Twisty Week at Rock Star: All Stars

Last week, RockBandLounge.com announced The Big Twist, where one of the eliminated rockers would be voted back into the competition. After several days of campaigning and voting, TWO singers actually made it back into the contest. Zayra Alvarez and Ryan Star wound up with a tie for the most votes, and both of them made their way back into the contest, complete with a free pass for Christmas week.

When the voting for the week's performances came to an end, the Bottom Three was made up of Toby Rand, Magni, and Josh Logan. And yet another Twist was introduced in this twisty week...it would be another Double Elimination and the two highest vote-getters would be leaving the competition.

This time, we are seeing the end of Josh and Magni's runs in Rock Star: All Stars. But if you want to hear more from them, be sure to check out their MySpace pages. You can find Josh's here, and be sure to keep an eye out for news about his album release. And for news on Magni, check him out here and look for his album on iTunes!

If Toby is your favorite, or any of the other remaining eight singers in RockBandLounge.com's Rock Star: All Stars contest, be sure to head over there and VOTE!

And don't forget that the whole purpose of this is to get Rock Star back on our TV's! The networks are starting to solidify their lineups of reality TV, and so far, there is no Rock Star for us. If you want to do something about that, take a look at RockBandLounge.com's Big Letter Writing Campaign Thread.

See You Later Ryan? Maybe...

This week on RockBandLounge.com's Rock Star: All Stars, the superbly talented Ryan Star got the boot. BUT...don't forget about the Big Twist! From today through Saturday, fans can vote to bring any of the ousted rockers back into the competition, complete with a free pass through next week's elimination. If you want to see Ryan back in the competition, head over to RockBandLounge.com and cast your vote!

Other singers in this week's Bottom Four (yes, Four, not Three) were Josh Logan, Magni, and Storm Large. If you want to see them have a chance at winning this thing, you have to vote!

Other rockers eligible to be brought back into the competition include Zayra Alvarez, Neal Carlson, Dilana, Brandon Calhoon, Ty Taylor, Patrice Pike, Deanna Johnston, Suzie McNeil, Jordis Unga, and dirtyPhil Ritchie.

In case you want to hear more from Ryan, check him out at MySpace or at his Official Website.

Send a Pretty Baby eCard!

Yeah, that's right. Zayra Alvarez and Co., otherwise known as Pretty Baby, have created some ecards that you can send to friends. Each one comes complete with a free download of their new tunes too! Not a bad deal.

Check it out here.

Not only do you get the download, but the photos used for these ecards are from their recent photo shoot.

The Big Twist Revealed

So they've been hinting about a Big Twist for a little bit over at RockBandLounge.com's Rock Star: All Stars competition, and the twist has now been revealed.

After tomorrow's elimination vote, each of the eliminated rockers will be up for reentry into the competition. One of the eleven eliminated singers will be allowed to come back, and they will be given a free pass for their first week. So, if you are one of those who was outraged by Zayra's early elimination or dumbfounded by Suzie's removal, head over to RockBandLounge.com to vote on who should be able to come back!

Singers eligible for this are Zayra, Neal, Brandon, Ty, dirtyPhil, Deanna, Jordis, Suzie, Dilana, Patrice, and whoever is eliminated in tomorrow's vote.

This week there is a bottom four, as there was a tie for the final spot in the bottom three. So Josh, Magni, Storm, and Ryan are all up for elimination tomorrow. If one of them is your favorite and you want them to stay in the competition, be sure to vote tomorrow between midnight and 11:59 pm Pacific time for someone else to be the one leaving.

Pretty Baby Photo Shoot

So apparently Zayra Alvarez's new band Pretty Baby had a photo shoot. Check out what came out of it...


Also, here is a video on YouTube with some behind the scenes footage from that photo shoot. Looks like there are good things to come from Pretty Baby in 2008. I can't wait!

My Babies

This is just a little video I put together of my cats, to the tune of "Don't Change" by INXS.



I hope you enjoy!

New(ish) Music I Love

I will admit it. I rarely listen to the radio anymore. It feels like, more often than not, they are playing the same 10 songs in heavy rotation and very little else. And since MTV no longer plays music videos and VH1 only does in limited doses, I find myself rarely hearing new music that I fall in love with.

But somehow, these musicians and/or songs have made it through into becoming some of my new favorites. I know some of them aren't terribly new...but they are new to me. So, check them out...

Finger Eleven - Paralyzer: Who would have really imagined a hard rock band doing a dance video? I love it.



One Republic - Apologize: I first heard this song on So You Think You Can Dance and liked it then, but now that Timbaland has come on board and remixed it, it is phenomenal!



Pink - Who Knew: I've liked Pink for a while...but she just might make me love her with this song. I think it is just gorgeous, and the emotion is so raw here.



Feist - My Moon My Man: Most people have heard their song "1 2 3 4" on iPod commercials at least, but this one to me is even catchier.



And while we're at it, I suppose you can go ahead and watch that one too!



Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Face Down: I prefer the acoustic version of this song, but I love the song regardless.



OK Go - Here it Goes Again: One of the most innovative music videos of recent years that I've seen.



Check them all out!

Steroids in Baseball

This is not a new issue. Talk first surfaced publicly about the widespread use of steroids in Major League Baseball back in the 1980's, and it has only escalated from there. Players have been charged with steroid use over the years. Jose Canseco published a tell-all book detailing how he aided various teammates in using steroids over the years, including Mark McGwire. Now there is a big report (The Mitchell Report) about to be published with somewhere from 60-80 names of players who have supposedly been involved in this drug culture in the MLB, supposedly including Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte amongst other All Star players and the like.

So what does all of this mean for baseball? It certainly paints a different image of these players who have set records over the years. But really, what effect will it all have? Sure, some of these great players might be overlooked by the Hall of Fame when they are up to be nominated, due to the speculation that they might not have earned their records without the help of performance enhancing drugs.

But will the public stop watching? I don't know that that will happen. Until the general public stops paying the money to go to games, I don't forsee any major changes occurring. Essentially, baseball fans don't care enough about this issue to stop attending game. So what would drive MLB to change their ways? They are still making their money, arguably even making more money due to the gargantuan numbers of home runs being hit out of ballparks due to their use of performance enhancing drugs. So what truly will force them into the decisions to truly crack down on this epidemic and clear the name of the game?

I'm just not sure that anything will happen due to all of this. Maybe they'll do an additional random drug test or two, but overall, will they really start to make changes? It all comes down to the bottom line...to the money. They are making more money due to these players who are using steroids and other performance enhancing drugs, so why should they change?

The Project Runway Rundown, v4.5

The girls are lamenting Chris' demise in the competition. Jack is discussing what he thought was a pimple, but is getting progressively worse. This might not be a good thing, especially considering we already learned that he is HIV positive.

Heidi brings out the models...except that it isn't their models. These are everyday women wearing very, very large clothes that are falling off of them. They have all lost a large amount of weight, and they are wearing what had been their favorite outfits prior to their weight loss. Their weight loss ranges from 44 pounds to well over 100 pounds. They are going to create a new outfit for them using the old outfit as their materials for the challenge. They don't get to choose their models/outfits. Instead, Heidi pulls their names out of a bag and simply goes down the line. Steve is the lucky designer who gets to rework a HUGE wedding gown.

Tim is going to fill them all in on the rest of the details. They only have one day for this challenge. Tim reads aloud to all of them the note that Chris left for them, then reminds them they need to make this design work not only for their client's every day life, but also express their point of view as a designer. They will have 30 minutes to meet with their clients.

Kevin is excited about making clothes for real people. Rooty Tooty is getting turned on by the idea. Christian is a little bit nervous. Okay, a lot nervous. Steve is overwhelmed by the idea of making a sequined and beaded wedding gown into something that can be worn every day, but he is calling on God for help.

Tim comes back to tell them they get 15 minutes to shop and a budget of $15 for anything else they need to make it work. Steve is getting stretch black to go with his white wedding dress...and using the wedding dress simply as trim. That could be risky. But then again, it could really pay off.

Jack is having a problem that he seems to have had in the past...something to do with a dangerous bacteria. He called the doctor, and they want him to come in immediately. I think he is going to have to leave the competition. This sucks. He goes out to talk privately with Tim, and then Tim asks the designers to "gather round". That's not a good sign.

Jack made the decision to leave and get the medical treatment that he needs. I hate that he is leaving over something like that. He was doing really pretty well. I prefer when the designers leave because they didn't do well on a challenge, not because of something completely unrelated. But it's a good thing that he is doing what he needs to do to take care of himself.

The designers find it difficult to get their heads back in the game. But Ricky decided to try his garment on with some heels, to see how it might look on his model. Wow. He did well in heels. Maybe not as well as Santino, but he did well.

Tim is getting ready to bring their models/clients in for a fitting, but then tells the designers that he has another surprise. In walks Chris, the last designer eliminated. So, since Jack had to leave, they brought Chris back. That really brought up the spirits in the room. He is going to be working with Jack's client and materials, and since he is getting such a late start, he gets the option of working through the night. While the rest of the designers are fitting their clients, Chris is meeting and getting to know his.

Tim comes back in to discuss things with the designers. Christian says his is fierce. Fresh 'N Fruity has Tim concerned. That shouldn't surprise me. Tim thinks that Steve is very courageous to discard the wedding dress almost entirely. Chris is making a bit of a nautical/sailor type theme, but Tim says to be sure that he doesn't go too costumey. Then he says he is an old fart. After talking about the bad decisions he's made at three o'clock. Wow. The designers are starting to get a little loopy. I like it when they get loopy. Apparently they are picking on Christian for being a 12 year old. Time is up for most of them, but Chris stays behind to keep working on his design. He doesn't want to be eliminated twice in a row. No kidding! He has a second chance that is rarely given...and he should take as much advantage of it as he can.

When the designers come in the next morning, Chris has fallen asleep on one of the couches. He apparently did get at least a couple of hours of sleep. I'm sure he could have used more. His outfit was done...but he had no idea if it would be any good. Steve is worried about his time and getting everything done on time. Tim sends their models in and they have two hours for the usual routine. Kevin feels like he could win a competition. Jillian didn't use much of her original materials but is confident. Christian is confident...as usual. Fresh 'N Fruity is only concerned with what the "ultimate judge" otherwise known as her client thinks. Ricky is crying again...remembering why he does what he does. Steve is panicking and in serious trouble, so Kevin is nice enough to help him. He is using glue. Wow. Time's up, and off they go. Victorya is helping with last minute things for Steve too as they are walking out the door.

Runway Time! Heidi introduces the judging panel with the usual faces plus Patrick Robinson from The Gap.

Sweet P designed an olive colored sack dress. The boob area doesn't seem to fit very well. I like that she is showing off the shoulders and arms though.

Jillian designed a bright red halter top dress. It's okay, but not great. Again, we are seeing some leg and some arm and shoulder...and some cleavage. I think the fit on her dress is much better than the fit on Sweet P's dress. It's got a little bit of black striping that really seems to distract from the overall design, at least to me.

Ricky made a pair of close fitting denim crop pants and a halter top with a deep plunging vee neckline. It's a tan color with black and gold accents. Really well made from what I can tell, it looks great on her, and it looks very different from what he was given. I like this one.

Chris made a black pencil skirt with a blue top. The boobs again don't fit right. And he created a red and black belt of sorts. I'm really not sure about this one Chris. I had hoped that with your second chance you would have done a little more to make a good impression. This is just okay at best.

Christian took the jeans he had been given and made them really well fitted crop pants. Then he paired that with a taupe colored undershirt and a black shirt that he really Christianized. LOL. Poofy sleeves, texture, well fitted around the sides. It looks good, and it looks like him. But not so over the top and dated as some of his looks have been so far.

Victorya turned a dark green velvet dress into a shorter dark green velvet dress. It isn't anything special, from what I can see. The color was already fabulous on her client. But I am not impressed with the design of the dress. It fits okay. Again, nothing to write home about.

Rooty Tooty's dress. Hmmmm...well, it is a black sack, with another black sack underneath it, and a red unfitted jacket over it. And nothing appears to be finished. A lot of what she has put out I have liked. This one, I do not. Frankly, you can't see her model's figure. She should be accentuating it, since this is all about how much weight she has lost. I don't know about this one.

Kit designed a black lace over white mixed with red dress. It's got a wrap top and is a nice length. Again, I like that we are seeing leg and arms and a bit of cleavage. I like the ideas that she is putting into this dress, with the black over white on top and peeking out at the bottom under the hem. Also using the same red as in the skirt to trim the top with is a nice touch.

Kevin designed a sleeveless, strapless top that is adorable! He is really showing off his model's recently acquired figure with this one. It is a light yellow with black accents, paired with a black crop pant. Really well fitted, really adorable. Even though it is strapless, it has some length to it, and still maintains its shape without looking like a sack (coughSweetPcough). Really nice work.

Steven's dress looks downright matronly. It is black with white trim. It feels very boxy to me...too long at the bottom, the sleeves are too long, the neckline is too straight. it is just not good. I think he made a huge mistake too, with not using more of the wedding dress in his design. I don't think this looks good for him.

Rami's design is a high waisted knee length brown skirt paired with a white halter top. The top fits amazingly well, and makes her look fierce. I'm not sure it is as innovative as what Kevin did, but it is very well done. Again, we are getting leg and shoulder and arm and cleavage. It is good.

Before we get to the judging, I have to say that I love Heidi's hair! LOVE IT.

Okay, so the top and bottom designers models come out. They start with Kevin's design, and his model says she loves it. The leggings aren't terribly innovative, but otherwise it is great. They think Rooty Tooty might have pushed some of herself onto her client, and they think they have made her look a little shorter and choppier than she is. They question Jillian for not using the shirt that was part of the original material, but they think she looks sexy and tasteful. Only the pearls, the neckline, and the sleeve cuffs are from the wedding dress that Steve started with. They say he went from a wedding to a funeral...or maybe a French maid at a funeral. They love what Christian did with his outfit, and love that it is not only him, but also commercial. They aren't too sure about Chris's design because it is a bit costumey. They think he needs to think about cliche's and maybe tone it down a bit.

Our winner is Christian. I liked Kevin's design better, but I think I understand why Christian won...it was the commercial appeal of his design. Chris also survived another day! Tone it down baby. Tone it down. Steve is out, and Rooty Tooty will be back next week. I'm not surprised about that decision. He really should not have gone with so much fabric that he bought and ignored the dress he was given to work with. And on top of that, what he made was just not good. Not at all.

So next week they are going on a field trip. Should be interesting. Until then...

Jordis's Reign Comes to an End

At RockBandLounge.com's Rock Star: All Stars competition, Jordis Unga had been crowned the new Queen of the Bottom Three, taking over that title from Suzie McNeil. However, she has now been voted out after countless visits to the Bottom Three. She finally just ran out of steam and momentum.

While she still hasn't released any new music since her stint on Rock Star: INXS, you can still check out her myspace page to stay abreast of what she is up to.

Other members of this week's Bottom Three were Magni and Josh Logan, both second-time visitors to the Bottom Three. If they are one of your favorites, be sure to visit RockBandLounge.com and vote for them to keep them alive in the competition.

In other Rock Star: All Stars news, there is a Big Twist that is soon to be revealed. Stay tuned for more information!

And don't forget to keep sending in letters to CBS! We want more Rock Star on our TV's!

The Project Runway Rundown, V4.4

And we're off.

Sweet P is relieved that Carmen is gone instead of her. Can't say I blame her. Better anyone other than yourself.

Heidi brings out the winning and losing designer's models, female, not male. And now there are two losing models, so Jack gets to choose between three models or all of the models. He wants to change it up, so everyone comes out. Jack takes Ricky's model, and Ricky is not too happy about that. So, a model-switch ensues, with Ricky winding up with Jack's model.

Heidi tells the designers that Tim is waiting for them in the workroom with a guest...and that she has brought some friends with her as well, to help introduce them to their next challenge. For some reason, Sweet P thinks it has something to do with senior citizens. Hmm...

Nina is waiting for them with Tim, and they have a bunch of photographs of fashion don'ts from the years. Nina calls them fashion trends that are "out." They each have to select a trend before they reveal the challenge.

Jack chooses pleather, Victorya takes underwear as outerwear, Christian chooses the zoot suit, Rami chooses the poodle skirt, Kit takes fringe, Elisa selects cutouts, Jillian chooses overalls (because she is wearing overalls), Ricky goes with neon, Kevin selects 70's flair, Chris chooses shoulder pads, Steven grabs the dancewear, and that leaves Sweet P with the baggy sweater.

Nina informs them that they are working in teams of three, and they are creating three looks that incorporate all three of their outdated trends, in a way that is cohesive and works for today. And they are selecting their own teams. They have one minute to team up and get into teams of three. Some of the groups form based on chemistry, others based on trends. The teams have budgets of $225 and two days. They have one hour to sketch and then they will go shopping. And the teams must elect a leader during their hour of sketching time.

Chris is leading a team of Steven and Sweet P. Jillian is leading a team of Kevin and Rami. Ricky is leading the team of Elisa and Victorya...but Victorya seems to be taking the lead anyways. Christian is leading the team of Kit and Jack. Some teams are planning to incorporate all trends into all looks, while other teams are planning to tie their separate trends together through fabric and color choice. Interesting.

Chris is excited about being the group leader, to break away from his pigeonholed image of over the top. Ricky is trying to speak to Elisa in her language. It is all about the center. He made sense to her somehow. Whatever. She is still Rooty Tooty, to me. Jillian is not worried about Rami, but is very worried about Kevin for some reason.

On their second day, they are finding it "hard." Boo hoo. Steven is now the one doing Tim Gunn impersonations. He's not as good as Santino was. Ricky isn't happy with how Victorya is trying to micromanage him, when he is the team leader, and in that, she is not working on her own design. Tim sends their models in for a 30 minute fitting.

Victorya decides to change the concept of her garment without discussing it with her team, and Ricky is having a hard time with making all of the looks seem cohesive due to that. Jillian is still panicking about Kevin's garment. Rami is worried about time and vision.

Tim Gunn comes in to discuss things with the designers. He is worried about cohesion with Sweet P, Chris, and Steven's team. Steven's garment doesn't seem to fit with the rest of them. He tells Jillian's team to "make it work." Ricky's team isn't looking finished and refined to Tim. He is confused by them. Victorya is now asking Ricky why he wanted to be the team leader, and saying he hasn't fulfilled his responsibilities as such. Rami feels that Jillian did not micromanage enough as the leader of their team. Ricky says that this challenge was a disaster.

Runway day arrives. Jillian is nervous about Kevin, Rooty Tooty is concerned about their collection. Hee! They talked about going to Denny's for breakfast. Kevin is trying to pull a rabbit out of his ass. Tim sends in the models, and they have their typical two hours. Steven is concerned about Chris's jacket and wishes that Chris was concerned about it too. Ricky thinks that Victorya's garment is just "wrong!" Eventually, Victorya agrees that he knows what he is doing with lingerie. That's good, since that is his specialty. Kevin finally finishes his garments, even though it was last minute, and Jillian feels guilty for doubting him. Christian thinks their collection is fabulous and "ferosh." He is certainly always good for a soundbite, as he is never short of words.

Donna Karen is joining the usual suspects on the judging panel.

Jillian's team put all three trends into all three looks. Their first design has a flaired pant overall. I don't see poodle skirt there. The second look is a pair of denim shorts with a really cute print top. The final look is an overall denim poodle skirt.

Team Chris designed a long tan dress that is really simple and elegant topped by a gaudy jacket with shoulder pads. HUGE shoulder pads. The next outfit is a shorter dress in the same color pallete, kind of a sack of a dress, but its okay. The final look is a satiny wrap top in an off white with a sleek, slim black pant. I like it, but it doesn't seem to go with the other two.

Christian's team sent out a suit with a knee-length heavily pinstriped skirt, a neat black jacket, and a high necked blouse. It is an interesting look. I like it. The next look is a black legging with a boxy gray striped shirt that could be a dress. I hate the neckline on that thing. The final look is certainly the edgiest look of the three, with more prints and patterns, on a knee length pencil skirt, a cap sleeved blouse, and a tight fitted vest. Also a tie. All in blacks and grays. Nice overall look.

Team Ricky send out a short sleeveless dress in golds and magentas. It's pretty meh. Supposedly all three of their designs are in all of their garments, though I'm not sure that I see any of them in that first one. The second garment is a one-shouldered black garment with a stained glass effect at the top. Other than the fact that it is pretty boxy and too short, I really kind of like this. The final look is in those same horrid colors, and is a very similar dress to the first one. Ugh. Plus, it makes it look like the model has zero chest. The primary difference is the pleating in this skirt.

Heidi tells them that there was a clear winner. Jillian wins and her team is all safe. They are allowed to leave the runway. Team Christian is told that they can also leave the runway. Ricky and Chris's teams are at the bottom.

Chris's team is told that they should be in three different fashion shows, not one collection. Chris's outfit looks dated with the shoulder pads. He is questioned on how he could lead if he couldn't take care of himself.

With Ricky's team, they like Rooty Tooty's dress (as did I). They say his dress is the least well constructed. He says it is because he was spending so much time trying to lead his team. The judges can see that she was trying to run things instead of working as part of a team.

It comes down to the two team leaders. Chris is out, because his team's designs were not cohesive, and his look was the worst of the three. His design was not at all modernized or refreshed. That jacket was straight out of the 80's and needs to go back there. Sorry Chris. I've liked some of what he's done, but that was still over the top, like what he does in costume designing.

Looks like next week we will have some sort of "everyday woman" type challenge instead of using their normal models. Should be interesting.

Sad Day for Sobbing Sweet Suzie

That's right. The fantastically talented "Sweet Suzie McNeil" was eliminated this week from RockBandLounge.com's Rock Star: All Stars competition. And while she may not be all that upset about it, or sobbing about it, I certainly am. She was my favorite out of all of them, by a large margin. Yeah, I love JD with INXS. And yeah, I love Storm with her Balls. And of course I love dirtyPhil with Lennex. I love a lot of them.

But Suzie was my girl. I'm going to be mourning her elimination for a while. I still like all of the singers left in Rock Star: All Stars. And I love a handful of the ones that are left. But Suzie was the one that I really wanted to see in this thing a long time.

Other members of the Bottom Three this week were (once AGAIN) Jordis Unga and for the first time in this competition, Josh Logan. If they are your favorites, be sure to head over to RockBandLounge.com to vote for performance night on Sunday and then vote in the Bottom Three competition on Tuesday.

Oh yeah, and don't forget to check out more from Suzie McNeil. You can visit her MySpace Page or her Official Website. And be sure to purchase her debut CD Broken and Beautiful, available both in stores and online. It is well worth it.

And here are a few of her best Rock Star performances that we didn't get the opportunity to hear during the competition.

Losing My Religion:


Bohemian Rhapsody:


Get Back:


Bring It On Home To Me:


What's Up:


In addition to all of that, there is an absolute treasure trove of other Suzie McNeil videos available on YouTube.com. Just do a search once you get there with her name, and you will find several interviews, lots of live performances, official videos, and even instances where her music has been used as part of commercials, television promos, and Olympic moments.

Reality TV Onslaught

We are seriously about to be bombarded by tons of reality TV. LOL. And I know I am a reality TV junkie, and I LOVE reality TV. But even I am starting to wonder if I will be bored to tears before long.

I'm all for what the Writer's Guild is striking over. I totally 100% support them. But I really wish it wasn't going on so long, and that there would be a little bit of real scripted TV to balance it all out.

It's not that I watch the scripted TV. Not really. I only watch Gray's Anatomy out of all of the scripted series. I think my issue is more that since primarily what I watch are the reality TV shows, and there will be SO MANY of them on, that I will be back to watching as much TV as I used to watch. I don't want that to happen. I don't want to be trying to decide which of my shows I want to watch.

As it is, I typically only watch on average one or possibly two shows a night. And that is enough. Maybe even too much. I don't need to be tempted to watch even more, especially when it is all this drivel that is reality TV.

So far, we will have Dance Wars: Bruno vs Carrie Ann, The Biggest Loser: Couples, The Apprentice: Celebrity Edition, Big Brother (starting in February instead of its usual summer run), and American Idol. Who knows what else the networks will start to throw at us, with no new scripts available.

It could be a reality TV junkie's dream come true...or a nightmare.

World Literature

Admit it. When you hear the term *world literature*, you automatically start to think about Greek tragedies and The Odyssey and a bunch of other works traditionally written by European authors who died a long, long time ago, don't you? I know I did.

At least I did until I took a World Literature course this semester.

Don't get me wrong. Most World Literature courses still focus on those same old *tried and true* works that really only focus on Europe and North America, while largely ignoring Asia, Australia, Africa, South America, and so many other places. They ignore anything that does not fit into the traditionally held canon of works. And that is really a very dated and limited view of things.

This course that I took really challenged that view, and has successfully convinced me that there is a lot more out there that should be studied, but is more often than not overlooked. I really think that it will aid me in my own teaching as well, to not be stuck in that rut of studying only those works that were traditionally seen as world literature.

This semester, none of the works we studied would have fit into the usual sphere. They were all written in the last half-century. We studied pieces from Turkey, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Chile. Each novel we read had a focus on thoughts and ideas that challenged not only our own beliefs, but also those of their own cultures and countries. As such, many of these works have been banned or seriously challenged in their native lands.

I truly hope that the rest of the literary community will begin to take a look at world literature and how narrow the traditional view is. It is only through challenging those beliefs that any changes can be made.

Building a Creative Writing Portfolio

I've never built a portfolio of my writings before. For my Creative Writing course this semester though, it is a requirement. We are to put together the pieces we have worked on during the course, along with all of the various drafts that went into them, other writing exercises we have done, and a journal that we've kept. Anything else that we want to include is also acceptable, so things that we've written but never presented are options, as are things which may have inspired us during the semester.

I bought a 1/2" binder to compile it all in, assuming that it would be more than ample space for all of my pieces. I've only presented four pieces this semester, three of which have been single page poems. The one short story I wrote only wound up as 8 pages. I assumed that it would be more than enough room to fit everything in and have it all look nice and neat. I was wrong.

Once I put in tabbed dividers, printed out all of the copies of my pieces, included the various drafts of those pieces and a few other things, I was shocked to discover that my 1/2" binder was already almost as full as it could go! Not only that, but I hadn't put everything in it that I had planned to put in it. I wound up getting a 1" binder to make it all fit properly.

It really does take up a bunch of space, all of this. But I really have been enjoying the experience of building a portfolio and determining what should be included. I've included the song lyrics of some songs that have inspired me. Also a couple of photographs that I've taken. I think I might burn a cd with the songs that I added the lyrics to. And I like having everything together, especially having all of the various drafts of my pieces together. It really begins to show my writing process, how I work as a writer. It is a good learning process for me. If I can learn more about how I write, I can better know how to attempt to write. At least, I hope so.

I think I will likely try to maintain a working portfolio of my writings now. It will only continue to help me grow in my craft. Of course, I will likely need to move to a larger binder!

Greatest Albums

In the INXS Lounge at RockBandLounge.com, we've started a new discussion that really got me started thinking. They asked what our top 10 albums that influenced us (either positively or negatively) are and to tell why. Well, that has prompted some excellent discussion, and it has provided me with an excellent reason to avoid working on my final projects for the semester for a little while. So, here are my choices.

Okay, I couldn't limit myself to 10...but I did limit myself to 15. LOL. I've granted five honorable mentions.

So, my Top 10 (in no particular order):

The Beatles - The White Album: One of my all-time favorite albums by one of my all-time favorite bands. This double album is full of everything. It has introspective songs, songs that only make sense if you're high, sing-along songs, and everything in between. Even if it was devoid of almost everything else on the album, it would likely make my list simply for While My Guitar Gently Weeps. George Harrison never got enough credit for his songwriting.

Guns 'N Roses - Appetite for Destruction: At a time when *rock* consisted of Hair Bands, more Hair Bands, and still more Hair Bands singing sappy power ballads and cheesy songs about a girl being Cherry Pie, this album hit like a bomb...in a good way. Welcome to the Jungle began to change the face of music. And Sweet Child 'O Mine garnered them female fans, without having to resort to a using an uber-cheesy power ballad. This was a power ballad that ROCKED.

U2 - The Joshua Tree: I struggled with which U2 album to include in my list. And while The Joshua Tree isn't my favorite U2 album, it was the first to make me seriously take notice of this band. I had heard Pride (In the Name of Love) and New Year's Day and a few other of their songs before. But this was something else entirely. And it truly speaks to the power of this album that tracks like Where the Streets Have No Name and I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For still have the same kind of fresh feel to them when performed live today as they had when they were first released (might be why Where the Streets Have No Name is my ring tone). Oh yeah...and don't forget about the gorgeous video to With or Without You! This album, like the majority of their subsequent albums, also truly felt cohesive...like they were making a statement, sending a message, with the entire album. It isn't just an album full of hits and some filler. Everything works together to paint a larger picture.

Pearl Jam - Ten: While the rest of the world was caught up in Nirvana lust, I was falling for the power of Eddie Vedder's vocals. He may not have a perfect voice, but there is a passion to what he sings that I never found in Nirvana...so Pearl Jam is what I connected with from the grunge scene/Seattle sound. Songs like Evenflow and Alive knocked my socks off, but the album as a whole really sucked me in. Songs like Jeremy, Black, and Release gave me a complete experience. It didn't hurt that this album...this movement in music...occurred at a time when I was searching for anything to take me away from my own life. I connected to the angst in this music...

INXS - Elegantly Wasted: Much like with U2, I struggled to settle on which INXS album to include on my list. I wound up going with Elegantly Wasted because of the rawness of Michael Hutchence's lyrics. Even though the music is still the trademark INXS sound, the lyrics take this album to a different sphere than any of their others...a place that Full Moon, Dirty Hearts hinted at but didn't quite ascend to. The lyrics on this album are heartfelt, raw, pure emotion. Particular favorites for me are I'm Just a Man, Everything, and Searching.

REM - Document: There were a number of REM albums I thought about including on my list. But Document wound up making the cut because of its sheer listenability. This is an album with a feel. Even all of these years later, I can put it in and listen to it over and over again without ever feeling like I want or need to hear something different. This is REM at their finest. Oh yeah, and it doesn't hurt that one of the quirkiest songs ever written is on it...It's the End of the World as We Know It...and I Feel Fine.

Metallica - Metallica: Heavy metal may not be for everyone. And that's okay. But heavy metal made its way to everyone with this album. It's often referred to as the Black Album...much like the Beatles' White Album. Songs like The Unforgiven and Enter Sandman broke the barriers of popular music when the entire face of popular music was on the verge of changing, and Nothing Else Matters brought a lot of women to become fans of true heavy metal (not Hair Band "metal") for the first time.

Led Zeppelin - IV: Yeah, I know...Stairway to Heaven is almost a cliche now. But even if you disregard that track (which would be a mistake), this album is full of some of the best true down and dirty rock 'n roll music ever made. If you've never listened to it...LISTEN TO IT! You will not regret it. And it may just wind up being one of your favorite albums of all time too. Don't say I didn't warn you. There is not a bad *skip over it* track on the album.

Beach Boys - Pet Sounds: A groundbreaking album by a band more traditionally known for their "surfer rock" music. Does it still have some of that feel good vibe? Of course. But it also has an experimental quality that most people would relate to The Beatles at the time. They took chances with this one, and those chances paid off. Also, this album has one of my all-time favorite songs ever, God Only Knows.

Michael Jackson - Thriller: The King of Pop before he became The King of Odd. I don't care who you are, this album was the shit. And it is still very listenable today, though some of the tracks feel a bit dated. Just go ahead and admit it...you wore a red jacket and a single fingerless glove too. It's okay. We all did back then.

And my honorable mentions:

Aerosmith - Get a Grip: I had to include an Aerosmith album, and I really struggled with which one to include since there are so many that have affected me over the years. I wound up settling on Get a Grip though, possibly because of how it virtually plays like a Greatest Hits type album. Yeah, they had a lot more hits than what you find on this album, and some probably were bigger hits than some of these. But you can't ignore the fact that virtually every song on this album was a hit. That says something.

Def Leppard - Hysteria: And while we are speaking of albums full of hits, we have to include Hysteria. This one is just plain FUN. That is all. I love it.

Willie Nelson - Half Nelson: For an album that I used to hate, I sure do love this one. An album full of duets, this one is one that my father wore the tape out...TWICE. He listened to it constantly. When we would travel to visit my grandparents (a 12 hour drive) this is what we would be forced to listen to the entire way...both directions. So yeah, I was *over* it for a long time. But when I picked it up again a few years ago, I was filled with nostalgia. And honestly, there are some great duets on it! Some of my particular favorites are Pancho and Lefty with Merle Haggard and To All the Girls I've Loved Before with Julio Iglesias.

Empire Records Soundtrack: I struggled between choosing this soundtrack and the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever. Essentially, it boiled down to the fact that this one is full of music that I can listen to all the time, and SNF is full of disco. Granted, it made me love disco. But anyways, this soundtrack to me, is one of the greatest soundtracks ever compiled. This one is quirky and fun and sexy and just plain awesome. If you've never listened to it, check it out. You won't be disappointed.

AC/DC - Back in Black: The only AC/DC album I've ever owned. But this one kicks my butt every time I put it in. I love it. I love everything about it. I love that it can take me back in time. Priceless.

I may come back at some point and change my mind...add something, take something away, do an entirely different kind of list of favorite albums. But, this is it for now!

So...what albums impacted you, and how?