Everyone's Looking for Love and They Don't Want to go Home

I now know what I want my goal in life to be....I want to become Jason Derulo. Not only does he get to sing his own name throughout his popular hits, he seems to be made of rubber as can be seen while he dances up a storm on screen. Sure, he reattributes old hits and isn't very original...I think i'll have to give him a pass though. Who would have thought that the song from Beetle Juice would be incorporated into a very popular hit dance song (Don't Want to go Home...sooooo catchy...link below). The fact of the matter is the man is talented, he dances like his body is made up of the same stuff Mr. Fantastic is made of and his calling card is him proudly belting out his own name so there is no question as to who's song you are listening to...I think I might try this out in the street of Manhattan...on second thought it might not be as well received since I'm not famous....hmmmm....maybe if i use autotune...
I wonder if Jason Derulo has some deep seeded insecurities and this is his way to make sure people remember who's singing...I appreciate that level of sensitivity. I get you, Jason Derulo. I'm taking dance lesson and hopefully I'll gain some mutant powers so i can contrort my body like you...it's a dream I won't let go of. JASON DERULO.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CGF_Z3yZAo

Guess I Won't Be The Next American Idol....

Learned something the hard way the other day….Karaoke is right not a privilege. While gallivanting about town with some close friends, I stumbled upon a glorious karaoke club and decided it was a good idea to showcase the old pipes. Inspired by the bouncer’s stonewashed denim jacket, I started off the night singing some Brian Adam (Summer of ’69). As the night progressed, however, my ambition grew as my sobriety waned. I thought to myself (while in a tequila haze), “Wow, I have a really great voice…I can sing anything…” So I decide to sing the hardest song in the world. I decided to sing “Alone” by Heart….really? I’ve made some poor decisions in my life and this one definitely had to be one of the worst. Did I really think I could become the third Wilson sister? Apparently so…anyway to make a long story short as I tried to hit the notes that made Ann Wilson an icon by voice cracks cueing the people around me to turn off the music. In my 27 years of existence I have heard some bad karaoke but I have never seen anyone get the music turned off on them. Guess I can scratch that off my bucket list. While embarrassing, I did learn a valuable lesson. I should stick to my comfort zone (Billy Ocean and Sir Mixalot…if they don’t have that in the selection I’m keeping quiet and playing the tambourine on the side…)

Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty: Exploring the Dark Side to Genius

This past Saturday morning I had the great pleasure of culturally enriching myself by way of the late Alexander McQueen. I confess, I have never thought of nor taken seriously the medium of fashion as art form but after being exposed to McQueen's Savage Beauty exhibit, I humbly stand corrected. McQueen's collection, for the most part, ecos his dark side to romanticism. While some of the accessories were a bit violent (head masks...spinal vest made of metal...), there was a softness to his work as well. I see the romantic schizophrenic he self proclaimed himself to be through his artwork. Fabric was is canvas as he beautifully transformed materials into works of art. I am sadden to think that the fashion world and by extension the art world has forever lost such an inspired and innovative soul. I admit his desire to empower through fashion could be a bit off-putting at times. However, his creative use of intimidation and sadomasochistic influences speaks more to his sensitivity and vulnerably which I think contributed strongly to his genius. Unfortunately, it has been said time after time that there is a thin line separating genius from insanity. I think this was the case for our visionary friend...there was too much genius in one man's head for him to cope with life, success and his particular flavors of romanticism. This exhibit is exceptional. I urge everyone to go see this. Not only are the collections breathe-taking, the overall curation and ambience throughout the exhibit makes the haunting beauty of the exhibit a completely visceral and all consuming experience.

take a look for yourself:
http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/about/

Ben Harper: Giving it All He's Got

Deviating from his signature soulful sound, Ben Harper tries his hand at a more psychedelic look at love and life in his new album, Give Till It’s Gone. The album’s high energy infectiously grabs the attention of the listener. Rock and Roll hypnotizes while it entertains. The electric guitar compliments Harper’s raspy vocals giving the track the rock edge it needs. Feel Love showcases the sensitivity of a wounded artist. This album serves as an emotional release for Harper. The well renowned and mellow artist demonstrates a different more determined side to him in I Will Not Be Broken. Ben Harper’s talents know no boundaries: his love for the blues, soul, reggae and rock music can be seen throughout this eclectic album.
While themes of love are at the root of the album, this collection of songs is not
for the eternal optimist. Harper combines his famous laid-back tendencies with
a harder edge to illustrate that he has seen the ugly side of love and made it out
alive. Harper’s strength and sensitivity are illuminated while the album showcases
the discernible uniqueness of Harper as he takes his life lessons and shares them
through sound and deeply soulful groove.

A Crowded Subway is No Excuse for Unlawful Sexual Conduct...

While riding the bus to Hoboken last Friday (yes, I was going to Jersey…no, I didn’t lose a bet..jk I have got nothing but love for Jersey. After all, its filled with Cubans (thank you Union City for housing my people).
Anyway, back to my bus ride….I was sitting there minding my business; nervous having never taken this particular bus thinking about how I would be lost in who knows where Jersey only to make the evening news that night when it happened…I innocently look across from me at the man sitting facing me. Now, I am no pervert but I could not help but notice the extremely ill fitting pants this man was wearing. Sir, if you have large junk a)good for you but more importantly b)find pants that support your situation. I am sorry but I felt super uncomfortable. Truth be told, I almost felt like introducing myself since I was basically forced to stare at his piece for the duration of the ride (thank God Hoboken is close by).
On the subway, I have been fortunate enough to sit while the car is jammed with people but sitting can be just as risqué and unpleasant when again, a man who is too big for his britches decides to stand right in front of you while you innocently and politely try to ignore the bulge in his pant…after all, I am a lady…I think people need to buy pants that fit. Just like most women I know try and avoid the muffin top or camel toe produced by wearing ill fitted pants; men should do the same. I hope this post starts a revolution….

"It's Like Riding A Bike"

I’m sure you have all heard the expression…”It’s just like riding a bike!” While most take this as a popular reference referring to a skill or task that will never be forgotten, for me that expression is a constant reminder of my failures. While the vast majority of people do indeed learn how to ride a bicycle when they are young and unafraid, my lackluster attempts now as an adult are nothing more than a vaudevillian comedy routine. Unlike a young, precautious youth who picks themselves back up after a fall, I have had 27 years of life to scare me and cause me sufficient pain.
I would be lying if I didn’t admit the fact that yes, I wonder what that would feel like: riding a bike. Do I wonder enough to make a fool out of myself in central park while onlookers point and laugh at the adult with training wheels?…Yea, not so much.
While perusing YouTube with my coworker, she showed me a clip (provided below). While I have never personally felt that sense of accomplishment of first learning how to ride a bike, I do appreciate the overall theme of this clip and thought it would be inspiring to share. We have all overcome hardships and obstacles…this kid made me feel proud of everything I have been able to do and withstand (even though my skillset doesn’t including success with the most popular childhood pastime.) This proud child teaches the defeatist in all of us to just keep trying and never give up….his wisdom is definitely beyond his years…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaIvk1cSyG8 (Enjoy!!!)

Back to School

Last night I embarked on a new adventure in my life. While I have surrounded myself with media, I have always shied away from the technology behind media making. Well, I am finding out that I have more guts than I thought! Yesterday was my first final cut pro editing class and so far so good. Granted, we only went through the basic but I thought I would be a goner by this point.
Editing has always interested me. My last semester of college I took an Aesthetic of Editing class and absolutely fell in love with the craft…and it wasn’t only because the instructor looked exactly like my Dad and I felt compel to hung him after every lecture…I didn’t. Come on people, I have more social grace than that…I mean barely but still I didn’t want to scare the poor man. He was probably so terrified of me already seeing as I was fixated on every word he said always. A)he is a brilliant man and B)the uncanny resemblance to my father was seriously ridiculous and since my father passed away when I was young the weird affections towards my instructor could be explained but I so didn’t want to go there with him.
Affections aside, I learned that I loved the craft of editing and hopefully with some luck and hard work I might actually be great at this…wish me luck y’all!!!!! (I’m not southern I just felt like saying y’all…it’s jaunty and makes me happy!)