Totally agree. I'm not a huge fan of her music (it's not my taste, but I don't understand the hate either) and I had no idea who she even was until boyfriend, after reading about the SNL debacle on Twitter, decided that we had to watch to see what the fuss was all about. Plus, we've both had musical training (I studied classical voice for many many years and he plays a few different instruments and likes to mess around with recording/production for fun) so he wanted my input.
Anyway, the thing that struck me about her performance was her lack of control over her voice (the transition from her lower to upper registers, and some of her vocal affectations seemed a little 'off' to me, though I'd have to rewatch to give a better analysis). Basically, she sounded like someone who hadn't been practicing with any regularity. I agree with you though, that she's not without talent. She just needs to practice more and perform more, maybe have a voice teacher help her out with those affectations that sound good (to me) on the recorded versions.
That said, whether or not it was a good idea to put someone live on national television when they're not at the top of their game (and she definitely isn't) is another matter entirely... I have to wonder who thought that was a good idea.
Oh, golly... I have a thrift store addiction and a closetfull of magical items. Some all-time faves:
My vintage wine-colored ostrich cowboy boots- I bought these for a halloween costume (they were $15!) and wear them aaaall the time. They're comfortable, and I like pretending to be an old west gangster sometimes (okay, most of the time) so it works.
My black romper- It's simple, I know I look good in it, and this particular romper has the silhouette of a dress- with the reassurance that I'm not flashing passersby as I drunkenly mount my bike. Wheeee!
My green vintage coat- This home-sewn coat from the 60s (which I'm wearing now) is basically the shit. The sleeves are 3/4 length (it looks awesome with gloves and low heels) and the buttons are two inches accross and covered in the fabric the coat is sewn from, which is thick, nubby, and a completely gorgeous shade of pea-green. The price tag (only $7.99) is my favorite thing about it apart from the color, which makes me think of summer... Aaaah!
My vintage wine-colored ostrich cowboy boots- I bought these for a halloween costume (they were $15!) and wear them aaaall the time. They're comfortable, and I like pretending to be an old west gangster sometimes (okay, most of the time) so it works.
My black romper- It's simple, I know I look good in it, and this particular romper has the silhouette of a dress- with the reassurance that I'm not flashing passersby as I drunkenly mount my bike. Wheeee!
My green vintage coat- This home-sewn coat from the 60s (which I'm wearing now) is basically the shit. The sleeves are 3/4 length (it looks awesome with gloves and low heels) and the buttons are two inches accross and covered in the fabric the coat is sewn from, which is thick, nubby, and a completely gorgeous shade of pea-green. The price tag (only $7.99) is my favorite thing about it apart from the color, which makes me think of summer... Aaaah!
@Mr. Met's Morphine: My first thought was, 'Is that Courtney Love? She looks good!'
Then I realized my error and felt very silly.
Then I realized my error and felt very silly.
@Diziet_Sma: THANK YOU. I don't understand the buzz surrounding this movie. 'Black Swan' is easily the most overwrought movie I've seen in the last couple years- I was on the verge of laughter the whole time.
And seconded on Isabelle Huppert.
And seconded on Isabelle Huppert.
@MuseInDisguise: I wish! I love the Northwest...
My goal in the new year is to start a girl band, the awesomeness of which is on par with the (regrettably fictional) band Munchausen by Proxy.
I couldn't agree more. I think reactions like Sorkin's are a reflection of how disconnected most Americans (I can't speak for the rest of the world) are from their food and how it's sourced. I'm a firm believer that if hunting makes you uncomfortable, you shouldn't consume most meat, especially if your reaction to hunting is discomfort surrounding the death of the hunted animal. Newsflash: ALL meat was once alive. If you consume meat or wear leather, you are responsible, however indirectly, for the death of animals. I realize that dietary choices are extremely personal. What you eat or don't eat is your business. But please, don't bitch to me about how barbaric hunting is moments before tearing into your factory-farmed cheesburger!
@alibb: That sucks! I guess I've been lucky- or everyone I've been with has been horny enough to settle for bagging it up over not having sex at all (or knocking me up- I don't do hormonal bc). Still though, that really surprises me. I'm not that old (a couple years shy of 30), but I remember being terrified of contracting AIDS growing up. Condom use featured very prominently in the sex education at my school, and I feel like most of the guys I've been with (who have mostly been my age or older) had similar experiences. Maybe with younger populations who've grown up in the age of anti-virals, where HIV isn't necessarily a death sentence that fear doesn't exist. I'd imagine that would lead to a more cavalier attitude towards STI prevention in general. Or dudes are just whiny babies. Either way, lame.
@The Plain People of Ireland: An ex of mine slept exclusively in flannel sheets from October-March. However, it should be noted that he was also kind of a weenie about the cold and insisted on sleeping naked year round, both of which undoubtedly influenced his sheet preferences.
@CatGaffney: That's a relief! I know the people who made that... They're actually very talented, but this... Wow. I'm really tempted to call them on it, but I don't think I can handle the inevitable shit storm.
@dancingspring: Watch it. Or no, don't watch it. Actually, watch it when you need to get all fired up and ornery. I guarantee it'll do the trick.
[videos.godaddy.com]
Okay, guys. I find this (30-second film) incredibly offensive. Incredibly. Am I insane?
Okay, guys. I find this (30-second film) incredibly offensive. Incredibly. Am I insane?
@argle-bargle? or fou-ferraw?: in the event that you draw attention to this, i'd like to remain anonymous- a 'friend' made this.
#tips
#tips
[videos.godaddy.com]
Go Daddy is having a short film contest and this is a particularly abhorrent entry. Go Daddy would probably have loved it, but fortunately (or maybe unfortunately) the winner is determined by viewer ratings.
#tips
Go Daddy is having a short film contest and this is a particularly abhorrent entry. Go Daddy would probably have loved it, but fortunately (or maybe unfortunately) the winner is determined by viewer ratings.
#tips
Oh, Elise. You had me at 'giant ginger squirrel'...
@angelina jolie-laide is a mavericky bish AGAIN: Well, if it were me I'd have the old, where-do-we-stand talk. Tell him what you're interested in, and that even though you like him and have a good time with him, you're not really interested in just being a booty call. There's nothing pathetic about knowing what you want and making sure other people know too. It's very possible that he'll balk at being more than friends with benefits (if that's how he wants things), which is awkward and icky but preferable to forming an attachment to someone who doesn't have feelings for you and/or can't be what you need.
@Notes from the underwhelmed: Yeah. I love how they look on hippy, small-chested women, or on women with less curvy figures, but on an hourglass? Dicey. I'm sure some can rock them, but on me the effect they have is... sloppiness. Sloppiness with a nipped-in waist, but sloppiness nonetheless.
@Holita: I'd wish that I could just buy and enjoy a pack or two per year and not develop a full-blown expensive, unhealthy, and stinky habit and then have to go through quitting aaaaaall over again...
So, yeah. Right there with you.
So, yeah. Right there with you.
@madeofawesome, high priestess of the vampire jedi: Absolutely. If you're willing to make an effort to be rational, fair and reasonable in your complaints, that can go really far. I've had a lot of service jobs and I'm always, always, ALWAYS willing to admit to/correct an error. Screaming, name-calling and temper tantrums are not necessary, especially when your complaint isn't really directed at the person you're dealing with, i.e. screaming at a server when your meat isn't cooked correctly, or at your cashier because prices have been raised.
@Tippi Hedren: You know, I think that depends on the boundaries that she and her husband have set for themselves. She states that he's not bothered by it, and they're both happy within their marriage, so I can't see the harm.
My boyfriend's close friends are all women. I have emotional needs that are met by my close friends that he doesn't/can't meet, and I'd be willing to bet that he has emotional needs that are met by his close lady friends that I don't meet. He and I are very close, but I can't give him everything that all of his other friends do (nor would I want to try- I think that would be incredibly draining.) They've known each other and supported each other for 10+ years. Much longer than he and I have been together. I'd never ask him to give that up.
It seems to me that this is a similar deal- these people have a deep bond as a result of their history. It's no longer a romantic relationship, but they're still very close and they still care about one another and support one another emotionally. I think that's okay, provided that all parties concerned (including spouses) are comfortable with it.
My boyfriend's close friends are all women. I have emotional needs that are met by my close friends that he doesn't/can't meet, and I'd be willing to bet that he has emotional needs that are met by his close lady friends that I don't meet. He and I are very close, but I can't give him everything that all of his other friends do (nor would I want to try- I think that would be incredibly draining.) They've known each other and supported each other for 10+ years. Much longer than he and I have been together. I'd never ask him to give that up.
It seems to me that this is a similar deal- these people have a deep bond as a result of their history. It's no longer a romantic relationship, but they're still very close and they still care about one another and support one another emotionally. I think that's okay, provided that all parties concerned (including spouses) are comfortable with it.
