accidental influential

engaged

2010-11-16T22:14:00.000-08:00

As the story goes, Prince William and Miss Middleton are finally betrothed. Yes, it has been a lengthy courtship but why was anyone in such a rush? We have seen divorce headlines of celebrities splashed over covers for decades and are constantly exposed to what-not-to-do examples. Love and romance are great--and necessary--but doesn't this marriage more than most need maturity? As I compared their interview for the BBC to photographs and impressions from even two or three years ago, it struck me how poised they both appear. They were playful with each other and supportive of each others' answers. Kate was open about her first impressions of the prince and the pain of their first split. Wills was the defender when Kate stumbled over an answer regarding Diana, playing his manly-card which was only enhanced by his copious glances to his fiancee's bosom. As the photograph above seems to show, they are happy and no longer naive young-kids-in-love but a proper power couple.

revitalization

2010-11-15T21:51:00.000-08:00

Downtown revival? Urban gentrification? Welcome revitalization? My brother and I were having a discussion about the impact of a new housing complex at Portland and Washington in downtown Minneapolis and I'm curious to see what, if anything, happens. The Mill City complex is one of the first projects undertaken during this economic crunch and it would seem that Mayor R.T. Rybak really wanted to make this work. Village Green, the developer, was allowed deferred payments for 24-months after construction and the city is touting their statistics on tax revenues and increased commercial business. The part in all of this that has me the most optimistic, however, is the fact that they are apartments. Rental units. Does anyone else think that it's one of the smartest things to happen to downtown since Target Field? Or the light-rail? Or the '90s?

As memory serves, the last big project downtown was The Carlyle. The Carlyle, that condo monstrosity that feigns elegance and overcharges on principle. It began in 2004 and only just sold the last of its units. And who bought that last unit? Would you believe it if I said it was a retired couple? Of course not. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if your response was an eye-roll with a snarky quip about -another- retired couple. Don't get me wrong--retired couples eat out often, enjoy the city and act respectable. I appreciate all of those things. But I also appreciate people who want to create an atmosphere, engage with their neighbors, and develop an area that reflects themselves.

Where do most yuppie/hipster/20-something kids live these days? Uptown. And where do most of them socialize? Uptown. But off-shoots are happening--Northeast is picking up steam and quickly becoming the "real artiste" locale for the authentic types, Seward is growing and expanding in its hippie-dippy-ness like all organic vegetables do, and I'll bet even St. Paul is benefiting from those who just want to escape the area that just replaced the Uptown Diner with an Apple store. And into this mentality come the Mill City apartments. Downtown can easily become the new yuppie hangout, much to the chagrin of Chino Latino. Residents can boast cultural centers like the Guthrie, a dense scene of amazing restaurants, some great live music venues, amazing accessibility to the rest of the metro area, and a pretty amazing river. Not to mention that they probably work six blocks away and could probably walk half of that in the skyway during the winter.

Up until now most downtown dwellers have been seen (at least to me) as relatively older, relatively wealthy, and relatively passive. They might frequent the restaurants and theaters, but they have not formed a sense of community. There might be great relationships happening within these towers, but it rarely translates itself to the street level. A yuppie movement might change that. You could build off of the Thursday farmers market, start a outdoor yoga class at Gold Medal Park, involve fun centers already there like Open Book or Alliance Francaise. The abundance of real estate and the dearth of storefronts needs to be balanced if downtown is ever going to become a consistently desirable location to live. A real commercial business explosion will not realistically happen for a few years even if the apartments do spur a sense of community, but at least one foundation stone has been laid.

"effortless"

2010-11-14T23:51:00.000-08:00

Ef•fort•less : adj \-fərt-ləs\ : showing or requiring little or no effort

My most recent encounter with this word began with Gwyneth Paltrow. The GP is ever present right now due to the upcoming release of her new fflick Country Strong. She performed with Vince Gill for the CMAs, garnering a standing ovation. Her Glee cover of Cee Lo was just released to drum up anticipation for Tuesday's episode, as if more was really necessary. And with this media blitz comes the requisite backlash. It should be noted that opinion of the GP appears split; a twitter search will contain both confessions of idolization and flippant phrases of disgust. An article on Salon asks, "Why do so many people hate Gwyneth Paltrow?" It's a fair question and a reasonable take on the topic but ultimately I find it to be shallow and compromising. I'll try my best to explain.

It's no secret that women deal with double standards on a daily basis. For most women this usually is the most obvious when discussing their career. If you are not professionally ambitious and would love to be a stay-at-home mother, you are told you're a doormat and being pigeonholed by society. If you're not ambitious and don't want children, you are labeled a free-spirit and not taken seriously. If you are ambitious and decide not to have children, you are depicted as being a workaholic and an unfeeling bitch. If you are ambitious and have children, you are either Superwoman or the worst mother in the world. These divides are heightened with women in the national and international spotlight. Two years ago in the political sphere there was the Obama vs Clinton vs Palin reality show that both highlighted and further frustrated the gender issues with which this country still wrestles. (The ceremony for Tina Fey tonight revisited a classic take on the situation.) But the most beleaguered of women are probably the Hollywood stars because everyone in the world demands a say these days. (Case in point: this blog post.)

Gwyneth Paltrow is not the first woman celebrity to have a bevy of haters. Sarah Jessica Parker had and probably still has her fair share. Jennifer Aniston. Angelina Jolie. Kate Moss. Kirsten Dunst. Chloe Sevigny. I don't really have the time to go all the way back in history, but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that this is not a recent phenomenon. I'm also going to go out on a limb and guess that all this hatred is more often than not actually self-loathing. Gwyneth was described in the Salon article as representing "the epitome of everything most mere mortals will never come close to being" and concludes that it's her "appearance of endless ease, whether true or not, that riles so". Maybe so but isn't Grace Kelly universally lauded for that nowadays? And Audrey Hepburn? Style, grace, ease, etiquette, talent, beauty--those are the traditional trademarks of an icon. Have things changed? Yes and no. It's a cop-out answer but we are currently in a cop-out country. We demand effortlessness from our celebrities but then pour out the vitriol when it seems as if they obtain everything too easily. Had Gwyneth had her vocals dubbed we would guffaw; when she has vocal coaching and learns to play the guitar we tell her not to stray from her acting-only box. (Unless, of course, she decides to display some skills on Dancing With The Stars.) The only explanation I can muster besides my aforementioned self-loathing is a lack of understanding regarding talent. This has been a longtime coming and I doubt it will end anytime soon, but the dearth of quality these days has lead the country to accept mediocrity and enjoy it. When quality does show up it is both heralded and hated and ultimately lumped with the rest just to make it easier.

Which brings me back to "effortless". There are style makers who define style as "an innate, instinctual ability to be effortlessly individual in whatever you do." (Erdem in What Shall I Wear Today?) I don't know about you but I don't think that exists, or at least not on the primal level in which it is described. Style, like anything, is a talent. Even individuality is a talent. To some it comes easily. Others work hard for it. Some never develop their talent while others overdevelop it to the point of caricature. When commenting on the GP's many endeavors and adventures, her effortlessness and skill are described with marvel, envy, sarcasm, or worse. But I'll wager that none of her endeavors have been without effort. She is fluent in Spanish; that didn't happen without a concerted effort on her part. She learned to play the guitar and had bleeding fingertips because of her commitment. Demean that effort all you want, but when was the last time you decided to try something new and stuck with it once it became a bit more difficult? In my case, I find it hard to remember. We applaud her or loath her for the perception of her effortlessness. God forbid it look like she's trying too hard and straining herself. And so it continues that women with talent, apparently effortless or apparently strained, are belittled and grouped with a bevy of talentless and apathetic women. Why? Because they are all women. Men have the luxury to be effortless or hard-working or both. Women, on the other hand, are one or the other. And demonized either way.

things I'm currently loving...

2010-11-08T20:47:00.000-08:00

I was inspired by my friend's blog "Things Izzy Loves..." to make a little list of the items I am particularly obsessed with right now. In no particular order:

• Morning Joe. My friends and family will tell you with rolling eyes how much I talk about this show. I am a warrior for this show. An evangelist. I have never found its equal. From this show many, many crushes have been formed, nurtured, tested, reassessed, and solidified. Joe Scarborough has allowed me to wholeheartedly play devil's advocate on many occasions. Mika Brzezinski is fearless and doesn't tolerate the superficial, proving that she's much more than the daughter of a crush. Willie, Barnicle, Buchanan, Jonathan, Harold, Heilemann, Halperin, Meacham, and Donny. The fabulous line-up of dames: Tina, Norah, Savannah, and Chrystia. The Politico boys. But the main battle for my heart is between the always eloquent Zbigniew Brzezinski and the incredibly insightful Richard Haass. And always: Keep Calm And Carry On.

• YouTube Karaoke -- especially '80s Classic Rock and Broadway show tunes. Now I can make a fool out of myself in the privacy of my own home without having to buy one of those monstrous machines and without having to strain my voice to sing over the original (and much better) artist.

• Fifi Lapin. Apparently she's been around for years and yet here I am, late to the party as usual. Her book is très adorable and she has the unusual ability to make me think that maybe pink ruffles aren't so bad after all.

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Each time I have a mini-crisis I head for some version of the MBTI available in book form at the library. I stupidly never took advantage of the test while in college so am now making up for it by reassessing myself every year or so. Two years ago I "diagnosed" myself as an ENFP. On reassessment a month ago, I now believe I am an ENTP. So now you know everything about me.

• Alec Soth. He is a local photographer (therefore a Minnesotan) and currently has a great exhibit up at the Walker Art Center. Not exactly a retrospective, it's more like a survey because it includes some early work while he was a student, some from the period when he was emerging as one of the foremost contemporary photographers, and a new series called Broken Manuel which explores the idea of escape and people who try to achieve a life "off the grid". There is a gentle humanity to his work that, more often than not, leaves me breathless.

fresh start

2010-11-08T20:42:00.000-08:00

I'm pressing the reset button and going to try this blogging thing again. The topics will be broader in their scope, hopefully allowing me to maintain interest for longer than a few months. We shall see.

Golden Globes 2009

2009-01-12T20:30:00.000-08:00

In a totally lackluster red carpet showing last night, I have decided to only do Top Three and Bottom Three.

Thus: Amy Adams, Kate Winslet, Maggie Gyllenhaal top it for me.
It all comes down to personal taste, so I don't expect others to wholeheartedly agree. It's possible that these were the only two black gowns from last night. Beige was everywhere and became a total downer in its ubiquity; black seemed classic and refreshing. Go figure. As for adventurous, I found Maggie G.'s to hit the nail on the head. An interesting shoulder without being a big red bow (á la Nicole Kidman at the Oscars a while back) and a fun pattern without being over-the-top. I liked it, others won't...and that's fine with me.

The bottom consists of Renée Zellweger, Cameron Diaz, and Debra Messing. While I feel it's self-explanatory, I will briefly air my grievances.

Grievance #1: Hair. Ladies, what is up?! Renée, ringlets are supposed to be romantic and soft, not stiff and haywired. And in the opposite direction was Cameron, who popularized this messy beach 'do in the 90s and has stuck by it ever since. Loyalty is one thing, a rut is another. Brigitte Bardot managed to evolve her beach hair, so it can be done. Then there is Debra. All those jokes about how horsey her face is (they did that joke on Will & Grace, right?) and here she adds fuel to the fire. A different angle shows just how mane-gy her hair was.
(As an aside: I'm giving Drew a pass this time because she was at least livin' it up, as she does crazy well.)

Grievance #2: Taffeta. Cut with caution, ruch with extreme caution, wear only with protection and a certificate course.

Grievance #3: Stand up straight and smile, Renée! Stop sticking your bum out and posing with your lips pursed. Just because you have on Carolina Herrera and don't show your teeth doesn't mean you have class or style. It shows you are frightened. And if we smell fear, we will devour you. With Cameron, we just want her to move on from this haute-couture-even-if-it-doesn't-work-for-me-and-my-beachy-hair-decade-long-phase look. And Debra made a misstep, but usually looks stellar; at least she's beaming - with a smile that nice, sometimes you just overlook the rest.

But, Renée, you are very quickly falling out of our good graces. You have made your point that you, Renée Zellweger, are not in fact Bridget Jones--the chubby, oft-erring bunny we all wanted you to be. But you have altered and frozen everything about you that we also have forgotten that you were Gina rocking out in Empire Records. Or Chris O'Donnell's one-true-love in The Bachelor. Hell, even the Jerry Maguire you-complete-me girl is gone. I'm skeptical that New In Town will bring back the love, so why don't you do it first by banning the Botox and flashing those pearly whites. Real love you don't earn, but this isn't real love.

60th Emmy Awards

2008-09-22T12:03:00.001-07:00

While fashion week(s) forge on, the Emmys have provided a nice and easy look at some fancy fashion. I've decided to stick to a 'Best Dressed' list because sometimes being negative doesn't help. Also, I'm trying to grow as a person and the less catty, the better. However, if you want to personally rant about the decision to wear jeweled necklaces in your hair or the choice to don a caplet, head on over to Style.com, E! or Yahoo TV to see loads of pictures.

As for the awards themselves, I was particularly pleased with Zelijko Ivanek and Jean Smart's wins. This summer I have become obsessed with both Mad Men and Damages; Ivanek was brilliant as Ray Fiske and his character's arc was the most compelling to watch, which is saying something. Jean Smart won for Samantha Who?, another personal favorite and it's largely because of her. The chemistry between Smart and Applegate is hilarious and spot-on. I wanted Smart to win the last two years when she was on 24, so this was overdue. Maybe Damages and Samantha Who? will get big ratings bumps and everything will be hunky-dory.

Top 5 Dresses
Marcia Cross, in Elie Saab
I initially thought this was a Monique Lhuillier, Marchesa or Reem Acra gown, but I'm still surprised it's an Elie Saab. If you've noticed from earlier posts, I am not an Elie Saab fan. However, Saab left the confines of sex and glitter to create something soft and feminine, while not verging off the cliff to girlishness or fairy princess. The color and the length were perfect for her--especially on camera--and I'm a sucker for tasteful lace and tulle.

Mariska Hargitay, in Carolina Herrera
I was impressed with the bold color choice (even after I saw numerous others donning this near-neon shade) and thought it worked best on her because of her coloring. Nothing sets off honey-olive skin quite like police-tape yellow.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in Narciso Rodriguez
Again, a great color choice on the right skin tone. Also a more playful take on an inherently simple and classic shape with the addition of the cut-out. Julia always wears Narciso, it looks like Narciso, and yet Jay (from ANTM and E!) couldn't even fathom a guess when he didn't catch the name. He's all about 'fashion', no?

Cynthia Nixon, in Calvin Klein Collection
It would seem I'm a huge fan of color this year. I thought it was a simple shape, a great color, and just all-round 'right' without being boring. Though I do wish she would have kept the Miranda-red hair, her natural shade makes her seem younger.

Olivia Wilde, in Reem Acra
The main reason Thirteen made the Top 5 was because I had such a great initial reaction to the dress. There are many quality runners-up, but I loved the simplicity of the dress and thought that, even though she easily could have looked like a skeletal Rose Byrne, this dress made her see more womanly and elegant.

Sound familiar?

2008-09-12T21:46:00.000-07:00

People moving out,
People moving in,
Why, because of the color of their skin,
Run, run, run, but you just can't hide.

An eye for an eye,
Tooth for a tooth,
Vote for me and I'll set you free,
Rap on, brother, rap on.

Well, the only person talking about loving thy brother is the preacher,
And it seems nobody's interested in learning, but the teacher,
Segregation, demonstration, intergration, determination, aggravation, humiliation,
Obligation to our nation.

Ball of confusion,
That's what the world is today, hey.

The sale of pills is at an all time high,
Young folks walk with their heads in the sky,
The cities aflame in the summertime,
And oh the beat goes on.

Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul-shooting rockets to the moon,
Kids growing up too soon,
Politicians say, "More taxes will solve everything,"
The band played on.

So, round and around and around we go,
Where the world's headed, nobody knows

Oh, Great Googamooga,
Can't you hear me talking to you,
Just a ball of confusion,
That's what the world is today, hey.

Fear in the air, tension everywhere,
Unemployment rising fast,
The Beatles new record's a gas,
And the only safe place to live,
Is on an Indian reservation,
The band played on.

Eve of destruction, tax deduction,
City inspectors, bill collectors, mod clothes in demand,
Population out of hand, suicide, too many bills,
Hippies moving to the hills,
People all over the world are shouting, "End the war!",
And the band played on.

Great Googamooga,
Can't you hear me talking to you,
Just a Ball Of Confusion.

Ball of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) by The Temptations in 1970

Frank O'Hara

2008-08-07T00:37:00.000-07:00

My eyes are vague blue, like the sky, and change all the time; they are indiscriminate but fleeting, entirely specific and disloyal, so that no one trusts me. I am always looking away. Or again at something after it has given me up. It makes me restless and that makes me unhappy, but I cannot keep them still. If only I had grey, green, black, brown, yellow eyes; I would stay at home and do something. It’s not that I’m curious. On the contrary, I am bored but it’s my duty to be attentive, I am needed by things as the sky must be above the earth. And lately, so great has their anxiety become, I can spare myself little sleep.

“Meditations in an Emergency” by Frank O'Hara from Meditations in an Emergency

Vogue Italia goes black

2008-07-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

I can finally say that I own a copy of the most-wanted magazine. Immediately sold out in my usual locales, I eventually scored due to a massive reprint and unfailingly consistent perusals of the magazine stand. The July edition of Vogue Italia (edited by Franca Sozzani with photography by Steven Meisel) will either become the tipping point for less prejudiced high fashion or a stab into the darkness (should I say whiteness?) of the fashion industry. It's definitely causing a stir, but whether it translates to real change is anyone's guess; I choose to hope for the best.

Cathy Horyn's article aptly associated Sozzani's views of the American presidential race with diversity debates that occurred last fall during fashion week in New York. The noticeable drop of models of color compared to the '80s and '90s has sparked numerous discussions, but nothing as prominent as Vogue (US) or Anna Wintour have done much to change the debate. Status quo is America's true motto. Sozzani, on the other hand, thrives on controversy and pushing the envelope. Vogue Italia has the good fortune to have a small circulation that allows radical thinking, but also has the pedigree to be highly influential. To that end, Sozzani decided to do something about it in February, coinciding with the Fall Ready-To-Wear shows, and brought debate-enthusiast Meisel aboard.

If Sozzani is the brains behind this operation, Meisel is certainly the heart. During Horyn's interview he said, "I thought, it’s ridiculous, this discrimination. It’s so crazy to live in such a narrow, narrow place. Age, weight, sexuality, race — every kind of prejudice." He also fought to use a larger model, former ANTM contestant Toccara Jones. "I wanted to say something about weight, and I’m never allowed to do that. I met Toccara and thought, she’s beautiful. What’s the deal with her? She’s great and she’s sexy." I even compare this spread with Carson Kressley's show How To Look Good Naked. It might be like comparing a Bentley to a Kia, but -with all these roads converging- the timing is ripe for a reassessment of how society defines beauty.

Naomi Campbell may well be the most recognizable supermodel next to Kate Moss. (Tyra Banks does not count, as she has turned to reality television to increase her fame.) As such, Campbell was given a 9-photo spread. The beauty of the photos is undeniable, but it turns to disbelief when her age (38) is factored in. The same can be said of Gail O'Neill and Iman. This is due to Meisel's ability to capture true beauty and character, rather than just hiding or altering youthful inexperience.

The editorial content of this issue proudly declares that black is beautiful, black is creative, black is timeless, but the most jarring element of the issue is not the use of all black models; it is the almost complete lack of any models of color in the advertisements. The 346-page issue is nearly half ads and only three include a black model. 3. Out of the hundreds of advertisers, only two are solely a black model (Pinko, featuring Naomi Campbell, and Yamamay), while one other (Quodlibet) includes a black model with two white models. Clearly a vicious cycle is occurring where fashion editors, advertisers, runway directors, and designers all follow each other. Image is everything and the image consumers see is decidedly white.

Ultimately, the "shock" that this issue has created is depressing. It is no question that prejudice -racial, gender, economic, and otherwise- exists, but I suppose I expected more from my generation, my country, and my culture. I am from one of the first generations that never saw legal segregation, so clearly divisive subjects have just gone underground. Fashion magazines, the preeminent depiction of elegance and wealth, need to start realizing that minorities are elegant and wealthy, too.

For a more thorough look of Meisel's photos, go to Jezebel or the NYTimes.

Supplemental Savvy | Fashion Editors

2008-07-11T15:22:00.000-07:00

I like fashion, as some of you may have gleaned from previous posts. I don't necessarily live it or religiously read WWD (Women's Wear Daily, the true fashion bible), but I do enjoy fashion as an expressive art form and a cultural weathervane. So I will briefly lay out the people I see as the dominant forces behind what people wear. (Forbes made their own list, but only included American magazines.)

Vogue is considered by most to be the preeminent destination for top fashion and the highway to success. The magazine is more traditional than edgy, focusing on designers that are more likely to be fashion mainstays than one-hit wonders (case in point: Vogue features Christopher Kane and even Gareth Pugh, but leaves out Henry Holland's ubiquitous t-shirts). Running the whole show is Anna Wintour, the original Devil Wears Prada. She makes the rules, cuts the trashy, and tends to push for more of the same. With Wintour making the call, you can be assured that Mario Testino or Annie Leibovitz will photograph Gwyneth Paltrow or Nicole Kidman wearing Balenciaga or Oscar de la Renta. Wintour's right-hand "man" and Vogue's Creative Director is Grace Coddington. She is largely responsible for the more exciting spreads, the May 2008 'Daring Do' piece the most recent example.

Vogue has a stellar supporting cast that could make it as leads anywhere else; André Leon Tally (ALT, as he is oft referred to) is a large, beaming black man that can get away with wearing capes. Long, flowing purple ones. And Candy Pratts Price and Alexandra Kotur head the burgeoning website, style.com. Pratts Price likes to promote ridiculously expensive watches and rings, while Kotur singles out the top ten outfits each week, usually a daring choice or an outfit worn by the new 'It' girl.

My favorite fashion writer is Sarah Mower. She is a frequent Vogue and Telegraph contributer and critiques the shows for style.com. Mower adds a dose of realism to an ever increasing trendy and skinny world.

Europeans have always considered themselves more provocative; Vogue Paris and Vogue Italia make sure that they continue to believe so. Vogue Paris is run by Carine Roitfeld. She is thought to be the younger, hipper update of Wintour. Wintour 2.0, if you will. She champions a darker look, slightly messy, and doesn't care for rules or handbags. Vogue Italia's Franca Sozzani, on the other hand, likes to be socially provocative. The spreads tend more towards art than fashion and the most recent issue is all black models. The timing of the issue has many wondering if runway casting directors will follow suit and stop the trend of the blank-stared, nondescript pale models that became so popular after a Prada show so many years ago.

In my youth, YM and Seventeen were the height of magazines and mainly featured work-out plans and new hairdos to try. Then Teen Vogue was introduced and budding fashionistas everywhere have somewhere to turn. The queen of this court is Amy Astley and she is widely regarded as a demi-god who can look equally chic in H&M or Hermes.

Newspapers are still alive and kicking and have retained a quality bunch of writers in Suzy Menkes (International Herald Tribune), Hilary Alexander (Telegraph), and Cathy Horyn (NYTimes). And even certain bloggers hold a certain amount of power, namely Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist. For those wanting a more refreshingly funny look at the inanity of some celebrity fashion choices, head to the Fugly girls for a laugh.

Name Game

2008-07-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

These days, everyone seems to be having fun naming their child. Some might think it's solely a celebrity phenomenon, others might say that celebrities began a trend, but I feel that these celebrities are just an indicator of a wider happening.

Freakonomics has a great chapter devoted to the economics of names and notes that unusual names begin in the upper-class and within a decade can become one of the most commonly used names (e.g., Madison. In the 1990s it was considered a 'High-End' name and is now the third most common name in the US. Amber and Brittany had similar trajectories). Celebrities are some of the most visible of the upper-class, all of whom desire to set themselves and their family apart from middle America. The easiest way to become distinctive and different is with a name. Thus, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban and Honor Marie and Everly Bear (not to mention Shiloh and Suri). Granted, celebrities often tend toward the extremes with names such as Audio Science or Pilot Inspektor, but there are many more OrangeJellos and Senators that haven't had as much press.

There are plenty of 'High-End' names that fall into the unusual category along with the Sundays and Everlys, such as Maeve or Waverly, and Asher or Harper. Now seen as haughty names, some will undoubtedly strike a chord with middle-class women hoping to name their child something wealthy and successful-sounding. So as much as we scoff at the choice of Apple or Moses (Gwyneth Paltrow's children), a fruit or day of the week may become one of the more popular names in the country within a decade.

But for those still wishing to have a fully unique name, head over to ThinkBabyNames.com. This wonderful time-waster has a genius feature known as the 'Random Baby Namer'. Ideas will swirl around your head after names have been chosen for you. Let's give it a whirl, shall we? For a boy, what about Seminole Walid? Native American and Arabic, how exotic. Seminole too Floridian for you? Maybe Roarke Balfore then? See what fun naming babies can be?! And to ensure that your daughter will be Homecoming Queen, what about Leota Heloise? French, mais oui. Something more gender neutral? Perry Daveney. And you can do this for hours.

I feel the best names to use are family ones. If the child ever complains, you can always blame it on history rather than your whim brought about by pain, exhaustion, and that name from that website that for some reason is the only one that comes to mind.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

2008-07-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

R. Nadal defeats R. Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7 in 4 hours and 48 minutes with two rain delays. The king is dead; long live the king.

The summer of 2008 may well be the most celebrated in Spain for years to come. 44 years after their first and only Euro Championship, Fernando 'El Niño' Torres scores for Spain. They overcame both Italy and Germany, two major rivals, in an historic win. With the curse now broken, what else would go Spain's way?

It had been 42 years since a Spaniard had won on the grass at Wimbledon. Many had picked this year to be the year Rafa dethroned Federer, but things are easier said than done. (A small few picked Federer over Nadal at Roland Garros, but that was a task that was far too great. Roger was beaten more soundly than he had been in probably a decade.) With Nadal's 2 set lead slowly disappearing, one wondered if he could rise to the occasion and prove that Spaniards win everywhere, not just on clay. One more curse broken.

Similar results seem to be finding Spaniards in other sports. In cycling, Alejandro Valverde is the current yellow jersey in the Tour de France. Spain has had many Tour victories, including the last two years, and a victory here would put the final stamp on the summer of amazing feats.

My beef with Elie Saab

2008-07-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

Haute Couture—French term meaning ‘high dressmaking’. The phrase is protected by law in France and may only be used if granted permission. Part of that process is meeting three specific requirements:

Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings.
Have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen people full-time.
Each season (i.e., twice a year), present a collection to the Paris press, comprising at least thirty-five runs with outfits for both daytime wear and evening wear.

I mention these facts because each couture season I am reminded that Elie Saab has no business being mentioned in the same breath as Christian Lacroix, Christian Dior, and Chanel. And yet, there they are - the myriad of his dresses parading down the runway as if it were Hollywood. 'What's wrong with that?', you might wonder. Plenty.

Every season Saab sends out the same sparkling dresses, the same flowing material, the same cockiness of someone who thinks all he creates is beautiful and a sight to behold. Case in point: the looks on the left are from his 2006 Fall Couture show and on the right from the most recent 2008 Fall Couture show. It is one thing to play with recurring statement pieces (Chanel and the tweed blazer, for instance) or ideas (Lacroix and French history), relying on the inherent knowledge of the viewer/wearer to understand the design. However, Saab is doing something entirely different. He is resting on his laurels. Saab realized that once he found something that buyers seemed to like, he'd continue to make them in various colors until they stop selling. So goodbye, artistry. Goodbye, evolution of talent. Saab has decided to see what everyone else is doing and repeat. These don't resemble anything Lacroix ever did in 2004, do they? Or maybe Valentino for the spring of 2006?

As much as I dislike the repetition and boring drapery (remember Rami?), my primo tender beef with Saab (too literal?) is that he caters to Hollywood and the red carpet. And by this I mean that he caters to the stylists of the stars and "style editors" of US Weekly, People, and E!. Hollywood is actually conservative, if you think about it. There, anyone who wears something remotely risqué or even daring is lambasted, where in the fashion world it's really not a faux pas unless it is worn awkwardly or without confidence. Stars strive to get more face time in magazines so that the public will feel an emotional bond with them and want to see them in more movies. And to get into these widely read magazines they wear what stylists have brainwashed middle America into thinking are great dresses. Boring dresses is more like it.

Where something feminine, but not too much. Where something black, white, red, or maybe a jewel tone as long as it's not shocking. Think less is more and then add jewelry. Does anyone remember how Nicole Kidman's chartreuse Dior Oscar dress was supposed to shake everything up? Yeah, and then she went back to the safety colors. In Hollywood, fashion is business. Fashion needs to be glamorous, but relatable. That is why there is a massive amount of time and energy put into having both fall and spring ready-to-wear shows. But haute couture is strictly dressmaking in the truest sense: art. And when was the last time art was mainstream?

Haute couture has the luxury of being avant-garde and pushing the limit. The people who can afford to buy your clothes, who will buy your clothes, love fashion for fashion's sake. They appreciate and understand the artistic genius of it all. They want to wear a work of art. Celebrities and those that admire them tend to go for the safe option. But let me tell you something, Saab - the people who read US Weekly and People and who wholeheartedly agree that she did look lovely in that dress do not buy your clothes. The clientele you want just see a guy relying heavily on heaps of fabric and a bedazzler.

July Mix

2008-07-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

July 'Summer Hits' Mix

1•Disturbia by Rihanna
2•Pretty Please by Lissa
3•Dangerous by Kardinal Offishall
4•Low by Flo Rida
5•Damaged by Danity Kane
6•Walking On Air by Kerli
7•American Boy by Estelle
8•GWB (Fuck You Very Much) by Lily Allen
9•Rockstar by Prima J
10•I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry
11•Got Your Number by Nadia Oh
12•Shake It by Metro Station
13•Tambourine by Eve
14•Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body) by Three 6 Mafia
15•Out Here Grindin' by DJ Khaled
16•The Way I Are by Timbaland
17•Forever by Chris Brown
18•Body On Me by Nelly
19•Hero by Nas
20•Swing by Savage

After the taper...

2008-07-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

Swimming season always includes taper-time right before the big meet; the Olympics trials definitely count as a big meet. All the ripped and tied suits and long hair from the season and the easy paces of taper now give way to ultra-streamlined suits, smooth bodies, and all-out efforts. And, lately, one suit has appeared to be more streamlined than the rest: the Speedo LZR RACER Suit. In fact, more than reducing drag, this suit even seems to make your body more streamlined as well. The NYTimes article mentions that the corseted structure seems to engage the central nervous system in new ways and an Australian swimmer mentioned that it made her feel like she was "swimming downhill". And the fact remains that 38 of the 42 world records made this year involve the new LZR. Each new victory in this suit fuels the controversy of "technological doping".

Swimmers have tried everything to find that leg up on the competition. Why else would high school boys shave their arms and legs? And girls -not- shave their legs for months on end until State? And top-tier swimmers base their diets on Kentucky Derby horses and practice gymnastics? The goal for each action is to find something, or a combination of somethings, that will make you a tenth of a second faster, a centimeter longer for the touch, and the ability to sustain an 110% effort longer. So why not use a suit that could help? In swimming, thinking you have an edge is as powerful as a tangible edge, so if a suit makes you think differently it is difficult to separate that mental conviction from the physical suit.

Every sport enhances the technology; golf evolves the balls, tennis changes the rackets, runners use new shoes. Technology brings sports to new heights. Yes, the game usually changes with that (e.g., tennis is less a serve-and-volley game with the emergence of larger, sweet-spot happy rackets), but that's life and change should be welcomed. Sports are the antithesis of boring, change is the antithesis of boring. It's not a coincidence. The advancements that Speedo has made has already prompted TYR and others to push themselves to equal the LZR. What's the problem with that?

The NYTimes article ends with a very telling quote and reflects the cyclical nature of technology, sports, and history. Swimmers will continue searching for an edge, companies will continue to best their competitors, and controversy will always surround improvements that may ultimately change the game.

In an Olympic year, when swimming is thrust into the spotlight, competition is as fierce among merchandisers as it is among athletes. “Swimming’s great skin suit debate is escalating into a high-powered merchandising war,” wrote one journalist. His name was Leo Zainea, and his words appeared in The Chicago Tribune in May 1974, proving that the more suits change, the more the conversation remains the same.

June Mix

2008-07-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

June Mix
1•I Don't Want To Go by Veruca Salt
2•Lump by Presidents of the United States
3•Buddy Holly by Weezer
4•Short Skirt, Long Jacket by Cake
5•No Rain by Blind Melon
6•Orange Crush by R.E.M.
7•Follow You Down by Gin Blossoms
8•Closing Time by Semisonic
9•Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey
10•7 by Prince
11•Breathless by The Corrs
12•My Favorite Game by The Cardigans
13•Criminal by Fiona Apple
14•Gansta's Paradise by Coolio
15•6 Underground by Sneaker Pimps
16•Zombie by The Cranberries
17•Push It by Garbage
18•Save Yourself by Stabbing Westward
19•Machinehead by Bush
20•Blister In The Sun by Violent Femmes

Viva España

2008-06-29T17:35:00.000-07:00

Photos from Euro 2008

Supplemental Savvy | Tennis Guide pt. 2

2008-06-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

Wimbledon Men's Round of 16 (Bottom Half of the Draw)

Tipsarevic v. Schuettler
These two have never met and it looks like a battle of ages (but not, however, a battles for the ages). Tipsarevic (the 'other' Serb) just turned 24, while Schuettler is 32. I always had a soft spot for Schuettler because he reminded me of Steve McQueen. If I'm really looking for signs of McQueen, though, I should stick with Tispy. Pierced, hookah-loving, and he does all his own stunts, Tipsarevic in straight sets.

Cilic v. Clement
Clement has a 1-0 lead over Cilic as well as a no-contest lead in the face/body talent ratio. The Frenchie and suave-ness leave no room for the Croat and his penchant for other odd looking creatures. Clement in four.

Gasquet v. Murray
It's a duel between two youngsters and Gasquet has a 2-0 lead. Murray will definitely have the crowd on his side, but what he really needs is a dentist. He is undoubtedly growing out of his awkward and lanky phase, but is height and Scottish blood enough to beat a buffed and tanned Frenchie? I say 'aye'. I'm partial to Scots and the French already have their man-meat in Clement. Murray in a tough five.

Youzhny v. Nadal
The head-to-head between these two is 6-4, Nadal. Cutie-patootie Youzhny would win most other match-ups, but Nadal is a tough one to beat. Musculature like Nadal's is as rare as his modesty, and it takes a real man to wear those clam-diggers. Nadal in four.

Supplemental Savvy | Tennis Guide pt. 1

2008-06-27T14:42:00.000-07:00

I understand some of the reasons watching tennis is difficult. In football (American or otherwise), even if you don't know every player, there is still one team to cheer for and a season is generally easy to follow. Tennis, on the other hand, has literally hundreds of players and dozens of top tier tournaments (during a "season" that in reality lasts from January to November) all of which makes understanding the match-ups difficult. Over the last decade, I've relied heavily on the commentators and on watching as many matches as possible and it's because of this that I have grown to love the game and understand players' history and potential.

And yet, I still find myself rooting based predominantly on hotness. I was heartened to see that the girls at kickette also make their picks on this "face/body talent ratio". So in that vein, I've compiled an easily understandable guide to the Wimbledon Men's Round of 16 match-ups.

Men's Round of 16 (Top Half of the Draw)

Federer v. Hewitt
If you look at the stats, the head-to-head is 13-8 in Federer's favor. And this is Federer, the Tiger Woods/Thierry Henry of tennis, on his way to breaking ol' Pete's record. This is all to say that everything is seemingly in Federer's favor. Still, Hewitt has a bad boy quality that is desirable and hard to resist. Being Australian is unequivocally hotter than being Swiss. And Hewitt has a cute kid, so that accessory makes him seem responsibly sexy. But this is also the Hewitt who had a curly mullet for years. Even ironically, mullets are awful. Unequivocally. So does Federer have enough allure to beat out a post-mullet Aussie dad? The Rog is not terrible when shirtless and he exudes an amount of class rarely seen anywhere of late. And to top it all off, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour is a fan. She's one tough cookie to crack, so if she's on board, I'm on board. Federer in four sets.

Verdasco v. Ancic
These two have only played once (at Queen's last week) and Ancic won, though it was a close match. Therefore, a physical comparison is really the only way to go. Verdasco is actually only a few months older than Ancic (they're both 24), but looks far more aged. That means both that Verdasco looks haggard and that Ancic has a babyface. However, Ancic is three inches taller (6'5") and has a far superior focused look, thus the balance is restored. Another strike against Verdasco is an unfortunate promo pic for Hard Rock. Ancic in five sets.

Safin v. Wawrinka
I will be completely upfront about my bias here: Marat Safin is undoubtedly my favorite tennis players and one of my favorite men of all time. He has two majors and an unbelievably sexy temper to his name, so he can do no wrong in my eyes. Still, the "facts" remain that Wawrinka has a 2-0 lead in this match-up. Safin is known for being consistently inconsistent. He is currently riding a wave of two strong wins over seeds (Djokovic and Seppi) and Wawrinka will hopefully be another. Safin in straight sets.

Baghdatis v. Lopez
These two have only met once before, Baghdatis with the win. However, Baghdatis sometimes has difficulty in clutch situations and playing someone with Lopez's hotness level would definitely need some extra oomphf. Hair oomphf is non-transferable and actually depletes other oomphf areas, so the Cypriot really stands no chance. If that wasn't enough, Lopez has the advantage of being Spanish and having piercing blue eyes. Obviously the success of Spain in the Euros is transferable, thus Lopez and his amazing bone structure will continue onward. Lopez in four.

Klosterman

2008-06-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

Contrary to what you may have heard from Henry Rollins or/and Ian MacKaye and/or anyone else who joined a band after working in an ice cream shop, you can't really learn much about a person based on what kind of music they happen to like. As a personality test, it doesn't work even half the time. However, there is at least one thing you can learn: The most wretched people in the world are those who tell you they like every kind of music "except country." People who say that are boorish and pretentious at the same time. All it means is that they've managed to figure out the most rudimentary rule of pop sociology; they know that hipsters gauge the coolness of others by their espoused taste in sound, and they know that hipsters hate modern country music. And they hate it because it speaks to normal people in a tangible, rational manner. Hipsters hate it because they hate Midwesterners, and they hate Southerners, and they hate people with real jobs.

'Toby over Moby', Chapter 14 of Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto by Chuck Klosterman

Lists

2008-06-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

I love lists, I always have; I probably always will. I wonder, however, if my incessant interest in the concise compilation of information has stunted me. The more I look at my Firefox bookmarks, the more I realize that my favorite sites allow me to list various types of things. Facebook now allows me to list and group my friends. IMDb allows me to catalog movies by director, genre, or guilty pleasure. Goodreads helps me remember what books I've read and shows me what my friends have read. Most obviously, my newfound favorite of RSS feeds plays into my predilection for reading bullet points. Rather than feeling more in-the-know and worldly, the mounds of lists I have read or made ultimately make me feel overwhelmed and underachieving.

What is overwhelming is the amount of material that exists in the world. You can't help the comparisons to your own edited lists and see how highly deficient you are in the grand scheme of things. I don't mean deficient in comparison to others, just deficient in respect to time. Lists will continue to expand and there is no way to catch up to everything, so there comes a point when you choose between knowing a little about a lot, or a lot about a little. It's disheartening that we can't have it all, but the comfort lies in that it's a fact true for everyone.

When I googled "pyschology of list making", I found many articles pertaining to decision making. In Psychology Today they state that, "Listing your resolutions can help you figure out what you really want to do with your time." Ultimately, I suppose, I like lists for a ready-made (conventional) checklist for self-improvement. But in and of itself, lists are just that. I like a list of books that have won the Noble Prize just as much as a list of albums that will be released next week. But passively reading a list is much different than actively checking off boxes, so I guess my main task is the same as most: stop procrastinating.

Music Mixes

2008-06-24T17:49:00.000-07:00

For 2008 I had two resolutions: no pop for a year and monthly music mixes, which I then share with my friends. Considering most of you actually know me, this might be redundant. Still, I am fairly proud of these mixes as it shows that I 1) can stick to some decisions, 2) have a fairly wide interest in music, and 3) try way to hard to be cool.

January Mix
1•Silver Rider by Low
2•Breaker by Low
3•Come Home by One Republic
4•Coffee House by Landon Pigg
5•Down the Line by José González
6•Hometown Glory by Adele
7•Coming Up For Air by Siobhán Donaghy
8•Can't Speak French by Girls Aloud
9•Speakerphone by Kylie Minogue
10•Feedback by Janet Jackson
11•Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya) by Ashlee Simpson
12•See You Again (Drake Remix) by Miley Cyrus
13•Stripper by Sohodolls
14•Ohh La La by Goldfrapp
15•Foundations by Kate Nash
16•New Soul by Yael Naim
17•Gone Gone Gone by R. Plant + A. Krauss
18•The Real by Nevertheless
19•If I Ever Leave This World Alive by Flogging Molly
20•Love You 'till The End by The Pogues

February Mix
1•Crackers by Maia Hirasawa
2•Silver Lining by Rilo Kiley
3•Give It Up by Haley Bonar
4•All Those Pretty Things by Anna Kramer + the Lost Cause
5•Le Cactus by Jacques Dutronc
6•Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa by Vampire Weekend
7•Nighttiming by Coconut Records
8•Everyone Nose by N.E.R.D.
9•Little Math You by Atmosphere
10•100 Days, 100 Nights by Sharon Jones + the Dap-Kings
11•Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis
12•Mama Who Bore Me from Spring Awakening
13•Cry by Dan Wilson
14•The Way It Is by Nicole Atkins
15•It's True by New Buffalo
16•To Build A Home by The Cinematic Orchestra
17•Sea Of Love by Cat Power
18•Falling Slowly from Once
19•Black Winged Bird by Nina Persson
20•The Ride by Joan As Police Woman

March Mix
1•Sweet Darlin' by She + Him
2•Galaxy Of The Lost by Lightspeed Champion
3•The Ballad of Gus + Sam by Ferraby Lionheart
4•Girl Laying Down by Anna Ternheim
5•Modern Trick by Sarah Borges + the Broken Singles
6•We Have All The Time In The World by The Puppini Sisters
7•Kookaburra by John Vanderslice
8•Hired Gun by The Alarmists
9•Dancing Barefoot by Allison Moorer
10•Way Down In The Hole by Steve Earle
11•Wishing Well Waltz by The Pines
12•Broken by Tift Merritt
13•Blackbird by Rachel Unthank + The Winterset
14•Syrup + Honey by Duffy
15•Lion's Mouth by Arthur + Yu
16•Second Chance by Liam Finn
17•Fools by The Dodos
18•Rain by Bishop Allen
19•You'll Change by Machine Translations
20•The General Specific by Band Of Horses

April Mix
1•Pilgrim by Kid Dakota
2•A Million Pieces by LoveLikeFire
3•Sour Cherry by The Kills
4•Je Ne Te Connais Pas by The Prototypes
5•4 Minutes by Madonna + Justin Timberlake
6•Soup by Tunng
7•The Wreckoning by Boomkat
8•Fascination by Alphabeat
9•Consolers of the Lonely by The Raconteurs
10•The Songs That We Sing by Charlotte Gainsbourg
11•Going On by Gnarls Barkley
12•The Magic Position by Patrick Wolf
13•San Bernardino by The Mountain Goats
14•The Beast by Angus + Julia Stone
15•L'incendie by Vanessa Paradis
16•Hotel Song by Regina Spektor
17•Whirly Kid by Ema + The Ghosts
18•The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson
19•Day Too Soon by Sia
20•In This City by Iglu + Hartly

May Mix
1•Two Ways by The 1900s
2•All This Beauty by The Weepies
3•The Re-Arranger by Mates of State
4•Pull Shapes by The Pipettes
5•Out of Sight by White Liot Riot
6•Come Flash All Your Ladies by The Filthy Youth
7•Tick Tick Boom by The Hives
8•Feeling Better by The Teenagers
9•I'm Good, I'm Gone by Lykke Li
10•Mad Pursuit by Junkie XL fest. Electrocute
11•Don't Forget by Gemma Hayes
12•Music Is My Hot Hot Sex by CSS
13•The Queen and I by Gym Class Heroes
14•In This Life by Delta Goodrem
15•Should've Said No by Taylor Swift
16•When The Lights Go Out by The Black Keys
17•Believe by The Bravery
18•I'm Not Over by Carolina Liar
19•How Does It Feel? by Eskimo Joe
20•Everyone You Know by Now,Now Every Children

June Mix + July Mix coming soon

A Look at Portraiture

2008-06-23T13:17:00.002-07:00

Every year, the National Portrait Gallery in London holds an exhibit of the BP Portrait Award submissions. I'm always interested to see the finalists largely because portraiture seems like one of the few art genres that is a constant. The museum is a testament to that fact and seeing paintings of Henry VIII to Blur remind me of the timelessness inherent in the drive to depict individuals. In a single portrait you can learn so much: what do the clothes say about the subject, or the lack of clothes? What personality comes across in their stance or gaze? Is it an honest depiction, or is the artist adding a creative element? Does this element suggest inner psychology or external influences?

Here are my personal favorites from this year. I found myself drawn to introspective depictions without the photographic crispness that many were attempting. Careful use and consideration of light is also paramount in my personal taste, so whether it's glowing luminosity or a subtle touch, light plays a major factor in my reaction to a work.

above left: Portrait of Amanda Smith at Vincent Avenue by Simon Davies
above right: Marian Dormint (Marian Sleeping) by Josep Joaquim Santilari Perarnau

above left: Konjit by Maryam Foroozanfar
above right: Lliana by Krasimir Kolev

above left: Kristy, 3rd Attempt by Geert Schless
above right: Boots No.7 (2) by Harriet White

The grass is green at SW19

2008-06-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow begins my favorite reason for not working during the summer: Wimbledon. In fact, I might even go so far as to say that Wimbledon is my favorite sporting event of the year. Let's see - Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup, The Finals, Olympics, World Cup... Yes. I can, in fact, say that Wimbledon is my favorite sporting event of the year. There are so many reasons to love it, I can't narrow it down to one. A list of many, however, is completely manageable.

- London. For me, nothing more needs to be said. I consider it home, a comfort zone, and the perfect combination of modernity and history. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

- Tennis. These guys and gals play solo, sans coaching, for upwards of 2 to 3 hours with only a few seconds break between points and a few minutes between games and sets. Physically they seem to be one of the most well-rounded athletes and you need to have a strong mental game, too, in order to succeed at the highest levels. There is a correlation between Federer having twelve Grand Slam titles and constantly being referred to as "ice-calm".

- Grass. The ability of play on numerous types of surfaces is a key reason to my thinking that tennis players are some of the best athletes out there. Having a grass tournament so soon after a clay one has been a point of consternation for a while, but I love it. You start with Roland Garros and watch beautiful rallies and slides and an easy-going sense seems to envelop you. Such is France. But onward to London, you feel the speed and power of it all and need to have either the physical or the mental game (or preferably both) to get far.

- White. (As in the outfits.) Seeing Nadal strut out in white man-capris or Roger wear a classic blazer on Centre Court or wondering how close to a wedding dress Sharapova's outfit will look like is one of the great sports sartorial moments of our time. Marketers and designers must love this game, too, because of the variety of ensembles allowed on court. I do wish a jewelry limit would be made, though. Pausing a match to find the broken pieces of a Williams sister's absurdly large diamond dangling earring is ridiculous.

- Tradition. Maybe it's because modern tennis originated in England or the fact that Wimbledon is the oldest of the Grand Slams (beginning in 1877), but few competitions besides maybe the Olympics or the FA Cup have such long histories.

Underrated is best

2008-06-22T15:33:00.000-07:00

Euro 2008 has recently become a major part of my life. Whether that is because I have finally realized that soccer/football/fútbol is a genuinely passionate and skillful game that rightfully engulfs the rest of the world, or because I am bored and cheering for something makes me momentarily forget that fact, does not really matter. What matters now is that the underdog has won in each of the quarterfinal matches. Germany defeated Portugal. Turkey defeated Croatia. Russia defeated the Netherlands. Spain beat Italy. Maybe the Austrian air clears the mind. Maybe all that rain washed away precedent along with the field. Or maybe certain superstars have had their day.

Against most opponents, Germany would never be considered the underdog. They are the most successful team in UEFA history and, of course, they have Ballack. But Portugal was the pick for most, either because of turncoat Scolari or due to temporary blindness from the incessant sheen off of Cristiano Ronaldo's hair (and/or smirk). There was also the fact that Germany's coach, Löw, was benched. But by playing aggressively from the start, Germany secured a victory and a move to the semifinals.

That Turkey's win was an upset is obvious for every typical and stereotypical reason. There were injuries and penalties, a fierce opponent who had won all three qualifying matches while Turkey's wins were both come-from-behind miracles. There is also the ironic fact that Turkey isn't quite in the EU yet.

The Russian upset is more a case of young upstarts versus aging icons. The Ruud van Nistelrooy's of the world are quickly being replaced by hungry 20-somethings with dreams of their own. Personally, I never considered Russia as an underdog. With a zeal that seems to grow exponentially every generation (by either genetics or the repetition of Pushkin), Russia was finally able to combine the will with the way. That way was Guus Hiddink. Helping other ragtag teams in previous years (see South Korea and Australia), Hiddink has proved to be the magic touch again. This win was no where near as exciting as the Sweden win, but I might just be saying that because I only was able to see regulation. Hopefully the rematch with Spain will be full of the Russian fire I've grown to expect.

Today's Italy/Spain game seemed up for grabs the entire time. If really pressed, columnists could come up with the ill-fated day in Spanish football history and not having beat Italy in X many years, but that there was no clear favorite is closer to the truth. Italy is the reigning World Cup champs, but Spain outright won their group with three wins (defeating Russia, Sweden, and Greece). Italy might have had Buffon and an amazingly tight defense, but Spain completely dominated possession. My "theory" (that is also the theory of 95% of anyone else who cares) is that possession and attempted shots on goal are the real ways to win games. One of the ESPN commentators said at the end of regulation that if it were a boxing match, Spain would win with a unanimous decision. It's comforting to be reminded that hard work and winning aren't always mutually exclusive.

Semifinals are now set as: Germany v. Turkey. Russia v. Spain. I don't really want to make predictions, as I've grown fond of many of these players, but since I'm forcing myself:

Germany 2 - 1 Turkey
Russia 1 - 1 Spain* (Spain wins on PK)

39 Points

2008-06-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

The Celtics won by 39 points. A blow-out, if you will. And I am more than happy with the results. KG was so loyal to Minnesota for so long and I feel that he finally has what he deserves. And yet what I loved more about this win was the teamwork. KG, Allen, Pierce, Rondo-- everyone got a piece. When Allen went out for 10 minutes with a poked eye, KG stepped it up and started knocking 'em back. Then Rondo got into the mix and started stealing everything in sight. In no time, you knew it was all over.

I'll admit that I was rooting for them on Sunday in LA, but winning at home is so much more poetic. I remember hearing stories about the Celtic dynasty, but never experienced it. My generation is much more acquainted with dynasties of the Bull and Laker-persuasion. Obviously I would have enjoyed KG to have been able to win it all with the T-Wolves, but as we're Minnesotans and hate spending money, it was better this way.

Context Matters

2008-04-08T09:37:00.000-07:00

The Pulitzers were awarded today. I noticed one article featuring Joshua Bell that I had been meaning to read for a while; it turns out I had been meaning to read it for a solid year. Pearls Before Breakfast, by Gene Weingarten, begins with a simple premise: put the finest violinist in the land amongst busy DC commuters and see if anyone appreciates him. Sadly, I was not surprised by the results. I have a background in the lesser appreciated realms including the arts and community service, so I am well aware that the majority of Americans either don't care or don't take the time to care. It's a lengthy article, but worth it--I mean, it did win a Pulitzer.

[As a follow-up, I am wondering if the violin itself is just an under-appreciated instrument. I wonder if a guitarist of the same caliber would have yielded the same results. Is classical the only way to appreciate music and appreciate art? Is a strong interest in performance art, but no real knowledge of painterly qualities a detriment? Are we expected to only be full human beings if we appreciate each and every single art form? I consider myself some who sees, or at least tries to see, quality in everything. But I also realize personal preference and don't see why generalizing our society's lack of appreciation to the arts with responses, or lack thereof, to classical music is completely valid. But it is a good starting off point.]

Under Pressure

2008-03-04T23:03:00.001-08:00

Jane had been planning for Saturday all week, even though her "plans" consisted of a medium mocha with less chocolate and breakfast bagel with bacon sometime before 11 followed by a day of magazine reading. There was a lot to catch-up on, after all. What were the spring colors and shapes? She couldn't afford much, but a manicure with gunmetal gray was manageable. And she had been meaning to learn more about the conflict happening in Burma. And what star is recently pregnant? So much reading to do.

To be in the right mindset, Jane decided against going out Friday. Her friend, Liz, suggested a bar, but Jane decided to just stay in. She really wanted to get a good night's sleep. So Jane awoke on Saturday feeling fresh and looking forward to the day. She changed out of her pajamas into something equally as comfortable--something she sometimes wears as pajamas, as a matter of fact--and walked the half block to get coffee and breakfast. She spotted an interesting magazine on the way back and happily added more to her day of reading.

The day was proceeding very enjoyably. The mocha was just what she wanted and the first magazine, chosen as warm-up material, had a very good article about money management. All signs pointed to a great day. And probably evening, since Jane had nothing planned--as usual.

The phone rang during the middle of an article on a society wedding. Jane marked the page and answered. "Mom, hi. Um, how are you?" Jane asked, annoyed. Yes, she had heard that Karen had gotten married. That's a shame that Uncle Dennis ran over his lawn mower. No, actually, she hadn't attended church during Lent.

Jane felt she had more important things to do than hear the hometown recap. What was her mother's lesson to be this time? Eat less, but drink more? Remember to wear one black item at all times for a slimming effect? No, this time it was to be marriage. "No, I didn't read anything in The Atlantic about settling," Jane stated, exacerbated and eyebrows arched. "But, Mother, I'm not a 45-year-old single mother. I'm 24 and not ready to get married in anyway," she explained. Yes, she knows how picky she is. No, she sees no reason of settling for something she won't respect. 30 and 35 is still a ways off, she reminds her mother. Should she get married before she's ready, just to make sure she gets married?

"Mother, really. Don't scare me. I get out, I go out, I am not overly picky, and have every hope of meeting someone. And if I don't, I have a great inner comfort and strength. So, please, Mother--I'll read the article, I'll keep your words in mind. But can I get back to my Saturday, please? Thank you. My love to you and dad," and with that Jane ended the conversation.

After a minute of peace, Jane picked up the phone again. "Liz? It's Jane. I was wondering if you and the gals were going out tonight? Yeah? The Cooler at 9--see you then!" And Jane wondered if a gunmetal gray manicure would work with her new top.

Paris ends on a 'haute' note

2008-03-04T22:41:00.000-08:00

Alexander McQueen
It is a rare feat to strike a perfect balance between fantasy and reality, costume and clothes. When it happens, however, it is a breath of fresh air and confirmation of the power of fashion. Alexander McQueen presented such a show, beloved by all who witnessed it. His inspiration began with a 600-year-old elm tree and from there he created a story of a girl who escapes from the tree and marries a prince. Drawing much on his emotions and personal experiences, McQueen created graceful empire-waisted, ballerina gowns countered with either leather leggings or extreme color. This is one fantasy I'd like to join.

Chado Ralph Rucci
The inspiration for this season was quantum mechanics, the physics of waves. These undulations not only added a sense of cohesion to the collection, but also an exciting contrast to the clean lines. Rucci's collection was greatly admired by Nicole Phelps, WWD, and Suzy Menkes and the reasons are clear.

Lanvin
Suzy Menkes concisely states why Alber Elbaz has made Lanvin so successful: 'Elbaz does not project fashion into the future but nor does he reference the past. He makes clothes seem desirable for the here and now, with the deceptive simplicity that marks a powerful talent.' The fall collection at Lanvin exhibited Elbaz's great skill and ingenuity where he mainly used ribbons of grosgrain to create his little black dresses. Amazing how something so seemingly simple and obvious could be made into remarkable creations of femininity.

Nina RicciOlivier Theyskens at Nina Ricci seemed to break free of his fairytale goth aesthetic and instead found color and exquisite draping for fall. It was only a year ago that Theyskens showed his first collection for Nina Ricci; Rochas, his previous employer, had closed their clothing line. That collection one year ago was beautiful, but--as Sarah Mower points out--was more of a collection for Rochas than a new start for Nina Ricci. Looking at this collection with that in mind, I wonder if Theyskens is a designer that will be exquisite, but exquisitely similar, no matter where he is.

Changes afoot...

2008-03-04T14:47:00.000-08:00

The big news in the sports world today is that Brett Favre is retiring. The Vikings most hated opponent, we both respected him and feared him. You never knew what kind of day he would have, though you just had to assume he would pull off something miraculous. It might be sacrilege as a Vikes fan, but I always cheered for the Packers (provided it was against us or a close conference season). If you put the pieces together, how could you not? Lambeau Field, winter with a strong wind chill, Favre kicking butt against a pansy team used to warm conditions. True football. And while the atmosphere will still be the same, we have yet to know if someone as charismatic and talented will be able to handle the weather and game just as well as Favre did.

The Washington Senators beat the Boston Bruins 10-2. Tim Thompson, the Bruin goalie, tried to stay positive by saying that a loss is a loss, no matter how embarrassing. Now, I only saw bits and pieces of the game because I was at the gym and focusing on other things, but winning by 8 goals in a professional hockey game is ridiculous. Sometimes wins and losses can come down the goalkeeping, but I feel that this loss should be placed squarely on the defenders shoulders. Chin up, Thompson. I'm sure those defenders will be ripped new ones.

Prince Harry has been outed. News of the prince fighting in Afghanistan was famously disclosed to Americans via the Drudge Report (Australia and Germany were the first ones to report the story). We know the Prince wanted to fight and so we're glad he did, and we're glad he's a hero, and we're glad he's hot--I mean, home. In the backlash, there are calls of PR stunts (which completely disregards the humanity of the prince and sees him only as a puppet figure that the MoD uses, not to mention the fact Harry's persuasive argument that he was trained to defend his country) and criticisms of news editors. I feel the latter is a much more sound and critical issue. I, instinctively, agree with the editors on this 'embargo' to without a story. But Robinson raises crucial points about celebrity, national security, and the "collective decision to suppress an incendiary piece of news". The debate surrounding this seemingly mild act will no doubt shade the future of journalism and it will be interesting to see where things fall in the name of "national security".

Election Day. CNN has predicted an Obama win for Vermont. Clinton took Rhode Island. She also eeked out a win in Ohio and is giving her victory speech as I write. She is also barely ahead by 20,000 votes in Texas. Meanwhile, McCain has the Republican nod and will sit back and rise above it all. What this means is that the Democratic nominees need to be cautious in their attacks. Too harsh or too negative will only help to weaken the party. But for my two cents, "bitch is the new black".

Final Days of Paris

2008-02-28T23:48:00.001-08:00

Paris Looks
Valentino has a new designer in Alessandra Facchinetti. No waves were made, but maybe a few ripples. Facchinetti kept things safe and streamlined, with a few 'ooh' moments (the main one, a pink dress flowing out of a black jacket, is below) and the obligatory Valentino red dresses. Nothing spectacular, but she can feel confidant that her job is safe. The same could be said of Giambattista Valli. His collection consisted largely of softer "bubble" dresses with applique and was one of the more successful collections exploring volume.

Valentino | Giambattista Valli

Sophia Kokosalaki
"I've been inspired by fantastic art—sort of comic book, heavy metal illustrations. I thought, 'They're kind of cool, if only they had more taste!' " So said Kokosalaki before her most recent show, which comprised mainly of dark and sinewy silhouettes. Kokosalaki's Greek heritage is oft referred to (she was the costume designer for the 2004 Greece Olympics) and hopefully with this strong collection she can break free of any "rustic girl does good" stories. With her excellent craftsmanship and strong grasp of the current trends, Kokosalaki should now be able to let her clothes, rather than her back story, speak for themselves.

Givenchy
Riccardo Tisci had a rocky start with the fashion world when he took over as head designer for Givenchy (probably best known as the couturier for Audrey Hepburn). His first RTW collection was widely panned, but has since proved his worth more each season. Remarkably, he has made the Givenchy brand a perfect outlet for his dark, Gothic designs. This season he continues with his aesthetic, but strong execution and an editing eye make it his strongest outing yet.

Christian Lacroix
I personally love Lacroix, as he is proof that you can do something amazing with an art history background. He is a wildly energetic, slightly frivolous designer who rarely fails to excite and encourage women to be daring. His couture shows are a thing of beauty (see Fall 2004 Couture and Fall 2007 Couture) and in comparison his RTW collections seem tame. This is a good example of the two ways to wear RTW Lacroix: all-out or slightly muted.

Supplemental Savvy | Fashion Seasons

2008-02-28T22:23:00.000-08:00

For fashion dilettantes -- each year is broken down into seasons: Spring, Fall, and, most recently, Resort. Next, it's broken down into classes: Ready-to-Wear (Prêt-à-Porter) and Haute Couture. Each class has separate viewings, so "fashion week" usually happens five times a year. Many cities have a fashion week that is more local and has less coverage, such as Los Angeles, Madrid, or Toronto. The major fashion cities (the Majors or Grand Slams of fashion) are New York City, London, Milan, and Paris. And if it weren't complicated enough, the fashion shows ending now in Paris at the onset of spring are actually presenting collections for the upcoming fall.

Once you either understand (or choose to ignore) the schedule, you can really start looking at collections with an acute eye. I chose Andrew Gn as a good example for explaining this concept. His latest collection was seen as a bold shift from his earlier work, turning short dresses and embroidered coats into something darker and more edgy. Gone were the skirts and gone were the colors, and yet there is still a continuity from one season to the next. Linking a spring collection to the following fall collection is very important; after fall, a designer can claim a clean slate with much less criticism. Take a look at the comparisons below--Andrew Gn Spring 2008 RTW on the left, Andrew Gn Fall 2008 RTW on the right--and see where some things have shifted, but also notice what has remained.

Paris Runway

2008-02-27T15:51:00.000-08:00

Layering
Undercover | Ann Demeulemeester

Jackets
Jean Paul Gaultier | Yohji Yamamoto
Ann Demeulemeester | Undercover

Dresses
Balenciaga | Viktor + Rolf
Jean Paul Gaultier | Junya Watanabe

Good Crazy
Vivienne Westwood always puts on a good show and this time it was with stilts! Heightened verticality was a trend in Paris and no where was it more obvious and exulted.

Bad Crazy
Maison Martin Margiela, however, is lost in pretentiousness. This is exactly why so many are put off by "fashion" and "high-concept" looks. To successfully be "high-concept", it needs to be understandable and well executed. Way to push people away, Martin. [golf claps with exasperation]

Montaigne

2008-02-26T11:28:00.000-08:00

To conclude, all that can be alleged in favour of the Academy, is to say, that it was a love ending in friendship, a thing which hath no bad reference unto the Stoical definition of love: Amorem conatum esse amicitæ faciendæ ex pulchritudinis specie: 14 “That love is an endevour of making friendship, by the shew of beautie.” I returne to my description in a more equitable and equall manner. Omnino amicitiæ, corroboratis jam confirmatisque ingeniis et ætatibus, judicandæ sunt: 15 “Clearely friendships are to be judged by wits, and ages already strengthened and confirmed.” As for the rest, those we ordinarily call friendes and amities, are but acquaintances and familiarities, tied together by some occasions, or commodities, by meanes whereof our mindes are entertained. In the amitie I speake of, they entermixe and confound themselves one in the other, with so universall a commixture, that they weare out and can no more finde the seame that hath conjoined them together. If a man urge me to tell wherefore I loved him, I feele it cannot be expressed, but by answering; Because it was he, because it was my selfe.

'Of Friendship', Chapter 28 of Essays by Michel Eyquem de Montaigne

Hits

2008-02-25T14:29:00.000-08:00

Favorites
1: Anne Hathaway. Last year she wore a Valentino dress that would have been gorgeous if not for a large, black bow splashed across her breasts, so really anything would have been an improvement. But this is stunning. Right color. Just enough in the frills and accessories department. Good draping. Awesome make-up and hair. Hot Italian boyfriend. Plus, she's just so gosh-darn cute and wholesome. Watch out, Natalie Portman. Your good-girl-with-good-taste domination may soon tumble.

2: Jennifer Garner. Yes, I was earlier bemoaning the abundance of black, but if you're going to wear it, wear it well. And that she did. With an absolutely knock-out necklace with great hair and make-up, the battle was won. The dress was suitably ruffled with a train and didn't detract from all the awesomeness that was above her shoulders. Also, she graciously took a kiss (read: vampire neck bite) from Gary Busey. She is all class and then some.

3: Amy Adams. I love her for many reasons: she brings the sexy back to red hair; her background in Minnesota dinner theater; her character in Drop Dead Gorgeous; she is unabashedly optimistic; she's just so irresistibly cute. Which is why I was so pained...no, horrified, when she showed up on the red carpet years ago as a nominee in a seemingly pleather-brown Carolina Herrera. How could two rights go so horribly wrong? Well, this year the math was much better. Proenza Schouler + Amy = emerald green corset wonder.

4: Keisha Whitaker. Due to awful TV coverage from every station, I missed many arrivals. Nicole Kidman, Rosamund Pike, Diablo Cody. Forest and Keisha Whitaker were more oversights. So when I scrolled through red carpet pictures the day after, I was so sad I didn't get the chance to see this dress in action. Still, it's fitted so well and appropriately pouffy that I couldn't help but put her in my top.

5: Marion Cotillard. She's French, gorgeous, and won an Oscar. She has a lot going for her. Another thing is that she takes risks (see her dress for the BAFTAs) and pulls it off. Yes, it's a none-too-subtle mermaid dress. Yes, it accentuates her breasts. But it's chic and unlike anything else on the red carpet. It's not even black or red or one-shouldered. A true risk taker, indeed.

British Invasion
I adore Rosamund Pike, if only for the childish reason that she's pretty. I have seen her in movies and on stage, so I admire her talent, but I really just think she's a classic English Rose. Move over, Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes, there's a new British actress/director combo in town (Pike is engaged to Joe Wright, director of Pride & Prejudice and Atonement). And though I'm not head-over-heels for this dress, it's Roland Mouret. Which is enough for me. Plus, isn't lemon ice a nice change? Tilda Swinton is a personal favorite for me, so this negates the 'miss' from below. I, personally, think it's great. I want to encourage this daring. I want to encourage young starlets to see beyond Marchesa and Roberto Cavalli. So if anyone ever tries Gareth Pugh or Christopher Kane, they'll automatically make my best dressed list.

Final Note
Viggo Mortensen is like Steve McQueen. He can do no wrong. He will always be sexy. He makes confederate soldiers look hot. So don't knock him or I will wrestle you to the floor and cut you... while naked.

Misses

2008-02-25T11:18:00.001-08:00

Least Favorite
1: Ellen Page. Why? Because she didn't even frickin' try! And she wore black...again! I was so unbelievably disappointed with her. She has worn black to every award show despite being a young, fresh actress and up for an Oscar---so I needed something more... MORE! This wasn't even safe and boring, it was ill-fitted and dated. Sure, her little Zac Posen number at the SAG Awards was cute and appropriate. And she's so adorable, and Juno is such a quirky movie, and she's the poster child for hip. Blah. Talented actress, yes. Wonderful personality, not so much. On the Barbara Walters show afterwards, Page said that she's not as 'hipster' and 'angsty' as it would seem and that she really likes Hollywood. Really? Because every step in this award season shows a too-cool-for-school teen.

2: Kelly Preston. The orange was not working for me. Neither were her earrings. As Holly and I discussed her, I made a white-trash analogy. Don't you see her as a girl with looks, but lacking taste? Michelle Pfeiffer is her opposite. But poor Kelly still looks straight from the trailer park.

3: Sarah Larson. I debated whether to put her on here because she's only known as George Clooney's current arm-candy. But, hey, if you walk down the red carpet you better be prepared to take the heat. Now, I know that the column dress with tiers is oh-so-hot right now. But I have never been a fan of floral prints. And are those lilypads?!

4: Penelope Cruz. Feathers framing her butt and breasts. If you need more reasons, find a picture from the front. That big swoosh of fabric looks like a kangaroo pouch. Everyone else seemed to love it, but I just can't get behind that.

5: Calista Flockhart. Maybe I'm just jealous that Harrison Ford's perfect day includes her, but this dress is flat and basic to me. I am fine with her not wearing anything 'glamorous' for the occasion (Pene...) and I actually mind it less the more I look at it, but the red carpet is all about first impressions and mine weren't good. I also saw more of her back where all the lines got screwy. Or maybe it was her bird nest hair. I don't know.

Other notable "Misses"
Nicole Kidman for her ridiculous necklace. The dress was so nice and simple. She looked like a glowing pregnant woman. And then she decided that she needed to up the ante and threw on a humongous, three strand jeweled thing. It should have been the top strand only.

Olivia Thirlby for those heinous lilac tinted shoes. Boring dress, but not bad. Too tight hair, but at least she's pretty. Purple shoes, and the whole thing is ruined.

Rebecca Miller and Tilda Swinton for being too avant garde. Miller is wearing Lacroix Haute Couture and I love the fact that she's taking a big risk. But on American soil, with that gigantic broach and checkered shoes, she's at the edge of crazy. I don't love it, but I respect it. Swinton, however, I do love. She's in black Lanvin and it contrasts amazingly with her skin and hair. In the aftermath of the awards, most have dubbed it a garbage bag. But look at the fabric! And the draping! And it's Tilda Swinton! The Fug Girls are right--only she could wear this.

80th Academy Awards

2008-02-24T22:08:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am going to comment on the Oscars. With the Writers' strike over and the big hoopla that I saw first hand (albeit a week before the ceremonies), this was an important night for Hollywood. It was also a big night for fashion. Where else will mainstream America see such high fashion and hear the brand 'Marchesa'? So I will join in and give my two bits.

I have won gloating rights amongst my friends because I won our Oscar pick game at 13 of 24. It was close, but I pulled through. I put it down to my pick for best make-up, La Vie En Rose. One I did miss, however, was surprise-winner Tilda Swinton. Completely deserved, naturally, just not one that anyone saw coming...except Molly.

I felt John Stewart did a great job, better than last year. I think it boils down to more experience, shorter jokes, and a more optimistic political atmosphere. I enjoyed the Wii bit and truly respected him bringing Marketa Irglova back out to finish her speech. Well done to both of them. I felt Marion Cotillard and Daniel Day-Lewis also gave great speeches. And is it just me or is Steve Carell still funny? Or was the best moment of the night actually before the show with Gary Busey and Jennifer Garner?

But now to the fluff. Literally. What was with Jessica Alba and Penelope Cruz making like birds and sticking feathers all over? Wasn't a fan, personally. The one-shoulder look was a big hit, but always takes me back to the 90s. Maybe that's why I loved Heidi Klum's neckline. And black dominated the red carpet. There was plenty of red, fair play, but I began to wonder if all these women were uniting in solidarity for something. Maybe 'Bitch is the new Black'?

All in all, I very much enjoyed this Oscar night. Thank you so much to my lovely support team: my agent, Dish Network; my manager, MacBook; my director, Cybelle's Pizza; and my rock, Holly. Without you, I never would have or could have watched the entire show. And now back to work...

Rugby Union

2008-02-21T16:37:00.000-08:00

I love sports. And I love the UK. Rugby has proven to be my favorite combination of the two, even though I don't understand the game half as much as I'd like. To that end, I'm trying to build up my knowledge and vocabulary with the upcoming weekend matches. If you are similarly inclined, try the hilarious England Academy. It teaches you six of the most important aspects of the game, but in a fairly rigorous game setting. I sucked it up royally, except for one line-out and one kick.

It's Six Nations season, if you didn't know, and that means Scotland over England, but England over Wales. Ireland is also over Wales because Ronan O'Gara is a hot piece of man-meat. But don't fret, Wales. Wales trumps both France and Italy. I prefer watching matches involving South Africa, New Zealand, or Australia more than Continental countries, but what can you do?

If the wording above is confusing, let me break it down. I'm all for Scotland. I, myself, am (descended from) a Scot. But Scotland hasn't had the greatest run of late in rugby and I consider London home, so I am also all for England. My loyalties are only occasionally conflicted, so it works well.

You don't want to know how much time I've spent going through the players' team photos to see who has the most teeth and least cauliflowered ears. But I now have my personal favorites: Tait, Borthwick, Robinson, Flood, Lewsey, Cueto, Grewcock. Jonny Wilkinson did not make the list because I am too cool to like someone that popular. Also, I once pondered to a British friend that O'Gara might surpass Wilkinson. Not a good move, in retrospect.

If these names and whatnot are of no interest to you, apologies. But if you like brute strength, muscular man legs, and/or blood, give rugby a chance. If only it wasn't only on Pay-Per-View...

In Our Time

2008-02-21T16:05:00.000-08:00

I know this is fairly slow off the mark, but I have just become the biggest fan of the BBC Radio 4 show, 'In Our Time with Melvyn Bragg'. I feel like I'm back in school with a really good lecturer, learning about interesting and relevant topics. So far I have heard experts discuss Avicenna, the concept of guilt, Socrates, and the 18th-century origins of taste. If you haven't heard his show, find it. It is a podcast, too, so there's no excuse.

Fashion, to me.

2008-02-05T15:32:00.000-08:00

The problem with Chris Benz, for me, is that he doesn't inspire me to try harder. His clothes remind of things I am currently wearing, right now this second. I'm sure I have issues here that need to be developed in therapy (though yet another masculine trait of mine is the impossibility of that) but I look to these "high fashion" designers to compel me into a heightened state of dress and display. That's why I pay (or would pay) the big bucks. Music makes me myself, whether I am embracing in me or wallowing in me. Fashion makes me an idealized self - showing me much of what I could never be, yet also what I very well can be. And it is that part that makes me as excited as music does. So, Chris, I know you mean very well and some pieces are really quite fetching, but I'm going to need a little extra oomphf. Maybe next time.

Superbowl XLII Forecast

2008-02-02T20:05:00.000-08:00

Football. Yes, it is yet another love of mine. I love it so much that I once flirted my heart out in order to watch it live in Milan at 3 am. That he had no interest in me and that the game was one of the worst in memory (2003 - Bucs vs. Raiders) made no difference. I was in Milan, watching football, and could go on to tell the tale. Last year I made a similar, if less unusual, trek down the street to a London pub. And this year I am back in the US and ready to watch the game at a reasonable hour.

The Superbowl is the bread-and-butter for many sportswriters (not to mention Sports Center) and this match-up has had more than its fair share. The S.I. editors favor the Patriots 9 to 2. Mark Merrill just gave a 31-30 nod to the Giants on Sports Center. Gene Wojciechowski breaks it down to 15 categories on why the Patriots will win. It includes hoodie references and a man crush. In a similar manner, the Fug Girls give the nod to Manning, as he'll have nothing to lose and makes humorous commercials with his brother. Surprisingly few mention "Spygate" and the possible asterisk to a Pats win. If they loose, of course, no one would give it a second thought. And in a nice break from all the noise, Bill Plaschke reminds us that Brady is more modern creation than old-school heart.

Personally, I just want a game that matches or exceeds the caliber of the December match-up. Bring it.

Ovation TV

2008-02-02T16:12:00.000-08:00

We have Dish Network in this household and it is often overwhelming with its choices, so much so that I rarely venture above 200. I also tend to stick to the stations I already know - TNT, TBS, Bravo, AMC, USA... all my tried and true favorites. But two days ago I saw a program that piqued my interest - IM Pei: Museum on the Mountain. It was on a station called Ovation. No, not ovulation and thus an alternative to Oxygen. Ovation, as in 'standing ovation'.

As I scrolled through their program, I found myself recording about 70% of the listings. IM Pei and many architecture specials, Sruth Na Maoille: Celtic Song, a Cindy Sherman special, a series on photography, and even a half-hour Hip Hop Abs workout. Looks like I've found a great (and wonderfully lazy) way to stay educated in the arts! Granted, the production is not quite as polished as History Channel or the Travel Channel. It's more akin to PBS. But it's wonderful to find things on topics so rarely exhibited in the main stream.

Even their website is wonderful and welcoming, asking your opinion, "Art or not?" Banksy is a controversial artist (or at least was once) and pushes the viewer to question their surroundings and the concept of art. Much like Duchamp. In this vein, Ovation presents all art forms - traditional and contemporary - and let's the viewer decide.

New York Fashion Week : Day 2

2008-02-02T12:55:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that over five years have passed since Peter Som and Derek Lam redefined young and chic. In my eyes, they embodied the new sophistication that reflected the sensibilities of my generation. The runway has a bevy of youngsters advancing quickly in the subsequent wake. The polish and clean lines Lam and Som use so often have also become dominant in fashion schools, if Project Runway is any guide (Daniel V the best case in point). This look defines New York. It is at once clean and fresh, uninspired and overused.

Jason Wu : If this collection is anything to go on, Jason Wu is slightly shifting the ideals of Som and Lam. The best looks keep the clean lines to create body-conscious and elegant dresses. The risky choice of mid-calf hem lines sometimes borders dowdy, but he never pushes it too far. He uses floral prints without irony, usually successfully, but excels with stripes. Yes, stripes. Though still early in his career, Wu is on my shortlist.

Yigal Azrouël : The last thing I remember reading about Azrouël was that he is Katie Lee Joel's favorite designer. Trying to think back to last season, I remembered a relaxed beach bum (though "bum" in the fashion world needs to be taken with a grain of salt). Well this season he kept the relaxed, but brought in the urban. His best looks were loose dresses and coats. And in this season of knits, I finally found something I liked. Don't get me wrong, I am the biggest fan of sweaters since Betty Grable, but fashion designers these days tend to forget that layering three tops all under a large chunky sweater makes a regular girl look, shall we say, mammoth.

New York Fashion Week

2008-02-01T16:16:00.000-08:00

Fall fashions have begun to strut down the catwalks, so I will be fairly preoccupied in the coming weeks. (So much so that my Scrabulous addiction will take a backseat!) Personally, London and Paris are my favorites. London has a level of energy and inspiration that New York has been lacking in recent years. And Paris is the city where all the raw and rough qualities seen in London are refined and sophisticated. But New York is first upon us and I will note on collections when time and interest exists.

Boy by Band of Outsiders : Nicole Phelps appropriately saw a "forest" created by the clean, simple lines and deep colors. The predominance of black, gray, brown, and deep red highlighted the few exceptions; a pink shirt peeking out from one of the many vests and a bright blue striped shirt under an impeccably tailored double-breasted camel coat. The pleasing pairing of Scottish tartans was a reminder of where Scott Sternberg's inspiration all began.

Elie Tahari : Comparatively (and what is fashion if not comparative), this was a much weaker and dated collection. Jewel-tones, high waists, skinny belts - nothing new there. The chunky coats seemed uninspired and the pants were ill-fitted. Of course, my opinion may have been affected by the stylistic choices of too thin models and gaudy jewelry. The clothes presented would have better complimented a voluptuous women. And the best looks had no jewelry; a coincidence is unlikely.

Rachel Roy : With each collection, Roy becomes more assured and more adventurous. This season she attempted a difficult theme to make wearable - western. There are the high collars, Native American feathers and patterns, and even bolo hats. As 3:10 to Yuma was a success, Roy may have struck a current nerve. Never over the top, Roy had many more hits than misses in this collection in large part to her combination of workable separates. Best of all, women of all ages would feel comfortable in these corral clothes.

104.3 KTNC

2008-02-01T13:18:00.000-08:00

Garry left his house into the frigid Milwaukee morning and shuffled to his car. Cold, Garry felt, was no reason to move faster than nature intended. Besides, his car was no refuge to rush to. A rusted bucket of tan junk, the car still managed to run despite four accidents and Garry's penchant for hard stops. He never brought it to the shop. It was a Toyota Camry, an '89, which he felt was a sturdy enough car to last as long as nature intended. Suited in his armor of a down parka and Thinsulate gloves, Garry unlocked the car, started the car with much effort and grabbed the ice scraper. Five minutes later he was out of the driveway.

Garry pushed a button. But instead of turning on the rear-window defroster, he turned on the radio. Annoyed, he pushed the originally intended button and turned off the radio. Or at least he tried. The radio wouldn't turn off and the volume was staying put right where it was. The volume wasn't too loud, but the music was unlike Garry had ever heard. It sounded like someone was pressing a fast-forward button. High-pitched chirps over pounding thunder. Alvin the chipmunk on drugs, but no drug Garry knew. He had understood why The Doors sounded like that. He even thought Janis Joplin was kind of cute. But these sounds confounded him. He didn't understand there could be one person who liked it, let alone enough people to create a radio station for it.

The music ended and Garry heard the host say something about the song. Testy? Is that what he said? KTNC: all trance, all the time? The next song started and Garry tried to block it out. He thought of his schedule for the day. He thought about the five orders of toner that needed to be filled. He thought he was doing really well by not getting angry about the radio. That song ended and another began. This one was even faster than the other two and it almost sounded like trumpets were playing. Garry's head started to twitch. His fingers wiggled within his gloves while stopped at the red turn light to the freeway entrance. Garry wondered why it was called trance music, whatever that was supposed to mean.

He turned onto the freeway. Trance reminded him of magicians or hypnotists. Zombies, too. That would be a weird movie, zombies slowly walking with this music in the background. Garry chuckled. And then frowned. There were flashing lights behind him. And then Garry noticed that the speedometer said 90. I guess nature intended for Garry to find his inner speed.

Who are we to say?

2008-01-31T14:08:00.000-08:00

Blogospheres have become an integral part of everyday life and many adjectives surround them. Immediate, critical, and sensationalist. Self-involved, self-expressive, and self-deprecating. Informative, researched, and thoughtful. Conversant, provoking, and collaborative.

Into that framework this falls. There is no objective, there is no theme. It will be topical. It will be fanciful. It will be many things because I am many things.