Beyond Help

So You Think You Can Dance - Annoying Me Tonight

nobody@vox.com(Maria X) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:11:35 -0700

Nigel and some of the boy dancers, specifically. Oh, and the costumers.

First Nigel tells 18 year-old Cassie that she wasn't dancing the Argentine Tango "sleazy" enough as the cameras showed a young boy in the audience. Have fun explaining that one, parents. Then he demonstrates how he should properly grab his crotch in a sufficiently butch manner while crumping so that it wouldn't look like he wasn't asking his mommy to go pee-pee. Crude, sexist and inappropriate much, Nigel?

Then, in the pre-dance packages the dancers were asked to name the best and worst qualities of their partners. All of the girls and half the boys named character and personality traits or dance abilities. Half the boys said things like she's pretty, she has beautiful eyes I get lost in, her nice smile. One of the guys even said that his partner's best quality is that she is pretty and her worst quality is that she is so pretty she has a boyfriend. Um, I thought the point was to dance with her not hook up with her. Sigh.

However I did love the barefoot contemporary Viennese Waltz except the flow-y dress that covered up her legs and his face when lifting her. Also the popping routine by another couple was marred by the baggy outfits and jackets that prevented you from seeing any isolations and crisp, sharp pops and locks. It only further hampered a not-so-great routine when the dancers might have benefited from better outfits.

I also loved the hobo Broadway routine and was thrilled to see the hip-hop dudes bring it tonight.

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For The Kid In Me

nobody@vox.com(Maria X) — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:53:20 -0700

The fabulous MizzJenny from Three Kid Circus who lives life big, grand and fun asks (in exchange for an entry to win a Wii from Three Kid Circus and Nestle Crunch) how you celebrate The Kid In You?

I have several strategies for keeping in touch with my inner 12-year old girl.

1. My current workout - my trainer has me jump rope, play catch, walk on a balance beam and lots of other exercises that remind me very much of Jr. High when I was a gymnast and figure skater

2. Boy bands - one year I saw live in concert Backstreet Boys, *NSync and O-Town. And I went without an 8 year old beard. Just middle-aged and proud!

3. Playing with my dog - that's her up in the corner. Growing up we always had small dogs and now having one reminds me so much of growing up. She's not alway fond of the silly games I try and get her play but she enjoys the belly rubs and ear skritches.

So there you have it. Music, Movement and Mutts. Keeps me young in body, mind and spirit. And with that, ~~I leave you~~ with a little *NSync. Well, I would have but embedding is disabled. But here is a link.

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Day Dreams in Music and Video

nobody@vox.com(Maria X) — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:33:29 -0700

You might have noticed the AT&T Wireless Ad that set to Daydreamin' by Lupe Fiasco and featuring Jill Scott. It was quite the infectious earworm. It made me wonder about the origins of the song. Thanks to the wonders of YouTube I found a performance by the original artist, Belgian band Wallace Collection. Check it out - it's quite the 70's acid trip. And as a bonus, Daydream In Blue by I Monster which is a bridge between the original and the Lupe Fiasco version.

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Wrong For Pennsylvania

nobody@vox.com(Maria X) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:35:59 -0700

Hat tip Karoli

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Rest In Peace Danny Federici

nobody@vox.com(Maria X) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:41:32 -0700

Danny

Danny Federici, organ player for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, lost his battle with melanoma today.

I feel blessed that I had the opportunity to hear him play dozens of times. He was a major talent (who reminded me a bit of my friend Willie Aron who is also a multi instrument threat and plays a mean keyboard and bit of accordion too).

When it was announced that Danny was taking a leave from the current tour because of his illness, I joined many other fans in donating to The Melanoma Research Foundation. On the official Bruce Springsteen website, there is a notice that a specific web link for donations in lieu of flowers will be set up.

Here are links to Backstreets.com, the AP and E! News.

My thoughts and prayers are with Danny's family, musical blood brothers and sisters, and fans.

Blood Brothers

But the stars are burnin' bright like some mystery uncovered
I'll keep movin' through the dark with you in my heart
My blood brother

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Eighties

nobody@vox.com(Maria X) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:26:03 -0700

Killing Joke - Eighties

Glimmer Triplets

80's Gang

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Eyes Shut is the New Black

nobody@vox.com(Maria X) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:40:16 -0700

Eyes shut

It's hard to tell here but that little picture of me up top features my smiling mug with my eyes shut much like the two distinguished gentlemen above. I will take total credit for starting this trend.

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Tips For Twitter Fun

nobody@vox.com(Maria X) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:39:55 -0700

A number of smart geeky people are writing thoughtful blog posts and articles about how to use twitter efficiently and effectively. This is not one of those posts.

Instead I present you with a few lessons I've learned both the easy and the hard way that will gain or lose you followers on twitter, the fun and highly addictive social networking application.

People will follow you if you tweet about:

Nipples and controversy involving the government and nipples. Most everyone has them and everyone can feel and share the outrage and having our government mess with them.

Underwear. Most everyone wears 'em and everyone can enjoy the funny words we use to name undergarments. Especially in odd, non sequitur usages. Bocephus panties, for example. You have no idea what I'm talking about but you're smiling. Especially if you do know what I'm talking about.

Song lyrics. Especially 80's one hit wonder rap lyrics. 80's music seems to be the soundtrack of the lives of many a twitterati. Links to videos on YouTube are also good. If it's current music or music of a different generation you want to refer to, make a mix tape with Muxtape or Mixwit and people will immediately hit that link and listen to your genius taste in music.

People will unfollow you if you tweet about:

Vaginas. Vajayjays are simply not as funny as boobs. I don't know why but trust me, this is a fact.

Oprah. Oprah enjoys a love/hate relationship with the world and those who hate her would rather have their eyeballs pecked out slowly than read your tweets if you're talking about her. Maybe it's because she talks about vajayjays too much.

Try these fun tips today and watch your number of followers grow and your fun and addiction to twitter increase exponentially!

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What's Your Reputation? (Ecstasy) What's Your Destination? (Next To Me)

nobody@vox.com(Maria X) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:52:07 -0700

ABC - Be Near Me

I've been a commenting fool tonight over at BlogHer. I've been catching up on responding to the many awesome comments I've received on some of my posts lately. Notably on titled "What's Your Reputation? What's Your Destination?" It occurred to me after I put the post up that I should have added a little treasure hunt for the origin of the post title. But since I am lame and swamped I forgot to add a cute little signature tag with pointing back here with the answer. Instead, I'll just share the song and video here (in all its 80's glory) and point y'all back to the post which has generated really fantastic discussion. I recommend it highly.

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In Honor of the Oscars - My Daniel Day-Lewis Story

nobody@vox.com(Maria X) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:00:49 -0800

There Will Be Blood

Actor Daniel Day-Lewis is nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor to be awarded this Sunday. Day-Lewis is considered to be a lock for winning the award this year. Even fellow nominee George Clooney is convinced Day-Lewis will be the winner.

Daniel Day-Lewis previously won the Best Actor Oscar® in 1989 for the film My Left Foot. That year I worked at Geffen Records (when it existed as an actual label rather than the more imprimatur it is now) which was on Sunset Boulevard on the block west from Doheny. If you're familiar with Los Angeles, you might recognize that as a relatively upscale hood at the gateway to the mansions of Beverly Hills.

On the day after the Oscars in 1989 I was walking down Sunset Blvd. between buildings. A gentleman was jogging towards me and I felt a strange sense of familiarity. As we moved closer together I felt a sense of recognition dawn on me as my jaw started dropping. It was Daniel Day-Lewis on a morning run from his fancy hotel the day after winning the award. As he brushed past me and I nearly dropped the files in my hand, he clearly noticed my reaction and broke out in a big grin, said "good morning" and continued running ~~off into the~~ down Sunset (Blvd. that is)!

I haven't seen There Will Be Blood yet. I'm continuing my tradition of managing to see one or two of the nominated films (this year - Juno and Michael Clayton) and catching the rest a year or two later on cable. Even still, I know that "I drink your milkshake" is the catch phrase of early 2008.

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