I. Want. This.
Month: February 2009
The Lunacy of Wireless Reading Devices
Seriously people? Really? Is it that difficult to hold an actual book? Made of paper, with those pesky pages to turn? Really?
I became aware of ‘wireless reading devices’ months ago, I think at the Borders in Glasgow, upon seeing a display. It doesn’t seem like they’ve really caught fire yet, thankfully, and probably large in part due to the recession (Amazon’s Kindle costs $359.00 US, and each ‘book’ uploaded has a price). I also like to think the slow advancement of this product it is due to common sense.
I’m sure there is the argument that such devices are like MP3 players, in that they are able to hold several books, giving their owners more options at their fingertips. That’s just not a good enough reason for me. The thought of these hunks of metal or plastic being eventually discarded and piling up in our overstuffed world is sickening. I know the same
could be said for Ipods and their ilk, but with such musical devices, there has never been a sustainable option, from portable cassette players to CD players, even personal radios. The only green option there would be to forgo having a portable music device altogether (how much would life suck then, with ears subject to the sounds of other people and things!? Quel horreur!).
With books at least, the paper they are composed of will decompose, and even better, the paper could start as recycled or end up recycled again when someone decides it’s not worth being a book anymore. I prefer to buy used books when possible, and use a little place called the LIBRARY.
There is a huge part of me that just can’t bear to imagine a world without books. It’s bad enough that we have so many now that nobody bothers with. Books make great companions. There is a sense of accomplishment after reading an entire book, turning page after page. Would there be that same sensation sweeping one’s finger over a screen? I doubt it.
Another beautiful aspect about tangible books is that they are available to anyone near a library. I don’t think many local governments will be working on plans to purchase Kindles for their citizens, or establish Kindle centers.
There are so many aspects of the Kindle and it’s relatives that disturb me. It’s bad enough that newspapers are going down the drain. The publishing world is weak as it is, and I don’t want it’s livelihood to be stolen by frivolous technology.
A Female Vocalist Who Doesn’t Suck!
I’m really finicky about female vocalists, which probably isn’t very sisterly of me, in that N.O.W. sort of way. But I won’t front. And I will admit when I come across a female artist who is original and fresh and offering something novel, AND not relying on her body or image to make a buck. And so I share with you, from Los Angeles, The Bird and the Bee with “Again and Again,” which is vying to be my verge of Spring jam!
Visit their wonderful site!
Coen Brothers Take on “Clean” Coal
Doesn’t give too much insight, though it is funny, and I’m glad these high-profile directors are trying to raise awareness.
For more info on the lies of “Clean Coal” visit the brilliantly designed: This Is Reality.
Via BoingBoing
NOT Surprising
Further Proof That the Average Consumer is Dumb
Tropicana is reverting back to it’s classic package design. The new, much bolder design, has only been out for a short while, and already it’s being rejected. Why!? It’s great! It stuck out to me immediately when I was in the juice section. Two cartons have since graced the shelf of our fridge, and the second one, not purchased by myself, made my morning the other day, for it’s orange shaped cap! Excellent! I think I may have to keep the cap. Why can’t more people appreciate great design?
Via DesignBoom.
Frivolous Desire
(Clockwise from top)
1. Simple Gingham Sneakers Delias $59.50
2. Rendez-Vous by Paul & Joe Sister Laitage Dress Urban Outfitters $89.99
3. Kimchi Blue Strapless Chiffon Dress Urban Outfitters $34.99
4. BDG Woven Trim Knit Dress Urban Outiftters $48
5. Splish Splash Slingbacks Modcloth $64.99
6. Lasercut Pinafore Alloy $14.99 (!)
7. Rocket Dog Memories Flat in Peach Delias $44.50
8. Belted Halter Dress in Coral Alloy $54.50
9. Heart Cinched Bandeau One-Piece Delias $33.50
10. Melissa Wingtips in Cotton Candy Modcloth $74.99
11. High Waist Bow Skirt Alloy $28.50
12. Splish Splash T-Straps Modcloth $64.99
The 2009 Oscars
I’m going to revert to note form, since there will be absolutely no way to organize this neatly. It’s gonna be all as it hits me, kids.
So I thought the show started at 8pm, but actually the red carpet stuff will be on for this half hour. Grr.
-I’m glad to see Tim Gunn is out there braving the red carpet though. He forced Brangelina (ugh) to stop, so he could gush about them for a minute, and it was hilarious. Gotta love the very rigid, well-dressed Gunn acting like a star-struck schoolgirl.
-I’m a total sucker for awards show fashion, but I think, if I have the energy, I’ll do a recap of my favorites after it’s all over.
-It’s lovely that the kids (the really wee ones) from Slumdog Millionaire are at the Oscars and everything, but I’m worried about them. I hope people are taking care of them, and making sure that their transition into all of the la-la-land lunacy is somewhat smooth.
-I dig Zac Efron’s hair. Maybe it’s his eyes or bottle-swarthiness (he must fake-bake or something) but he reminds me of John Stamos.
-Viola Davis! If she doesn’t win tonight, I will be personally offended. She was amazing in Doubt. Not only that, but she has wicked style and grace.
-Why on earth is Miley Cyrus there? Just stop already! Stop!
-Meryl Streep is so wonderful. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t touch Mama Mia with a ten foot pole (though my mother tried really hard to get me to see it), but she was spectacular in Doubt, and I even remember loving her performance in She-Devil, when I was little. And I am SO excited to see her in the upcoming Julie and Julia, about famous chef Julia Child (but I can’t believe I have to wait until August)! Other actresses need to take note.
-Wow that little interview with Jack Black made the interviewer look like an ass.
-I’m sorry but I can’t get on board with Marisa Tomei’s nomination for portraying a stripper. Anyone can take off their clothes. (Not that I’ve seen The Wrestler… I have no desire to.)
-I’m impressed that airtime is being given to the people behind the design of the stage tonight and the musicians behind the score!
Finally the 81st annual Academy Awards is starting.
-Okay this opening ‘number’ isn’t doing much for me, but the DIY aspect is kind of cool, and when Jackman put his head above the baby doll body, I did laugh. With the use of so many cardboard cut-outs, it just makes me wish they could have involved Michel Gondry. He would have killed it.
-Who got Whoopi Goldberg in a dress? Bizarre.
-I like Tilda Swinton, JUST because she seems to play by her own rules; I have yet to become familiar with her work.
-Angelica Huston will always be cool in my book too. Love that purple gown tonight.
-Goldie Hawn. What is she like 70 now? I don’t care if you used to wear a skimpy bikini on Laugh-In, that was decades ago. Have a little dignity, get a dress that covers the girls.
-Well Viola Davis was just robbed. ROBBED! I don’t get the fuss with Penelope Cruz.
-Tina Fey looks amazing! She inspires me on so many levels.
-Since Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky is nominated for Best Screenplay, I have to mention how much I loved that movie. It risked annoyance, with the abnormally cheerful and kooky character of Poppy (thankfully not a manic pixie ), but somehow it rose above. It really did have me leaving the theatre in Glasgow (alone one afternoon) with a new pep in my step (short-lived as it might have been).
-Dustin Lance Black, writer of Milk, really gave a nice speech. I liked how he spoke directly to the youth.
-Jennifer Aniston just stumbled over her words a bit, I hope she’s not nervous with stupid Brad and Ang there. Angelina is just so smug it’s disgusting – laughing on cue when Jenn just made a funny (good on the cameraperson for catching it though). What a bitch!
-I don’t know much about the dude that just took an Oscar for Wall-E, but I love it when the non-celeb types get their chance to speak their minds, and say intelligent things that make you stop and pay attention. It’s a welcome variation to the typical acceptance crap. Plus I liked the guys black velvet blazer. Daring.
-It’s kind of sad to me when a winner can barely speak enough English to express their gratitude. If only I could land a job preparing such people for speeches. Or maybe the bigwigs can just let the people speak their native tongue and use sub-titles. It is 2009, people.
-The tiny TV I’m watching the awards on tonight is not helping me see clear details of gowns, but from what I see, Sarah Jessica Parker’s choice is stunning. (And is it just me, or did things seem icy with her and Broderick on the red carpet?)
-Blah Blah Blah Mr. English accent (over it!) accepting an award for the clothes of The Duchess. Move it along!
-Ben Stiller, goofing on Joaquin Phoenix? Genius. I saw him on the street in NYC once too. He probably heard me squeal and hence quickened his pace. It was on Lafayette Street, right near Joe’s Pub, I believe, and he was headed in the opposite direction on the other side of the street, but still he seemed fearful of my friend and I. It’s no wonder they paired Stiller with Natalie Portman (ugh, manic pixie!), to present. She should be accustomed to weird bearded guys, after her stint as Devendra Banheart’s ‘love interest’.
-I wonder how much weight Seth Rogen has lost. Why not talk about it since every woman in showbiz is torn apart? Men are definitely feeling the pressure too; it’s pretty obvious, and disturbing. I mean it’s disturbing when anyone is cornered by ridiculous ideals of beauty, but weird when men are suddenly so self-conscious too. I’m sure at least the weight loss has been a positive and healthy change for Rogen. His laugh is cute.
-I know this isn’t Oscar related, but there is a diet coke commercial on right now with “Be Gentle with Me” by The Boy Least likely To playing in it. Erg. Buy their music (LOVE them). Don’t buy Coke. Don’t be a marionette.
-In fact, I’m watching the above linked video right now instead of this ridiculous Beyonce performance. Why must she taint everything? It’s the Oscars, not the Grammys. What is this? Cross promotion for the upcoming Tonies?
-Why are the commercials more captivating for me? There was just a spot for an upcoming Sandra Bullock flick – The Proposal – that actually looks funny. She seems like a pretty smart gal and I have faith that she wouldn’t be involved in a stinker. Anyways, Rose Nylund, aka Betty White is in it, so I’m gonna have to see it.
-Why is Philip Seymour Hoffman wearing that fakakta hat? Would it kill him to groom? (Yes I just wrote that; no an old world Grandma did not hijack my mac.)
-Cuba Gooding Jr. took a playful approach to acknowledging Robert Downey Jr.’s role as a white guy portraying a black guy, and even said something about staying out of the “purse” of the black actors. Well done. I mean he was playful about it, rather than making it ugly, as I would have been tempted to do, but at least he made mention.
-Of course Ledger won. Interesting how Michelle Williams is m.i.a. I can’t imagine what his family feels standing at that podium. (I love when they show the faces of other actors in the crowd during such speeches… Rourke, Adrien Brody, Ben Kingsley, Hathaway, phoney brangelina…)
-The dude with what I think was a french accent, who made a coin disappear, and then balanced the Oscar on his chin, was kind of funny.
-I’m getting bored… multi-tasking until big awards…
-Alicia Keyes looks amazing – love the color of that gown.
-Even though I’m sure it will develop as a mere ‘trend’ in the Western world, thanks to Slumdog, I really dig Bollywood. They make dancing look so easy, and actually fun.
-Okay, now I’ve had it with these damn JCPenney commericals. MYSTERY JETS “Two Doors Down“, my jam of last January (seriously helped me through some crappy times), in a friggin cheap ol’ JC Penney commersh. WHEN WILL IT STOP!? (At least it wasn’t a Coke ad?)
-I can totally get on board with Queen Latifah singing an old standard. Maybe I’m a sap, but it’s making me miss my man.
-During the montage of those who have passed this year, the Paul Newman bit at the end caught my attention, for the clip from “Sweet Bird of Youth” (1962), in which Newman, as Chance Wayne says,
“The big difference between people is not between the rich and the poor, the good and the evil. The biggest of all differences between people is between those who have had pleasure in love and those who haven’t.”
How beautiful is that? (No, I couldn’t remember it right away, and am not familiar with the film, I googled it!)
-I’ve been ruminating on this somewhat odd approach of having past Oscar winners address the current nominees, and I think I like it. So far it’s been for Best Supporting Actress, and now Best Actress, so what about for the fellas? Anyways it’s one of their better time-fillers.
-Sophia Loren scares me.
-PHEW. Jolie did not win. I was rooting for Meryl, but at least Kate is taking it home. She’s real, and classy. And she doesn’t deserve all of the flack she’s been getting from her own damn country. (What is with the English?!) How sweet was it when she called out for her father and he whistled, and then hid under his black hat when the camera found him!
-Okay, same set up for Best Actor… too bad Daniel Day Lewis isn’t there.
-Wow, DeNiro with white hair! He probably just stopped dying it, but it works!
-Finding myself rooting for underdog (and “returning champ”) Rourke…
So much for that. Haven’t seen Milk yet though, but want to. Penn seems cool though. A long way from Spicoli! He always remind me of Eddie Vedder. Weird.
Quite glad Slumdog is taking Best Picture. Really, really need to go see it soon.
Over and out! Beddy-bye!
Oscar Pre-Game with Baba Wawa
I don’t know why I am drawn to these yearly award shows and specials such as Barbara Walter’s interviews. I also can’t imagine why anyone would care what I have to say about them, but nonetheless feel the need to share my thoughts, so here goes!
The Jonas Brothers. I may not know all that much about these kids, but I fear they are growing on me. If I were a teen I’d probably be a closet fanatic (I was too cool for pop stars when I was a teen). I mean have you heard Love Bug (the end is my favorite, when they ‘break it down’… i need help!)?
I used to think that Joe (right) was the hot ticket, but since I heard he broke up with Taylor Swift via a phone call (oh hell no) I favor Nick, the baby (middle). He’s just so darn cute! And who knew he is the true musical prodigy of the family (learning from Barbara here). Kevin (left) never really stood a chance; I’m sorry but the 21-year-old is a bit too elvish for my tastes (and I get a real light-in-the-loafers vibe from him, not that there’s anything wrong with that).
It’s also endearing that these kids claim to be saving themselves for marriage. I’d like to believe it, and hope that they don’t get destroyed by showbiz. I guess if they can survive Miley Cyrus they’re off to a good start (shudder).
On to little Miss Anne Hathaway.
Why is she even nominated for an Oscar? Look, I’m sorry, but I saw (and reviewed) Rachel Getting Married and I just don’t get it. Anyone could have filled that role. She just acted like a spoiled, self-obsessed brat. A dime a dozen. And I can’t really pity her for her personal woe with extremely wealthy Italian men. Boo-friggin-hoo.
I will say one thing about her, she has a beautiful complexion. And at least she’s a brunette (like me, heh).
I hope Anne is being honest about avoiding drugs. If so, why can’t people like her be bolder role models? Speak up!
I have no idea where to begin with Mickey Rourke.
I saw him near the NY Public Library late at night once a few years ago, walking a dog. I wish I had paid more attention to see which dog it was, since, as we recently learned at the Golden Globes, his dogs mean the world to him. I also wish I had had the chutzpah to say hello and maybe get a picture. Stupid me! But I think the combination of shock and fear prevented me. The man is startling-looking. But now, since he is getting all sorts of great PR following The Wrestler, being called a sweetheart and a gentle giant by the likes of Babs, I bet he would’ve been nice if I said hello. (But maybe too nice, he does seem a bit sleazy.)
Too much judging, I know. But these are celebs, isn’t it expected?
I do like Rourke’s clear specs; a lot like my Ray Bans! But with all the money he has, wouldn’t you think he’d wash his hair?
It’s really sweet how he talks about his dogs though, and how one, he believes, saved his life. I believe it’s possible, and that dogs can be very intuitive and make great friends, not that I’ve ever had one of my own (yet).
Mickey’s own words:
“Anger and hardness is a shield; it masks other things.”
“You can’t eat it, you can’t f*** it, and it can’t get you into heaven.” (about the Oscar itself)
This guy needs to write an auto-bio, but he probably can’t remember most of his life, thanks to drug abuse and that boxing career. I like how he carries himself, actually. It seems like self examination is working for him. He at least tells it like it is, which is a quality I love most in people. No bullshit.
Hugh Jackman.
He bores me. Sorry. It’s cool that he’s a well-rounded star, being able to sing, dance and supposedly act (I can’t think of a single film of his that I’ve seen). We’ll see how he does as host of the Oscars.
Oh my god. He gave Barbara a lap dance. That is quality television. Good for her, the old girl.
And finally, I wish someone would give Babs a new ‘do. Her bangs are all-consuming, much like mine were for many of my formative years.
The Girl Can't Help It 