The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.
- unknown
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Embarrassing habits....
I know, right? A little IDOL goes a long way. I DO have a little habit going on with American Idol. My friend T and I were discussing the fact that in the past three years, we have both religiously been watching and know a little too much about the show and the contestants, old and new.
Last night while baking cookies (I had to add that in for Holly Hobbie purposes) and whilst doing laundry, I started to watch the first 12 females perform.
Truthfully speaking, it was like watching paint dry. The reports that there were only four good singers last night were almost correct as, while I love the little blonde girl with the tragic, "Mah daddies in prizon" story, I don't think it was her best performance THOUGH I give her tons of kudos because she is truly, as Simon says, "a bag of nerves."
The two contestants that were most important to me last night were the very first girl and the very last girl.
First girl was insulted by Simon a few weeks ago. He'd made a VERY degrading comment about her weight -- something about the fact they'd need a bigger stage for her. She handled him and the humiliation like a champ and carried on. She even told him she forgave him. Btw, her name is Mandisa.
Mandisa was the first person to perform of the season. She barrelled out from the stage and BELTED OUT an amazing and electric version of Heart's, "NEVER," which, lemme tell you as a girl that likes to play around with singing, is a HARD HARD HARD song. One should never take on a Wilson sister song unless one has the voice to bang it out and you know, she nailed it. THAT is what makes a good contestant on the show...you pick a kick-ass song that can make or break you and you make it your own. I say this as after that (yawn...zzzz), it seemed EVERYONE started schmaltzing with the ballads.
Now again. Ballads are not always easy, but for the most part, if you think you are good enough to sing on national TV, don't pick a song that is played at a karaoke bars over and over OR worse, that is from a Disney movie. Or EVEN worse, the stupid ass song that was written strictly for the show last season...BOO.
Before I go to the last contestant, I have to say, Paris (not Parasite Hilton, mind you), but the adorable Paris who made a Gladys Knight and the Pipps song so good on the ears and SO fun to watch, should be doing Broadway. Not only is she adorable, have personality and spunk, the kid can sing circles around almost anyone there.
Now, last but not least. Now, the last girl of ;ast night show can sing. In fact, one would say she is not only beautiful but her voice is unique, her technique flawless. But one might also say that while she is #1 all around, there is also the trouble factor that her MOTHER IS A VOICE TEACHER. And she talks about it ALL of the time. Now wouldn't it KIND OF be an unfair advantage? I mean, the "mah daddie's in prizon" girl is from Where Jesus Left His Shoes, Alabama and our little diva whose MOTHER IS A VOICE TEACHER is from Sherman Oaks, CA.
Maybe this will make the competition more interesting, or maybe it will make it VERY unfair. Anyway. Tonight are the boys. Tomorrow the results.
Sigh. By the time its over, it will be summertime and I can rid myself of a bad Idol habit for yet another season!
Last night while baking cookies (I had to add that in for Holly Hobbie purposes) and whilst doing laundry, I started to watch the first 12 females perform.
Truthfully speaking, it was like watching paint dry. The reports that there were only four good singers last night were almost correct as, while I love the little blonde girl with the tragic, "Mah daddies in prizon" story, I don't think it was her best performance THOUGH I give her tons of kudos because she is truly, as Simon says, "a bag of nerves."
The two contestants that were most important to me last night were the very first girl and the very last girl.
First girl was insulted by Simon a few weeks ago. He'd made a VERY degrading comment about her weight -- something about the fact they'd need a bigger stage for her. She handled him and the humiliation like a champ and carried on. She even told him she forgave him. Btw, her name is Mandisa.
Mandisa was the first person to perform of the season. She barrelled out from the stage and BELTED OUT an amazing and electric version of Heart's, "NEVER," which, lemme tell you as a girl that likes to play around with singing, is a HARD HARD HARD song. One should never take on a Wilson sister song unless one has the voice to bang it out and you know, she nailed it. THAT is what makes a good contestant on the show...you pick a kick-ass song that can make or break you and you make it your own. I say this as after that (yawn...zzzz), it seemed EVERYONE started schmaltzing with the ballads.
Now again. Ballads are not always easy, but for the most part, if you think you are good enough to sing on national TV, don't pick a song that is played at a karaoke bars over and over OR worse, that is from a Disney movie. Or EVEN worse, the stupid ass song that was written strictly for the show last season...BOO.
Before I go to the last contestant, I have to say, Paris (not Parasite Hilton, mind you), but the adorable Paris who made a Gladys Knight and the Pipps song so good on the ears and SO fun to watch, should be doing Broadway. Not only is she adorable, have personality and spunk, the kid can sing circles around almost anyone there.
Now, last but not least. Now, the last girl of ;ast night show can sing. In fact, one would say she is not only beautiful but her voice is unique, her technique flawless. But one might also say that while she is #1 all around, there is also the trouble factor that her MOTHER IS A VOICE TEACHER. And she talks about it ALL of the time. Now wouldn't it KIND OF be an unfair advantage? I mean, the "mah daddie's in prizon" girl is from Where Jesus Left His Shoes, Alabama and our little diva whose MOTHER IS A VOICE TEACHER is from Sherman Oaks, CA.
Maybe this will make the competition more interesting, or maybe it will make it VERY unfair. Anyway. Tonight are the boys. Tomorrow the results.
Sigh. By the time its over, it will be summertime and I can rid myself of a bad Idol habit for yet another season!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
UGG Kitty!
Before: Slightly psychotic, a little Damien Omen, right???
And now?? An adorable bobble-head Kitty with Big Winky Eyes!! Ah, sweet Freedom!
And now?? An adorable bobble-head Kitty with Big Winky Eyes!! Ah, sweet Freedom!
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Hermano means BROTHER…
Today I am mourning the loss of the show that made me belly laugh, which for a TV show NEVER happens. Watching it on TV was enough, but after purchasing the DVD's of this particular piece of comedic genius, I found myself playing certain scenes over and over and laughing just as hard the 3rd. 4th AND 5th time around. This dynamic show brought to life serious problems like being a "nevernude", vertigo, that the blue part of the map is NOT land, and dating your mother's best friend to make her jealous is um, interesting. On top of that, it took strong activism stances for higher purposes like "HOOP" (Hands Off Our Penises, an anti-circumcision organization) . It told us that having a crush on your cousin is wrong but "maeby" she isn't your "real" cousin. Since I can't even begin to explain the constant comic ecstasy, this will make things easier:
"The plot for Arrested Development revolves around the members of the Bluth family, who generally lead excessive lifestyles. At the center of the show is the relatively honorable Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), who strives to do the right thing and keep his family together, despite their materialism, selfishness and manipulation. His teenage son, George Michael (Michael Cera), has the same qualities of decency, but feels a constant pressure to live up to his father's expectations, and is reluctantly willing to follow his father's plans, even if they sometimes conflict with his own.
Michael's father George Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor), the patriarch of the family, is the founder of the Bluth Company, whose primary operations are building and marketing mini-mansions. At times dictatorial, George Sr. goes to considerable lengths to manipulate and control his family.
His wife, and Michael's mother, Lucille (Jessica Walter), is equally manipulative, as well as materialistic, and hypercritical of every member of her family. In particular, she has a tight grip on her youngest son, Byron "Buster" Bluth (Tony Hale), who, as a result of his mother's dominance and sheltering, is unstable, socially inept and prone to panic attacks.
Michael's older brother GOB (George Oscar Bluth II; pronounced /dʒoʊb/ "Jobe"), played by Will Arnett, is an unsuccessful professional magician whose business and personal schemes usually fail. He primarily uses a Segway for transportation, and sometimes converses with others from it while stationary, as if it were a pulpit. GOB is used by his father to undermine Michael's control of the family business.
Michael's twin sister Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) is a self-proclaimed activist, who is flamboyant and materialistic, continually desiring to be the center of attention. She enjoys being objectified, but also protests it. She is married to Tobias Fünke (David Cross), a "Never Nude," who became an aspiring actor after his psychiatrist's license was revoked, and whose language and behavior often have inadvertent homosexual connotations. Their attention-starved daughter Mae "Maeby" Fünke (Alia Shawkat) is the polar opposite of her cousin George Michael — skipping school, cheating on homework, and stealing money from the family's banana-stand business. The ever-rebellious teen, Maeby finds her chief motivation in going against her parents' wishes.
Several other characters regularly appear in minor roles. George Sr.'s identical twin brother Oscar (also played by Jeffrey Tambor) is a lethargic ex-hippie seeking the affection of George's wife Lucille. Lucille Austero, or "Lucille 2", played by Liza Minnelli, is Lucille's rival and Buster's love interest. Carl Weathers plays a parody of himself, as an unemployed, ultra-cheapskate actor. Other notable characters include: Annyong (Justin Lee), Lucille's adopted Korean child and Buster's rival; Kitty Sanchez (Judy Greer), George Sr.'s former secretary; Barry Zuckerkorn (Henry Winkler), the family attorney; Ann Veal (Mae Whitman), George Michael's deeply religious girlfriend; Ben Stiller as Tony Wonder a heralded magician who is part David Copperfield, part David Blaine; Steve Holt (Justin Grant Wade), a schoolmate of George Michael and Maeby; and Scott Baio as attorney Bob Loblaw (pronounced, "Ba blah blah"), a replacement for Barry Zuckerkorn, in part, because he "skews younger" (an allusion to Baio's "Happy Days" character "Chachi," who was brought in to inject youth into the aging Winkler's "Fonzie."). Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Charlize Theron, and Amy Poehler also play recurring characters."
I am the first to admit, I really don't like sitcoms. To me, real life is MUCH funnier…I never quite got "Seinfeld" and really didn't care for "Cheers" (don't hate me), but once in awhile had a few good laughs on "Friends" and of course, there was well-written dramedy like "Sex and the City", but that weepy, missing-a-show sadness for "SATC" is writing for another day.
Tomorrow marks the LAST episode of "Arrested Development..."
WTF???
How is it POSSIBLE that a bs, wood-stiff, blah-blah-blah, un-original show like, "Two and a half men" is the NUMBER ONE sitcom in America but the beloved Bluth family just CAN'T be saved?? Don't people know what is FUNNY anymore?? Overly-botoxed Charlie Sheen and sad-sad sidekick Jon Cryer …I think NOT!!!
Instead I wait in tearful longing that someone picks this series up though hope is not entirely lost. My understanding is that there is a snowball’s chance in hell that Showtime STILL might be interested. Showtime would be a great fit for “Arrested Development.” The show’s survival would no longer be as closely tied to ratings. Then I would be dependent on buying the newest episodes since I don't have cable, but it would be well worth every penny.
PS. Yes. I know! Enough, right? But I had to say that the kids on this how (Michael Cera and Alia Shawkat, oh and the girl that plays "egg," I mean, "Anne")are sincerely some of the BEST comedic actors I have ever witnessed...SO funny, so funny.
"The plot for Arrested Development revolves around the members of the Bluth family, who generally lead excessive lifestyles. At the center of the show is the relatively honorable Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), who strives to do the right thing and keep his family together, despite their materialism, selfishness and manipulation. His teenage son, George Michael (Michael Cera), has the same qualities of decency, but feels a constant pressure to live up to his father's expectations, and is reluctantly willing to follow his father's plans, even if they sometimes conflict with his own.
Michael's father George Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor), the patriarch of the family, is the founder of the Bluth Company, whose primary operations are building and marketing mini-mansions. At times dictatorial, George Sr. goes to considerable lengths to manipulate and control his family.
His wife, and Michael's mother, Lucille (Jessica Walter), is equally manipulative, as well as materialistic, and hypercritical of every member of her family. In particular, she has a tight grip on her youngest son, Byron "Buster" Bluth (Tony Hale), who, as a result of his mother's dominance and sheltering, is unstable, socially inept and prone to panic attacks.
Michael's older brother GOB (George Oscar Bluth II; pronounced /dʒoʊb/ "Jobe"), played by Will Arnett, is an unsuccessful professional magician whose business and personal schemes usually fail. He primarily uses a Segway for transportation, and sometimes converses with others from it while stationary, as if it were a pulpit. GOB is used by his father to undermine Michael's control of the family business.
Michael's twin sister Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) is a self-proclaimed activist, who is flamboyant and materialistic, continually desiring to be the center of attention. She enjoys being objectified, but also protests it. She is married to Tobias Fünke (David Cross), a "Never Nude," who became an aspiring actor after his psychiatrist's license was revoked, and whose language and behavior often have inadvertent homosexual connotations. Their attention-starved daughter Mae "Maeby" Fünke (Alia Shawkat) is the polar opposite of her cousin George Michael — skipping school, cheating on homework, and stealing money from the family's banana-stand business. The ever-rebellious teen, Maeby finds her chief motivation in going against her parents' wishes.
Several other characters regularly appear in minor roles. George Sr.'s identical twin brother Oscar (also played by Jeffrey Tambor) is a lethargic ex-hippie seeking the affection of George's wife Lucille. Lucille Austero, or "Lucille 2", played by Liza Minnelli, is Lucille's rival and Buster's love interest. Carl Weathers plays a parody of himself, as an unemployed, ultra-cheapskate actor. Other notable characters include: Annyong (Justin Lee), Lucille's adopted Korean child and Buster's rival; Kitty Sanchez (Judy Greer), George Sr.'s former secretary; Barry Zuckerkorn (Henry Winkler), the family attorney; Ann Veal (Mae Whitman), George Michael's deeply religious girlfriend; Ben Stiller as Tony Wonder a heralded magician who is part David Copperfield, part David Blaine; Steve Holt (Justin Grant Wade), a schoolmate of George Michael and Maeby; and Scott Baio as attorney Bob Loblaw (pronounced, "Ba blah blah"), a replacement for Barry Zuckerkorn, in part, because he "skews younger" (an allusion to Baio's "Happy Days" character "Chachi," who was brought in to inject youth into the aging Winkler's "Fonzie."). Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Charlize Theron, and Amy Poehler also play recurring characters."
I am the first to admit, I really don't like sitcoms. To me, real life is MUCH funnier…I never quite got "Seinfeld" and really didn't care for "Cheers" (don't hate me), but once in awhile had a few good laughs on "Friends" and of course, there was well-written dramedy like "Sex and the City", but that weepy, missing-a-show sadness for "SATC" is writing for another day.
Tomorrow marks the LAST episode of "Arrested Development..."
WTF???
How is it POSSIBLE that a bs, wood-stiff, blah-blah-blah, un-original show like, "Two and a half men" is the NUMBER ONE sitcom in America but the beloved Bluth family just CAN'T be saved?? Don't people know what is FUNNY anymore?? Overly-botoxed Charlie Sheen and sad-sad sidekick Jon Cryer …I think NOT!!!
Instead I wait in tearful longing that someone picks this series up though hope is not entirely lost. My understanding is that there is a snowball’s chance in hell that Showtime STILL might be interested. Showtime would be a great fit for “Arrested Development.” The show’s survival would no longer be as closely tied to ratings. Then I would be dependent on buying the newest episodes since I don't have cable, but it would be well worth every penny.
PS. Yes. I know! Enough, right? But I had to say that the kids on this how (Michael Cera and Alia Shawkat, oh and the girl that plays "egg," I mean, "Anne")are sincerely some of the BEST comedic actors I have ever witnessed...SO funny, so funny.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
a little thought for the day...
Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny.
unknown
unknown
Friday, February 03, 2006
salting the wound
Not to rub it in to any of my wonderful people in the Midwest or those who nest in D.C. (DADDIE!!) OR New Jersey, but its like the beginning of summer here out West or at least those first days of Spring. It's amazingly beautiful. NOT to rub it in :)
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Happy Sunny Day....Happy Sunny Day!
How is it possible that its February ...??? Oh and Happy Groundhog Day!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)