Massive chatterings.
Well, hello!
Oh, I think it's time for an update. I have a lot I'd like to share. I will try to encapsulate it into easily-browsable cetagories, so that it is not neccessary to read any potentially boring stuff.
So You Think You Can Dance, Season 2
So I missed the boat when it was actually happening, but it is on in re-runs now and every Sunday night I am glued. Absolutely glued to this program. Glued to the point that I am scouring Youtube in search of dances that I missed. Glued to the point where I am wondering when the DVD comes out. I got the CHILLS when Ivan and Allison did their contemporary dance to Annie Lennox's "Why". I STILL GET THE CHILLS WHEN I RE-WATCH THIS DANCE ON THE YOUTUBE. I almost had tears. I watched a Benji/Donyelle montage that someone put together on Youtube. You know the type of thing, they're not very good. This one was set to "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal and I had TEARS BRIMMIN' by the end. I have no idea why I'm so into this show. It's just so crazy good. I love the idea of these people having to learn dances they are completely unfamiliar with and totally pulling them off. Maybe it's a seasonal thing. A few years back, in this very journal, I admitted to getting goosebumps watching the Smuckers' "Stars on Ice" or whatever it was. I want to be on this show. I want to learn the lindy-hop and the ramalama bang bang zombie dance.
The "funny" auditions for the reality talent shows like American Idol, etc...
I'm going to focus on the dancing show here because I have to admit I have never watched a single season of American/Canadian Idol. I really find the "let's laugh at the losers" part sad. I mean... yes, they suck, haw haw, how could they ever think that they would do well? How silly of them to even TRY to audition! Fools! Idiots! I don't know. I mean, you get some guy or some girl on the stage, and it's obvious that their self-esteem is a little shaky, they're not too attractive and probably don't have many friends and their clothes are ugly, but they get that little bit of happiness from singing, or from dancing, and they're a little nervous and you know that it probably took such a long time for them to even consider trying out for one of these shows. AND THEY SUCK. They suck hardcore, they are terrible, and their lack of talent is only accented by the fact that they are a hideous loser! HARDEHAR! And the judges LAUGH! And TELL them how awful they are.
Now, I am all for arrogant arses being taken down a few pegs. People who are overly-confident and are obviously used to being told how talented/hot/beautiful/sexy they are. Tear 'em down. You can recognize people like that, and if they suck, tell them happily and proudly. But you don't need to tear down someone who ALREADY KINDA KNOWS THEY SUCK. It's an easy target. Get an ugly person to dance badly, and then ridicule them. Yeah, haw. But, sadly... here is the real reason, I think, why this portion of these shows stinks:
IT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME IF I AUDITIONED. Like any person who lives in a society that offers the luxury of a bedroom door that closes securely behind them, I have danced. I have danced to my music, alone in my room. I have danced hard and long, to many varieties of music. I have looked in the mirror while doing so, just to see. Just to see if I am truly the great dancer that I have always suspected that I am. I have pulled off various moves that have made me feel pretty good about myself and my ability to pull off complex footworks. But I also know, way deep down inside the catacombs of my soul, that I am not a very good dancer. If I went to a dancing audition, I would be the sweating, nervous moron who is laughed off the stage and held up for the TV viewing world to enjoy. I would stagger poorly through a self-choreographed routine that would tank badly, and I would be unaware. I would stand there, looking hopefully at the judges for reaction. And they'd make some quip at my expense. I feel sorry for those people on those shows. Cause some of 'em really don't deserve to be made fun of, and goddamn it, if we're all really honest with ourselves we will acknowledge that none of us are superstellar dancers and if we auditioned, we would suck just as bad as the guy in the Garfield sweatshirt breakin it down to Sexyback!!!! I would take criticism any day from a professional salsa dancer if I bungled a salsa! But I will not be cruelly mocked by some schlub on a panel who has no credibility whatsoever! I AM A BAD DANCER! BLAHHHHH!!!
Kisou
When I was away on tour, Kisou developed what I have affectionately come to call "The Killing Field". She stopped using the litterbox, and decided to use the vast wasteland under my bed as her toilet. People who would check in on the little darling would report that the litterbox was clean; but the room smelled awful. I returned to just such a problem. My room reeked, but was pristine. Why? Because she had created a beautiful, extensive problem under my bed. It was a great day, moving the mattress and box spring and, essentially, having to use a shovel. I am afraid she will continue this, because this is apparently her new routine, so I duct-taped cardboard along the bottoms of my bed to prevent her going underneath. And yes; it looks great.
Happily she is back to the litterbox. I have also had her on an extensive exercise-diet programme and she has shed a few pounds. She is lovely and happy. People have been asking about her. The old girl is doing well, currently napping on my bed and covering the feather-and-fan handknit afghan I made in her lovely hairs. "Cat hairs make the blanket warmer"! Yessssss.
The Holiday Season
I can't imagine any of you being offended by the word "Christmas", but we all use the word very reluctantly nowadays, don't we? I'm no religious fanatic, but I called it "Christmas" my whole life and it's pretty tough to change that after 29 years. I'm too set in my ways to find creative ways to say "Merry Christmas". But, if anyone here puts up a Holiday Tree this year, or is doing any Seasonal Shopping, enjoy it... and, by Gad, avoid the Eaton Center in downtown Toronto if you can. The place is a nightmare. I have been there twice in the last week, and I came home feeling like I had been beaten. So many people, all dressed nice, little jingle-bell earrings and Rudolph brooches, all so full of hate! Glaring at each other, whipping each other with their festive shopping bags! Stay home, and mix equal parts apple juice and cranberry juice on the stove until they boil. Add a bit of cinnamon and wait for it to cool and then drink it! Tastes good! And Christmas - er, Holiday Cupcakes! I want to bake a lot this Season. That's my PLAN!!!!!
But seriously. Enjoy the holidays and stay klassy! For reals.
In case you haven't seen this, and I bet you have...
Oh, I think it's time for an update. I have a lot I'd like to share. I will try to encapsulate it into easily-browsable cetagories, so that it is not neccessary to read any potentially boring stuff.
So You Think You Can Dance, Season 2
So I missed the boat when it was actually happening, but it is on in re-runs now and every Sunday night I am glued. Absolutely glued to this program. Glued to the point that I am scouring Youtube in search of dances that I missed. Glued to the point where I am wondering when the DVD comes out. I got the CHILLS when Ivan and Allison did their contemporary dance to Annie Lennox's "Why". I STILL GET THE CHILLS WHEN I RE-WATCH THIS DANCE ON THE YOUTUBE. I almost had tears. I watched a Benji/Donyelle montage that someone put together on Youtube. You know the type of thing, they're not very good. This one was set to "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal and I had TEARS BRIMMIN' by the end. I have no idea why I'm so into this show. It's just so crazy good. I love the idea of these people having to learn dances they are completely unfamiliar with and totally pulling them off. Maybe it's a seasonal thing. A few years back, in this very journal, I admitted to getting goosebumps watching the Smuckers' "Stars on Ice" or whatever it was. I want to be on this show. I want to learn the lindy-hop and the ramalama bang bang zombie dance.
The "funny" auditions for the reality talent shows like American Idol, etc...
I'm going to focus on the dancing show here because I have to admit I have never watched a single season of American/Canadian Idol. I really find the "let's laugh at the losers" part sad. I mean... yes, they suck, haw haw, how could they ever think that they would do well? How silly of them to even TRY to audition! Fools! Idiots! I don't know. I mean, you get some guy or some girl on the stage, and it's obvious that their self-esteem is a little shaky, they're not too attractive and probably don't have many friends and their clothes are ugly, but they get that little bit of happiness from singing, or from dancing, and they're a little nervous and you know that it probably took such a long time for them to even consider trying out for one of these shows. AND THEY SUCK. They suck hardcore, they are terrible, and their lack of talent is only accented by the fact that they are a hideous loser! HARDEHAR! And the judges LAUGH! And TELL them how awful they are.
Now, I am all for arrogant arses being taken down a few pegs. People who are overly-confident and are obviously used to being told how talented/hot/beautiful/sexy they are. Tear 'em down. You can recognize people like that, and if they suck, tell them happily and proudly. But you don't need to tear down someone who ALREADY KINDA KNOWS THEY SUCK. It's an easy target. Get an ugly person to dance badly, and then ridicule them. Yeah, haw. But, sadly... here is the real reason, I think, why this portion of these shows stinks:
IT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME IF I AUDITIONED. Like any person who lives in a society that offers the luxury of a bedroom door that closes securely behind them, I have danced. I have danced to my music, alone in my room. I have danced hard and long, to many varieties of music. I have looked in the mirror while doing so, just to see. Just to see if I am truly the great dancer that I have always suspected that I am. I have pulled off various moves that have made me feel pretty good about myself and my ability to pull off complex footworks. But I also know, way deep down inside the catacombs of my soul, that I am not a very good dancer. If I went to a dancing audition, I would be the sweating, nervous moron who is laughed off the stage and held up for the TV viewing world to enjoy. I would stagger poorly through a self-choreographed routine that would tank badly, and I would be unaware. I would stand there, looking hopefully at the judges for reaction. And they'd make some quip at my expense. I feel sorry for those people on those shows. Cause some of 'em really don't deserve to be made fun of, and goddamn it, if we're all really honest with ourselves we will acknowledge that none of us are superstellar dancers and if we auditioned, we would suck just as bad as the guy in the Garfield sweatshirt breakin it down to Sexyback!!!! I would take criticism any day from a professional salsa dancer if I bungled a salsa! But I will not be cruelly mocked by some schlub on a panel who has no credibility whatsoever! I AM A BAD DANCER! BLAHHHHH!!!
Kisou
When I was away on tour, Kisou developed what I have affectionately come to call "The Killing Field". She stopped using the litterbox, and decided to use the vast wasteland under my bed as her toilet. People who would check in on the little darling would report that the litterbox was clean; but the room smelled awful. I returned to just such a problem. My room reeked, but was pristine. Why? Because she had created a beautiful, extensive problem under my bed. It was a great day, moving the mattress and box spring and, essentially, having to use a shovel. I am afraid she will continue this, because this is apparently her new routine, so I duct-taped cardboard along the bottoms of my bed to prevent her going underneath. And yes; it looks great.
Happily she is back to the litterbox. I have also had her on an extensive exercise-diet programme and she has shed a few pounds. She is lovely and happy. People have been asking about her. The old girl is doing well, currently napping on my bed and covering the feather-and-fan handknit afghan I made in her lovely hairs. "Cat hairs make the blanket warmer"! Yessssss.
The Holiday Season
I can't imagine any of you being offended by the word "Christmas", but we all use the word very reluctantly nowadays, don't we? I'm no religious fanatic, but I called it "Christmas" my whole life and it's pretty tough to change that after 29 years. I'm too set in my ways to find creative ways to say "Merry Christmas". But, if anyone here puts up a Holiday Tree this year, or is doing any Seasonal Shopping, enjoy it... and, by Gad, avoid the Eaton Center in downtown Toronto if you can. The place is a nightmare. I have been there twice in the last week, and I came home feeling like I had been beaten. So many people, all dressed nice, little jingle-bell earrings and Rudolph brooches, all so full of hate! Glaring at each other, whipping each other with their festive shopping bags! Stay home, and mix equal parts apple juice and cranberry juice on the stove until they boil. Add a bit of cinnamon and wait for it to cool and then drink it! Tastes good! And Christmas - er, Holiday Cupcakes! I want to bake a lot this Season. That's my PLAN!!!!!
But seriously. Enjoy the holidays and stay klassy! For reals.
In case you haven't seen this, and I bet you have...