Movie Tuesday

I got home from work this evening and wasn’t ready to tackle the undertakings of homely chores, so instead I made myself some hot chocolate and sat down for a movie night. After a browse through the movie collection, I went with A League of Their Own. A baseball classic (everyone knows the story so I won’t go into details) with a host of stars involved. Madonna has a few great lines and Tom Hanks does a superb job as Jimmy Dugan, the Rockford Peach manager. I don’t think I need to go into my rant about how much I love Tommy, but he’s pretty much awesome in everything he does. It’s a perfect movie to half-heartedly watch on a Tuesday night

[Via http://1thought2many.wordpress.com]

Not S**t, Sherlock?

Stop the press. Guy Ritchie in New-Film-Not-Crap schocker. Cor Blimey, Guv-nor. Granted, it’s Batman Begins transplanted to 19th century London (plot to destabilise social fabric by chemically terrorising the establishment, reveal of master villain at conclusion to set up a sequel, preternaturally gifted detective whose attendant is more socially capable and reasonable than he is…), but it moves at a good pace and remains just about old-fashioned enough to entertain without “re-imagining” (that noxious neologism beloved of marketing copy-writers eager to play down the shafting they’ve just given to a famous name) the Holmes franchise.

The first thing that you’ll notice is the bitter-chocolate colour palette that makes everything a bit muddy.  Publicity stills from the film cover this up, brightening the tone and colourising its murk. Initially, it felt like the dirtiest, ugliest-looking mainstream blockbuster I’d seen in years (I mean that in a good way), but it’s very effective in breaking many associations with other depictions of 19th-century London. Even if it doesn’t convey a strong historical sense through verisimilitude, it manages it through strangeness and the refusal to dress up like a BBC Dickens series or a Tim Burton fantasised tour of London streets. It’s all let down a little by the contractual obligation to end on a famous landmark (the partially built Tower Bridge, which is signposted at various points in the movie), but for the most part there’s an impressive continuity of visual tone.

The plot, alarmingly, concerns a secret religious sect planning to seize the reins of British power by supernatural means. It’s a bit much, when a more intimate bit of murder mystery would have done for starters, but it allows for an interesting clash between Holmes’ extreme, if eccentric rationalism and the spectre of superstitious terror against a backdrop of a newly industrialised England. I wish they’d explored that angle further, but you can’t have everything, right?

Robert Downey Jr was a wholly logical choice for Holmes, the fictional character more frequently portrayed onscreen than any other (IMDB lists more than 200 portrayals); he’s a distinctive, charismatic presence enough to distinguish himself fearlessly from all the other Holmeses, giving the detective an obsessive compulsive energy that serves as an explanation for his brilliance: he just can’t help trying to explain unresolved phenomena that pass before his sensorium, sorting them into stories that make sense. Arthur Conan Doyle’s books eulogise Holmes as an intellectual genius; this version reclaims his abilities as closer to other movie superpowers – useful, but accursed. An early scene shows him alone in a restaurant, struggling to still his twitching impulses to study the people around him, fighting his compulsion to examine the sounds and gestures that assail his eyes and ears. It’s a highly efficient way of getting to the nub of the character and describing his need to surround himself with people who “get” him, even if it compromises his integrity. Downey Jr seems to have been channeling his energy away from substance abuse and self-destruction and into these kinds of nervy, big-gesture  acting jobs, so there was always a danger that he wouldn’t inhabit the role of Holmes, but rather straddle it like Slim Pickens on a nuke, kicking it to giddy-up. Thankfully, he pitches it just right, staying charmingly unhinged, believably driven, without tipping over into Jack Sparrow panto-damery (although they share a puzzling penchant for guyliner).

One of the few traces of Guy Ritchie’s previous form (the others being a number of mockney thugs and a slow-fast-slow-fast camera during action scenes) is the complete lack of interest in the agency of women. Poor Rachel McAdams, made up to look uncannily like Kylie Minogue on the promotional poster, and a bit more like Brooke Adams in Days of Heaven in the film. Her Irene Adler is meant to be a feisty, brilliant match for Holmes, her former lover, but she is used mainly to prove his heterosexuality in the face of an obvious dependency on Watson that might  otherwise have spilled over adventurously into sexual ambiguity, and finally as a bargaining chip between enemies. Similarly, Kelly Reilly (who I’m told is a fabulous, acclaimed stage actress yet to find a role to adequately show off her talents) is used only as a pivot point for the Holmes/Watson relationship.

I can’t be the only one who was surprised to see Hans Zimmer’s name on the soundtrack album, because it’s mostly excellent folky jigs that keep step with the lo-tech approach to the story, but there are some excesses of rhythm and synths towards the end, in sympathy with the visuals’ inevitable slide into ropey CGI and vertiginously placed showdowns. That the film survives these compromises without too much stink is a sign of Ritchie’s grasp of the material – there is still way too much brawling for my taste, when the real pleasure of Holmes stories was always the baroque mental intricacy of his deductions, but at least it is built not on franchise frameworks of conventional plot developments but on the steady banter of two lead actors (I still can’t muster the enthusiasm to say a lot about Jude Law, but he’s perfectly solid here, unstretched and all the better for avoiding any grandstanding attempts to bring Watson to the fore or even give him a strong personality – he knows enough to let Holmes play the star attraction). It’s not a great film, more of a trial run for a possible series of more interesting sequels (acknowledged in the way they save the big reveal of the obvious star villain for the follow-up…), but could it be that Ritchie has deliberately spent the last decade knocking out worthless, parasitic movies in order to soften up audience expectations for his mainstream breakthrough? No. But it’s a thought. Certainly, it would be nice to think that his separation from Madonna freed his mind and allowed him to … Hey! We don’t do celebrity gossip here at Spectacular Attractions. Let’s just say that Guy Ritchie no longer being a stooge for the Kabbalah cult makes it  newly OK for him to make a film in which a religious con artist and his secret sect attempts to take power in London and gets his ass kicked by a bit of rational inquiry.

[Via http://drnorth.wordpress.com]

Sherlock Holmes

Wow! Divorcing Madonna has had a salutary effect on Guy Richie’s film-making. This steam-punk version of the famous detective has Holmes and Watson as a pair of sexually charged crime-fighters.  Clever camera angles, jump cuts, forward-reverse  and slow-motion scenes help build dramatic tension and accelerate the pace but the deus in machina is seamless and slick, never self-consciously arty.

The industrial revolution settings bring to life the “dark satanic mills” as awesome scenes for high-octane action, until the machinery and machinations therein become a character themselves. For the first film in years, Jude Law seems awake and fully engaged by his role as Watson, while Robert Downey junior is deranged and disheveled – yet physically, pumped and ripped to perfection – claiming the brilliant yet tormented Holmes as his character by right of brilliant acting. While I’m hanging out for the sequel, I’ll curb my cravings by seeing this one again and again.

Can;t wait to see it again – and totally forgive him for Swept Away. Hope that clunker was taken into account in the divorce settlement. She owes Guy more than one for that.

[Via http://madammorgana.wordpress.com]

Tips for the week

The guys at Madrid Me Mata have proposed a little market of Design for this week. A little thing sponsored by a nice brand of gin we an use to look at clothes and, on top of that, to get a little tipsy.

"Sometimes, war is necessary." Wut...?!?

What we most like about their page? Well, that if you want more they’ll give you maps and favorite places suggested by the locals. And oh, yes, we do love maps!

Mmmmadonna

… And besides that…(it looks like it’s Madonna’s week) we discovered today The Queen’s new photos for Dolce & Gabbana. Is she the Mamma or isn’t she? Meeowww!

Madonna Dolce & Gabbana

Note: Next week we’ll be on a diet if you want, we can understand why so many people get tired of hearing about her.

[Via http://gaynest.wordpress.com]

Madonna Offers To Adopt All Of Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt's Children

Madonna was in Pimlico visiting an old high school friend who manages Lady MacBetty’s Pole Dancing Lounge, Pub, and Crumpet Shoppe.

Naomi Bickerlow, said that she had not seen Madonna since they had graduated from Chief Rain-in-the-Face High School in Bay City, Michigan a little over 30 years ago.

Both had been cheerleaders and Bickerlow said that her senior year, Madonna, or Donnie as she called her was voted, “Girl Most Likely To Put Out At The Senior Prom.”

Bickerlow said that Donnie was also secretly voted “Student We Would Most Like To See Stand on Her Head While Wearing A Dress.”

When the principal found out about that particular vote, he called all of the male teachers into his office and said that he was shocked that they would even consider saying such a thing.

He scolded them and said that it was one thing for the male student body to say that, but it was an entirely different thing for the male teachers to carry on in that way.

Lately it seems that Madonna has been competing with Angelina Jolie to see who can adopt the most children from the most unusual place.

CONTINUE…

[Via http://joliepittbrangelina.wordpress.com]

Cheryl is 4th most-written-about celeb of 2009

Madonna-the-pop-goddess (as opposed to the religious version) has been mentioned in 45,633 articles in the British press over the past 10 years, almost 17,000 times more than her nearest rival, Robbie Williams.

Researches found that the first half of the decade was so dominated by Madonna stories that even when her publicity popularity peaked in 2007, she had still accrued enough media coverage to win the overall race by a clear margin.

So who will dominate the tabloids for the next decade? If Cheryl Cole’s recent omnipresence is anything to go by, the singer looks sure to be in with a chance of pole position come 2020.

Thanks to her primetime role as a judge on The X Factor, and the tabloid press’s increasing fixation with her at the expense of her fellow Girls Aloud bandmates, Cole has seen her newspaper stocks skyrocket.

In 2007 there were “just” 884 articles written about the Geordie singer but in 2008 – the year she joined The X Factor – the number of articles mentioning Cole jumped to 2,241. This year she has appeared in 3,745 articles, making her the fourth most written about celebrity of 2009.

Source

[Via http://totalcherylcole.wordpress.com]

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2010 Ad Campagin w/ Madonna

Madonna is on her **** right now. Check out her debut for D&G in the Italian Vanity Fair magazine.

[Via http://flauntfashionstyling.wordpress.com]

Madonna for Dolce & Gabbana

Madonna is featuring in Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring/Summer 2010 ad campaigns shot by Steven Klein. There’s a sneak preview of it in this week’s Italian edition of Vanity Fair. What do you think? Me like…

 

[Via http://beingdena.wordpress.com]

The Entertation Index: December 14

Cox, Brian — You already knew actor Brian Cox was awesome; now witness him teaching Hamlet’s famous soliloquy to an exceptionally adorable 2 year-old. Sure, that’s okay, I guess, but does he know the St. Crispin’s Day speech from Henry V? No? Amateur.

Link: Brian Cox Teaches 2 Year-Old Hamlet (FilmDrunk)

Flash, The – The creators of a new Flash comic says that the story arc for the new narrative is somewhat of a beginning from the ground-up. Writer Geoff Johns called the new plot “a very basic concept — it’s superhero CSI.” This is great news; I’ve always wondered how much more quickly a murder could be solved if David Caruso could get a DNA sample back to the lab really, really fast.

Link: Barry Allen Is Back With a Flash (Gamma Squad)

Madonna — 51 year-old Madonna has been dropped as a spokesperson for designer Louis Vuitton and replaced by 25 year-old model Lara Stone. Said a Louis Vuitton spokesperson: “We like our spokespeople to reflect our product — and our product is new bags.”

Link: Madonna Dropped by Louis Vuitton (OK)

Potter, Harry — Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows director David Yates tells The Telegraph that Daniel Radcliffe may appear nude in at least one scene of the upcoming installment. I’d just like to thank David Yates and the Telegraph for running this story, using the words “Harry Potter,” “Daniel Radcliffe,” “nude” and “naked,” allowing us to synopsize it here and ensuring that this particular Entertation Index gets google hits from weirdos from now until the end of time. Thanks, pervs!

Link: “Very Sexy” Nude Scene for Harry Potter in New Film (Telegraph) 

Reid, Tara — The American Pie actress made her Playboy debut in the January/February issue, meaning she’ll grace the coffee tables of college males everywhere for a month; and it probably won’t be the first time she’s been burned by cigarettes and had tequila spilled all over her.

Link: Tara Reid’s Playboy Cover Photo (Huffington Post, Safe for Work)

Saldana,  Zoe — The sultry actress and Avatar star told Esquire magazine that she wants a clumsy,  imperfect “asshole” with flaws. Okay,  Zoe,  I get it. Please,  please stop calling me.

Link: Zoe Saldana Wants Imperfect Love (Esquire via Contactmusic)

Television, in the 2000′s — New York Magazine is currently running a very thoughtful piece on how the 2000’s should be remembered as the decade where television became art. I couldn’t agree more; I’ve been trying to get people to recognize According to Jim as a modern, dadaist portrait of the deluded American family and its disjointed ideals and values for years. I am vindicated!

Link: When TV Became Art (NY Mag)

[Via http://thebrowntweedsociety.com]

I'm a product of my generation

I’m not proud of this.

Today, my mom and I were out doing some Christmas shopping and stopped by the post office because I needed to get stamps for my Christmas cards. When I got up to the counter, I asked the girl for a book of stamps. She said, “All I have right now is Madonna.” And I said, “It’s OK, it doesn’t matter, I just need stamps. I really don’t like Madonna but I’m not worried about it.”

However, as soon as she handed me the book of stamps, I realized I’d just assumed she meant Madonna the singer. Oh no. She meant Madonna as in, Madonna and Child. Madonna, as in the depictions of the mother of Jesus. And there I was saying, “I don’t really like Madonna, but whatever.” Who knows what she thought of me after that..

Please don’t remind me how horrible I am. I’m coming to terms with it. On the plus side, they really weren’t Madonna the singer stamps, which is a good thing, because she’s the one I don’t like.

[Via http://onaccountof.wordpress.com]

"Celebration" goes vinyl for Xmas!

Attention, Vinyl lovers! Madonna’s ‘Celebration’ is to be released as 4-LP Vinyl on December 22! This deluxe vinyl package features 4 120g black vinyl discs pressed at Record Industry in a 2-pocket Stoughton gatefold jacket with expanded pockets (2 discs in each pocket) and includes all of the 36 songs originally available on the 2-CD edition of the album released back in September.

Time to give your favourite turntable the Christmas present it deserves! Just click here to pre-order from Amazon.

from madonna.com

Celebration

[Via http://axestaticprocess.wordpress.com]

Rolling Stone's 100 Best Songs of the Decade

Rolling Stone Magazine picked the 100 Best Songs of the Decade chosen by more than 100 artists, critics and industry insiders. Madonna made the list with 2 songs,  “Hung Up” is at #76 and “Music” at #66.

Needless to say that she should’ve been at least in the top 10 of the list but what can you do! =) To see the whole list go here!

[Via http://axestaticprocess.wordpress.com]

The Isomniac's Blog

This is just a random blog packed full of weird but whacky things

As you all know I am a self confessed twitter addict and twitter whore depending on how you look at it but I don’t know why I gets so addictive after you have tweeted 50 times continuesly it makes you go ahead to tweet 100 tweets and then twitter suspends you for like 1 hour or so because you can only tweet 100 tweets in one hour so that’s like 2400 tweets a day if you did that but who has the time and or means to do that shit.

I seriously think I have a drinking disorder because. Am always thirsty(and that claim gets me in trouble) no I’m not like always thirsty by I do get thirsty ever 30 mins or so but do you know that I drink like 3 liters of tea 2 liters of Pu-Erh tea and 1 liter of Oolong tea and also I can’t drink tea in school reason
1)Some of the teachers already think I am crazy
2) We are only allowed to drink water on the school premiseses

The main reason why that was brought in was because people were spilling soda on the floor and stuff and it was getting well sticky and they finally had enough but I seriously do want to bring the tea to my school because I am so thirsty when I come home from school that its not even funny.

I believe that people confuse thirst with hunger cause I read that somewhere

I have to do some CD french listening homework and its like 3:16AM and I can’t sleep how bad is that well it doesn’t really matter because I will put 2 sachets of the energy enhanced into my glass in the morning which will give me double the energy and I really do thank that for my energy throughout the day and brings me to about 8PM and I star to get tired and by friday 10Pm seems like 3AM so I am asleep always by 11PM

Gonna go now
Wanna follow me on twitter here’s the link

From Colin

[Via http://colinofficial.wordpress.com]

Self esteem and marriage failure

At our men’s breakfast on Saturday, we discussed an article by India Knight on the break up of Madonna and Guy Ritchie.

Madonna and Guy Ritchie

According to Knight, the 7-year marriage followed a typical path:

1. Two successful, fulfilled people with lots of self-esteem meet and marry
2. The woman continues to be successful whilst the man’s career flounders
3. The man suffers an ego crisis, a loss of self esteem
4. The woman finds his loss of self esteem unattractive and gets irritated, no longer respecting her man
5. The man’s self esteem drops lower
6. The woman finds this even less attractive and begins to be repulsed
7. The marriage is over

Here’s how Knight put it:

It goes like this. You meet each other. You’re doing well; things are going swimmingly at work for both of you; you feel like equals (when Ritchie met Madonna, he was a hot young director, whose film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels was a worldwide success, and of whom great things were expected).

Fast forward a few years and add children, and sooner or later one of you will get to the point where they can’t shake off the feeling that their star is on the wane while their spouse’s continues to rise.

Worse, the wife knows who she is (she’s Madonna!), she’s good at her job, she knows what she wants and she’s not really in the business of playing doormats to soothe wounded male egos. Aside from anything else, she’s busy.

As the months and years pass, her husband’s lack of success – and,sure as eggs is eggs, growing self-pity – do not elicit cooing sympathy, but irritation. The more irritation she displays, the more emasculated he becomes. And the more emasculated he becomes, the more irritated she feels.

No matter what the school of self improvement says, self esteem is evil, it’s only another word for pride. Being proud of our achievements is a recipe for failure, because a high performance which gives self esteem can never be sustained. Pop stars, with the notable exception of Madonna, become passée. Great athletes grow old and start losing. Film directors have a bad run. Company fortunes ebb and flow. Churches grow and shrink. If self esteem is gained by a good performance then self esteem must ebb and flow. When the tide is in then esteem is high and attractive, when the tide is out, self esteem turns to mopping self pity and this is a potential marriage breaker.

So where does our sense of value come from? Not from what we do but what Christ has done for me. Human value is extrinsic to the individual. We are made in the image of God and redeemed by the death of His Son. The love of God in Christ Jesus is the root of personal esteem. I am esteemable because of what I do but because of what Christ has done for me.

[Via http://transforminggrace.wordpress.com]

Put-together as Hay-ull

Most of the time, I do not much consider myself very badass or even particularly put-together as an adult, because I am mainly fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants and not terribly interested in grown-up rules, but sometimes that immaturity and disorganization goes so far out there that it comes back around in to Being Awesome. It hit me hard when I was making dinner for me and the kidlet tonight.

Yep. That’s right. Dinner was cartoon-character-shaped macaroni and cheese, chardonnay for me, milk for her, and a split Snickers. The kidlet had this Madonna-wannabe headband on and she had fluffed out the lace and pulled it around her face like a fascinator and was lecturing me in a very fancy voice with her hand on her hip about opening the packet of powdered cheese, licking my finger, and sucking off the cheese. She was very chic. I was impressed enough to almost consider not eating more of the cheese.

(Later, instead of digging up a tablespoon, I just eyeballed how much milk and butter I figured I needed. Totally overestimated on the milk. So when it didn’t set up right, I drained and poured some of the runny mix in to a plastic cup from the Olive Garden. I meant to pour it down the sink, probably, but I instinctively drank it instead.)

We’re eating macaroni and watching the live action Scooby Doo now, because kidlet loves the dog and Mommy loves Matthew Lillard. (Did you know he was The Fat Kid growing up, so everyone made fun of him, and it affected him very deeply? Because I know, because I love him.) Sometimes we play Scooby Dooby Doo in the bathtub — she is Scooby and I am Shaggy. The tub is the Mystery Van and we drive in it to solve crimes and say “like” a lot. Not gonna lie: we’re pretty awesome.

[Via http://thethoughtexperiment.wordpress.com]

Adam Lambert Ignites Change at ABC

After his provocative, envelope pushing performance at the American Music Awards, American Idol alum Adam Lambert was dismissed from his scheduled performances on “Good Morning America,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” Furthermore, ABC is now changing its protocol and requiring scheduled performers to sign agreements not to deviate from their rehearsal performances. There is talk of a double standard in the industry, where Madonna and Britney Spears’ kiss at the VMA awards were accepted but two males kissing is a large ordeal. I would argue that there is not a double standard, but it also comes down to who the performers are. A former American Idol contestant’s first televised performance after Idol being a completely different persona will cause controversy. Despite the current uproar, I think Lambert’s career will be fine in the future because his loyal fans will overlook this performance in continue to support him.

I do not think there is a double standard between homosexual males and females. For the radicals that are writing into ABC right now, homosexuality is a sin no matter who performs the act. I think the issue comes down to venue and entertainer. The Madonna and Britney kiss was broadcast on a cable network which has more flexibility than the broadcast networks. The entertainers were also drastically different. Madonna’s first performance at the VMA’s showed her humping the stage as she sang the words “Like a virgin, touched for the very first time.” Britney’s past VMA performance showed her in flesh colored pants and bra covered in rhinestones in the appearance of a thong. Both performers are provocative and their kiss was a surprise but in no way out of character. As for Lambert, I did not watch him on Idol and do not know much about his prior performances. I do know that Idol is a family show. Many children and teenagers watch the show and create the fan base afterwards. For Lambert to simulate oral sex and kiss another man, he betrayed his younger fans. He has to remember his rise to fame was on the basis of family and personality, not on being provocative like Madonna and Britney.

In the future I think this will not affect Lambert’s career because when it comes down to it, any press is good press. Most people who do not watch American Idol do not know who he is. Now he is making controversy in the major news networks so his name and image is being projected. Also I think being cancelled by the various shows will be a lesson for Lambert. He will learn to express his creativity in a more publically accepted way. Instead of being sexual on stage he will have to create more symbolic performances that will not offend people but impress them instead. Finally I think it will make him work even harder. Sometimes entertainers need a setback to inspire them to create and be more unique in the future. This can serve as an inspiration for the point he does not want to be and how he must persist in the future.

[Via http://charmingchitchat.wordpress.com]

CHOCOLATE CITY (D.C) READY TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE?!

“IT STARTED OFF WITH A KISS, HOW DID IT END UP LIKE THIS?! IT WAS ONLY A KISS, IT WAS ONLY A KISS”.

We’re pretty sure most of you are familiar with the little BIG kiss that Adam Lambert exchanged with a band mate at the AMA’S a couple of weeks ago ( talk about stage presence). His unexpected make-out sesh during his performance has stirred up A LOT of controversy within the media. However,we don’t agree, if Britney and Madonna can get away with it, then so can he! We know you’re not supposed to kiss and tell, but theres no way to justify Britney and Madonna’s kissy kissy moment, and at the end of the day we were all created equal; so let that man live. All we’re saying is it isn’t okay to begin with, but it was his performance, and whether he chooses to be gay in public or not is his decision.. ( PUMPS FIST).Sometimes we despise reality television for allowing us ( the audience) to believe these things are okay!

Moving Right along…

With all this man on man action, we’ve just discovered that the city council for the District of Columbia has voted to pass a bill that would make same-sex marriages legal by a count of 11 to 2. For all that were in favor of same-sex marriage, theres obv a huge contrast within the difference of these votes. After skimming through the facts all thats needed is one more vote, and for Congress to review the law, and throw that bad boy into effect. This will be considered a big victory for D.C, and then they would be able to join the line up along with Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont  for same sex marriage!

[Via http://bombeye.com]

Madonna, Janet tưởng nhớ Michael tại lễ trao giải MTV

“Vua nhạc pop” quá cố, người góp phần thay đổi lịch sử MTV, “xuất hiện” rõ nét trong đêm 13/9 khi được tưởng nhớ qua một bài hát, một diễn văn và nhiều lời tôn vinh.

Madonna mở màn show diễn tại Radio City Music Hall (New York) bằng đoạn hồi tưởng sâu sắc về mối quan hệ giữa cô với Michael Jackson, bắt đầu từ khi cô còn nhỏ, với niềm ngưỡng mộ ngôi sao cùng độ tuổi, sau đó chuyển thành tình bạn khi cả hai ở trên đỉnh cao danh vọng, và rồi, họ ngày càng cách xa.

Madonna mặc bộ đồ đen chia sẻ những tâm sự về Michael Jackson. Ảnh: GC.

“Nữ hoàng nhạc pop” đổ lỗi cho dư luận độc địa đã nhấn chìm Michael trong những năm cuối đời. Mặc bộ đồ tuyền màu đen, Madonna trầm giọng: “Đôi khi, chúng ta đánh mất mọi thứ rồi mới cảm thấy trân trọng chúng”. “Michael Jackson là một con người, nhưng hơn hết, anh ấy là một ông vua”, cô phát biểu trước cử tọa toàn sao, trong đó có cả anh trai Jermaine và người cha Joe Jackson của Michael. “Vua pop muôn năm”.

Âm nhạc nổi lên sau đó, khi những vũ công đóng giả Michael, mặc trang phục tiêu biểu của anh, nhảy điệu Moonwalk với các bản Bad, Smooth Criminal và Thriller. Rồi Scream, bản song ca của Michael và Janet, xuất hiện trên màn hình lớn. Cô em gái nổi tiếng bước ra, tái hiện những điệu nhảy trong video duy nhất hai anh em quay cùng nhau, trong khi đám đông khán giả vỗ tay cổ vũ. Hết bài hát, Janet hướng lên trời và cúi đầu cung kính.

Diễn viên hài Russell Brand cũng có vài lời dành cho giọng ca huyền thoại qua đời hồi tháng 6. “Đêm nay dành để tưởng nhớ Michael Jackson vĩ đại. Hãy tôn vinh Michael bằng cách trân trọng những gì anh để lại cho đời”. Ca sĩ của Black or White không chỉ là một phần quan trọng trong lịch sử MTV – những video huyền thoại của anh đã làm thay đổi cách sản xuất clip ca nhạc và anh là nghệ sĩ da đen đầu tiên xuất hiện trên sóng của hệ thống truyền hình này – mà anh còn đóng góp cho lễ trao giải Video Music những khoảnh khắc đáng nhớ, trong đó có cả cử chỉ bồng bột anh dành cho người vợ Lisa Marie Presley hồi năm 1994.

Em gái của Michael – Janet hát ca khúc “Scream” để tưởng nhớ anh trai. Ảnh: GC.

Tuy nhiên, theo AP, khoảnh khắc trầm lắng, đặc biệt ấy – vốn hiếm gặp tại lễ trao giải MTV Video – kéo dài không lâu. Sau đó là những đề cử, phát biểu của người thắng giải, các màn trình diễn rộn rã, thậm chí có cả những câu nói ấm ức vì thua cuộc. Vượt qua Beyonce để giành giải Best female video, cô ca sĩ đồng quê Taylor Swift choáng váng vì bất ngờ: “Tôi luôn tự hỏi rằng mình sẽ thế nào nếu lúc nào đó đoạt được giải thưởng này, nhưng không thể tưởng tượng được rằng điều đó đã xảy ra”.

Nhưng cô gái trẻ 19 tuổi chỉ nói được có thế, vì rapper Kanye West đã nhảy lên chiếm diễn đàn và đòi hỏi công bằng cho Beyonce. “Taylor, tôi rất mừng cho cô, và tôi sẽ để cô phát biểu cho hết, nhưng Beyonce mới là người có những video ca nhạc hay nhất mọi thời”, anh hét toáng trong khi nữ ca sĩ da nâu trợn tròn mắt ngạc nhiên, giữa đám đông cử toạ la ó phản đối West. Trước đây, nam ca sĩ này từng nổi trận lôi đình ngay giữa sân khấu khi mình không thắng giải.

Lady Gaga là một trong những nghệ sĩ có màn biểu diễn kích động nhất. Cô mặc áo nịt, đeo mặt nạ vàng giống các nhân vật trong vở ca kịch Phantom of the Opera. Cùng với Kermit the Frog, cô ca sĩ từng đến Việt Nam biểu diễn trong đêm chung kết Miss Universe 2008 thể hiện những động tác khêu gợi trên sân khấu, công khai hôn nhau mấy lần.

Đêm trao giải VMA còn thêm màu sắc khi bộ ba Twilight (Chạng vạng) Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart và Taylor Lautner ra giới thiệu các trích đoạn từ phần phim mới New Moon (Trăng non).

[Via http://michaeljacksoninfo.wordpress.com]

O Fim do Show de Oprah!

Após 25 anos na televisão, em um talkshow onde recebe convidados em um sofá, o programa de uma das mulheres mais influentes dos Estados Unidos vai terminar já em 2011.

Oprah Winfrey causou comoção ao anunciar em seu programa que iria abandonar a TV. Ela disse emocionada que tomaria outros rumos: “na estrada de benções que me levou a vocês” e que sentia dor “nos ossos e no espírito”. Completou: “o programa vem sendo tudo para mim, e eu o amo o bastante para saber a hora de dizer adeus”.

O Programa nasceu nos anos 80, em Chicago, e a tornou uma das mulheres mais poderosas do mundo, perdendo recentemente o trono para Angelina Jolie, segundo a revista Forbes.

Oprah, que já entrevistou astros da música como Michael Jackson em 1993, que foi a entrevista mais assistida de todos os tempos, Madonna e recentemente Whitney Houston, planejaria agora encerrar sua carreira com Britney Spears em seus sofás, segundo boatos.

Outro rumor é que de Oprah terá seu próprio Canal de Televisão, o OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) em parceria com o Discovey Channel que deverá substituir o canal Discovery Health já em 2011, estreando em mais de 70 milhões de lares norte-americanos.

Agora é esperar pra ver!

De bônus, um trecho legendado da entrevista de Whitney Houston com Oprah:

Gilvan Oliveira
XX

[Via http://oconfessionario.wordpress.com]

This Is America.

So Adam Lambert kissed a guy at 11 and change at night on network TV. Who the hell gives a crap?! Personally I saw it on youtube the following day before Dick Clark Productions got all crazy about their ‘rights’ (though I suspect the controversy had more to do with it being taken offline). But when i saw it online I really did think it was overtly sexual – however – not overly sexual, at least when compared to what is generally deemed okay nowadays at 11pm.  I’ve got news for you America – Sex is not Immoral. Maybe inappropriate for younger viewer (who shouldn’t be up so late), but just cause whatever nasty sex act you’re witnessing is not your cup of tea doesn’t make it immoral. I certainly don’t think it’s hot when you and your significant other do some of the crazy kinky things you do either.

Oh No! Two Dudes Kissing.

I mean for real folks, the fact that he had his hand massaging the outside of some girls vagina is actually kind of more obscene than the gay-kiss. Though I suppose there was always the mock-gayllatio.

 

Oh No! Two Girls Kiss

Ewww scream millions of straight men and Christians across America.  Well here’s a news story – Just because you think it’s gross doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t air. Trust me, there are whole networks devoted to depravity and immoral things that I disagree with and ya k now what I do? I don’t watch them. Period. And if I had kids, I wouldn’t let them watch it either – especially not at 11pm on a school night. Now I suppose there is a certain age where 11pm isn’t too young to be up that late, in which case, I think it’s probably also an appropriate time to have a talk about different people and actions sexual and otherwise – make it a learning experience for Christ’s sake.

In any case – here’s what I think it boils down to : for as much as Christian-Right/”Moral” America say that America’s moral fiber is being taken away and they are losing “their” America – they are just incredibly wrong. America has never been this moral paradigm of selfless christian devotion. It was always a farce and people are finally just doing what they have always done in public instead of hiding it inside the white picket fences – and they’re not apologizing for who they are. So get over yourselves America and let Adam Lambert sing and be the queeniest sexually outward homo he wants to be and if capitalism is allowed to work – let the masses decide whether or not what he does is appropriate. Something tells me that all these horrifying actions will only make him more popular. And if you think it’s gross or icky – too bad – here’s a video for you:

[Via http://shockleytreatment.wordpress.com]

Apresentador se emociona em despedida

Marcos Mion, de malas prontas para a Rede Record, já gravou o seu último programa na MTV e foi surpeendido com a presença de mais de sessenta fãs, que foram até o estúdio lhe fazerem uma surpresa. Elas entraram cantando uma das músicas da banda “Aliados”, a preferida de Mion, que demorou mais de duas horas para se recuperar da emoção e conseguir fazer fotos com todas elas.

[Via http://seucanal.wordpress.com]

How to find power in tiny things

I’m small. Really small. Somewhere between 5″1 and 5″2. And by that I mean 5″1. Jesus. You people.

I hate being small to be honest with you. I hate not being able to see as much as other people in crowds, I hate it when people think I’m sweet by simple virtue of my stature (I’m not; they soon realise), I hate it when I get IDed in for tobacco, I hate it when I have to get the attention of some oversized man who, at some stage, will peer down to say something like: ”you’re very small”, as though this fact had escaped me for the last 32 years. Yes, my friend, I’m very small. At least I am not very stupid.

However, all of this aside, there is very little I can do about my diminutive frame and, despite holding out until – until about last week – for an unexpected science defying growth spurt, all that’s left is for me to come to terms with it. And I’m using the following tactics to do so:

Inspiration

Yesterday the Suit alerted me to the fact that Shakira, who I adore for her orphanage building, honest hips and feisty shake, is but 4″11. 4″11. I know. Then there’s Madonna who skims in at 5″3, only slightly taller than the excellently proportioned Ms Minogue, at 5″1. These women are powerful, successful and beautiful. These women have not been defined by their height; they have grown far beyond it. These women fucking rock. I like them.

Common sense

When I was little. Shut up. When I was young, I went with my Dad to the doctor. It was important because he was involved; normally my mother carted us off to the homeopath and we discussed whether or not we preferred to sleep with our feet covered or not, then took a few sugary pills and went home to get better ‘naturally’. I digress. There I was at in the Doctor’s surgery with my dad. The two men looked at each other and then my dad nodded towards me: my daughter is very short, he declared. The Doctor concurred and suggestions were considered. They involved hormones and up to half a million English pounds. Dad is from Yorkshire and, looking me up and down once again, declared: you’re not *that* short. And we left.

He’s right. I’m not *that* short. I could be shorter. I could be SHAKIRA. And being restricted by my height will only ever be something I choose to do myself.

Except for theme parks. You know? The ones with that fucking bunny and his bendy ear when you’re a kid. If you don’t stretch past the ear, you don’t go on the ride. Stupid fucking bunny.

Taking a chill pill

And above all this, above all the ‘if only I could be something other than I am’ mentalities which seem to poison so many women in our society (thanks Kate, lovely job), I can just take this one on, take a deep breath and stop freaking worrying about it. Because there are so many other more interesting things to think about. And, anyway, 5″1 is clearly the new now. Actually, fuckit, it’s the new tomorrow. I’m taller than Shakira, and Shakira rocks.

[Via http://elikafm.wordpress.com]

For the love of Madonna

Good Morning!
Today I wanted to share my song or songs of the day. Today I don’t just have a song I have an entire album. It is Madonna’s “Confessions on a dance floor”.

Confessions on a Dancefloor

 The main songs I am loving today are obviously “Hung Up” and “Sorry” Listen to these songs and pay attention to the lyrics. Even though these are pop dance songs they are still very relatable. I feel like calling up Madge herself and screaming “I get it! I so get it!!!”

 

 

 

 

And while on the topic of her Majesty I wanted you show you some of my favorite Madonna looks over the recent years.

ELLE Diva

Flawless

Touched for the Very First Time

Yum

  Delicious.
Bite me.
Britt.

 

 

BEYONCE AND LADY GAGA: VAG OFF!

This is entirely Madonna’s fault

All the female pop stars have been copying Madonna like she’s a super- nerds dandruff covered exam paper for the past two decades. It was only a matter of time before the “angry vagina” thing got emulated. In the clip to Beyonce’s song Video Phone she and Gaga have a good old fashioned Vag off. I’ve been pondering both their secret gardens for several minutes now and I think we might have a tie on our hands. Neither is bringing the vag rage and as Tyra would say, none of them are smiling with their clits. I think we’re looking at the bottom two this week. Madonna’s vagasaurus could storm in there and annihilate them both without breaking a leotard sweat. Sorry girls, nobody brings the irate vag like Madge.

- Tara Steven-Seagal. Copyright 2009 ©

Madonna secures $7m donation for Brazilian kids charity

Madonna has secured a 7 million dollar donation for her children’’s charity in Brazil.

The Queen of Pop received the staggering amount from Brazil’’s richest man Eike Batista during her recent five-day trip to the South American country.

The singer was said to have met up with top businessmen and politicians to help set up Success for Kids, reports Contactmusic.

She was reportedly left in tears after Batista agreed to provide the major chunk of necessary funds for her latest charitable venture.

Grannie Panties Trends

Carine Roitfeld (Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Paris), Lady Gaga and Madonna have all succumbed to the allure of going out looking senile. Kudos to them for their bravery.

As for the rest of the world, we can’t really see this one ever catching on with the masses. In fact, we can’t even see it catching on with celebrities outside the Madonna/Gaga sphere.

Note: technically NOT grannie panties.

Alexander Wang  Spring 2010

Chanel Spring 2010

Christian Dior Spring 2010

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2010

John Galliano, Marc Jacobs, Nina Ricci, Prada

Sonia Rykiel, Valentino, Versace, Zac Posen

It’s one of those looks that will never make it off the runway (again, outside of Madonna or Lady Gaga or whomever else is desperate to get their picture taken). And that’s fine; there are plenty of things seen on the runway that never make it to the backs of mere mortals, but we wonder why this trend is seen anywhere, runways included. It’s not fabulous or flattering or interesting. It just looks like a bunch of women with too much on their minds leaving the house and forgetting something along the way. Will we be seeing male models walking down the runway with their flies undone? We look forward to that.

What say you?

………………………………………………………………………………….

From projectrungay & Photos by Getty Images/Style.com]

An Early Christmas Poem

This was sent to me today and I wanted to share it with all of you.  I do not know who wrote it; but it is very clever, current and topical.

An Early Christmas Poem

 Twas the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas – no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say*

* December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday ‘.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

* At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was nowhere to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penney’s and Sears*

*You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,

not Happy Holiday !*

Please, all Christians join together and

wish everyone you meet during the holidays a

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Eyes like glass mistakes

You talked me to sleep last night
I hadn’t felt that sad in years
Your eyes like glass mistakes
They moved me close to tears
You speak those favourite fables
Which I am yet to live
And casually confirm my fears
That I’ve got nothing to give

I take it back, all of it
Those names I called myself
The heros of my childhood
Like hardbacks on the shelf
I take it back, those promises

I wish I could say I’ve clung to time like gold
But as you said goodbye, I almost died

- from Nothing To Give by White Lies

Self-portrait.
Also posted on: Flickr, deviantART and LiveJournal
Buy prints from: Fotki and deviantART

Le business Madonna et Jay-Z_ un jackpot planétaire

Louise a la cinquantaine et partage sa vie entre les studios, les séances photos signées Mario Testino dans la demeure campagnarde anglaise façon House & Garden, et de temps en temps, donne la réplique à Clive owen dans un spot tourné pour une marque de berlines allemandes par son mari. Ses enfants représentent tout pour elle, et mis à part sa carrière, son amie Stella Mc Cartney ou Gwyneth Paltrow, et son physique, rien ne compte. Parfois son autre ‘amie’ Sharon, lui demande de venir mettre en vente un objet lui étant cher, pour très cher, dans des ventes aux enchères pour l’Amfar. C’est l’occasion de côtoyer la crème du cinéma international et peut-être enfin de décrocher un scénario qu’auraient refusé ces petites actrices frenchy. Pas de répits ni de retraite pour Mrs Ritchie Ciccone, le business n’attend pas. Bonheur oblige.

Dans la vie d’une femme les hommes tiennent une place de choix, père absent, divorce, fils adoptif. Homme fécondateur (le danseur et père de son fils Rocco), jardinier cinéaste (Rissman qui réalise le film documentaire I Am Because We Are), rarement exemplaires ou modèles ils sont source d’inspiration et moteur dans la recherche perpétuelle duchangement, de la nouveauté et de la différence. Soit, il faut faire des choix et parfois ceux-ci induisent d’avoir la force et le pouvoir de refuser les situations où l’on n’est pas à son avantage. Savoir dire non et partir chercher satisfaction, par le travail, dans l’accomplissement. Madonna a su le faire et très tôt. En quittant le foyer familial, en quittant Sean Penn et d’autres, en prenant une position déterminée face à l’opinion publique, dans sa démarche d’adoption en Afrique, en persistant dans le cinéma comme actrice malgré une succession d’échecs soulignés par des critiques cuisantes. Pas le temps de s’excuser, pas le temps de s’enliser au son des diatribes des journalistes. À 50 ans Madonna a réussi à s’imposer et s’est fait respecter par la jeune génération de Britney Spears à Justin Timberlake. On aime ou pas, son style, son univers visuel, ses choix artistiques, son art des affaires ; qu’importe l’avis de chacun, la diva impose le respect par son impressionnant parcours et sa carrière, ses fautes et ses rédemptions.Dans ses choix professionnels, tout luxe lui est permis car si la diva ne se lève que pour un million de dollars, c’est qu’elle peut se le permettre, et ce à force de travail. Elle est aujourd’hui à la tête d’un empire ; rien ne se refuse à la star, pas même de changer de maison de disque alors qu’elle doit encore deux albums à Warner. L’album studio est dans les bacs depuis plusieurs semaines et un album compilation devrait sortir d’ici fin 2008 à début 2009. Madonna est une valeur sûre capable de galvaniser les ventes et de ces artistes à la cote si sûre que l’on peut capitaliser sur leur popularité et signer en mode double plan quinquennal (dix ans !). En clair Madonna s’engage à produire des albums studios au minimum jusqu’à ses 60 ans ! Et plus si affinités ? De guerre lasse ? Fatigués de la déferlante et la dictature de la chanteuse ? Faites-vous à l’idée dès à présent. Initialement sous contrats avec Warner Bros. Records, la femme d’affaire a négocié son transfert chez la toute nouvelle division d’édition musicale de la société Live Nation.

Méconnu en France, l’américain Live Nation est un groupe qui compte plusieurs sociétés toutes liées à l’organisation de concerts et grands événements sportifs surtout, comme les shows de mi-temps de l’institution et machine à cash, le Super Bowl (l’un des records annuels d’audience aux États-Unis). On retrouve à son comité directeur des pointures de l’Entertainment comme l’éminent Harvey Weinstein (co-fondateur du studio Miramax qui en son temps révolutionna l’industrie du film indépendant américain). Live Nation a été créé en 2005 en Californie et doit sa force d’être le fruit d’un développement du géant mondial Clear Channel (l’autre JC Decaux, soit le réseau de publicité et d’affichage extérieur américain). Comment peut-on en moins de 3 ans avoir maillé à ce point le système que l’on possède et gèré près de 120 lieux de concerts, que l’on assure la promotion et l’organisation d’environ 29 000 rendez-vous musicaux, du concert de star internationale à la finale de sport automobile ? En tant que ‘fille’de Clear Channel Communications, Live Nations bénéficie d’une base solide sur tous les plans. Une assise financière confortable avec une capitalisation boursière de 0,80 milliard en dollars US. Une couverture du marché à l’échelle mondiale (18 pays) et une offre de produit diversifiée du contrat de management artistique (U2, Madonna, et plus récemment Jay Z étant les plus importants) à la gestion de lieux de concert et rencontres sportives comme Wembley Arena à Londres. Un artiste international sous contrat ou pas avec Live Nations travaille obligatoirement à un moment donné avec l’entreprise qui est ainsi un acteur incontournable de l’industrie de la musique. Capable donc de prendre des engagements à dix ans pour un montant de 120 millions de dollars US (dont une avance en cash et actions à hauteur de 90 millions de dollars). Les ventes d’albums ne sont plus au cœur de la négociation même si pour des artistes de cette envergure elles constituent un chiffre d’affaire important, mais avec les produits dérivés et l’organisation et la promotion des tournées de concerts dans le monde entier. Le montant des recettes globales anticipées pour le lancement d’un album comme Hard Candy est certainement une belle part du PIB du Malawi (7.67 milliards ). Pour comparaison, Live Nation avant l’arrivée de Madonna a réalisé en 12 mois, et après deux ans d’existence, un chiffre d’affaire de 4.4 milliardss de dollars. N’oublions pas que la société, bien entendu, est aussi productrice de contenus vidéo, site internet, affiches de concerts, prestations auxquelles s’ajoute maintenant la production d’albums. Et pour vendre tout cela des bases de données de clients d’événements, cœur de cible, avoisinant les 25 millions d’entrées et augmenter la marge brute dégagée de 4,3 % sur l’activité événements, jugée bien trop faible.

Marié à l’actrice et chanteuse Beyonce Knowles, enfant de Brooklyn, New-York, Shawn Corey Carter dit Jay Z est selon l’heure de la journée producteur, rappeur, financier, comme si cela ne suffisait pas, l’équipe de basket-ball du New Jersey, les Nets lui appartient. Indépendant, parfois sulfureux et provocateur, il sait faire parler de lui, provoquer un schisme en proclamant sa retraite, pour mieux revenir et frapper contre ses détracteurs à coups de succès d’estime et ventes records. Avec dix albums produits entre 1996 et 2007 (hors collaborations et compilations), l’homme a été sérieusement occupé ces dix dernières années. vendre 50 millions de disques dans le monde ne doit pas s’improviser, métier chronophage même pour un prodige, mais très rémunérateur. On lui reconnaît le titre d’entrepreneur parmi les plus imposant par la rapidité et l’intelligenc avec laquelle il a construit sa fortune. S’étant diversifié dans l’immobilier et les hôtels de luxe avec J Hotels, dans le prêt à porter avec Rocawear, les spiritueux avec la licence de distribution de vodka dans les clubs qui lui permettent de savoir où l’écouler, et par aussi promouvoir les artistes signés au sein des différents labels musicaux qu’il possède. Cet appât du gain et cette stratégie de construction de portefeuille à multiple facette, lui ont valu des différents avec les associés de ses débuts, Damon Dash and Kareem Burke dit « Biggs ». Jay Z a négocié avec Live Nation un contrat de 150 millions de dollars, soit un record, aucun transfert d’artiste n’ayant jamais été signé pour ce montant. Si Madonna a quasiment intégralement délégué sa gestion à Live Nation, Jay Z opte-lui pour un partenariat sous forme de joint-venture codétenue avec Roc A Fella, la société qu’il a créé et dont il a racheté les parts à ses anciens amis et cofondateurs. Roc Nation, l’entité qui doit émerger des deux parties, sera elle-même une société de production, un label et un talent manager, signant des artistes et développant leurs images et ventes en tous genres. De plus Roc Nation touchera des budgets et financement de Live Nation pour assurer son développement et le chiffre d’affaire sera donc partagé entre les deux sociétés mères. Ce n’est qu’un début et les possibilités de croissance de telles entreprises son tellement vastes que Michael Rapino le PDG de Live Nation peut traquer les prochains ‘accords cadres’ avec les artistes tels Gwenn Stefany, Diddy… et laisser monter les enchères car ce que veut le peuple (enfin les I-phone du peuple) c’est du ‘pain et des jeux’ pour nos oreilles et nos yeux – la nation veut du vrai, du live !

par Andrée Fraiderik-Vertino – Article publié dans L’Homme Magazine #2 (2008) / Photos Tous Droits réservés – Live Nation.com/

In Happiness and Youthful Taste

I sometimes wish that my parents had been more obsessed with music, thereby passing on some of their good taste to me during my crucial developmental years.  Mom wasn’t into the Rolling Stones because they were “loud” and my dad , after having grown up on Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, moved on to James Taylor and Garth Brooks in early 90s, much to my disappointment: James Taylor bored me to tears even at  five years old and I just couldn’t boot stompin’ boogie with Mr. Brooks.  Alas, I was left to fend for myself.

Early musical conquests – in the form of a cassette, of course – included a double-sided MC Hammer joint featuring “2 Legit 2 Quit” and “Can’t Touch This.”  Needless to say I was more than pleased when I came across a sweater at the JC Penney Outlet Store in which both titles were knitted with neon yarn over and over again until they collided in the center at a giant holograph of MC Hammer himself, busting a move on the front of my sweatshirt.  I was similarly enthralled by one of the bands formed from some Mickey Mouse Club stars, whose collective name now slips my memory but I do recall their single “Free 2 B Me.”  The 90s was all about abbreviation, ergo the death of the written word.  This is perhaps why many of my peers still do not correctly identify the difference between “two” and “too.”  Sucks 2 B U, my friends in illiteracy.

My first CD was by Ace of Base and was purchased with my dad at the local Target.  I came directly home, put “I Saw the Sign” on my gigantic black, 6 CD changer, AM/FM tuner, two tape deck radio and danced my heart away on the carpet of my shared bedroom.  Madonna’s “The Immaculate Collection” came next.  The black and white photographers of her in a bathroom, legs akimbo, both confused me and made me want to join a contortionist circus.  While I would never be as flexible as Madonna, I was certain of my prowess as an adept singer.  I pranced around, swinging from my bunk bed as far as the room’s square footage would allow, mimicking the tone of her voice to the point of precise impersonation…at least I thought so.

Mom took me to see my first concert at the Universal Amphitheater.  Kenny Loggins was ever the long-haired, mellow dreamboat I had ever imagined.  Out seats were on the first floor, closer to the back and just under the balcony section above.  The result was a dense reverb that did not necessarily make for stellar acoustics.  That, and a woman nearby was apparently far more turned on by Kenny and screamed with drunken gusto.  Mom was annoyed and I can’t remember if she told her to shut up or just complained about it.  The experience was a wild success.

Mine was a youth full, unbridled 1990s pop.  Amy Grant (before she found religion), Paula Abdul (all albums, no exceptions), Mariah Carey (when she could still sing and maintained at least the pretense of sanity).  Although, I did miss a few key pop movements that were marketed specifically towards girls like me; namely, boy bands and Britney Spears.  NSYNC just seemed a little too, well, gay for my taste and I could never bring myself to actually purchase a Britney album.  More easily done was to dole out faux judgment on those who did.  However, I had no qualms on screaming “I’m Not a Girl” out of the window of my friend’s two door, parent purchased BMW provided we were more than a mile away from school.  One must keep up appearances, cynical or otherwise.

My brother, being a boy, was more easily sucked into the grunge movement, which I interpreted as an excuse to not shower or be happy.  I attribute my previous lack of enthusiasm for Nirvana to my then underdeveloped intellectual maturity.  That and the cover for In Utero really just grossed me out.  There was something about The Offspring that sparked the same reaction in me.

When grunge evolved into something more palatable for my delicate sensibilities, Green Day came out.  Around the same time, parental advisory stickers had become de rigueur and my mom took an active interest in what I was listening to.  I enjoyed the uncensored Dookie for a week before my mom made me return it for the kiddie version.  Much good did it do me; I still learned how to say f*&#, sh^%, and g%d da#% in due time.

As I grew older, I more quickly devoted myself to a CD collection mirroring that of a 45-year-old divorcee.  Sheryl Crow, Shawn Collins, Tori Amos – the emotive, broken hearted works.  Jiving with my more “raucous” and “rebellious” side, I had Third Eye Blind and Everclear.  I found that “Semi Charmed Kind of Life” really summed up my middle school experience, mainly associating with the line “…to get me through this…”.  For whatever reason I remember specifically listening to the song pour out of the speakers of my karaoke machine cum radio while taking a shower and wondering if I would ever be popular.  These were also the days in which I was learning to manage razor burn on my legs (i.e. avoiding goosebumps).  These are two memories I associate with that particular shower.  Third Eye Blind and goosebumps.  Dododo do do do dooo…

Although my dad purportedly grew up on some of the best rock ever known, I didn’t hear about it through him.  I initially learned about Jimi Hendrix on a PC encyclopedia application, long before Google and long before wireless internet.  On Dad Weekends, I would sit in front of one of many Sony Vaio’s he would have to purchase, listening to white noise dial-up as I logged onto my AOL account.  After that there wasn’t much to do besides sign into strange chat rooms and read the poetry of suicidal teens.  When boredom set in, I would turn to the computer Encyclopedia, which was at that point a breakthrough in multi-media: I could read Jimi’s bio and watch one 20 second clip of him performing “Mary.”

My high school days were strongly influenced my high school boyfriend, who introduced me to Tupac and Biggie – who I didn’t like at the time because it sounded like his words struggled to get past the fat in his neck and into the microphone.  Might it be known that a Parental Advisory treaty was made when my mom gave me the foul-mouthed version of Tupac as a Christmas present my freshman year.  DMX, OutKast, Dr. Dre and Eminem followed.

The first time I heard Eminem was leaving the parking lot of the Cheesecake Factory.  It was raining and my boyfriend had somehow scored a label-less demo from someone who knew someone who had a connection.  Once again, this was before the days of rampant internet bootlegging and pirating: a demo like this a rarity and truly sacred.  The first beats in “My Name Is” were something I had never experienced before.  It was so new, fresh, utterly and delightfully obnoxious.  I became a devotee.

When I arrived at college I was shocked by the breadth of knowledge my New Jersey roommate possessed about classic rock and other alternatives.  Her taste was far more developed and refined then my own: she had embraced Radiohead at a young age and loved Pearl Jam, she liked songs like “Night Swimming” and knew about Modest Mouse before I had even heard of them.  She spoke of being introduced to music by her parents, causing me to become disheartened because I essentially had eighteen years of learning to do.

To to be fair, my parents did provide me with a few, but visceral, memories in music.  Alana Miles “Black Velvet” reminds me of the parkay flooring behind our bar and the stacks of Atari games that existed there instead of bottles of booze.  Carol King “Tapestry” will always be associated with my mom.  Seal takes me back to a road trip with my dad and brother out to June Lake, eating Certs Mints until my stomach hurt and going for burgers at The Tiger Bar.  The Smashing Pumpkins song “1979″ will always remind me of carpooling in her brown leather Mercedes to the middle school, mostly because that’s what my mom says every time she hears the song.  The Cars “Greatest Hits” bring to mind dinners at my dad’s first trailer: he would make al fredo noodles and, later, my brother and I would share a blow up mattress in the living room even though there was a bedroom for us in the back; we just liked to listen to the waves crash off of the PCH.

Snow Patrol faz cover de "Ray of Light"

A banda Snow Patrol fez um cover de “Ray of Light”, música favorita de Madonna. A gravação rolou no Maida Vale, na festinha do 75o aniversário da BBC Radio 1. A canção, que está no álbum de mesmo nome, foi lançada em 1998 e amplamente premiada.

E essa não é a primeira vez que Madonna está na boca de outros músicos – sem trocadilhos. Natasha Beddingfield e até Iggy Pop já cantaram essa música.

Confira a versão da banda e de Madonna abaixo!

Confira o que rolou no EMA!

O evento aconteceu ontem em Berlin em comemoração do aniversário de 20 anos da queda do Muro de Berlin. E iniciou-se antes do previsto com  o show da banda U2. Em um palco especialmente montado em frente ao Portão de Brandesburgo, tocaram 6 músicas: “One”, “Magnificent”, “Sunday Bloody Sunday”, com a participação do Jay-Z, “Beautiful Day”, “Vertigo” e “Moment Of Surrender”.

Pelo 2º ano consecutivo a cantora Katy Perry deu um show de apresentação no EMA (European Music Awards) 2009.Veja o vídeo de abertura do evento:

Vários shows rolaram no evento, tais como: Green Day, Beyoncé, U2, Jay-Z, Tokio Hotel, Foo Fighters, Shakira, e Leona Lewis.

Jonas Brothers e Backstreet Boys foram alguns convidados especiais a entregarem os prêmios.

Houve ainda uma emocionante homenagem ao Rei do Pop, onde vários fãs cantaram trechos de suas músicas nas ruas.

Infelizmente Lady GaGa, Britney Spears e Madonna não compareceram ao evento. Sem falar do Eminem que ganhou do Mika (ainda não acredito).

Mas graças aos Deuses, Beyoncé estava presente e foi o grande destaque na noite, ela e Katy Perry não deixaram cair a “peteca” e salvaram o evento da monotonia.

Bey arrazou com sua performance de “Sweet Dreams” (mesmo com um problema técnico com uma máscara, rs) e levou para casa três prêmios. Veja abaixo a super sexy apresentação de “Sweet Dreams”:

Outra que também não fez feio, principalmente na finalização do show, foi Shakira com a performance de “Did It Again”.

Finalizando, em suma foi um ótimo espetáculo, Katy Perry sexy e engraçada, até interrompeu o Kanye West, Beyoncé e Shakira sexies, Joe Jonas lindíssimo com o cabelo novo e o U2.

Vamos aos premiados da noite:

Melhor Artista Alternativo: Placebo
Melhor Performance World Stage: Linkin Park
Melhor Grupo: Green Day
Melhor Artista Push: Pixie Lott
Melhor Canção: Beyoncé – “Halo”
Artista Revelação: Lady GaGa
Melhor Cantor: Eminem
Melhor Artista Urbano: Jay-Z
Melhor Apresentação Ao Vivo: U2
Melhor Artista Europeu: maNga
Melhor Grupo: Tokio Hotel
Melhor Cantora: Beyoncé
Melhor Clipe: Beyoncé – “Single Ladies”

Ah, e vejam abaixo um vídeo contendo mais shows:

Leonardo Portela

One more thing

Running around crazy… yet somehow finishing up stuff.

The EP is pretty much done… Getting mixed next week.. The art work is ridiculous… The whole package is going to be great.. Seth Jones did a great job producing, all of the guys I had come out killed.. Much thanks to all of them for playing a part in my dreams…

I can not wait for you guys to hear it…. Soon..very soon you will.

Much Love to everyone who is praying for this project.. Keep it up please…

See you next time….

Madonna: A Mulher Mais Bem Sucedida da Billboard!

4 Décadas no topo da Billboard

Músicas número#1 na Billboard

Anos 80

1984: Like A Virgin (por 6 semanas)
1985: Crazy For You (por 1 semana)
1986: Live To Tell (por 1 semana)
1986: Papa Don’t Preach (por 2 semanas)
1987: Open Your Heart (por 1 semana)
1987: Who’s That Girl (por 1 semana)
1989: Like A Prayer (por 3 semanas)
Anos 90

1990: Vogue (por 3 semanas)
1990: Justify My Love (por 2 semanas)
1992: This Used To Be My Playground (por 1 semana)
1995: Take a Bow (por 7 semanas)

Anos 2000

2000: Music (por 4 semanas)

Se a Rainha do Pop conseguir colocar mais alguma musica em 1º na Billboard americana, apartir de 2010, ela se tornará a única pessoa a emplacar músicas em primeiro lugar durante 4 décadas!

Sorry bitches!

Leonardo Portela

Lara Stone to replace Madonna at Louis Vuitton

Top Model Lara Stone is set to take the throne as the face of Louis Vuitton for the spring/summer campaign next year. The model who will be taking the place of Madonna will bring a  Brigitte Bardot feel to the label. The spring campaign which is being shot by Steven Meisel who also shot Madonna for LV earlier this year. Stone joins the likes of Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Lopez, Claudia Schiffer and Scarlett Johansson who have all been S/S models for Louis Vuitton.

योग गुरू ने मैडोना को योग की शिक्षा देने से किया इंकार

हॉलीवुड की मशहूर अभिनेत्री मैडोना को निजी तौर पर योग की शिक्षा देने से योग गुरू विक्रम चौधरी ने इंकार कर दिया। मैडोना की योजना थी कि वह योग गुरू विक्रम चौधरी को भारी कीमत देकर खरीद लेगी, लेकिन उसके इस सपने पर उस समय पानी फिर गया जब भारतीय करोडपति ने उन्हें साफ तौर पर कह दिया कि उसे बाकी सभी लोगों की तरह सामूहिक योग कक्षा में शामिल होना होगा। मैडोना ने हाल ही में अपने फिटनेस प्रशिक्षक ट्रेसी एंड्रसन को छोडा है।
उसने कहा कि वह फिटनेस का कोई और तरीका आजमाना चाहती हैं। चौधरी ने कहा मैडोना मेरे पास आई और निजी कक्षा के लिए कहा। मैंने मना कर दिया। मैंने कहा, यदि आप मुझसे सीखना चाहती है तो आपको मेरी कक्षाओं में आना पडेगा। अपने अहम को पीछे छोडना पडेगा। यदि आप उनसे असहमति रखते है तो आपको तत्काल काली सूची में डाल दिया जाता हैं। योग गुरू ने कहा कि उनसे योग सीख रहे जार्ज क्लूनी, जेसिका सिम्पसन और जिम कैरी जैसे कई सिलेब्रिटी को उनके सीखाने के तौर तरीकों से कोई आपत्ति नहीं हैं।

Manjustment

Ladies, when you’re on the street, do men grab their crotch and look meaningful at you? I finally decided to delve into it.  My research led me to some fascinating rap-music web sites.

Apparently, Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) started the crotch-grab. Rappers and celebrities followed.  Now we have copy-cat behavior on the streets of my town.   Never mind that I am old enough to be their grandmother.  

There’s something about junk-holding that implies consent.  Try stopping your eyes from looking down at the hand holding the junk, and all it implies. And the insolent look that says, “White lady, suck my dick.”  Um, no thanks. White guys grabbing it doesn’t work – at all. Unless they do it for laughs, like Jack Black.

It has been suggested that African American men hold themselves because they have large equipment and need to adjust.  This is called “manjustment.” According to Answers.com, “some males like the pleasure of holding their penis.”  Some?  Reminds me of an old joke, Why does a dog lick his balls? Answer:  Because he can.  

If I had balls, I would enjoy holding them — in the privacy of my home.
Men do it because they can, like a pacifier.  Baseball players and rappers do it, so why shouldn’t fans. Michael Jackson’s videos for his album “Bad” were the first to show a male grasping his balls.  I was shocked at the breach of taste back then, and it hasn’t changed.

A parallel trend is women grabbing themselves, which Madonna began in her music video “Express Yourself.” Critics called it unladylike. When women do it, there’s nothing to really hold onto. Like Rihanna’s photo, it’s the red nails, leather and fishnets that make it fine. Incidentally, the 1989 Express Yourself video is worth another look. Madonna grabs herself multiple times, and licks milk from a bowl like a cat, and then pours it over her creamy skin. It’s good to be appreciated.

Sources:

Photos of celebrity crotch grabs: http://yepyep.gibbs12.com/2009/07/mj-started-it-celebrity-crotch-grab-imitators/
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_meaning_of_the_rappers_holding_their_crotch
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/devra-maza/michael-jacksons-other-bi_b_226017.html

The content herein is Copyright to the author, All Rights Reserved.

Ice is nice - Eisenberg

Nanney had the best drawers and closets to explore. I remember findng this brooch. Perfect for my outfit I had concocted for that night’s events – my v-neck Forenza sweater [backwards], brooch front and center of sweater at my collar-bone, black/white cotton long skirt from Express, black lace leggings, black quilted lace up boots [I am sure Madonna had the same ones], several long strands of pearls, large bow in my hair and plenty of Aqua Net.

This fine piece contains finely cut pieces of glass, not rhinestones. crafted like real fine jewelry.  So chic back in the day…1940’s, 1980’s or today.

 I still have this piece in my collection. I will never part with it. Today, it seams so big when I put it on.  Where did I get this fear from? When I was a teenager, I was fearless with my daily fashions.

 

 

Monday's news: The blood pool lamp, A scottish castle and Madonna's London pad

Good morning design lovers! I hope you have enjoyed a cultured weekend? Sadly I didn’t make it to the Affordable Art Fair, but I was thrilled to finally catch the Anish Kapoor retrospective at the Royal Academy. I know that posters of the exhibition seem to emblazon every vacant wall at the moment, but I must say that the show lived up to all the hype. Kapoor certainly has quite an imagination – his varied show includes sculptures that suspiciously look like dog poo, a hypnotic set of mirrors and even a red river of wax. It may sound startling, but rest assured this is a must-see exhibition.

So without further ado, it’s time to take a look at the latest design stories that hit the world this weekend.

mydeco’s pick of the top three stories:

1. dornob: Bloody cool

Forgive me if you think this light is gruesome and gory, but I did just go and see Anish Kappor yesterday, so nothing could seem more appropriate! This floating and bleeding lamp may not be for everyone, but why not embrace a bit of gothic chic? It is Halloween at the end of the week after all…

Image credit: dornob

2. The Financial Times: We’d always said we wanted to live in a castle

I can’t say that I’m an avid reader of the FT, but on Saturday morning, with nothing better to read I cautiously leafed through those intimidating pink pages.  And to my utter amazement – I enjoyed it! I even stumbled across an inspiring property supplement. Who says you can’t live in a crumbling castle? Annie and Lachlan Stewart prove that anything is possible as they convert a ruin into a comfortable family home.

Image credit: The FT

3. Brick Work: Madonna’s London playground

As I continue with my house-hunt (this is now the sixth week) I confess to developing an unhealthy interest in the property market. My glazed Monday morning eyes simply lit up when they fell across this amazing Edwardian villa situated on the chi-chi Sheffield Terrace, Kensington W8. It may be a tad above my price range – costing a mere 13, 000 quid a week, but there’s no denying this property’s luxurious features. And guess what? This chic palace was once the home of none other than everyone’s favourite Material Girl, Madonna.

Image credit: Brick Work

The best of the rest:

The Times: Bathroom Tiles- Wet and Wild

The Times: Bojo calls for balconies for all London homes

The Guardian: Time for Tea – Pick of the best tableware

The Independent: Guide to the 50 best gadgets

dornob: Rocking house

Design Week: Insulin injector pen bags top award

Wallpaper: Karl Lagerfeld goes miniature

Sadly that’s all we have time for today, but I look forward to seeing you tomorrow for Tuesday’s instalment. Have a good Monday!

Weekend Recap

First of all, I have managed to complete another absolutely non-productive weekend!  I’m on a freakin roll!  I always start off with wild expectations about gettin sh*t done, but I’ve yet to follow thru on anything I’ve planned on doing in 2009.  Pretty amazing if I don’t say so myself.  However, even though I didn’t do what I was supposed to do, I did some sh*t that I really didn’t want to do, but did it anyways.

Finally watched the movie Notorious.  Granted I’m almost a year late in seeing it, but this is ahead of schedule for me when it comes to movie watching.  If you want to frustrate yourself, drop a joke that references a movie and watch it fly over my head with the quickness.  I have zero attention span, so for me to sit down and watch a movie is like a major event.

I thought the movie was pretty good.  However, as a point of reference, my favorite movie is Belly, so that should give you an idea of the depth of my filmographic (is that a word?) knowledge.  Gravy did a good job as Frank White.  Derek Luke had me dyin the whole movie!  Dude was dancin just like Puff in every scene!!  They definitely kinda played Lil Kim and 2Pac in the movie.  Had Kim lookin like she was just B.I.G.’s jumpoff and Pac was wildin like he was schizo in every scene.  Overall, I though it was a good flick.

Did a little job hunting today.  All I accomplished by doing this was confusing myself even more about which direction I want to take my career.  Have no clue.  Moving along….

Went to the gym today too.  I’ve decided that all I’m going to do it workout my chest and let my mini-belly do its own thing.  Word.  Unfortunately, my I-Pod broke while at the gym and I was forced to listen to the absolutely awful music they play in there.  I swore I heard a techno version of Master P’s “Make’em Say Ugh” featuring Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Tony Yayo.  Who in their right mind would even produce this track??  Oh, by the way fellas, under no circumstance should you and your girl wear matching wife beaters to the gym or should you sing along with any Usher song in public, especially at the gym!  That’s a No No!

Yeah…that’s about it.  Now it’s about 11:30 pm and the weekend is essentially over.  Might as well go to bed.  I’ll holla.  one.

In The News: Madonna Plans To Build School In Africa

by: Randi M.

Click image for source.

Madonna has made it  known that she loves the African country of Malawi. Recently the pop star has chosen to donate $15 million to build a school there. She will be traveling to the country this weekend and hopes she and the president of the country can lay the cornerstone together. Madonna also adopted two children from the country, David Banda and Mercy James.

Quick Clicks

A 1979 Polaroid that Andy Warhol snapped of the late Farrah Fawcett is going up for auction at the Children’s Museum of the Arts in NYC. The photo is already valued at over $8,000.

The Housten Press music blog lists 5 decent bands named after Star Wars terminology. The “decent” qualifier is what scares me: that means there are more.

The travesty that is Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day is going to be hard to find. Thank god.

IFC picked up the rights to air Arrested Development.

Ben Gibbard has a scene in Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, the film based on David Foster Wallace’s novel and directed by John Krasinski (!)

Bizarro: James Franco’s brother Dave has a role on Scrubs now.

Crave lists 8 overhyped bands you’ll soon forget. But I love Bon Iver!

Some bitchin’ NYC street art of our lady Madonna.

MixMag Brasil

Em Setembro chegou nas bancas a primeiríssima edição da versão brasileira da MixMag – considerada a maior e melhor revista do mundo quando o assunto é música eletrônica, vida noturna e cultura clubber.

Primeira edição da MixMag Brasil - já nas bancas

A revista é bimestral, e ela já estreou muito bem com o Deadmau5 estampado bem grande na capa. A revista também traz outros assuntos recentes e artistas de destaque, como Felguk, Madonna, Jesus Luz (que não se contentou em pegar a Madonna e agora resolveu dar uma DJ), David Guetta, Renato Cohen, e muitos mais. Além de dicas de som, a edição também fala de estilos novos que andaram surgindo no país, festas como a XXXPerience e um novo game que promete virar sensação entre os DJs – e wannabes.

O preço é meio salgado (R$ 10,90), mas eu já conferi e posso afirmar com segurança que a revista tem qualidade de material e de conteúdo, além de ser um valor tranquilo se parar pra pensar que vai ser desembolsado só uma vez a cada dois meses. Só espero que ela não fique chegando sempre atrasada, como acontece com a maioria das revistas em Santa Catarina.

OMG! SUBSERIES SAVED MY DIVE TRIP!

MY WIFE AND I FOUGHT THE WHOLE TIME WE WERE IN JAMACIA BECAUSE OF HER

HAIR, SHE DIDNT WANT TO TOUCH THE WATER BECAUSE WE WERE THERE FOR A WEDDING

SO SHE DIDNT WANT TO MESS HER HAIR UP…..SAW SUBSERIES HAIRCARE COMMERCIAL

ON THE TRAVEL CHANNEL AND OVER NIGHTED IT TO MY HOTEL….ALL I CAN SAY IS THANKS

THIS STUFF SAVED MY TRIP AND MY MARRIAGE.

THANKS.

DIVER BOB AND BUBBLE HEAD!

Internet Radio Stations Play More Artists Than Broadcast Stations

The number of unique artists played on Internet radio stations is more than 32 times the number of unique artists played on broadcast/terrestrial radio. According to data supplied by streamSerf, a company that monitors and reports on music played on terrestrial, Internet and satellite radio stations, last month broadcast radio stations played 25,399 unique artists (US, including public radio stations) while Internet radio stations played 829,971 unique artists in the same time period!

“There is room for a more diverse, less centralized music scene in the world today – and this is being created and facilitated by technology and internet radio.” says Paul Mockenhaupt, Founder of streamSerf. streamSerf is an important tool that enables independent artists who are marketing their music on the Internet to track their success.  ”streamSerf.com is the ONLY tool available for these artists to measure their efforts, track their spins, plan their tours, validate their promotional campaigns, find stations that play [similar] music, check their royalty payments, etc.”

It’s not shocking to learn that Internet radio is more diverse. There are more choices for the listener, and more determination by the stations themselves to provide alternative music to the basic cookie-cutter formats and playlists provided on broadcast radio. It is stunning to learn that Internet radio’s list of unique artists is greater than broadcast radio’s by 3600%. (It should be noted that these stats do not even include stations that stream individualized channels, such as Pandora.)

Also interesting is the list of artists that get the most plays on broadcast stations versus Internet radio stations. While some of the top ten artists are the same on either list, others are very different:

Courtesy of Streamserf

According to Mockenhaupt, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. He says the real story isn’t in the top 10, or even the top 1000…” it’s the new, fresh, undiscovered, local, home grown music that’s filling the internet airwaves!” Internet radio gives voice to the long tail of music, providing entry for many musicians that have never had a platform before. That, he says, is the “magic” of Internet radio…

Early nude photos of Madonna only made her tougher

Madonna is happy that the photos in which she appears naked were published in her early career because the scandal that broke up only made her tougher.
In 1985 a series of photographs in which Madonna appeared naked were published by Playboy and Penthouse and all music experts in the world then claimed that Madonna will soon end her career, instead she turned the situation to her advantage.

“That was the first time I was aware of saying ‘F**k you’ with my attitude. You’re trying to put me down because of this?’ I (wasn’t) going to let public opinion dictate my own feelings about myself. I (wasn’t) going to apologise for anything I’ve done.”

E agora???

Estava eu fazendo minha leitura diária do doce Ego, quando vi a matéria deles sobre todo o babado do Jesus Luz tocar um CD pré-gravado nas suas apresentações como DJ no Brasil e tals… Até aí, beleza! Jesus Luz “fazendo playback” foi meiqui o assunto mais comentado dos últimos dois dias. Mas o que me deu a ideia pro cartoon desse post mesmo foi a última frase escrita pelo estagiário do “portal de celebridades”:

“E agora, Jesus? Chama Madonna!”

9: love is

Love is Vegas.

Not the party city itself but the decision to fly there impromptu, a decision made in a hasty chat conversation with one of your best girlfriends while you’re still sitting alone in the office at 8 p.m. eating noodles out of tupperware.

Love is being a grown-up with the good fortune of having a job and enough savings and independence that you can take off and go to Vegas whenever you want.

But even if you don’t have enough savings, being a grown-up still rocks because you can stay out all night if you want, eat pie for dinner and put off chores for a week. You can wear ballet shoes and dance in your room till morning with no one walking in. You can even photograph the aforementioned pie after a few bites, then spend an hour on a Tuesday night editing the photos while listening to Madonna. Come on, giiiiirls … do you beliiiieve in loooove? Cuz I got smm to say about it.

Love is being grown-up enough to understand what someone like Madonna has given your generation. She’s done the work for you, and you just sit back and enjoy the fruits of her labor. Like so many others in the past have brought you here, woven a bridge out of love so you can step on it and get across. They built the foundations, they grunted and withstood the load on their way up the ladders so that you can sit here, now, and enjoy the view.

I honor those people too, our shared ancestors, but tonight I pick Madonna. Dooooon’t go for second best, baaaby. Don’t. Express yourself. Respect yourself. I love the song. Love her. Girl power was born thanks to her. Nobody likes Britney but she’s able to do what she does best because of Madonna.

I can’t imagine what a hurricane she was wherever she went in the DOB (aka Decade of Brilliance — none other than the ’80s, of course). She changed people’s notions about women, showed the truth about the female body, put herself out there and used her own body as a vehicle to liberate the women of future generations.

She showed everyone that we’re not just Barbie dolls, content to smile and look cute, but we’re women — with yes, sweetness, yes, tenderness, but also more sensuality than you can handle, buddy, and plenty of excitement. And filled with desires too.

In truth, we’re just as fiendish as men. And that’s that.

***

My knees were pulled together tight, the bag of tupperware laid on my lap. I sat on the train at 9 p.m., and looked around absentmindedly, thinking about what to write tonight.

I was on top of the world, feeling the kind of high you get after a crazy-stressful day that has seen the end of a long project — the happiness that springs from the comforting thought that tomorrow life will be back on its track, and you’ll be able to do your regular work at the pace you love.

I noted the feeling as I felt it and relished it more. It was a simple emotion, a sheer joy of sharing a train with others, a celebration of life as it is. I thought of what a wise friend said today, about thinking of the people in your life as their essence, not as the history you have with them or the degree of influence they have on your self-esteem.

And so I thought of them, the people in my life, excluded the facts surrounding them and pictured them as they are, with the traits that make them them. I thought of the strangers on the train like that too. And suddenly I wanted to write about the whole world. I wanted to write about the silent old Chinese woman that stepped off at 49th. Or the couple in their 40s sitting across from me, his beard greying and her hair starting to look dowd — yet how beautiful they were, how engaged and connected as they leaned in toward each other and shared a laugh.

At 59th, a girl walked in wearing shorts and workout gear. Her legs weren’t sexy, but they were bare, and out there. Yet nobody cares, because this is America. It’s all free. I tried to picture myself watching her from an Afghan’s perspective. I would want her stoned. I tried to imagine I was from the ’50s. I’d call her a slut.

That’s when I knew I had to write about Madonna. She’s freed our minds! She’s  allowed us to wear shorts, and choose to make love or have sex or plenty of both and write about it unashamed. You know, you know, you know, you got to!

Love is the here and now and being grateful. Love is freedom, and freedom of expression.

Love is pie:

The Perfect Red Pout

If Red Lips Could Talk: "Hey Sexy!"

This past weekend I enjoyed a lovely brunch with my dear friend A.  We hit it off famously in highschool with our quirky sense of humours, love of books, indulgence in vintage baubles and anything deemed ‘French Vogue or Kate Moss.’  We have been kismet friends ever since.  One remarkable trait about A is that her Parisian chic style may be ecclectic and her hair colour and style may change with the seasons, but her distinctive red lips remain the same.  Ever faithful. Ever always.  Ahem, I would like to take credit for taking my friend A to her first M.A.C. counter at 15.  Oh delicious youth.

Have you ever seen such red perfection?

The Red Lip is synonymous with seduction and flirtation.  Much like a rosy cheek, the red lip simulates the look of sexual arousal.  You love it.  The tradition of using a red stain can be traced back to Ancient Egypt where Cleopatra used crushed beetles and ingenious, early makeup artists would combine beeswax with red plant stains.  Red lips continue to attract a large fanbase.  Can you imagine Madonna or Gwen Stefani without their trademark crimson lips?

As a daring teenager, I was able to perfect a rouge pout by absorbing all the advice from magazines and the master Kevyn Aucoin.  My favourite red was the original MAC Viva Glam which was a bluish, saturated red.  I would work this look with a very precise cat eye drawn with liquid eyeliner.  Another very potent look was a deeper, more purple red called Veruschka, named after the 1960’s Supermodel.  I would ease up on the eyeshadow as this red was borderline vampire (cue music: ’Bela Lugosi’s dead, undead, undead, undead’).

Veruschka. See, this is why a lipstick was named after her. Fierce!

Since the perfect red pout is not as easy to apply as taking a wand of lipgloss to your lips, the key to making it work is to practicex3.  Typically, women use bronzers, shimmers and lipgloss in the Summer.  Red lips are great for Fall Transition as it’s a striking day and evening look. 

Here are some tricks of the trade that will help you to perfect your luscious red lip:

• Find the right shade to suit your skintone – You are a unique and delicate flower and one red is not the red of all people.  It is essential to test the various hues against your skin tone to see what is the most flattering.  Ask the makeup professional and they will guide you through the lipstick jungle.
• Match your lipliner to your lipstick - So vital to the grand master plan!  The darker lipline is not cute.  And stay inside the lines.  This is not an episode of Sesame Street.
• Kiss-proof – Not that I recommend KB-ing with red lipstick on (mantrap!), a trick to keeping your lipstick on your lips is to line the entire mouth using a red pencil and using a tiny lip brush to layer your lipstick on top.
• Self-preservation – Blot using a tissue and put your index finger in your mouth slowing removing to take away excess which could smudge on teeth.  Repeat a second layer of lipstick and repeat blot. 
• Touch up – Drink coffee with a straw and touch up after snacking.  You will keep onlookers wondering how your lips stay so smashing, so perfect, so ‘Je ne sais quoi’. 

Lady Gaga and Madonna catfight (VIDEO)

Lady Gaga and Madonna stole the show this weekend
with a surprise skit on “Saturday Night Live.”

During a mock music show called “Deep House Dish,” “SNL” cast member Kenan Thompson
announced,
“Performing together for the very first time, Lady Gaga and Madonna!”

The performers came out in similar black leather outfits and danced to a tepid electro song
before mocking each other.
“What’s wrong Madonna, can’t get into the groove?”
to which Madonna replied,
“Looks like your wig needs a fix!”
A hair-pulling match ensued that ended with Gaga and Madonna pretending
to strangle each other. Lady Gaga hit the “SNL” stage three times,
performing her “Paparazzi,” “LoveGame” and “Bad Romance.”

In the past, Gaga has compared herself to Madonna stating:
“I think what Madonna and I share is that we’re both fearless, we both have a lot of nerve.”
Madonna has also made it known that she is a fan of the pop starlet
and has even been spotted attending one of her concerts
in New York with daughter Lourdes.

Lady Gaga and Madonna catfight (VIDEO)
download HQ VIDEO (1280×720, mp4, 45Mb)

sample screen:
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HOLY SH!T Lady Gaga!

Lady Gaga performed on Saturday Night Live this weekend and completely rocked it, especially her one performance, a medley of songs. AMAZING.

The girl’s got a voice. And I love love LOVE the spinning ring effect. That is SO KICK-ASS.

Here you go:

This makes me love love LOVE Lady Gaga seventy-three times more than I already did.

I also found her skit with Madonna to be quite funny.

Here you go:

AND her little bubble skit with Andy Samberg was hilarious:

LOVE HER.

Until next time!

Casey Brightside

Medjugorje: messaggio della Madonna del 2 ottobre 2009 a Mirjana

“Cari figli, intanto che vi guardo, il mio cuore si stringe dal dolore. Dove andate figli miei? Siete così tanto immersi nel peccato che non sapete fermarvi? Vi giustificate con il peccato vivendo in esso. Inginocchiatevi davanti alla croce e guardate mio Figlio. Lui ha sconfitto il peccato ed è morto, affinché voi, figli miei, possiate vivere. Permetetemi di aiutarvi, affinché non moriate, ma viviate con il mio Figlio per sempre. Grazie.”

Via http://medjugorje.altervista.org

What the Tweet?! Ryan Seacrest

Crazy is as crazy does. That seems to be the motto for our homeboy, Ryan Seacrest, this week as he tweeted the following in reference to Madonna’s appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman:

Ryan, two questions: What are you smoking, and where did you get it? Let’s break down your vernacular.

Madonna…looked like she had been freshly …fluffed..

Umm…fluffed. And freshly! Freshly fluffed. That’s a new one for TYS. We’re assuming this is a compliment, and if so, we agree. She looked great. Her hair looked classy and faboo.

fluffed to the max

But, Ry-no, we’re still hung up on your choice of word. Fluffed can be used to describe many things: pillows, pets, my arm hair when I sleep on it the wrong way. But a person? We’re not sold.

Moving on. 

she had a glow on letterman last night she said not the case there was no sex prior

Ay yay yay. Seacrest, let us introduce you to one of the wonders of the modern world. It’s called a period; you might know it as a dot. It ends thoughts and allows people to breathe. When you don’t use them, you end up sounding like Paula Abdul on QVC. (Have you been hanging out with her because maybe she’s not fired from Idol?? *crosses fingers*)

Anywaysies, we’re glad you can give us the inside celebrity scuttlebutt (e.g., your knowledge of Madge’s love life - or lack thereof). You’re like our man version of Kathy Griffin (We love you, Kathy!!!).

So recap: use appropriate adjectives and start ending your sentences with “dots.” Maybe it’s time to “Seacrest, out” your way off Twitter and into an English classroom.