I've been thinking lately about what I might do for work when we move to North Carolina next week. For the last year I have had the joy of realizing my lifelong dream of being Lucy Ricardo. And as wonderful and fulfilling as it has been, there is something hanging over our heads that has drawn us to the conclusion that I must return to the workforce: that really expensive college education that I insisted upon getting. It has come to my attention that perhaps I could've saved a lot of money and trouble if I'd have just dropped out years ago and never bothered finishing. But alas, I really felt that it was important for me to be college educated. Idiot. Now I have my Bachelor's degree, but no relevant work experience and some lovely student loan debt. So basically, I've spent a lot of time and money to be qualified to do exactly what I've been doing for the last 10 years: restaurants and retail. Except now we're moving to a somewhat rural part of the country and in this market it's slllliiiimmmm pickings out there.
So now what? What's a girl like me to do for work? I'd really love to be paid to do nothing, but I've never been able to figure out how to bring that stroke of genius into fruition. Or, if I could be paid to just GTL all day that'd be great. But again, I'm not sure how to make that happen. I could illegally sublet rooms in our new beach condo to my friends and family who want to come visit. I mean really. Beach rentals cost per week what we pay per month. I could offer a generous discount of a couple hundred dollars and really be raking it in. But that won't work because Michael doesn't want to do anything illegal (prude) and strangely, none of my friends or family seem all that keen on visiting now that I've brought up that plan. What is that about?
Sigh. I'm sure I can find something to do with myself, let's just hope it's something that offers incredibly generous pay for very little work. I'd appreciate your good thoughts and/or prayers on that one.
29 March, 2010
07 March, 2010
Back to School
I found myself reflecting on "back to school" season today. It was equal parts my favorite and most dreaded part of the year. I dreaded the end of summer, but I truly loved the back to school shopping that would occur every August.
I loved going to Miller's Outpost and getting a new outfit every year. Usually it was a head-to-toe matching ensemble complete with matching scrunchie and colored Keds. If I was really lucky, I had received a new Esprit outfit for my birthday (which is in June, and therefore anything I got for my birthday was new for the school year) and maybe a kicky pair of shorts from 5-7-9.
But beyond the new outfits, the thing I miss the most about back to school season is the new school supplies. For some reason when I think back to school I think Molly McIntire, American Girl. I think it's because in fifth grade I got the Molly school bag, and I felt so badass. It was a plaid messenger bag in the 1940's style Molly wore, and no one had anything like it. Everyone else had their Jansport backpacks in assorted colors, but not me. I had a slight obsession with the American Girl dolls (though I of course had Kirsten Larsen, the Swedish immigrant) and I loved the things you could buy for yourself to match the dolls. Among Molly's backpack I owned the matching nightgown to my Kirsten doll's, and Samantha Parkington's dress and high button boots . But I digress.
There are two back to school things I had a sudden urge to go out and buy today, and admittedly would if they were readily available. First and foremost, a Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper. And maybe some scratch and sniff stickers to stick on it. I mean, I'm sorry but we had the best crap in the 80's and early 90's. I'd take a Trapper Keeper and a session of Oregon Trail over the lame 3-ring binders and whatever high tech games the kids play today. Not to mention our amazing toys: He-Man/ She-ra, Teddy Ruxpin, My Buddy/ Kid Sister, Hot Looks, and RAINBOW BRITE (hello!) just to name a few. Which brings me to the next item I wish I could buy: a Barbie and the Rockers lunch box like the one I had in the 80's. I really wish I had saved some of this amazing memorabilia.
I can't remember when back to school shopping came to an end...I suppose it must have been college, when I'd just buy supplies from the bookstore as I needed them. But I'd give anything to go shopping with my mom for some Lisa Frank pencils and smelly erasers right about now.
I loved going to Miller's Outpost and getting a new outfit every year. Usually it was a head-to-toe matching ensemble complete with matching scrunchie and colored Keds. If I was really lucky, I had received a new Esprit outfit for my birthday (which is in June, and therefore anything I got for my birthday was new for the school year) and maybe a kicky pair of shorts from 5-7-9.
But beyond the new outfits, the thing I miss the most about back to school season is the new school supplies. For some reason when I think back to school I think Molly McIntire, American Girl. I think it's because in fifth grade I got the Molly school bag, and I felt so badass. It was a plaid messenger bag in the 1940's style Molly wore, and no one had anything like it. Everyone else had their Jansport backpacks in assorted colors, but not me. I had a slight obsession with the American Girl dolls (though I of course had Kirsten Larsen, the Swedish immigrant) and I loved the things you could buy for yourself to match the dolls. Among Molly's backpack I owned the matching nightgown to my Kirsten doll's, and Samantha Parkington's dress and high button boots . But I digress.
There are two back to school things I had a sudden urge to go out and buy today, and admittedly would if they were readily available. First and foremost, a Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper. And maybe some scratch and sniff stickers to stick on it. I mean, I'm sorry but we had the best crap in the 80's and early 90's. I'd take a Trapper Keeper and a session of Oregon Trail over the lame 3-ring binders and whatever high tech games the kids play today. Not to mention our amazing toys: He-Man/ She-ra, Teddy Ruxpin, My Buddy/ Kid Sister, Hot Looks, and RAINBOW BRITE (hello!) just to name a few. Which brings me to the next item I wish I could buy: a Barbie and the Rockers lunch box like the one I had in the 80's. I really wish I had saved some of this amazing memorabilia.
I can't remember when back to school shopping came to an end...I suppose it must have been college, when I'd just buy supplies from the bookstore as I needed them. But I'd give anything to go shopping with my mom for some Lisa Frank pencils and smelly erasers right about now.
14 February, 2010
Dear Butchers of the English Language
There's no M in valentine
There's no X in escape
There's no B in supposedly
There's no X is ask
There's no L in frustrate
There's "would have" and "would've" but no "would of"
There's so many more I'm sure I'm forgetting. Therefore you may direct further questions here.
And have yourself a very happy ValentiNe's Day! ♥
There's no X in escape
There's no B in supposedly
There's no X is ask
There's no L in frustrate
There's "would have" and "would've" but no "would of"
There's so many more I'm sure I'm forgetting. Therefore you may direct further questions here.
And have yourself a very happy ValentiNe's Day! ♥
21 January, 2010
Official "Apples Are Better Than PCs" Post, or "Ode to Apple"
Considering my feelings about the gloriousness of both my iMac and iBook, it is a wonder I haven't put my feelings on...screen sooner. I have owned no less than 4 PCs in 8 years before inheriting my iBook from my generous father 2 years ago. I should also point out that this iBook is now 6 years old and still running like a champ. The only problem I have had in the 2 years of owning it is the battery has pretty much crapped out on me, but I am too cheap/lazy to buy a new one until I really need it. So I have to leave it plugged in if I'm using it for more than a couple of hours. On a computer that is 6 years old, I'd say that's to be expected. And let me repeat myself: this is the only problem I have had with it.
Each of my PCs crashed out on me multiple times; viruses galore would cause the internet to stop working, or windows I had open would mysteriously close themselves whenever they felt like it. But my beautiful Mac is still virus free. Doing the math, each of my PCs lasted for approximately 2 years before needing to be replaced. Each one was new when I got it. They crashed for different reasons; I'm sure my first one, which I got for college, crashed because of all the music I illegally downloaded, and the file sharing I did on campus with every other computer. However, had I had a Mac at the time, I think it's safe to say the problem would be drastically less if not nonexistent.
To the people who think Macs are too hard to navigate: you have obviously never really tried using a Mac. Everything is so simple it's laughable. I think of a commercial that is running right now in which the full minute is devoted to showing how "easy" the Geek Squad makes things. The action the Geek Squad is performing is setting up a printer on a PC. This takes the entire commercial to complete (if not longer in real life) while the woman in the commercial is pretending to use magical powers to make it happen as the Geek Squad dials in and does it for her.
The point is, all this commercial does is reiterate to me how difficult it is to set up a printer on a PC.
On a Mac, you don't even have to set up printers. All you do is plug it in, hit "print" on whatever it is you want to print, and the Mac finds the printer itself. In nanoseconds. And I'd like to point out that this is any kind of printer, it does not have to be an Apple; I have an HP printer and it was this simple.
I have finally converted Michael into a Maclover too. His Dell had crashed, he spent hundreds of dollars getting it fixed, and within a couple of months it crashed again. I'm talking you couldn't even open it in "safe mode" kind of crashed. He wanted to pay to get it fixed again, but after much convincing, I talked him into buying a glorious new iMac. Once you go Mac you never go back! He is officially in love. He becomes incredulous when someone we know has a PC, or especially when someone has the audacity to claim not to like Macs. He knows as well as I do that these people have obviously never properly used one.
If you are reading this, and you "are a PC" (as the commercials for Windows 7 say), please feel free to come over to our house anytime. We will read you the Gospel of Mac and convert you faster than you can say Snow Leopard.
Each of my PCs crashed out on me multiple times; viruses galore would cause the internet to stop working, or windows I had open would mysteriously close themselves whenever they felt like it. But my beautiful Mac is still virus free. Doing the math, each of my PCs lasted for approximately 2 years before needing to be replaced. Each one was new when I got it. They crashed for different reasons; I'm sure my first one, which I got for college, crashed because of all the music I illegally downloaded, and the file sharing I did on campus with every other computer. However, had I had a Mac at the time, I think it's safe to say the problem would be drastically less if not nonexistent.
To the people who think Macs are too hard to navigate: you have obviously never really tried using a Mac. Everything is so simple it's laughable. I think of a commercial that is running right now in which the full minute is devoted to showing how "easy" the Geek Squad makes things. The action the Geek Squad is performing is setting up a printer on a PC. This takes the entire commercial to complete (if not longer in real life) while the woman in the commercial is pretending to use magical powers to make it happen as the Geek Squad dials in and does it for her.
The point is, all this commercial does is reiterate to me how difficult it is to set up a printer on a PC.
On a Mac, you don't even have to set up printers. All you do is plug it in, hit "print" on whatever it is you want to print, and the Mac finds the printer itself. In nanoseconds. And I'd like to point out that this is any kind of printer, it does not have to be an Apple; I have an HP printer and it was this simple.
I have finally converted Michael into a Maclover too. His Dell had crashed, he spent hundreds of dollars getting it fixed, and within a couple of months it crashed again. I'm talking you couldn't even open it in "safe mode" kind of crashed. He wanted to pay to get it fixed again, but after much convincing, I talked him into buying a glorious new iMac. Once you go Mac you never go back! He is officially in love. He becomes incredulous when someone we know has a PC, or especially when someone has the audacity to claim not to like Macs. He knows as well as I do that these people have obviously never properly used one.
If you are reading this, and you "are a PC" (as the commercials for Windows 7 say), please feel free to come over to our house anytime. We will read you the Gospel of Mac and convert you faster than you can say Snow Leopard.
20 January, 2010
14 January, 2010
Sign of the Times?
When it comes to movies and television, I'm not that difficult a person to please. I'm admittedly and avid watcher of The Suite Life on the Disney Channel (London Tipton is one of my all time favorite characters), and my favorite movies include Center Stage and Spice World. So when I received the 2009 remake of Fame from Netflix, I was expecting to enjoy it.
I turned it off before it was even over. I hardly ever do that. My innate curiosity almost always causes me to want to see what happens, even if I'm not that into a movie. And hello, a movie about a performing arts high school is sure to be right up my alley! Instead, I opted to turn it off because I was more interested in continuing reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone...which I have read at least five times already.
But Fame was so boring I didn't even care. The dancing was lackluster and the need to turn every performing art movie into some sort of hip hop these days was such a huge turnoff. Step Up was fine, Step Up 2 Tha Streetzzz not so much. Maybe I like classical dance. Maybe I appreciate Shakespeare. Why does "modernizing" a movie mean Shakespeare performed as a rap or ballet performed to hip hop music? (Save the Last Dance is probably the only other dance movie that I hated for that reason) Is this something I have to accept as a sign of the times? I'm truly starting to believe I was born in the wrong generation. Everything seems to be dumbed down in order to get the youth of today to watch it. Maybe they're just all too busy "twittering" about their inane lives to pay attention to a movie with any character development or dialogue that requires a full attention span.
Sigh. I'm going to go put Fame back in the mail and just pretend it never happened. Next on the list: Secret Diary of a Call Girl, disc 2. See? I told you I'm not hard to please.
I turned it off before it was even over. I hardly ever do that. My innate curiosity almost always causes me to want to see what happens, even if I'm not that into a movie. And hello, a movie about a performing arts high school is sure to be right up my alley! Instead, I opted to turn it off because I was more interested in continuing reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone...which I have read at least five times already.
But Fame was so boring I didn't even care. The dancing was lackluster and the need to turn every performing art movie into some sort of hip hop these days was such a huge turnoff. Step Up was fine, Step Up 2 Tha Streetzzz not so much. Maybe I like classical dance. Maybe I appreciate Shakespeare. Why does "modernizing" a movie mean Shakespeare performed as a rap or ballet performed to hip hop music? (Save the Last Dance is probably the only other dance movie that I hated for that reason) Is this something I have to accept as a sign of the times? I'm truly starting to believe I was born in the wrong generation. Everything seems to be dumbed down in order to get the youth of today to watch it. Maybe they're just all too busy "twittering" about their inane lives to pay attention to a movie with any character development or dialogue that requires a full attention span.
Sigh. I'm going to go put Fame back in the mail and just pretend it never happened. Next on the list: Secret Diary of a Call Girl, disc 2. See? I told you I'm not hard to please.
12 January, 2010
Honestly. *update!*
I was about to retire for the evening, when I came across this "news" story:
Is Katy Perry Pregnant? (click on link)
I'm sorry. WHAT? So let me get this straight. Katy Perry "twittered" that 2010 is "bumpin", that she wants In N Out, and joked to her fiance "I heard ur prego-ed" therefore she is fueling rumors that she is pregnant??!
Nothing annoys me more than these obnoxious entertainment "news" stories. Like on Entertainment Tonight and Inside Edition, they will run headlines such as: "Is Elin Woods wearing her wedding ring again?" and then at the end of the show they'll reveal the picture and it's of her twin sister. With her husband standing next to her. And just to be sure, they'll show a picture taken of Elin the same day in another country. A picture they've obviously had all along and therefore knew that they were creating a story out of nothing. Or E! News has their segment "So True/So False" where they will make up a rumor about a celebrity and then tell you it's not true. What is this world coming to? Can someone please tell me how this useless crap qualifies as news anyway?
Let's recap. Katy Perry is in India, and commented to her friends in LA (where the New Year hadn't yet occurred) that 2010 is bumpin' , and she discusses a food item she wants but can't have because she is in another country, so the obvious conclusion we should draw is that she's pregnant.
Just checking.
*Update*
Katy Perry finally had to spell out in black and white (and...red?) that she is not pregnant. Is that clear enough for you, media?
Is Katy Perry Pregnant? (click on link)
I'm sorry. WHAT? So let me get this straight. Katy Perry "twittered" that 2010 is "bumpin", that she wants In N Out, and joked to her fiance "I heard ur prego-ed" therefore she is fueling rumors that she is pregnant??!
Nothing annoys me more than these obnoxious entertainment "news" stories. Like on Entertainment Tonight and Inside Edition, they will run headlines such as: "Is Elin Woods wearing her wedding ring again?" and then at the end of the show they'll reveal the picture and it's of her twin sister. With her husband standing next to her. And just to be sure, they'll show a picture taken of Elin the same day in another country. A picture they've obviously had all along and therefore knew that they were creating a story out of nothing. Or E! News has their segment "So True/So False" where they will make up a rumor about a celebrity and then tell you it's not true. What is this world coming to? Can someone please tell me how this useless crap qualifies as news anyway?
Let's recap. Katy Perry is in India, and commented to her friends in LA (where the New Year hadn't yet occurred) that 2010 is bumpin' , and she discusses a food item she wants but can't have because she is in another country, so the obvious conclusion we should draw is that she's pregnant.
Just checking.
*Update*
Katy Perry finally had to spell out in black and white (and...red?) that she is not pregnant. Is that clear enough for you, media?
08 January, 2010
Viva La Montecito
I realize that if my greatest concern is what's real, then I probably shouldn't be watching a television show about a fictitious casino on the Vegas strip, but I have to say that my guilty pleasure, Las Vegas, has some moments which question my ability to suspend disbelief. Mary, Delinda, and Sam walking around at 9 o'clock in the morning wearing corsets and sequined miniskirts? I'll buy that. It's Vegas, baby! Their real life counterparts generally wear nice suits to work, but who wants to see that on TV? I get it. Danny, Ed and Mike chasing down criminals themselves, behind Vegas PD's back? Okay, I laugh a lot at these moments, and sometimes even severe eye rolling and "come on"s are involved. I mean wow, their camera equipment sure is high tech. I'd bet the FBI would kill for the Montecito's technology. And how many times can Delinda and Sam be kidnapped? Speaking of Delinda, can I just say that Delinda Deline might be one of the greatest character names ever. I mean really. Nonetheless, I enjoy all the ridiculousness as much as I enjoy Nessa's terrible wigs.
It's former Marine Danny McCoy that sometimes rubs me the wrong way. Don't get me wrong, I very much love the character with the exception of when he was dating Mary. She's so whiney and annoying, I much prefer him with Delinda. Anyway, the thing that bothers me about him is the thing that bothers me in a lot of things, which is to say, not doing proper research and execution. I ask you, would it be so hard for him to have a proper Marine haircut for when he gets called back to the fleet? Seeing him with his long hair in his uniform made me positively squirm. As did seeing him with a beard when he came back. I realize most people wouldn't be bothered by this, but it's like when my favorite literary characters are glaringly miscast in the movie versions. I mean, come on, is it really that hard to be accurate? I don't think so.
On another note, casting McSteamy as Danny's replacement while in Iraq? Genius.
It's former Marine Danny McCoy that sometimes rubs me the wrong way. Don't get me wrong, I very much love the character with the exception of when he was dating Mary. She's so whiney and annoying, I much prefer him with Delinda. Anyway, the thing that bothers me about him is the thing that bothers me in a lot of things, which is to say, not doing proper research and execution. I ask you, would it be so hard for him to have a proper Marine haircut for when he gets called back to the fleet? Seeing him with his long hair in his uniform made me positively squirm. As did seeing him with a beard when he came back. I realize most people wouldn't be bothered by this, but it's like when my favorite literary characters are glaringly miscast in the movie versions. I mean, come on, is it really that hard to be accurate? I don't think so.
On another note, casting McSteamy as Danny's replacement while in Iraq? Genius.
18 December, 2009
SYTYCD Finale Recap, Part 2
Well, folks, another season is over, and it sure feels like that happened fast. Maybe because it did. But I digress, as we all know how I feel about Fox's format for SYTYCD Fall Edition. Anyhoodle, apparently I failed to address some important issues in my previous rant (according to my sister) most importantly where has Mia Michaels been??! Well thanks to Google, I found out. Apparently she left the show. For good. The thing that shocks me about this is how Fox and Nigel kept this so quiet. I mean, he managed to discuss repeatedly his efforts trying to court Paula Abdul to be a 4th judge, a choreographer, a guest performer, or the most heavily medicated audience member. Anything! Just come to our show Paula!!! He even went so far as to have an empty chair next to him with her name on it (literally, her name was on it in stickers), but no mention of how Emmy winning choreographer and panelist Mia Michaels has taken a permanent vacay, possibly even to get her own show. Now who will make our dancers cry? Who will display uninhibited hatred for them and choreograph routines about benches or asses? It's all so unsettling.
But the biggest question of the evening was what was up with Russell's injury? Or as I call it A Krumptastic Konspiracy Theory. But we'll get to that later. The evening started off with a kick-ass group routine, featuring the entire Top 20. I'd forgotten all about some of them. That one girl who was voted off first looks waaayy different than I remember. Like, so much so that I'm suspicious they got a body double. And can someone please tell me how Bianca (tap dancing female) made it to the Top 20 again??! I mean really. She's not good; very awkward looking and horrible arm positioning. Maybe that's why Mia left. She'd never let that slide. The Top 6 appear, and what is with Jakob's ubercreepy double jointed shoulder move?? It's disgusting. He did this when they were on Ellen and I was hoping it was a mistake, like he didn't know what to do with himself and it just happened, but no, I fear after doing something like that more than once, it's intentional. And wow, he's really bringing guyliner to a whole 'nother level tonight. Oh! Ashleigh throws out a pose that my dance teacher used to make us do, and I always thought it was so lame. That was 1993 and Madonna's Vogue was at the height of dance sophistication. Dear Ashleigh, it's almost 2010. Let's outgrow these things. Anyway, I like to play a little game with myself during the group routines called Guess the Choreographer. It is exactly as it sounds. This one seems very Wade Robson-y to me...(love him by the way) and... I'm wrong, it's some chick I've never heard of. Oh well, we can't be right all the time.
One of my grievances last night was that the hostess and judges were wearing attire unbefitting a special occasion like the "fin-aahh-le" of a competitive dance show. However, it seems they saved their fancy dress for tonight, and I'd say I wasn't let down but we all know it would be no fun if I didn't have something snarky and bitchy to say. First off I am 99.9% sure that Cat Deeley wore this dress on another episode. And her necklace does not go with her outfit. But her hair looks pretty (see I can be nice!). Nigel is wearing a tuxedo with no tie, which is fine but, he's wearing a pleated tuxedo shirt that just looks bare without one. But kudos on trying to be hip with the times; going sans tie is very hot right now. Mary Murphy looks surprisingly understated for someone who wears ball gowns and drips with diamonds on a regular basis. Don't even get me started on "Li'l C"; his outfit makes my head hurt. Debbie Allen is wearing a dress she stole from the TV set of Fame, Tyce looks great, but that's to be expected, and Adam Shankman still manages to look hopelessly geeky in a tuxedo.
I was concerned that with the rushed season, they wouldn't bring back the judges favorite dances, but they did, and they did me one better. This season had one bonus episode that was the Top 20 dancing in their styles, and the best thing to come of this was watching Legacy, Kevin, and Russell do hip hop together. This routine kicked off the show, and it was as good as I remembered. Ba-nanas. Between the other repeat routines and a slightly excessive 4 musical and 1 dance guest, we had the whole point of the evening: Eliminations.
This brings me back to my Krumptastic Konspiracy Theory. I'm sorry, but Russell's "injury" was all very suspect to me. They called the dancers out for the first elimination, and half of them didn't show up on stage. At this point, Cat's having technical difficulties, but we can hear her asking where the rest were, yet none of the people onstage offered the information that Russell had injured himself. He comes hobbling out onstage with the help of Ryan and says "I hurt my knee--I mean leg." Well which is it? They're saying he broke his ankle during the hip hop routine at the beginning of the show. If so, how was he able to do the whole routine with no problem? And why is it that Cat wasn't informed during one of the commercial breaks or otherwise? I know it's a live show, but still, it was weird that no one knew. Then, with each subsequent elimination, we was either using one of the other dancers as a crutch, or sitting on a stool, and I'm pretty sure the length of his right pant leg was directly proportional to how dramatic he wanted to be. When he was leaning on the stool all hangdog, it was nearly up to his knee. When it was the final elimination, and he pretty much walked out normally, it was only rolled up a little bit, like an 80's cuff.
When it comes to the Top 6, I had some pretty strong opinions this season. I ultimately felt like Legacy and Mollee should have made it over Ryan and Ashleigh. And I was hoping Ellenore would get eliminated weeks ago, so I was pleased when they were the first 3 to go. I wanted Kathryn to win, but I would've been happy if she, Jakob, or Russell had won, and I thought it was going to be either Jakob or Russell. Normally I am not a fan of the hip hop dancers who make the finals, because they are not usually as good at any of the other styles. But Russell was so incredibly talented that he could do it all, and do it well. He was the only one from auditions that I really cared if he made it to the show. Until this episode, I loved him, but for someone who "broke his ankle" he sure was able to jump up and down like a healthy person when he was announced the winner. Ripping his shirt off wasn't the classiest thing he could have done either. I wasn't surprised that he won, because you could tell the audience loved him, and I wasn't disappointed because I liked him. But I was confused by his injury and the way he seemed fine by the end of the show was just plain bizarre.
But let's not leave out the ever fabulous J.Lo singing her new song Louboutins about, what else, Louboutins. The lyrics say something about "throwing on my Louboutins," and can I just state for the record that I have tried Louboutins on (only at the Neiman Marcus outlet, I'm too afraid if I ever asked a salesperson to try on a pair they'd just laugh at me, knowing I could never afford them) and one does not "throw" Louboutins on. Uggs maybe. But when it comes to Louboutins, one must gingerly shimmy their foot into one. And then admire them endlessly. Just saying. Anyway, J.Lo's outfit was bananas. I die for her tights and glittery Louboutins. And I loved how she had former contestants as her backup dancers! That was so Jenny From the Block of her. All in all it was a great season, and I'm just bummed that it's already over. I could've watched this cast dance forever!
"Ba-da da da! Soyouthinkyoucan...DANCE" (that's me singing the theme song, in case you were wondering)
But the biggest question of the evening was what was up with Russell's injury? Or as I call it A Krumptastic Konspiracy Theory. But we'll get to that later. The evening started off with a kick-ass group routine, featuring the entire Top 20. I'd forgotten all about some of them. That one girl who was voted off first looks waaayy different than I remember. Like, so much so that I'm suspicious they got a body double. And can someone please tell me how Bianca (tap dancing female) made it to the Top 20 again??! I mean really. She's not good; very awkward looking and horrible arm positioning. Maybe that's why Mia left. She'd never let that slide. The Top 6 appear, and what is with Jakob's ubercreepy double jointed shoulder move?? It's disgusting. He did this when they were on Ellen and I was hoping it was a mistake, like he didn't know what to do with himself and it just happened, but no, I fear after doing something like that more than once, it's intentional. And wow, he's really bringing guyliner to a whole 'nother level tonight. Oh! Ashleigh throws out a pose that my dance teacher used to make us do, and I always thought it was so lame. That was 1993 and Madonna's Vogue was at the height of dance sophistication. Dear Ashleigh, it's almost 2010. Let's outgrow these things. Anyway, I like to play a little game with myself during the group routines called Guess the Choreographer. It is exactly as it sounds. This one seems very Wade Robson-y to me...(love him by the way) and... I'm wrong, it's some chick I've never heard of. Oh well, we can't be right all the time.
One of my grievances last night was that the hostess and judges were wearing attire unbefitting a special occasion like the "fin-aahh-le" of a competitive dance show. However, it seems they saved their fancy dress for tonight, and I'd say I wasn't let down but we all know it would be no fun if I didn't have something snarky and bitchy to say. First off I am 99.9% sure that Cat Deeley wore this dress on another episode. And her necklace does not go with her outfit. But her hair looks pretty (see I can be nice!). Nigel is wearing a tuxedo with no tie, which is fine but, he's wearing a pleated tuxedo shirt that just looks bare without one. But kudos on trying to be hip with the times; going sans tie is very hot right now. Mary Murphy looks surprisingly understated for someone who wears ball gowns and drips with diamonds on a regular basis. Don't even get me started on "Li'l C"; his outfit makes my head hurt. Debbie Allen is wearing a dress she stole from the TV set of Fame, Tyce looks great, but that's to be expected, and Adam Shankman still manages to look hopelessly geeky in a tuxedo.
I was concerned that with the rushed season, they wouldn't bring back the judges favorite dances, but they did, and they did me one better. This season had one bonus episode that was the Top 20 dancing in their styles, and the best thing to come of this was watching Legacy, Kevin, and Russell do hip hop together. This routine kicked off the show, and it was as good as I remembered. Ba-nanas. Between the other repeat routines and a slightly excessive 4 musical and 1 dance guest, we had the whole point of the evening: Eliminations.
This brings me back to my Krumptastic Konspiracy Theory. I'm sorry, but Russell's "injury" was all very suspect to me. They called the dancers out for the first elimination, and half of them didn't show up on stage. At this point, Cat's having technical difficulties, but we can hear her asking where the rest were, yet none of the people onstage offered the information that Russell had injured himself. He comes hobbling out onstage with the help of Ryan and says "I hurt my knee--I mean leg." Well which is it? They're saying he broke his ankle during the hip hop routine at the beginning of the show. If so, how was he able to do the whole routine with no problem? And why is it that Cat wasn't informed during one of the commercial breaks or otherwise? I know it's a live show, but still, it was weird that no one knew. Then, with each subsequent elimination, we was either using one of the other dancers as a crutch, or sitting on a stool, and I'm pretty sure the length of his right pant leg was directly proportional to how dramatic he wanted to be. When he was leaning on the stool all hangdog, it was nearly up to his knee. When it was the final elimination, and he pretty much walked out normally, it was only rolled up a little bit, like an 80's cuff.
When it comes to the Top 6, I had some pretty strong opinions this season. I ultimately felt like Legacy and Mollee should have made it over Ryan and Ashleigh. And I was hoping Ellenore would get eliminated weeks ago, so I was pleased when they were the first 3 to go. I wanted Kathryn to win, but I would've been happy if she, Jakob, or Russell had won, and I thought it was going to be either Jakob or Russell. Normally I am not a fan of the hip hop dancers who make the finals, because they are not usually as good at any of the other styles. But Russell was so incredibly talented that he could do it all, and do it well. He was the only one from auditions that I really cared if he made it to the show. Until this episode, I loved him, but for someone who "broke his ankle" he sure was able to jump up and down like a healthy person when he was announced the winner. Ripping his shirt off wasn't the classiest thing he could have done either. I wasn't surprised that he won, because you could tell the audience loved him, and I wasn't disappointed because I liked him. But I was confused by his injury and the way he seemed fine by the end of the show was just plain bizarre.
But let's not leave out the ever fabulous J.Lo singing her new song Louboutins about, what else, Louboutins. The lyrics say something about "throwing on my Louboutins," and can I just state for the record that I have tried Louboutins on (only at the Neiman Marcus outlet, I'm too afraid if I ever asked a salesperson to try on a pair they'd just laugh at me, knowing I could never afford them) and one does not "throw" Louboutins on. Uggs maybe. But when it comes to Louboutins, one must gingerly shimmy their foot into one. And then admire them endlessly. Just saying. Anyway, J.Lo's outfit was bananas. I die for her tights and glittery Louboutins. And I loved how she had former contestants as her backup dancers! That was so Jenny From the Block of her. All in all it was a great season, and I'm just bummed that it's already over. I could've watched this cast dance forever!
"Ba-da da da! Soyouthinkyoucan...DANCE" (that's me singing the theme song, in case you were wondering)
16 December, 2009
SYTYCD Finale Recap, Part 1
I am more than a fan of this season's So You Think You Can Dance. I am obsessed. I have watched previous seasons, but I haven't felt this way about the show since season 2 when Heidi (my all time favorite contestant), Travis, and Benji were competing. First of all, am I the only one who hopes that Kathryn and Legacy are dating? They were so cute together as partners, I'd just love it if they were a couple. I realize this is none of my business, but I have made it my business, and I won't rest until I get to the bottom of it! And I am ashamed to say that I really almost cried when Ryan pleaded for everyone to vote for his wife, not him, the week she was injured, and then when he dropped to his knees, head in hands, when she made it to the finale. It was so sweet. I suspect that's the only reason he made it to the finale over Legacy. Because really. I even love Cat Deeley and her lame quips that only she laughs at, and her maniacal smile after no one laughs. She pretends to make eye contact with someone in the audience and smiles bigger and bigger until her eyes roll back. It's fan-bloody-tastic. Her makeup has been especially atrocious this season as well and I love it. I do take issue with the way some things have gone this season though, and I'd like to take a minute to address my grievances with Fox.
When it was announced that there would be an extra season this year immediately following the last, I was overjoyed. More Wade Robson, more Tyce Diorio, more Mia Michaels, more Mary Murphy and her hot tamale train? Yes please. Clear my Tuesday and Wednesday nights because it's freaking on. But they messed with perfection and it really began to annoy me. During the World Series they only had one show a week so there was no voting. I repeat NO VOTING. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the entire show? Granted the judges eliminated my least favorite contestants, but still. Now the season finale has a final 6 instead of final 4 because of Christmas. So they took away an extra week of dancing. I'd rather they just postpone the top 4 episode than do away with it. What were they thinking?? Note to Fox: next year, let's stick with one season. We got arguably the best mix of dancers ever in season 6 and we got to see less of them. Lame.
Now, let's get on with the finale recap. First off, we see our beloved Cat Deeley, and her makeup is so minimal I'd hardly realize this was the, as Cat says, "fin-ahh-le". Her hair is messily pinned up, her dress has not a trace of sequins, the only thing she has managed to do is over-accessorize with about 900 gold bracelets. I have to say I'm disappointed. Where are the drag queens that usually dress her? Now we see Nigel and it appears he has stolen Rachel Zoe's sunglasses and deemed it appropriate to wear them for the show. Nigel, incidentally, is also quite underdressed for the occasion, when only last week he was wearing a shiny leather jacket befitting James Dean. James Dean if he was going to hit up the Abbey in West Hollywood after the show. I ask you who is styling these people this week? WHERE HAVE THE GAYS GONE??!!!! They'd never let this happen.
Kathryn and Ryan are up first with a samba, and I rather enjoyed it, but their ballroom routine last week was much better. I suppose there's no topping perfection, though, and they do a great job. Jason Gilkison's ballroom routines this season are really fantastic. Makes me want to run out and see his hit Broadway show Burn the Floor. Adam Shankman says this show should be called "The Rise of Kathryn" and I have to say I agree. I didn't think I'd like her when she was all tearful and high-pitched at the auditions, but she has become my favorite contestant.
Next we have Jakob and Ellenore (it pains me to type their hideously misspelled names), and Ellenore head-tossed her way through their entire Tyce Diorio routine. The few glimpses we get of her face, it appears she is constipated. I guess this is her "quirky style" the judges are alway fawning over? Adam tells her she has never looked so beautiful and she smiles so big I think her teeth might actually explode out of her gums this time. Mary says Ellenore was smoldering, and sexy as can be. Really? The clip they subsequently show of her, she just looks confused. I, too, am confused. Confused by the judges' love for her, and confused by her making it this far. Jakob was spectacular as usual.
Russell, who I love, and Ashleigh have a beautiful lyrical routine. I also like Ashleigh a lot more than I thought I was going to at first. During the auditions she kind of annoyed me and I didn't think she'd make it. But she's really turned out to be great on this show. Nigel tells Russell he is "bloody incredible" and you know what? He IS!
Is Ellenore back already? Ugh. She and Ryan are doing a strange routine...I don't even know what style this is supposed to be. I thought Cat said it was jazz, however it is not like any jazz I ever did at Sierra Dance Academy. But then, nothing is. I'm sure the judges will say something about the choreographer being inspired by Ellenore's quirkiness and this being "right up her alley." Whatevs. I'll just distract myself with Ryan's muscles for a minute. They really are big. Whoa, I'm quickly jolted back with close up shot on Ellenore's wide, vacant, scary eyes which reveal she is trying to hypnotize me into voting for her. I will not be swayed!!! On to the judges. Adam literally just said "Ellenore, you were like Gary's muse in that one." Ha. I know my judges.
Ashleigh and Jakob do a fantastic fox trot. They dance really well together. Incidentally, I also figured out where the gays in the costume department have been hiding: they've been busy bedazzling Jakob's vest. Obviously Cat's glitter budget got used up there too, and it looks like they borrowed Nigel's best purple cravat and gave it to Jakob. Well now I know why Nigel looks so shabby and Cat looks so lackluster. It all makes sense! And is it just me or are the routines really short this episode? Hmm.
Commercial break and...Ellenore again? Seriously? Aren't we done with her yet? At least she's partnered with my #2 favorite, Russell. Their Paso Doble is good, but by the look on her face it appears she's trying to divide 1392 by 427. Give the girl a calculator and turn the camera back to Russell already!! Nigel calls her passionate and firey. Really? Really? Mmkay...I'll choose to ignore that. However, I do enjoy Adam's imitation of what Russell's friends back home must be thinking. I guess we can all assume Russell is a gangster from this?
Kathryn and Jakob doing contemporary together is absolute bliss. The only thing that would make it better would be panning to the audience and seeing Legacy wiping away a tear as he watches Kathryn. Ha! What? It could happen. He's cried a lot this season. Anyway, the judges loved it as much as I did...except after saying how much he loved it, Adam said it made him mad, but I think he meant it in the British way...? I hope they go back to switching the third judge around next season because I've had more than my fill of Adam and the cleverness he thinks he exudes.
Our resident married couple, Ashleigh and Ryan dance beautifully together. Nigel says they proved they deserved to be in the finale with this routine. I think they proved that I would've liked Ryan more all along if he hadn't have had the misfortune of being paired with Ellenore from the beginning.
The show concludes with Kathryn and Russell doing a Tabitha and Napoleon hip hop, and I could not think of a better way to end it. Loved it: love her outfit, love the dancing, love them. I will now wear out my phone voting for Kathryn and sit in anticipation of tomorrow's conclusion.
When it was announced that there would be an extra season this year immediately following the last, I was overjoyed. More Wade Robson, more Tyce Diorio, more Mia Michaels, more Mary Murphy and her hot tamale train? Yes please. Clear my Tuesday and Wednesday nights because it's freaking on. But they messed with perfection and it really began to annoy me. During the World Series they only had one show a week so there was no voting. I repeat NO VOTING. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the entire show? Granted the judges eliminated my least favorite contestants, but still. Now the season finale has a final 6 instead of final 4 because of Christmas. So they took away an extra week of dancing. I'd rather they just postpone the top 4 episode than do away with it. What were they thinking?? Note to Fox: next year, let's stick with one season. We got arguably the best mix of dancers ever in season 6 and we got to see less of them. Lame.
Now, let's get on with the finale recap. First off, we see our beloved Cat Deeley, and her makeup is so minimal I'd hardly realize this was the, as Cat says, "fin-ahh-le". Her hair is messily pinned up, her dress has not a trace of sequins, the only thing she has managed to do is over-accessorize with about 900 gold bracelets. I have to say I'm disappointed. Where are the drag queens that usually dress her? Now we see Nigel and it appears he has stolen Rachel Zoe's sunglasses and deemed it appropriate to wear them for the show. Nigel, incidentally, is also quite underdressed for the occasion, when only last week he was wearing a shiny leather jacket befitting James Dean. James Dean if he was going to hit up the Abbey in West Hollywood after the show. I ask you who is styling these people this week? WHERE HAVE THE GAYS GONE??!!!! They'd never let this happen.
Kathryn and Ryan are up first with a samba, and I rather enjoyed it, but their ballroom routine last week was much better. I suppose there's no topping perfection, though, and they do a great job. Jason Gilkison's ballroom routines this season are really fantastic. Makes me want to run out and see his hit Broadway show Burn the Floor. Adam Shankman says this show should be called "The Rise of Kathryn" and I have to say I agree. I didn't think I'd like her when she was all tearful and high-pitched at the auditions, but she has become my favorite contestant.
Next we have Jakob and Ellenore (it pains me to type their hideously misspelled names), and Ellenore head-tossed her way through their entire Tyce Diorio routine. The few glimpses we get of her face, it appears she is constipated. I guess this is her "quirky style" the judges are alway fawning over? Adam tells her she has never looked so beautiful and she smiles so big I think her teeth might actually explode out of her gums this time. Mary says Ellenore was smoldering, and sexy as can be. Really? The clip they subsequently show of her, she just looks confused. I, too, am confused. Confused by the judges' love for her, and confused by her making it this far. Jakob was spectacular as usual.
Russell, who I love, and Ashleigh have a beautiful lyrical routine. I also like Ashleigh a lot more than I thought I was going to at first. During the auditions she kind of annoyed me and I didn't think she'd make it. But she's really turned out to be great on this show. Nigel tells Russell he is "bloody incredible" and you know what? He IS!
Is Ellenore back already? Ugh. She and Ryan are doing a strange routine...I don't even know what style this is supposed to be. I thought Cat said it was jazz, however it is not like any jazz I ever did at Sierra Dance Academy. But then, nothing is. I'm sure the judges will say something about the choreographer being inspired by Ellenore's quirkiness and this being "right up her alley." Whatevs. I'll just distract myself with Ryan's muscles for a minute. They really are big. Whoa, I'm quickly jolted back with close up shot on Ellenore's wide, vacant, scary eyes which reveal she is trying to hypnotize me into voting for her. I will not be swayed!!! On to the judges. Adam literally just said "Ellenore, you were like Gary's muse in that one." Ha. I know my judges.
Ashleigh and Jakob do a fantastic fox trot. They dance really well together. Incidentally, I also figured out where the gays in the costume department have been hiding: they've been busy bedazzling Jakob's vest. Obviously Cat's glitter budget got used up there too, and it looks like they borrowed Nigel's best purple cravat and gave it to Jakob. Well now I know why Nigel looks so shabby and Cat looks so lackluster. It all makes sense! And is it just me or are the routines really short this episode? Hmm.
Commercial break and...Ellenore again? Seriously? Aren't we done with her yet? At least she's partnered with my #2 favorite, Russell. Their Paso Doble is good, but by the look on her face it appears she's trying to divide 1392 by 427. Give the girl a calculator and turn the camera back to Russell already!! Nigel calls her passionate and firey. Really? Really? Mmkay...I'll choose to ignore that. However, I do enjoy Adam's imitation of what Russell's friends back home must be thinking. I guess we can all assume Russell is a gangster from this?
Kathryn and Jakob doing contemporary together is absolute bliss. The only thing that would make it better would be panning to the audience and seeing Legacy wiping away a tear as he watches Kathryn. Ha! What? It could happen. He's cried a lot this season. Anyway, the judges loved it as much as I did...except after saying how much he loved it, Adam said it made him mad, but I think he meant it in the British way...? I hope they go back to switching the third judge around next season because I've had more than my fill of Adam and the cleverness he thinks he exudes.
Our resident married couple, Ashleigh and Ryan dance beautifully together. Nigel says they proved they deserved to be in the finale with this routine. I think they proved that I would've liked Ryan more all along if he hadn't have had the misfortune of being paired with Ellenore from the beginning.
The show concludes with Kathryn and Russell doing a Tabitha and Napoleon hip hop, and I could not think of a better way to end it. Loved it: love her outfit, love the dancing, love them. I will now wear out my phone voting for Kathryn and sit in anticipation of tomorrow's conclusion.
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