I should probably find something better to do with my time,
but making collages is just really fun for me
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Cry
I decided, just for 24 hours, to go about with my heart wide open. There would be no filter, no lid, no safety net between the world and me. I would feel everything, and let the universe hit me with whatever it had.
I hailed a cab, for I was due for a meeting. Halfway into the city, with the afternoon rays streaming through the windows, staring at the mobile TV screen at the back of the seat before me and breathing in the lime scent of the car freshener, I started to cry. Down Nicoll Highway we went, with the Flyer gazing down upon us, sweeping into Marina Bay we rode, to where the bankers were, and with Madonna’s Like a Virgin playing on the radio. I sobbed because our world is so peculiarly beautiful.
The taxi driver gave me back more change than was neccessary.
Welcome to the latest blog dedicated to Pop Culture
It seems that everywhere you go online there is a blog dedicated to Pop Music and Pop Culture.
So what is the difference between this blog and the others being offered
Honestly? I don’t even know but this is a work in progress and will only get better as I work on it more and more.
I’m working on a logo and registering the name, creating a website and merchandise among other surprises along the way so please stay tuned.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Madonna & 'Glee': How Did it Happen?
When I heard that there was going to be an entire episode dedicated to the songs of legendary artist Madonna, I about lost my mind. I have LOVED Madonna from the moment I first heard her and have loved her ever since. The combination of my all-time favorite show and all-time favorite singer made my little 1980’s heart skip a beat! I always wondered how this whole Glee/Madonna union came about and then one my wonderful readers sent me this…
If you’re wondering how Madonna’s music wound up on “Glee,” you can thank wedding planner Shira Citron and her Gleek love.
Citron’s stepmother, Liz Rosenberg, is Madonna’s publicist. Since “Glee” premiered last fall, all Rosenberg has heard is “Glee” this and “Glee” that from her stepdaughter, whom she describes as “in her 30s but still a teenager.”
One night, Rosenberg, Madonna and her manager, Guy Oseary, went out for a business dinner. Oseary mentioned that “Glee” had called, wanting to use the singer’s music for an entire episode.
Rosenberg thought of Citron and started pleading. “I begged Madonna to allow them to use her music because my stepdaughter would never forgive me if I didn’t get Madonna to OK the usage of the songs…. I couldn’t stop my spiel about how amazing this show was.”
As soon as Madonna agreed, Rosenberg said she ran to the bathroom and called Citron.
“You are so gonna love me,” she recalls saying to her stepdaughter.
Citron and the whole Gleek universe!
Sadly, Rosenberg said Madonna isn’t doing any interviews about “Glee” but noted that it doesn’t hurt that the DVD of her “Sticky and Sweet Tour” will be released on April 6, just two weeks before the big episode airs.
Source: LA Times
Inspiration - Madonna
Everybody knows Madonna. The challenge that I associate with her is her upbringing. Her mother died when she was young and I wonder if she would have been as driven to succeed had her mother been alive. It is something that stays with me.
I remember when I was 17 Madonna did the video for Material Girl. The inspiration for that video was a scene from Marylin Monroe in Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend. Since then I prayed every night that Madonna did not end up like Monroe, gone way too soon. What a surprise she gave me. Through the years, she has been able to transform herself time and again, keeping her spunk, and creating the life she wanted.
I believe that every person that survives all the highs and lows in such a public way and still strives for greatness should be admired. I leave you with that video, the first time I ever paid attention to Madonna. Don’t forget to press the Comment Link and let me know who inspires you.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
MDG is born...wow!
After announcing her juniors line for Macy’s last week, the Material Girl is already making headlines with her next venture under her MG Icon business: eyewear for Dolce & Gabbana! Madonna and the Italian design duo have teamed up for a collection of six new, luxe sunglass styles ($248-$289) debuting in May.
‘We’re so excited. This further strengthens our relationship with Madonna, and it was a very constructive experience for us,’ Stefano Gabbana tells WWD. The new styles will bear the logo MDG, marking the first ever co-branded project by Dolce & Gabbana.
Another thing to look forward to: Madonna’s ad campaign for the collection shot by Steven Klein – the same photographer who worked with the singer on the brand’s spring ready-to-wear ads. The seductive images will have a film-noir feel, with close crops of a red-lipstick-wearing Madonna and, of course, the shades.
We can’t wait to get our hands on the collection, which will be available in Dolce & Gabbana boutiques and Sunglass Hut stores worldwide.
Source: madonnalicious.com
Saturday, March 13, 2010
hello mr. toledano
After I posted my thoughts on beauty, Brother hit me back with some really interesting, challenging follow-up. You can read his comments in full on the post but the one that struck me as most fascinating is the idea that beauty is driving evolution. This brings up a number of philosophical questions. Off the top of my head: Is beauty linked to survival? How? Is beauty an evolutionary endpoint worth striving for? How is it better? What’s the alternative? Does beauty inform perception, does perception inform beauty, where does the circle of perception/beauty/perception/beauty etc…… end and begin? Lots of thinking for a rainy Friday night alone. Also: the image he conjured up of new shiny skin eating old wrinkly skin is squirm- and awe-inducing at once. You can read more about Aubrey De Grey if you are interested in that particular aspect.
The aspect I am interested in scrutinizing is where plastic surgery fits in to this equation. When one regards beauty within this evolutionary context, plastic surgery is a fabulous shortcut. If beauty is a desirable quality in a potential mate, plastic surgery is a bit of camouflage to sneak you past genetics’ red velvet ropes. These thoughts are all on my mind as I ponder beauty. Lots of questions but no simple answers.
Mr. Toledano has lots of questions too. A photographer, writer, and artist, his philosophical musings intrigue and provoke me. While his entire work is worth reading in depth and is generously availablegratis on his website, the subject that concerns this post is that of plastic surgery, or A New Kind of Beauty. In merging, I fleetingly explored plastic surgery trends, which, just like any other trends, tend to arrive at a similar image. Except this time the object of similarity is the human face. So when Mr. Toledano wonders, “When we re-make ourselves, are we revealing our true character, or are we stripping away our very identity?” my initial thought is the latter. Today, 51-year-old Madonna and the 23-year-old Olsen Twins have the same New Face (is it just me or does the New Face oddly resemble Nicolette Sheridan?).
Another question: “Is beauty informed by contemporary culture? By history? Or is it defined by the surgeon’s hand? Can we identify physical trends that vary from decade to decade, or is beauty timeless?” Well if you attempt to read L’Oreal’s 100,000 Years of Beauty you can find an in-depth tracing of some pretty convincing beauty timelines and trends throughout history. And I think there are absolutely varying physical trends (Rubenesque vs Kate Moss-esque, duh) as well as certain characteristics of beauty that transcend trends (say that three times fast). But the idea that beauty is defined by the surgeon’s hand is troubling. You know, that whole playing-God thing: how can a mere mortal improve upon divine creation? Yet, it’s not the fact that we can improve upon how we were biologically created — after all, who can argue with bionic limbs? — it’s what we choose to improve. The superficial outside appearance. Erasing lines, changing Dad’s nose, switching out Mom’s boobs as if they were tires on a car. But if beauty is necessary for survival, what then? And don’t forget that plastic surgery is not the great equalizer to be passed down generation to generation. It’s stubbornly corrected birth after birth by biology. (Let’s not get into genetic engineering, I need to finish Eating Animals and then we can discuss).
Speaking objectively about the images below, they are not what I would consider beautiful, or attractive. You could say I am a fan of improving on nature in a non-surgical way. But from an aesthetic standpoint it’s fascinating to see the similarities of these incredibly plastic people. Did the scalpel make them homologous, or did they all ask for the same results? Are the surgeons who did this work just plain bad? How come Ashley Simpson’s nose/chin/lip job didn’t make her look like this? Is this some new kind of mental disorder, that everyone wants to look like Jocelyn Wildenstein?
One thing that strikes me, other than the incredible sameness of each person’s features, is how asexual each person is. I thought that Gina was a man, and Michael a woman. Even Yvette, with her overtly sexual enormous boobs, full lips, and aquiline nose, looks like a drag queen. I’m assuming that a variety of plastic surgeons performed the work, which makes a pretty strong case for losing one’s identity under the knife. But maybe they all went in and asked for the Angelina Special, and these were the results? That, in their eyes, they are all better versions of themselves, their most Angelinaselves? Since I don’t know any of the subjects personally and have never met them I can’t begin to comment on the psychological aspect of having this many surgeries. Yet another question.
It goes without saying (but I’ll say it) that they could all be mistaken for overly trussed and stuffed celebrities. (At least one of them is a (sort-of) celebrity. Don’t lie, 90% of you recognize the Ken Dude, Steve Erhardt, at least by face). And I guess, in some ways, having a shitload of work done is a signal to the world, like carrying a the new status bag. So, I leave you tonight with “an amalgam of surgery, art, and popular culture,” and some of Mr. Toledano’s work.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Local Couple on 'The Marriage Ref'
Covington residents David and Susan Harper will appear on tonight’s installment of ‘The Marriage Ref’ on NBC. Check out my story from last night to hear about their odd argument that will be featured on the show.
Seinfeld creator Larry David, pop icon Madonna and actor Ricky Gervais appear on tonight’s celebrity panel.
NaQuila Hardy persevere
NaQuila Hardy persevere
These been a very interesting three months 9 months of constant challenges. Like I said the BUZZ is that we have a 100 songs project, with an advanced marketing strategy.
To be honest our first phase is and test sector, by trial and error we plan to perfect these strategic master templates for the future of the industry and as trend setters try to stay a step ahead of the game always.
I realize that I have a bad reputation at this stage and time, but we all know people tend to forget fast, under certain conditions especially financial incentives like a hit record or film which is included in the repertoire.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
adam senn must really be comfortable around needles...
So I thought Queen Madge was rocking Jesus Luz back and forth in her TERMINATOR arms, but apparently it’s RUMORED that she’s now singing lullabys to The City “star,” Adam Senn.
“Star“ is used here as loosely as Kristin Cavallari’s vajayjay so try not to laugh too hard.
If you remember, this dude also tooled around with Whitney Port and Lindsay LOLohan.
Whitney’s basic dialogue of “OMG” and “nooooo way’s” probably made this fool KONK out before he even got her jacket off, so sleeping next to Madonna will keep this guy on his toes.
There’s no way I’d drift off into a deep sleep knowing that if the person beside me happens to roll over, it’ll be the end of my life as I know it…
Via The New York Post,
“Madonna sparked rumors of a cooling off between her and boy toy Jesus Luz by making the Oscar-party rounds in LA with handsome “The City” star Adam Senn, who’s also a fellow Dolce & Gabanna model. A source said, “Madonna brought Jesus to the Oscar parties last year, but she wants to do it her way this year. She and Adam got on well while shooting for D&G, and she’s smart enough to know that being seen together would generate more buzz for the campaign.” Madonna was seen chatting with Elton John and manager Guy Oseary Thursday before heading to the bar, ordering vodka on the rocks, and dropping the f-word because they didn’t have her favorite brand.”
This has SKETCH written all over it.
We all secretly know that Adam wakes up every morning fearing for his life that Lindsay LOLohan might be hovering over his bed with a fat needle in her hand. Naturally, the only way to get rid of her would be to run into the arms of someone who could probably send a Grizzly packing…
Free Madonna App!
Courtesy of Hollywood Celebrity Pictures
[lastfm]Madonna[/lastfm] fans, the official app for iPhone and Android is here!
The app features music, videos, news and photos, but also all of the tools you need to comment on Madonna’s albums and tours while interacting with other Madonna fans around the world!
Download it for free to have your Madonna branded app installed to your phone in the blink of an eye. And for more great Madonna music, keep your radio on 96.1!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
John Paul Gualtier For Target. Meh.
Move over Rodarte sisters, Jean Paul Gaultier is taking over everyone’s favorite store and the wait is finally over. On Sunday, March 7th, Gaultier’s collaboration with Target will be available in 250 stores nationwide.
But with rumors of the line not being confirmed until October of 2009, the buzz may have been bigger than the line itself. Consisting of 20 looks, the line will only be available in a fraction of Target stores for about 5 weeks (until April 11th). If you don’t happen to live near a chosen location, don’t fret; thank God for the World Wide Web.
Gaultier is following in the footsteps of several designers including the late Alexander McQueen and Anna Sui. The series of designer collaborations has inspired a cheap-chic movement, allowing the average American woman to feel of a higher status without breaking the bank. Each designer has been inspired by a certain fashion icon or muse to distinguish their lines from the rest.
So who will Gaultier’s line represent? According to Target, the line will pay tribute to the American woman, and reflect style of past and present pop culture. Infamously known as Madonna’s costume designer, we would expect Gaultier to produce variations of corsets, crazy colors, and God willingly a pointy-bra in the collection. Also, as one of the first designers to introduce innerwear as outwear into mainstream fashion, elements of this style were shoe-ins to the collection. Or so we all thought. Much to everyone’s surprise, none of the looks reflect anything of Madge status, and there are no signs of structured innerwear anywhere, which Gaultier has been showing on the runways for seasons.
Instead, the collection features classic patterns of stripes and checkers in variations of dresses with little to no structure. Each “look” consists of about three different pieces that seem plain or “done before” when pulled apart from each other. The only piece that represents Gaultier’s aesthetic is the “mesh tattoo-print leggings.” However, instead of translating to edgy street-style, they look cheap and cheesy. If paired with the wrong dress, they may even come across as trashy. Some of his graphic t-shirts are interesting, but are no different than t-shirts found in any other mass-market retail store.
As far as price point, while the collection is affordable, it is not cheap by any means. The cropped leather jacket is priced at $200 (!!), and is not substantial enough to be a staple in any wardrobe. For the rest, each item does not seem expensive (typically $30-$60), but to create each look as they are being presented, you would have to purchase about three pieces. According to my outstanding math skills acquired in Calculus, this means that each outfit is roughly $100 or more.
Even if Jean Paul Gaultier is printed on the tags, it may not be worth it. Take a look and see yourself!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Madonna and the folly of language.
A long, long time ago, a popular singer by the name of Madonna released an uncatchy song attached to a bizarre, super expensive video. Today is the last day that I’m using words…. Some words might be nice to explain the birds flying from out of your stomach, but cools. Lost their meaning…. don’t function anymore.
There are times when I agree. I love language. I wish I knew more languages. English, as clumsy as it is, still has a wonderful potential to dazzle me. Like I said, I can’t do rap because the lyrics will get stuck in my head and I’ll just ruminate over them until I go crazy and start singing to total strangers. And Shakespeare? I know we love Shakespeare, but I know if I got too close, I’d just become obsessed, desperate to memorize a body of work that threatens to make all original communication unnecessary (I was seriously fighting back tears after Hamlet in New York. I hate that I like Jude Law).
But, after a few weeks of casual observations of other people’s conversations, hearing about a person’s attempts at communication with other people, and even trying to communicate myself in certain situations, I wonder if Bjork (the lyricist for Bedtime Story) and Madonna (who allegedly changed some of the lyrics and altered Bjork’s intent) are right.
Yesterday, I watched as an awkward guy tried to tutor an out-of-his-league classmate in accounting. I feel strangely privileged to have witnessed such a cliche, now that I’m fascinated by this sort of thing. Throughout the conversation, the guy seemed to be throwing desperate hints out that he wanted this relationship to extend beyond tutoring. He told her she could text him any time, if she needed help on other problems. She told him that she sometimes figures out stuff while taking a shower. He had no response. He told her how often female friends of his call him when they’re too drunk to drive and are afraid of going home with a guy they’ve been fooling around with at the clubs. He races to their rescue, even though he lives ten minutes (actually, it’s twenty) away. He’s dependable, smart, devoted, (apparently) insomniac, and he’s got access to some amazing financial calculation apps for the iphone. Message to girl: he’s the perfect boyfriend! Except he’s too eager, too awkward, and way too useful. Personally, I like that in a man, but I don’t know that I want that in a casual tutor. Meanwhile, she did everything she could to reinforce his role as the intelligent guy. She played with her hair and said things like, “You’re soooo smart! I could never have figured out half of this without you!” She mentioned that her friends were always going home with strange guys and that it was stupid, but what can you do? They’re, like, stupid, you know, like, girls. tee hee. She was the damsel in distress. He was the Knight in shining armor.
Normally, I’d have to excuse myself to puke, but for some reason, I kept it down. The more she emphasized her helplessness, the more he emphasized his helpfulness. In the end, though, I doubt he’ll get what he wants. She, however, will probably get her homework done for her, get to cheat off of him during class, and maybe even get bootlegged copies of Hollywood blockbusters for free.
Awesome.
Couldn’t he have just said, “Hey! I want to be your boyfriend.” ??? Couldn’t she have just said, “I don’t want to learn anything. I’m just trying to get a job in a field that will put me in close proximity with rich men?”
Obviously not.
And still, all this insinuation… I realized the reason I love language is because it has the power to cut through the bull shit. I love reading a passage and thinking, That’s exactly how I feel. It’s so intimate. But we’re not a direct species. Candor is an indulgence. Insinuation is the way of the world.
On the flipside, that intimate connection I feel upon encountering the perfect phrase only happens because I am somehow receptive to it. Not everyone will be ready or even willing to absorb something as gorgeous as a Martin Luther King sermon or a Dorothy Parker one-liner or an observation by Balzac. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear, said someone at some point. Maybe that applies to writers and readers.
And maybe the best of verbal and written communication will never achieve what body language and insinuation can. What a shame.
However, the most excruciating and wonderful internal dilemmas often stem from wondering about words and intentions. As Talleyrand said, “We were given speech to hide our thoughts.”
From ourselves as well?
How can we have nothing to say when we have so much nothing to say?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Fashion Week Finds
A collection of my favorite things from Fashion Week, NY. If you know me you love me and most likely tease me for ensuing random photo shoots. [They all gripe during a few clicks of the camera - and thank me later once they view the images...you know who you are and I love every single angle of you!]
K.Smith devout Stylist and anti-socialite.
Minty rockin a CHA head adornment.
Attending the Laquan Smith show.
Goodsouldiers presented Virgin Spirit with 80’s Madonna photographs by Richard Corman, live performances and a fashion show.
Interiors have the ability to transform people’s energy. Notice how they affixed photographs of materials to create a early 1900’s train brimmed with artwork. Plush!
The final year of Fashion Week at Bryant Park.
Kudos – notice this brand of water at the tents. This is how we need to have all of our products packaged. No more water bottles!
Interview wallpaper – genius.
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