the whole hair and makeup thing. Marion's design seems to be growing. How is that top continuing to get bigger??? Bad choice of fabric. Oh well. Too late now. Sweet P is actually really liking Rooty Tooty's design now. Christian thinks he will be in the Top 2 again...but I am not so sure. It looks like it is straight out of the 1980's. Stephen is still sewing things on his and Marion's model when time is up. Oy. Not a good sign.
Runway time! SJP is joining the usual lineup of judges, Heidi, Michael, and Nina.
Kit & Chris created a pair of chocolate brown leggings and a black short-sleeved sweater top. It's really pretty cute. It is not something that anyone over a size 12 should wear, but it is very cute, and it looks like it would be budget friendly and hold up well.
Fresh 'N Fruity & Sweet P created a "polymorphic" dress and a really cute cape. I'm pretty much over the color of the dress (Chloe blue again), but I like the sleeves and the skirt on the dress, and I absolutely love the cape. I don't get the whole polymorphic thing though.
Rami & Jillian created a pair of leggings and some sort of giant shirt with a huge belt around it. To me, it is pretty ugly. I can see that it could be worn by women of various sizes, but that does not mean it will look good on any of them. Blech.
Marion & Steven put out a garbage bag. Okay, it wasn't a garbage bag. But I don't know what you would call it. The top has grown even more since the last time we saw it. It is like watching lava. Ridiculous. It is so big that you can't see the skirt underneath. But you can see her bra through the top. And what a boring color. I'd take Chloe blue over that any day. Blech. The fringe on the bottom of the top is longer than the skirt.
Victorya & Kevin created a babydoll dress with a plaid vest with a racer back. Honestly, to me, it is very boring. It looks well made, but that is about all I can say for it.
Christian & Carmen created a super tight dress (in Chloe blue) and a jacket that is straight out of the 80's. It looks like he even included the shoulder pads. Ugh. It is black and gray, with way too much going on. Super busy. I'm not impressed this time Christian. Not at all. Last time I felt like he was sort of updating the 80's...but this time he went straight back into them. Was he even alive in the 80's? Maybe the problem is that he doesn't remember them. And that dress is so tight that his model looks like she's got tummy rolls and such. She is likely a size 0, she should NOT look like that!
Ricky & Jack created a beautiful red dress with an interesting black belt. The dress could easily go from somewhat casual to somewhat dressy. I can see how it would work with several different body types. I like the color. I like the neckline. I like the fringy stuff hanging off of the belt. Nice work.
Judgement time arrives, and Rooty Tooty and Victorya have the top designs, while Marion and Christian have the worst designs. I'm not surprised about the bottom...but I am a bit surprised about the top! I am bored by Victorya's design, and could have seen either Ricky or Kit's designs above hers.
Somehow though, Victorya wins and Marion goes home. Christian had better update his looks in the future, or he is gone soon. I think he is talented, but he's got to look to the future instead of the past. I am glad though, that Fresh 'N Fruity did not win. I don't understand her at all. Granted, I like what she designed this time in the end...but it still seems a bit overcomplicated and confusing. I love that Heidi asked her what planet she is from!
So, in a couple of days we will have the next episode. Later!
Oh yeah, and I'm going to have some Project Runway related polls going, so be sure to check them out and cast your vote.
This second episode begins with all of the designers reminiscing about Simone and discussing how difficult the judging was. Note to designers: Y'all had it easy for your first challenge!
Heidi meets them on the runway and allows them to choose their models. I still miss how they did it in the first season, where each challenge, they got to choose their models again. You still had some relationships form between certain models and designers...but overall, it was interesting to see how they would mix things up. It gets boring when the same designers choose the same models over and over and over again. Then Heidi tells them they will be designing for a "pop culture and fashion icon." Of course, they all start speculating on who it will be. Madonna??? Come on people. Y'all sure do think big, don't you? Snow White would be interesting though.
Tim Gunn has the designers gather around, and he introduces them to Sarah Jessica Parker, their icon, client, and a judge for this competition. They will be working in pairs to design a two piece outfit for SJP's line Bitten, with a budget of only $15. Their designs will sell for under $40, and the winning design may be sold as part of the Bitten fall/winter collection. They all sketch and then pitch their designs to SJP...and then she chooses 7 to go ahead with their designs. Sweet P is starting to panic about the team thing already. I can't say I blame her. The team challenges are always iffy...and there are some people on this cast I would NOT want to be paired up with!
Dear lord, during their sketching time they cut to a diary room quote from Ricky where he is once again CRYING! He may challenge Andre in this area. As they are pitching to SJP, some of them are so verklempt that they can't speak. Elisa pitches a "polymorphic" design to SJP. Oy. What the fuck is polymorphic? She is seriously on another planet. And Carmen Webber is a bit full of herself. LOL. Oh well.
The seven designers chosen to go forward with their designs are Elisa (WTF???), Kit, Victorya, Marion, Ricky, Christian, and Rami. Sweet P is the last teammate to be chosen...and Elisa is the last one to choose. Poor Sweet P. I am not sure that I like her, but I really don't want to subject her to Planet Elisa. I am worried for her. But Elisa is excited for some reason...she wanted Sweet P from the beginning, she says.
While shopping at Mood, most teams go for jerseys, fleeces, and cottons. With their limited budget, they will have to shop smartly. They only have until midnight that night to finish their pieces, so they will have to work very quickly.
Rami is thinking about how to make his design work for varying body types. Stephen is concerned about the intricacy of Marion's design. Elisa is trying to explain her polymorphic dress to Sweet P and winds up spit marking the fabric. With the spit marking, Sweet P starts to freak out. I can't blame her. Elisa is a fruit loop. I think I will now call her Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity. Ricky is crying again...this time because SJP chose his design to move forward with.
Tim comes in to give his comments. He is concerned about time with Marion's garments. He also thinks that Christian's design is looking a bit fashion backward instead of fashion forward. Me too. Victorya has designed a vest with a racer back that Tim is intrigued by. He tells Rooty Tooty that she is cuckoo. I agree. I am glad someone has said it to her. I don't think she knows how to use a sewing machine. She may be afraid of them. I'm not sure. But she is trying to do everything by hand. Sweet P is worried about time and "making it work." I can't say I blame her.
Elimination day arrives, and the ladies are discussing how they are worried that Rooty Tooty can't use a sewing machine. Sweet P is determined to MAKE IT WORK. Let's hope she can. At least for her sake. Part of me hopes she can't, so that Fresh 'N Fruity goes home.
Tim Gunn comes in and tells the designers to knock SJP's socks off. They've got two hours to fit their models and do the whole hair and makeup thing. Marion's design seems to be growing. How is that top continuing to get bigger??? Bad choice of fabric. Oh well. Too late now. Sweet P is actually really liking Rooty Tooty's design now. Christian thinks he will be in the Top 2 again...but I am not so sure. It looks like it is straight out of the 1980's. Stephen is still sewing things on his and Marion's model when time is up. Oy. Not a good sign.
Runway time! SJP is joining the usual lineup of judges, Heidi, Michael, and Nina.
Kit & Chris created a pair of chocolate brown leggings and a black short-sleeved sweater top. It's really pretty cute. It is not something that anyone over a size 12 should wear, but it is very cute, and it looks like it would be budget friendly and hold up well.
Fresh 'N Fruity & Sweet P created a "polymorphic" dress and a really cute cape. I'm pretty much over the color of the dress (Chloe blue again), but I like the sleeves and the skirt on the dress, and I absolutely love the cape. I don't get the whole polymorphic thing though.
Rami & Jillian created a pair of leggings and some sort of giant shirt with a huge belt around it. To me, it is pretty ugly. I can see that it could be worn by women of various sizes, but that does not mean it will look good on any of them. Blech.
Marion & Steven put out a garbage bag. Okay, it wasn't a garbage bag. But I don't know what you would call it. The top has grown even more since the last time we saw it. It is like watching lava. Ridiculous. It is so big that you can't see the skirt underneath. But you can see her bra through the top. And what a boring color. I'd take Chloe blue over that any day. Blech. The fringe on the bottom of the top is longer than the skirt.
Victorya & Kevin created a babydoll dress with a plaid vest with a racer back. Honestly, to me, it is very boring. It looks well made, but that is about all I can say for it.
Christian & Carmen created a super tight dress (in Chloe blue) and a jacket that is straight out of the 80's. It looks like he even included the shoulder pads. Ugh. It is black and gray, with way too much going on. Super busy. I'm not impressed this time Christian. Not at all. Last time I felt like he was sort of updating the 80's...but this time he went straight back into them. Was he even alive in the 80's? Maybe the problem is that he doesn't remember them. And that dress is so tight that his model looks like she's got tummy rolls and such. She is likely a size 0, she should NOT look like that!
Ricky & Jack created a beautiful red dress with an interesting black belt. The dress could easily go from somewhat casual to somewhat dressy. I can see how it would work with several different body types. I like the color. I like the neckline. I like the fringy stuff hanging off of the belt. Nice work.
Judgement time arrives, and Rooty Tooty and Victorya have the top designs, while Marion and Christian have the worst designs. I'm not surprised about the bottom...but I am a bit surprised about the top! I am bored by Victorya's design, and could have seen either Ricky or Kit's designs above hers.
Somehow though, Victorya wins and Marion goes home. Christian had better update his looks in the future, or he is gone soon. I think he is talented, but he's got to look to the future instead of the past. I am glad though, that Fresh 'N Fruity did not win. I don't understand her at all. Granted, I like what she designed this time in the end...but it still seems a bit overcomplicated and confusing. I love that Heidi asked her what planet she is from!
So, in a couple of days we will have the next episode. Later!
Oh yeah, and I'm going to have some Project Runway related polls going, so be sure to check them out and cast your vote.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
In the Silence, I Think of You...
...I send a message and I hope it gets through.
Ten years ago today, Michael Hutchence left the world. He had spent the previous twenty years as the lead singer and frontman of INXS, writing and recording groundbreaking music, touring the world, playing to crowds of adoring fans, and otherwise being the embodiment of what most people would consider a rock star.
Ten years ago, his friends, family, bandmates, and fans across the world mourned together. Ten years ago, we all lost an icon, a poet, a singer, a legend.
Ten years ago, we cried.
Today, we remember, we reminisce, we regret, we relish, we relive. It has been ten years without Hutch...ten years of sadness and of joy. We no longer have INXS with Michael, but we once again have INXS.
Today in the United States, it is Thanksgiving. Today, I am thankful for the twenty years that Michael graced the world as a whole with...I am thankful for his heart and soul that he poured into his music...I am thankful that INXS has chosen to continue to honor his legacy instead of allow his music to die with him...
Today, I may cry. But more than that...today, I celebrate. I choose to celebrate the life of this beautiful man, a life that he opened to the world. So I will listen to his music, and I will reminisce about his legacy. But I will spend the day, thankful for all that he gave instead of mourning for all we have lost.
Today, Hutch will be alive for me.
Cheers mate.
Ten years ago today, Michael Hutchence left the world. He had spent the previous twenty years as the lead singer and frontman of INXS, writing and recording groundbreaking music, touring the world, playing to crowds of adoring fans, and otherwise being the embodiment of what most people would consider a rock star.
Ten years ago, his friends, family, bandmates, and fans across the world mourned together. Ten years ago, we all lost an icon, a poet, a singer, a legend.
Ten years ago, we cried.
Today, we remember, we reminisce, we regret, we relish, we relive. It has been ten years without Hutch...ten years of sadness and of joy. We no longer have INXS with Michael, but we once again have INXS.
Today in the United States, it is Thanksgiving. Today, I am thankful for the twenty years that Michael graced the world as a whole with...I am thankful for his heart and soul that he poured into his music...I am thankful that INXS has chosen to continue to honor his legacy instead of allow his music to die with him...
Today, I may cry. But more than that...today, I celebrate. I choose to celebrate the life of this beautiful man, a life that he opened to the world. So I will listen to his music, and I will reminisce about his legacy. But I will spend the day, thankful for all that he gave instead of mourning for all we have lost.
Today, Hutch will be alive for me.
Cheers mate.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Bye Bye Ty
Another week is finished in RockBandLounge.com's Rock Star: All Stars competition. This week saw three of the competitors from Season One reunited in the Bottom Three, and Ty Taylor is the latest casualty.
Ty was joined in the Bottom Three this week once again by Jordis Unga, and also by Deanna Johnston. This is two weeks in a row now that Jordis has fallen victim to not receiving enough votes. With both Ty and Patrice, on their third visit to the Bottom Three, they were cut from the competition. If you don't want that to happen to Jordis (or to Deanna, or to any of the contestants) you need to VOTE. The only thing that can keep your favorites in the competition is having fans who vote.
Next week is Double/Double week. Each contestant will put out a Rock Star performance coupled with a Non Rock Star performance (cover or original) for the fans to vote on. This could be the first time a number of people see and hear what some of these competitors are capable of outside of the constraints of Rock Star, so it should be very exciting.
Ty was joined in the Bottom Three this week once again by Jordis Unga, and also by Deanna Johnston. This is two weeks in a row now that Jordis has fallen victim to not receiving enough votes. With both Ty and Patrice, on their third visit to the Bottom Three, they were cut from the competition. If you don't want that to happen to Jordis (or to Deanna, or to any of the contestants) you need to VOTE. The only thing that can keep your favorites in the competition is having fans who vote.
Next week is Double/Double week. Each contestant will put out a Rock Star performance coupled with a Non Rock Star performance (cover or original) for the fans to vote on. This could be the first time a number of people see and hear what some of these competitors are capable of outside of the constraints of Rock Star, so it should be very exciting.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Joshua Tree
Can you believe that it has been 20 years since U2 first released The Joshua Tree? I still remember hearing the songs from U2's groundbreaking album on the radio and seeing the videos on MTV as a young girl, and how they were so very very different from anything else I was hearing. I was already a fan of U2. Pride (In the Name of Love) is the first U2 song I have clear memories of hearing, but I am sure I had probably heard some of their music from the War album before all of that.
But The Joshua Tree changed everything for me...the emotion of With or Without You...the plodding Gospel search of I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For...the relentless drive of Where the Streets Have No Name...the imagery of the desert of In God's Country...the desperation of Exit...the violence and anger beneath the surface of Bullet the Blue Sky...the sadness and despair of Mothers of the Disappeared...the running rivers of One Tree Hill...the confusion of Trip Through Your Wires...the need to hang on in Red Hill Mining Town...the lonely desolation of Running to Stand Still...
It seemed like, in a way, they took all what was found in Bad from The Unforgettable Fire and turned it into a whole album. "This desperation, dislocation, separation, condemnation, revelation, in tempation, isolation, desolation. Let it go and so to find a way." In expounding on all of the components in this one song, U2 managed to achieve recording the album that would essentially define their careers.
Today, a remastered version of The Joshua Tree has been released for sale. They are releasing a box set among other versions of the album. And while I already own every U2 album, I will likely have to purchase this one as well.
But The Joshua Tree changed everything for me...the emotion of With or Without You...the plodding Gospel search of I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For...the relentless drive of Where the Streets Have No Name...the imagery of the desert of In God's Country...the desperation of Exit...the violence and anger beneath the surface of Bullet the Blue Sky...the sadness and despair of Mothers of the Disappeared...the running rivers of One Tree Hill...the confusion of Trip Through Your Wires...the need to hang on in Red Hill Mining Town...the lonely desolation of Running to Stand Still...
It seemed like, in a way, they took all what was found in Bad from The Unforgettable Fire and turned it into a whole album. "This desperation, dislocation, separation, condemnation, revelation, in tempation, isolation, desolation. Let it go and so to find a way." In expounding on all of the components in this one song, U2 managed to achieve recording the album that would essentially define their careers.
Today, a remastered version of The Joshua Tree has been released for sale. They are releasing a box set among other versions of the album. And while I already own every U2 album, I will likely have to purchase this one as well.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
Tired of the same old boring cranberry sauce and cornbread dressing? In my family, we look forward to the variations we've made over the years on traditional Thanksgiving recipes. If you want to change things up a bit, feel free to try out any or all of these family recipes.
Sausage Sage Dressing
Tired of cornbread dressing? Try this bread based sausage dressing for an alternative.
1 medium onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
2 sticks butter
2 lbs sage sausage
salt
pepper
2 tsp sage
1 loaf bread, cubed
water, as needed
In a large skillet, melt the two sticks of butter and saute the onion and celery until they begin to become tender. Crumble the sausage into the skillet. Add salt, pepper, and sage, and cook until the sausage is browned. In a large mixing bowl, combine sausage mixture with cubed bread. Stir until all ingredients are well combined. The mixture should be sticking together well. If not, add small amounts of water and continue to stir until it becomes sticky. Spray a LARGE baking dish with non-stick spray and spread dressing into the dish, pressing it down to make it compact. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350-375 for about 30-35 minutes. Then remove the foil and cook an additional 5-10 minutes, until lightly browned on top.
Chile Rellenos Casserole
For a change with a bit of a Tex-Mex flair, your family will love this non-traditional casserole.
2 lbs Monterrey Jack cheese, grated
4 4.5 oz cans green chiles, diced and drained
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
salt
pepper
Spray a large baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spread a layer of chiles across the bottom of the dish, then cover with a layer of cheese. Continue to alternate layers of chiles and cheese until it is all in the dish. Combine eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the chile/cheese in the dish. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.
If desired, you can use a combination of 50% Monterrey Jack cheese and 50% Sharp Cheddar cheese as a variation. Green chiles are fairly mild, but you can certainly adjust the amount of chiles down if you feel it is necessary. Some enjoy this with 1/2 tsp of dry mustard mixed in with the milk and eggs mixture.
Cranberry Candied Yams
These are not your mothers candied yams. A delightful twist on the traditional yam, complete with the bite of cranberries.
4 large cans yams, drained
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup dry oats
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans
12 oz fresh cranberries, frozen
1 medium bag small marshmallows
In a very large, deep baking dish, pour in the yams. In a separate bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon. Cut the butter in until well combined. Add the pecans and cranberries to the yams, then sprinkle the brown sugar/butter mixture over the top. Bake at 350 for approximately 35 minutes. Carefully pour marshmallows over the top and bake for few more minutes, until the marshmallows just begin to brown.
The best part about all of these dishes is that they cook at the same temperature and in approximately the same time. Begin to prepare these after you've put your turkey into the oven. You should be able to completely prepare each of them before your turkey is done. When you take your turkey from the oven, pop these in. By the time your turkey has been allowed to rest, your sides should be just about finished! It makes for a perfectly timed meal. A traditional green bean casserole also bakes in this time frame, so it would be an excellent addition. While they are all in the oven, you can be preparing mashed potatoes and gravy, a salad, or something else of that nature to round out your Thanksgiving feast.
Sausage Sage Dressing
Tired of cornbread dressing? Try this bread based sausage dressing for an alternative.
1 medium onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
2 sticks butter
2 lbs sage sausage
salt
pepper
2 tsp sage
1 loaf bread, cubed
water, as needed
In a large skillet, melt the two sticks of butter and saute the onion and celery until they begin to become tender. Crumble the sausage into the skillet. Add salt, pepper, and sage, and cook until the sausage is browned. In a large mixing bowl, combine sausage mixture with cubed bread. Stir until all ingredients are well combined. The mixture should be sticking together well. If not, add small amounts of water and continue to stir until it becomes sticky. Spray a LARGE baking dish with non-stick spray and spread dressing into the dish, pressing it down to make it compact. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350-375 for about 30-35 minutes. Then remove the foil and cook an additional 5-10 minutes, until lightly browned on top.
Chile Rellenos Casserole
For a change with a bit of a Tex-Mex flair, your family will love this non-traditional casserole.
2 lbs Monterrey Jack cheese, grated
4 4.5 oz cans green chiles, diced and drained
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
salt
pepper
Spray a large baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spread a layer of chiles across the bottom of the dish, then cover with a layer of cheese. Continue to alternate layers of chiles and cheese until it is all in the dish. Combine eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the chile/cheese in the dish. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.
If desired, you can use a combination of 50% Monterrey Jack cheese and 50% Sharp Cheddar cheese as a variation. Green chiles are fairly mild, but you can certainly adjust the amount of chiles down if you feel it is necessary. Some enjoy this with 1/2 tsp of dry mustard mixed in with the milk and eggs mixture.
Cranberry Candied Yams
These are not your mothers candied yams. A delightful twist on the traditional yam, complete with the bite of cranberries.
4 large cans yams, drained
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup dry oats
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans
12 oz fresh cranberries, frozen
1 medium bag small marshmallows
In a very large, deep baking dish, pour in the yams. In a separate bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon. Cut the butter in until well combined. Add the pecans and cranberries to the yams, then sprinkle the brown sugar/butter mixture over the top. Bake at 350 for approximately 35 minutes. Carefully pour marshmallows over the top and bake for few more minutes, until the marshmallows just begin to brown.
The best part about all of these dishes is that they cook at the same temperature and in approximately the same time. Begin to prepare these after you've put your turkey into the oven. You should be able to completely prepare each of them before your turkey is done. When you take your turkey from the oven, pop these in. By the time your turkey has been allowed to rest, your sides should be just about finished! It makes for a perfectly timed meal. A traditional green bean casserole also bakes in this time frame, so it would be an excellent addition. While they are all in the oven, you can be preparing mashed potatoes and gravy, a salad, or something else of that nature to round out your Thanksgiving feast.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Thanksgiving Insanity
We used to spend a fortune every year for this one meal. Just for Thanksgiving dinner in my family, we could easily spend over $100. That was for not only my immediate family, but for relatives, too. $100 is more than I spend on a weeks worth of groceries for myself these days, so that amount of money, to me, is simply astronimical.
My siblings and I have all grown up now though, and we all have jobs, and some of us aren't always able to make it together to eat Thanksgiving dinner. Our relatives all have families of their own, and not as many of them make it out to our home each year. This year, much like last year, it is likely just going to be my mother and my sisters and I eating together. Four people. That's it.
Last year, my Mom was worried about how we would manage Thanksgiving. She is on a very tight budget, as are my sisters and I. I told her that for one thing, we could make a lot less food. We didn't have to make as much of each thing as we used to make. Instead of making a whole turkey, we could make simply a turkey breast. Instead of making 7 or 8 different side dishes, we could each select our favorite *must have* side dish, and we would only make enough for the handful of us who would be eating, plus a little for leftovers. Thanksgiving dinner leftovers are great, but there is no reason we should all be eating on them for a week, at least in my opinion. In addition to that, I told her that I would make up a list of everything we would need, scour the grocery store ads, and do the shopping...and that I could do it all for under $40. She didn't believe me...but I did it. The four of us each chipped in $10, and I did the shopping and the cooking, and we still had an ample Thanksgiving dinner with enough leftovers of each of our favorite dishes.
Since we are likely going to be doing the same thing this year, my Mom asked if I thought I could work it all out again the way I did last year. Only this time, she wanted to come with me to do the shopping, to see how I did it. I got a little chuckle out of that. But I agreed. We went to the store yesterday and got everything we would need for Thanksgiving dinner. And once again, it came in at less than $40. Even though she knew that I had searched through all of the ads and knew where the best deals were, Mom was shocked when we got to the checkout and she saw the total. Our basket was nearly as full as she would have it be when she used to shop for Thanksgiving dinner when we were feeding 12+. We were planning to make nearly as many dishes as we did back in those days, and with some of those dishes, we were planning to make nearly as much of it as we used to do. But still, I managed to figure it out so that we spent less than half of what she used to spend. She was flabbergasted.
I think that I have now solidified myself as the official deal shopper in the family. Many years ago, I solidified my position as the official Thanksgiving Dinner cook. No one else really wants to do it, and I enjoy it.
Anyways, if you're looking for ways to cut some corners and save a few dollars when you do your shopping for Thanksgiving dinner, my best advice is to look at the ads! There are sharp differences between the different grocery stores in how much they charge for various Thanksgiving essentials. Make a thorough list, noting how much things cost and where...and then fight the crowds! It is nuts, but it is well worth the savings to simply go where the deals are.
My siblings and I have all grown up now though, and we all have jobs, and some of us aren't always able to make it together to eat Thanksgiving dinner. Our relatives all have families of their own, and not as many of them make it out to our home each year. This year, much like last year, it is likely just going to be my mother and my sisters and I eating together. Four people. That's it.
Last year, my Mom was worried about how we would manage Thanksgiving. She is on a very tight budget, as are my sisters and I. I told her that for one thing, we could make a lot less food. We didn't have to make as much of each thing as we used to make. Instead of making a whole turkey, we could make simply a turkey breast. Instead of making 7 or 8 different side dishes, we could each select our favorite *must have* side dish, and we would only make enough for the handful of us who would be eating, plus a little for leftovers. Thanksgiving dinner leftovers are great, but there is no reason we should all be eating on them for a week, at least in my opinion. In addition to that, I told her that I would make up a list of everything we would need, scour the grocery store ads, and do the shopping...and that I could do it all for under $40. She didn't believe me...but I did it. The four of us each chipped in $10, and I did the shopping and the cooking, and we still had an ample Thanksgiving dinner with enough leftovers of each of our favorite dishes.
Since we are likely going to be doing the same thing this year, my Mom asked if I thought I could work it all out again the way I did last year. Only this time, she wanted to come with me to do the shopping, to see how I did it. I got a little chuckle out of that. But I agreed. We went to the store yesterday and got everything we would need for Thanksgiving dinner. And once again, it came in at less than $40. Even though she knew that I had searched through all of the ads and knew where the best deals were, Mom was shocked when we got to the checkout and she saw the total. Our basket was nearly as full as she would have it be when she used to shop for Thanksgiving dinner when we were feeding 12+. We were planning to make nearly as many dishes as we did back in those days, and with some of those dishes, we were planning to make nearly as much of it as we used to do. But still, I managed to figure it out so that we spent less than half of what she used to spend. She was flabbergasted.
I think that I have now solidified myself as the official deal shopper in the family. Many years ago, I solidified my position as the official Thanksgiving Dinner cook. No one else really wants to do it, and I enjoy it.
Anyways, if you're looking for ways to cut some corners and save a few dollars when you do your shopping for Thanksgiving dinner, my best advice is to look at the ads! There are sharp differences between the different grocery stores in how much they charge for various Thanksgiving essentials. Make a thorough list, noting how much things cost and where...and then fight the crowds! It is nuts, but it is well worth the savings to simply go where the deals are.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
The Wit of Wilde
I've been a fan of Oscar Wilde since I read his play "The Importance of Being Earnest." His use of wit is so predominant throughout the work, and so unlike anything else I'd ever read before, that I became an instantaneous fan. However, I'd never read any of his other works.
Until now.
I've just started to read his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. I knew that the plot of this novel was much darker than "Earnest," much more gothic in nature, so I wasn't expecting to find the same kinds of witicisms that were present in the dialogue of "Earnest." I have to say, so far I am pleasantly surprised to find that I was wrong. The first two chapters are full of the same wonderful style of dialogue, and I can't wait to read more. It makes his writing very interesting, and exceedingly easy to read.
Of particular interest to me is the Preface that Wilde included in his second edition to Dorian Gray. Critics of the novel felt that there was no moral value to be found in the work, and attacked it due to that fact as well as for the homo-erotic overtones found throughout. It did not sit well with Victorian England. But Wilde was part of the aesthetic movement in art, a movement based on the idea that art need serve no function other than beauty. So, in answer to his critics, this is what he included to lead into his novel.
Until now.
I've just started to read his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. I knew that the plot of this novel was much darker than "Earnest," much more gothic in nature, so I wasn't expecting to find the same kinds of witicisms that were present in the dialogue of "Earnest." I have to say, so far I am pleasantly surprised to find that I was wrong. The first two chapters are full of the same wonderful style of dialogue, and I can't wait to read more. It makes his writing very interesting, and exceedingly easy to read.
Of particular interest to me is the Preface that Wilde included in his second edition to Dorian Gray. Critics of the novel felt that there was no moral value to be found in the work, and attacked it due to that fact as well as for the homo-erotic overtones found throughout. It did not sit well with Victorian England. But Wilde was part of the aesthetic movement in art, a movement based on the idea that art need serve no function other than beauty. So, in answer to his critics, this is what he included to lead into his novel.
The artist is the creator of beautiful things.
To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim.
The critic is he who can translate into another manner or a new material his impression of beautiful things.
The highest as the lowest form of criticism is a mode of autobiography.
Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault.
Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are cultivated. For these there is hope.
They are the elect to whom beautiful things mean only Beauty.
There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.
The nineteenth centure dislike of Realism is the rage of Caliban seeing his own face in a glass.
The nineteenth century dislike of Romanticism is the rage of Caliban not seeing his own face in a glass.
The moral life of man forms part of the subject-matter of the artist, but the morality of art consists in the perfect use of an imperfect medium.
No artist desires to prove anything. Even things that are true can be proved.
No artist has ethical sympathies. An ethical sympathy in an artist is an unpardonable mannerism of style.
No artist is ever morbid. The artist can express everything.
Thought and language are to the artist instruments of an art.
Vice and virtue are to the artist materials for an art.
From the point of view of form, the type of all the arts is the point of view of the musician. From the point of view of feeling, the actor's craft is the type.
All art is at once surface and symbol.
Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril.
Those who read the symbol do so at their peril.
It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors.
Diversity of opinion about a work of art shows that the work is new, complex, and vital.
When critics disagree, the artist is in accord with himself.
We can forgive a man for making a useful thing as long as he does not admire it. The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it intensely.
All art is quite useless.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Project Runway Rundown, V4.1
It is time for a fourth season of Bravo TV's Project Runway, and I am more than ready to dish it out. This season, we don't get the episode of two leading into the season where we see all of the designers auditioning and such. Instead, we are thrown directly into the show. Too bad. I've always enjoyed seeing the nuts out there who think they should be on the show. Plus, we typically would get to see some previous contestants as they join Tim Gunn on the panel, helping to decide who gets on the show and who doesn't. Bravo has been diligently rerunning the previous three seasons for the last few weeks, to remind us all how much we love the show, including an all day long marathon today of Season Three.
Tim Gunn is rejoining us again for Season Four, in addition to continuing with his duties on Tim Gunn's Guide to Style as a mentor and guide for the contestants. Also returning is our lovely host, Heidi Klum, as well as mainstay judges, designer Michael Kors and fashion editor Nina Garcia.
We start off by meeting the various designers as they move into their apartments in New York. Of course, Project Runway wouldn't be Project Runway if we didn't have the interpersonal aspect going on alongside the actual design challenge aspect. Yeah, that stuff is important to the show...and I am sure I will be caught up in it all before long...but I watch to see the designs! So...ten minutes into the show, and we've already seen tears. Oy...is this a sign of things to come? I would imagine so.
They meet up in Bryant Park and find champagne, so of course they start to party. And then of course, Heidi and Tim come along and tell them their party is over. They seem to be given an easier first challenge than the previous seasons. Mood Fabrics has donated $50,000 worth of premium fabrics which are lining three tents, which the designers then have to choose from for this challenge. So, they have to race across a big field and choose their materials...and Chris is left way far behind. These outfits are supposed to express who they are as a designer and they only have the remainder of the day to construct their garments. The designers only have 10 minutes to race across the field and choose their fabrics, so everyone is grabbing like crazy, not really thinking too much yet about what they will be making, they just want to get anything and everything that inspires them. Even though Chris was last, something that really spoke to him was still there when he arrived. One designer decided to stain her silk chiffon with GRASS in order to add a natural element to the fabric. What??? Seriously? Not cool, to me. It seems that the only thing left hanging in the three tents was a big ugly furry looking thing. Who knows what will come of all of this, but I have to say...at this point, I am thinking Season Four designers have it EASY.
The designers arrive at their workroom and set down to work. Tim arrives to tell them to "make it work." You knew that one was coming. Ricky decides to make a baby doll dress inspired by lingerie, since that is where his background lies. Rami wants to mix feminity with edge. Elisa (grass stain girl) wants to make something avant garde and "magic." Already, on day one, people are talking about how "weird" some of the others are. It'll be interesting to see how these interpersonal things work out over the course of the season. Christian is designing something with a pattern that he is matching up some places and not in other places, and he doesn't seem all that responsive to Tim's constructive criticism. Note to designers: Tim knows his stuff. Listen to him when he gives you his observations. Elisa finished with more than two hours to spare...though she left things in her "avant garde" fashion, and went to take a nap. I'm not sure that is going to serve her well, in the long run.
Judgement day arrives, and the panic begins to set in. Tim has the designers "gather around" and gives them their pep talk before sending in the models. They have two hours to get hair and make up done, in addition to final fittings and accessories. Models were assigned for this first challenge, so they had never seen them before. Some designers were stitching their models into their garments, as seems to happen every season on the first episode. Elisa's "avant garde" design was causing her model to trip as she walked in the workroom, and she thought about chopping about 5 feet off of it, but for some reason, decided not to listen to that inner voice. Eepers, could be a bad decision.
Runway Time! Heidi welcomes them to the runway, explains the prizes at stake, and introduces the judges. Heidi, Michael, and Nina are joined by Monique Lhuillier. And we're off!
Tim Gunn is rejoining us again for Season Four, in addition to continuing with his duties on Tim Gunn's Guide to Style as a mentor and guide for the contestants. Also returning is our lovely host, Heidi Klum, as well as mainstay judges, designer Michael Kors and fashion editor Nina Garcia.
We start off by meeting the various designers as they move into their apartments in New York. Of course, Project Runway wouldn't be Project Runway if we didn't have the interpersonal aspect going on alongside the actual design challenge aspect. Yeah, that stuff is important to the show...and I am sure I will be caught up in it all before long...but I watch to see the designs! So...ten minutes into the show, and we've already seen tears. Oy...is this a sign of things to come? I would imagine so.
They meet up in Bryant Park and find champagne, so of course they start to party. And then of course, Heidi and Tim come along and tell them their party is over. They seem to be given an easier first challenge than the previous seasons. Mood Fabrics has donated $50,000 worth of premium fabrics which are lining three tents, which the designers then have to choose from for this challenge. So, they have to race across a big field and choose their materials...and Chris is left way far behind. These outfits are supposed to express who they are as a designer and they only have the remainder of the day to construct their garments. The designers only have 10 minutes to race across the field and choose their fabrics, so everyone is grabbing like crazy, not really thinking too much yet about what they will be making, they just want to get anything and everything that inspires them. Even though Chris was last, something that really spoke to him was still there when he arrived. One designer decided to stain her silk chiffon with GRASS in order to add a natural element to the fabric. What??? Seriously? Not cool, to me. It seems that the only thing left hanging in the three tents was a big ugly furry looking thing. Who knows what will come of all of this, but I have to say...at this point, I am thinking Season Four designers have it EASY.
The designers arrive at their workroom and set down to work. Tim arrives to tell them to "make it work." You knew that one was coming. Ricky decides to make a baby doll dress inspired by lingerie, since that is where his background lies. Rami wants to mix feminity with edge. Elisa (grass stain girl) wants to make something avant garde and "magic." Already, on day one, people are talking about how "weird" some of the others are. It'll be interesting to see how these interpersonal things work out over the course of the season. Christian is designing something with a pattern that he is matching up some places and not in other places, and he doesn't seem all that responsive to Tim's constructive criticism. Note to designers: Tim knows his stuff. Listen to him when he gives you his observations. Elisa finished with more than two hours to spare...though she left things in her "avant garde" fashion, and went to take a nap. I'm not sure that is going to serve her well, in the long run.
Judgement day arrives, and the panic begins to set in. Tim has the designers "gather around" and gives them their pep talk before sending in the models. They have two hours to get hair and make up done, in addition to final fittings and accessories. Models were assigned for this first challenge, so they had never seen them before. Some designers were stitching their models into their garments, as seems to happen every season on the first episode. Elisa's "avant garde" design was causing her model to trip as she walked in the workroom, and she thought about chopping about 5 feet off of it, but for some reason, decided not to listen to that inner voice. Eepers, could be a bad decision.
Runway Time! Heidi welcomes them to the runway, explains the prizes at stake, and introduces the judges. Heidi, Michael, and Nina are joined by Monique Lhuillier. And we're off!
- Elisa's dress is up first. The model got tangled up in the dress, just as Elisa expected. It is this boring bright blue thing, with shards of torn up fabric hanging all over the place off of the bottom. Remember Santino? I hated Santino, because he went overboard so often. This is worse. It is minimalistic as a dress, and then ten times overboard on the shredded stuff hanging off. Blech.
- Chris's dress was really pretty. A nice eggplant color with some gold thrown in on top. The skirt of the dress was long and neatly done, and the top was elegant. I like it. On the back, you have a gorgeous poofy bow, with an open diamond shape. Really well done.
- Kevin's dress is okay. Black, burgundy, and silver. I'm not really fond of the silver part in the middle...to me, leaving that out would make the whole dress more accessible. It is well done though, neatly tailored, fitted. He could be a contender.
- Sweet P made a potato sack with a splash of color on the edges and a bow. Okay, maybe it isn't a potato sack. But you coulda fooled me. Blech.
- Simone's dress is okay. Nothing special here. I will forget about it in an hour. Some sort of blah print on top as a jacket, off white on bottom, a yellow ribbon around the waist. Not really any sort of innovative design element or anything to make it stand out.
- Jillian's dress stands out primarily because of the bright orange/red color. It's got a slim, long top and a very full, poofy, short skirt. I like it okay, but it isn't anything I would write home about on this show. Kick it up a notch honey...don't just go for the shock value with color choice. The skirt is somewhat reminiscent of Angela from last season...though more tasteful.
- Christian's plaid pattern on top certainly makes a statement. I like how the skirt is asymetrical, though I'm not really fond of the fit of it for some reason. I agree with Tim that the matchiness of the plaid needed to be done better. It looks to mix old-school with a new flair. I think he shows some promise, but needs to pay attention to details like the pattern.
- Victorya designed a plain black baby doll type dress with a slightly interesting sleve action. Really pretty boring. Big silver flower thingy on top. Not really working for me.
- Rami made a bold choice by going with a slate gray. I liked it a lot better on the form in the workroom than I do on his model, though I am getting a bit of a Grecian Goddess vibe from it. I think he has promise though. It looks very polished and finished.
- Ricky's dress is a black/silver patterned baby doll dress. The stripes of the fabric are really the only thing on the whole dress that make it stand out. He is going to have to try a lot harder in the creativity department.
- Jack's dress is a black and white print with turquoise accents. I like the color scheme he has going, but like with Ricky, I think that the print and colors are what make this dress, not his creativity. Step it up.
- Marion's dress is really a bit questionable. It is a black see through lacey fabric on top, and everything but the kitchen sink on bottom. I'm not a big fan of the type of skirt he's got going on here, with things hanging out at odd angles. It is at least interesting though.
- Stephen's dress is boring black, straight, long, fitted jacket, and accented with a red scarf. I don't get it.
- Carmen designed a pantsuit. It looks really sleek, but there is maybe a bit too much going on with all of the colors popping out around the neck. I'm not sure that I get how it all goes together. I like the pant and the jacket though. Just forget about the rest.
- Kit's dress is a black and white print combined with a bright red fabric. I think it is interesting how she combined the two, and I like the single shoulder. I'm not sure I would wear something like this, but it is very intriguing to me.
After the judges deliberations, Rami won with his Grecian Goddess Grey dress, and Simone's boring outfit that didn't go together got her out. I would have sent Elisa home, but I'm sure that they have kept her around for the weirdo factor, in addition to the Santino factor. Oh well.
These designers better realize how easy they had it for their first challenge, and get ready. And Project Runway had better make it harder from now on. Which I'm sure they will. Can't wait for the next episode!
Wave Goodbye to Patrice...
This week, RBL's Rock Star: All Stars Competition said goodbye to Patrice Pike. Falling into the Bottom 3 for the third week in a row, it seems that voters have decided that they are bored with her. She may have had spectacular vocals, but sometimes her passion didn't come through in performing the covers required by Rock Star.
If you want to hear more from Patrice, visit her Official MySpace Page, and be sure to check her out if she comes to your area.
Other members of the Bottom 3 this week were Ty Taylor (making his second appearance in the Bottom 3) and Jordis Unga. They have both survived for at least another week of the competition, but if you want to be sure they stay in it, you have to vote!
Note that the address for the All Stars competition has changed. Click on the new link in this post to find it. And now, if you are a registered member at RockBandLounge.com, your login will work for voting. You no longer need to register seperately for the All Stars competition.
Be sure that you vote, if you want your favorites to stay in the competition! And don't forget to send in your letters to CBS. We want more Rock Star on our TV's!
If you want to hear more from Patrice, visit her Official MySpace Page, and be sure to check her out if she comes to your area.
Other members of the Bottom 3 this week were Ty Taylor (making his second appearance in the Bottom 3) and Jordis Unga. They have both survived for at least another week of the competition, but if you want to be sure they stay in it, you have to vote!
Note that the address for the All Stars competition has changed. Click on the new link in this post to find it. And now, if you are a registered member at RockBandLounge.com, your login will work for voting. You no longer need to register seperately for the All Stars competition.
Be sure that you vote, if you want your favorites to stay in the competition! And don't forget to send in your letters to CBS. We want more Rock Star on our TV's!
Friday, November 9, 2007
Ellis Hall
I've been a fan of Tower of Power for a long time. This is a band that has been around since before I was a twinkle in my parents' eyes...and yet they are still making music. There've been a few changes in their lineup over the years, including their singers. But through it all, they've been making phenomenal music.
All of the singers they've had have been outstanding. One of them, Ellis Hall, has a voice that has always stuck with me. Not only was he a singer for Tower of Power for a while, he was also one of the California Raisins. Yeah, you remember them. I know you do. And you liked them too, didn't you? It's okay. Go ahead and admit it. Those guys could sing, even if they were raisins. LOL.
Well, if you've been reading me for a while, you know that I'm a fan of INXS. (I know, it seems like I'm jumping around, but I do have a point, and I will tie it all back in together, I promise.) As a matter of fact, I am such a fan of INXS that I saw them five times on their Switched On Tour. Yes...five. I am an addict. They had a couple of backup singers with them on the tour. Wendisue and Melody. After a while, they only had Wendisue with them. I have to say...Wendisue has a phenomenal voice. I loved hearing her backing the band...she never left me feeling cold. She also has some of her own music, and a while back I added her as a friend on MySpace, so that I could keep up with what she is doing, other than just touring with INXS.
Wendisue sent out a bulletin yesterday...with music from her father. ELLIS HALL! Who knew that Ellis Hall was her father?!?!?!?!??!?!!??!?!?! I know I didn't! But I love the man's voice, so of course, I checked it out. What a small world this is though...
Anyways, check him out!
A Change is Gonna Come:
Forever Song:
Girl You're Not in Kansas:
Gotta Be Ready for Anything:
Planet Hope:
And if you want to hear more from his days with Tower of Power, there is some of that available on YouTube as well!
You're Still a Young Man:
Don't Change Horses in the Middle of the Stream:
What is Hip?:
If you want to check out more from Ellis Hall, visit his website at EllisHall.com.
You can check out Tower of Power at TowerofPower.com or at their MySpace page.
And take a listen to Wendisue's music too! She can be found at MySpace as well.
All of the singers they've had have been outstanding. One of them, Ellis Hall, has a voice that has always stuck with me. Not only was he a singer for Tower of Power for a while, he was also one of the California Raisins. Yeah, you remember them. I know you do. And you liked them too, didn't you? It's okay. Go ahead and admit it. Those guys could sing, even if they were raisins. LOL.
Well, if you've been reading me for a while, you know that I'm a fan of INXS. (I know, it seems like I'm jumping around, but I do have a point, and I will tie it all back in together, I promise.) As a matter of fact, I am such a fan of INXS that I saw them five times on their Switched On Tour. Yes...five. I am an addict. They had a couple of backup singers with them on the tour. Wendisue and Melody. After a while, they only had Wendisue with them. I have to say...Wendisue has a phenomenal voice. I loved hearing her backing the band...she never left me feeling cold. She also has some of her own music, and a while back I added her as a friend on MySpace, so that I could keep up with what she is doing, other than just touring with INXS.
Wendisue sent out a bulletin yesterday...with music from her father. ELLIS HALL! Who knew that Ellis Hall was her father?!?!?!?!??!?!!??!?!?! I know I didn't! But I love the man's voice, so of course, I checked it out. What a small world this is though...
Anyways, check him out!
A Change is Gonna Come:
Forever Song:
Girl You're Not in Kansas:
Gotta Be Ready for Anything:
Planet Hope:
And if you want to hear more from his days with Tower of Power, there is some of that available on YouTube as well!
You're Still a Young Man:
Don't Change Horses in the Middle of the Stream:
What is Hip?:
If you want to check out more from Ellis Hall, visit his website at EllisHall.com.
You can check out Tower of Power at TowerofPower.com or at their MySpace page.
And take a listen to Wendisue's music too! She can be found at MySpace as well.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Two More Gone
This week on RockBandLounge.com's Rock Star: All Stars Competition, we said goodbye to two more rockers: Dilana from Season Two and Brandon Calhoon from Season One. This one was a very sad week for me, since I find Dilana to be insanely talented and Brandon, though not everyone's cup of tea, is one of my absolute hands-down favorites from both seasons. I loved him. I still love him.
And while I'm not surprised at Brandon's early departure, I find myself shocked that Dilana is gone so soon! She finished second in her season, she only landed in the Bottom 3 during the show twice, and she turned in some seriously amazing performances. I honestly have to chalk this one up to Dilana no longer having an active fanbase at RockBandLounge.com, and also having several "enemy" fanbases, so to speak. It seems that people saw her as some seriously stiff competition, so when she happened to fall into the Bottom 3, they jumped on it and made sure to get her out. While I may not like it, as I am approaching this competition as a fun way to relive some great memories, and to get Rock Star back on TV, I know that there are others who are taking to it in a different manner. And there's nothing wrong with that! It's just not the way I have chosen to go about it, so I am now attempting to prepare myself for more of the same.
Anyways...if you want to hear more from Dilana, check out her MySpace page. And for more from Brandon, you can visit his MySpace page. Even though they may have left the competition early, they are both great artists, so be sure to support them!
On a side note, the Writers Guild began their strike on Monday of this week. This means that the various networks will be running out of new episodes of their scripted dramas and comedies as early as January, so they are looking for alternative unscripted shows to fill their airwaves! Now is the perfect time to be sending in letters and emails, demanding more Rock Star on our TV's! Visit RockBandLounge.com's Big Letter Writing Campaign Thread for more info on how to get our voices heard! And while you're already at RockBandLounge.com, check out the All Stars Competition and get ready to vote again. Starting Sunday, all of the remaining singers are in one pool, all vying for your votes!
And while I'm not surprised at Brandon's early departure, I find myself shocked that Dilana is gone so soon! She finished second in her season, she only landed in the Bottom 3 during the show twice, and she turned in some seriously amazing performances. I honestly have to chalk this one up to Dilana no longer having an active fanbase at RockBandLounge.com, and also having several "enemy" fanbases, so to speak. It seems that people saw her as some seriously stiff competition, so when she happened to fall into the Bottom 3, they jumped on it and made sure to get her out. While I may not like it, as I am approaching this competition as a fun way to relive some great memories, and to get Rock Star back on TV, I know that there are others who are taking to it in a different manner. And there's nothing wrong with that! It's just not the way I have chosen to go about it, so I am now attempting to prepare myself for more of the same.
Anyways...if you want to hear more from Dilana, check out her MySpace page. And for more from Brandon, you can visit his MySpace page. Even though they may have left the competition early, they are both great artists, so be sure to support them!
On a side note, the Writers Guild began their strike on Monday of this week. This means that the various networks will be running out of new episodes of their scripted dramas and comedies as early as January, so they are looking for alternative unscripted shows to fill their airwaves! Now is the perfect time to be sending in letters and emails, demanding more Rock Star on our TV's! Visit RockBandLounge.com's Big Letter Writing Campaign Thread for more info on how to get our voices heard! And while you're already at RockBandLounge.com, check out the All Stars Competition and get ready to vote again. Starting Sunday, all of the remaining singers are in one pool, all vying for your votes!
Monday, November 5, 2007
The Price is WRONG, Bitch!
Every now and again, I watch The Price is Right. I've watched the show my whole life, on and off. I can remember watching it with my Mom before I started school. When I would be home sick, I would always flip it on and see what Bob and his Beauties were up to. I knew every pricing game they would play and I knew the good spots to place a Plinko Chip in order to win the big money.
But Bob retired earlier this year. I watched all of the prime time shows they put on right at the end. I loved that no matter what, Bob was still Bob and The Price is Right was still The Price is Right. Sure, they retired some older games and some of Barker's Beauties moved on...others came along though. But all in all, you knew what you would get when you turned the show on.
That is not the case anymore. I know the game is still pretty much the same. But there is no Bob. In his place, we have Drew Carey. And I like Drew Carey...I do...but he is not Bob Barker. I don't know. It just isn't the same, it isn't right. People don't come running up to Drew and want to give him a kiss like they did with Bob.
I don't know if I want to watch it like this...it almost spoils the memories of Bob and his Beauties...the way he would always get a hole in one...the way he was always so supportive of our men and women in uniform...the way he always signed off with "Help control the pet population, have your pet spayed or neutered."
I miss Bob. Drew just doesn't quite cut it.
But Bob retired earlier this year. I watched all of the prime time shows they put on right at the end. I loved that no matter what, Bob was still Bob and The Price is Right was still The Price is Right. Sure, they retired some older games and some of Barker's Beauties moved on...others came along though. But all in all, you knew what you would get when you turned the show on.
That is not the case anymore. I know the game is still pretty much the same. But there is no Bob. In his place, we have Drew Carey. And I like Drew Carey...I do...but he is not Bob Barker. I don't know. It just isn't the same, it isn't right. People don't come running up to Drew and want to give him a kiss like they did with Bob.
I don't know if I want to watch it like this...it almost spoils the memories of Bob and his Beauties...the way he would always get a hole in one...the way he was always so supportive of our men and women in uniform...the way he always signed off with "Help control the pet population, have your pet spayed or neutered."
I miss Bob. Drew just doesn't quite cut it.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Video - Vodka in Heaven
Yes Dear Readers, the boys of Nickel Arcade have put together a music video to accompany their song "I Hope that There's Vodka in Heaven". I'm sure you are all waiting to see it, so check it out!
Be sure to check them out at their MySpace Page and let them know what you think.
Be sure to check them out at their MySpace Page and let them know what you think.
Identity Crisis
I like Classic Rock music. I like Classic Rock music a lot. Over the years, I have often found myself tuning in to the local Classic Rock stations while I drive down the road. It is familiar and comfortable and you always know what you are in for when you turn it on. Right? Well, that doesn't quite seem to be the case anymore.
Back in the day, when I would tune in to a Classic Rock station, I knew what to expect. I would hear rock music from the 1960's and 1970's, with the occasional early 1980's song thrown in from a band that had been around since the 1960's or 1970's. I could expect to hear some Led Zeppelin, early Aerosmith, Beatles, Eagles, Doors, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Queen, Rolling Stones, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, Boston, and the like. Sure, they might play Start Me Up (from 1980) by the Rolling Stones...but they weren't playing any of the music from the 1980's by bands who weren't part of the Classic Rock Canon.
A few years ago, that started to change a bit. I believe it was in 2003 that I noticed one of the Classic Rock radio stations around here begin to play music from the early to mid 1980's by bands who would not have previously been considered to be CLASSIC ROCK. Suddenly, they were playing some of the music that I grew up on...early U2 and Bon Jovi music, maybe a few of the hits from some of the 1980's hair metal bands. That initially threw me for a loop. I wasn't so sure I was ready for the music that I grew up on to be considered to be Classic Rock. Granted, times change...and at that point, most of that music had been around for more than 20 years. They still weren't playing even music from U2's Joshua Tree album or Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet...it was still music from the very early parts of their careers...not even from when they hit their peak, commercially. I eventually got to where I could accept that those things could be considered Classic Rock, even though it was music from my generation. Especially when I considered the fact that the Oldies station my Mom tends to listen to had shifted from playing music solely from the 1950's and 1960's to include some of the 1970's. Suddenly, they were playing Disco. If Disco was on the Oldies station, I suppose that early U2 and Bon Jovi can be considered to be Classic Rock.
Well, it wasn't even three years later when that started to change again. I guess they decided they liked being able to play some of that music, and they wanted to change the boundaries of Classic Rock yet again. All of a sudden, they flew through the entire decade of the 1980's and broke into the 1990's. They were playing stuff from late 1980's and early 1990's Guns 'N Roses and U2 and Bon Jovi. But that wasn't the end of it. Music from the Grunge era was suddenly getting airplay on Classic Rock radio. Pearl Jam and Nirvana on Classic Rock radio? Seriously? What on earth? They were playing music that was barely 10 years old. That started to disturb me. I stopped listening to that station, because I felt that they were becoming confused about their own identity.
But I tuned in again recently. It didn't jar me too much when I heard Pearl Jam shoved up between Stairway to Heaven and Sweet Child o Mine. But then a few songs later, I stopped dead in my tracks. They were playing U2's Beautiful Day. Yeah, I know they've played U2 before...they've been playing U2 now for about four years. But this...this was from 2000! Beautiful Day was only released seven years ago!!! Come on now people. How on earth can that be considered to be Classic Rock??? Not only that, but then I noticed my Mom's Oldies station playing music from the 1980's. Yes, they were playing Michael Jackson's Thriller. Seriously. That bothered me. How can music that is from my generation be considered an Oldie? I am not yet 30 years old, so I am not old!!! Either is that music. Sure, call it Retro. Call it a blast into the past. Something like that. But do not call it an Oldie.
I have decided that Classic Rock is in the middle of an identity crisis. Either that, or I am. I'm not entirely sure which.
Back in the day, when I would tune in to a Classic Rock station, I knew what to expect. I would hear rock music from the 1960's and 1970's, with the occasional early 1980's song thrown in from a band that had been around since the 1960's or 1970's. I could expect to hear some Led Zeppelin, early Aerosmith, Beatles, Eagles, Doors, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Queen, Rolling Stones, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, Boston, and the like. Sure, they might play Start Me Up (from 1980) by the Rolling Stones...but they weren't playing any of the music from the 1980's by bands who weren't part of the Classic Rock Canon.
A few years ago, that started to change a bit. I believe it was in 2003 that I noticed one of the Classic Rock radio stations around here begin to play music from the early to mid 1980's by bands who would not have previously been considered to be CLASSIC ROCK. Suddenly, they were playing some of the music that I grew up on...early U2 and Bon Jovi music, maybe a few of the hits from some of the 1980's hair metal bands. That initially threw me for a loop. I wasn't so sure I was ready for the music that I grew up on to be considered to be Classic Rock. Granted, times change...and at that point, most of that music had been around for more than 20 years. They still weren't playing even music from U2's Joshua Tree album or Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet...it was still music from the very early parts of their careers...not even from when they hit their peak, commercially. I eventually got to where I could accept that those things could be considered Classic Rock, even though it was music from my generation. Especially when I considered the fact that the Oldies station my Mom tends to listen to had shifted from playing music solely from the 1950's and 1960's to include some of the 1970's. Suddenly, they were playing Disco. If Disco was on the Oldies station, I suppose that early U2 and Bon Jovi can be considered to be Classic Rock.
Well, it wasn't even three years later when that started to change again. I guess they decided they liked being able to play some of that music, and they wanted to change the boundaries of Classic Rock yet again. All of a sudden, they flew through the entire decade of the 1980's and broke into the 1990's. They were playing stuff from late 1980's and early 1990's Guns 'N Roses and U2 and Bon Jovi. But that wasn't the end of it. Music from the Grunge era was suddenly getting airplay on Classic Rock radio. Pearl Jam and Nirvana on Classic Rock radio? Seriously? What on earth? They were playing music that was barely 10 years old. That started to disturb me. I stopped listening to that station, because I felt that they were becoming confused about their own identity.
But I tuned in again recently. It didn't jar me too much when I heard Pearl Jam shoved up between Stairway to Heaven and Sweet Child o Mine. But then a few songs later, I stopped dead in my tracks. They were playing U2's Beautiful Day. Yeah, I know they've played U2 before...they've been playing U2 now for about four years. But this...this was from 2000! Beautiful Day was only released seven years ago!!! Come on now people. How on earth can that be considered to be Classic Rock??? Not only that, but then I noticed my Mom's Oldies station playing music from the 1980's. Yes, they were playing Michael Jackson's Thriller. Seriously. That bothered me. How can music that is from my generation be considered an Oldie? I am not yet 30 years old, so I am not old!!! Either is that music. Sure, call it Retro. Call it a blast into the past. Something like that. But do not call it an Oldie.
I have decided that Classic Rock is in the middle of an identity crisis. Either that, or I am. I'm not entirely sure which.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Rock Star: All Stars - 2 Down
The first week of RockBandLounge.com's Rock Star: All Stars competition is now complete. Season One's Neal Carlson and Season Two's Zayra Alvarez are the first to leave the All Star competition. Personally, I am very sad to see them both go. I love Neal's swagger and raspy vocals, and I love Zayra's balls-to-the-wall manner of delivering a song in her own way, even if it is out there.
This second week of the competition is Originals Week. We'll be listening to original music from each of the 17 remaining singers and voting for our favorites. Once again, we'll lose one singer from Season One and Season Two. Go now and view the clips. Be sure that you are registered for the All Stars competition in order to be able to vote! Click here! Voting will take place on Sunday from midnight to midnight, pacific time. If you want to see your favorite win, you have to vote.
To hear more from Zayra, you can check out her personal myspace page at www.myspace.com/zayra. Also take a look at her new band Pretty Baby.
To hear more from Neal, visit his MySpace page, or check out his band Mink.
This second week of the competition is Originals Week. We'll be listening to original music from each of the 17 remaining singers and voting for our favorites. Once again, we'll lose one singer from Season One and Season Two. Go now and view the clips. Be sure that you are registered for the All Stars competition in order to be able to vote! Click here! Voting will take place on Sunday from midnight to midnight, pacific time. If you want to see your favorite win, you have to vote.
To hear more from Zayra, you can check out her personal myspace page at www.myspace.com/zayra. Also take a look at her new band Pretty Baby.
To hear more from Neal, visit his MySpace page, or check out his band Mink.
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