Archive for September, 2008
Last night’s Project Runway was really sad… Not only because Suede left, but because Kenley stayed.
Let’s not kid anyone here, it was only a matter of time until Suede’s departure, but it seemed that she only got a reprieve for the sake of sensationalism, and I’m not talking about her outfit.
There’s a difference between drama (as in theatre) and draaaama (the “draaaa” rhymes with “waaaa” as in a crybaby) and she’s clearly in the “B” camp here.
Kenley’s been torn up enough in a vast number of blogs, so no need beating a dead horse…
But I would like to point out why Tim Gunn is Tim Gunn. There’s no nice way to say it, Kenley was a biatch in this episode, rebuffing Tim’s help once again. He was very even with her, and she got treated much better than she deserved. Thankfully, he did get to see her “taken down a few pegs” which registered with “more than a little satisfaction” for the fashion Zen master.
Rebuke for Kenley’s immature behavior and praise for Tim’s restraint aside, my beef is with the producers who obviously had a heavy hand in the judging this past week.
I feel like they at times forget why we’re watching. So here’s a reminder: The nice thing about Runway is when we forget we’re watching a show that’s on a TV network and that ratings are involved. It’s when we really get to experience the competition with the contestants, those are the moments that make us want to come back.
Watching Kenley bitch, moan, and bitch some more for another episode is not why I’ll be watching next week. Let’s stop pitching to the lowest common denomenator here and focus on what counts.
–Sue
September 25th, 2008
My sister gets a copy of “O” magazine every month. She gives me each issue when she’s done. (Recycling between sisters…)
One of my favorite articles is always the last one, “What I know for sure.” It’s where Oprah tells it like it is, usually with an inspirational twist. This month’s article was one of her most powerful yet.
She spoke about how she too (yes, even Oprah the Great) gets overwhelmed and how she needed to take some time to turn inward and find her own peace and the stillness in her heart.
She did it amongst the trees by her home, with a bowl of lemon sorbet and fresh strawberries from the farmer’s market. A few naps and writing in her journal rounded out the day…
Inspired, I went to one of my favorite spots by the water. (I have a few…) When I first got there, I couldn’t even smell the trees or the water. (My sense of smell is legendery, I once sniffed out a pizzeria in NYC three blocks away.) I was overwrought and my mind was all over the place.
My first inclination was to call people, but thankfully, no one was available… So I just sat there.
And sat there.
And sat there some more…
Eventually, my breathing changed. My posture changed. My entire demeanor changed. I felt the breeze kiss my face and smelled the grass that was under my feet.
Thanks for reminding me to take in a deep breath, Oprah!
–Sue
September 24th, 2008
I saw something interesting last night during Project Runway, a commercial for a charity funded by American Express called Members Project. The credit card company will be donating about $2.5 Million to the winning project, voted on by the general public.
The cynics might say that’s a drop in the bucket for Amex, but it’s not a matter of dollar amount here. It’s the idea that we have a say as to how they allocate that money, allowing us to put their money where our mouths are.
In my work, I strive to give a voice to those who usually go unheard, and these projects do the same. The best part, you don’t even have to be a cardmember to vote!
The final five finalists will be announced on September 30, and the winner announced October 14… the clock is ticking!
–Sue
September 18th, 2008
I’m convinced that I’ve finally hit the big time! I opened my blog folder today to find that I had a few hundred spam messages since last week. It usually takes me at least a month if not more to accumulate that much spam. My website is being devoured by the masses!!!
–Sue
September 17th, 2008
“Harvest Moon” © 2008 Elizabeth Fraser
It’s finally happening! A song that has literally been months in the making is finally taking shape!Six lines of lyrics (and their melody) just came to me, lying in bed, my husband’s warm body next to mine… reminding me how lucky I am to have so much love and support in my life… reminding me to just go for it!
The entire show leads up to this song, and I’m gonna make it worth it!!!
Over the moon!
–Sue
September 9th, 2008
Last night we saw a wonderful film, The Band’s Visit. It is Eran Kolirin’s writing and directorial debut, 9 years in the making.
Probably one of the most tender and restrained movies I’ve seen in a long time, it was at once sad and funny… and showed that you can find beauty anywhere, even in a small town in the middle of the dessert — a place it seems God forgot… Or maybe not…
The “special features” section of the DVD, which had an extended interview with the many of the creatives of the film, was almost as interesting as the film itself.
Kolirin said he had the hardest time with the music, in that he wanted it to come from unexpected places, like the kitchen, or a chair or anywhere else where it would come from naturally. The movie was intimate, and orchestrations (even though it centered around an orchestra) wouldn’t have worked.
This film was not only gorgeous, but so poignant in how simple it was… no matter where we come from or what we believe, in the end, all anyone really wants is to be loved.
–Sue
September 9th, 2008
Leanne won last night with a striking blue gown and short trench coat. For me, it was close between her outfit and Korto’s, but there was no doubt her ensemble was a stunner.
Early on, the camera followed Leanne around the workroom as she pantomimed being a stealth spy… She was having fun and really tried stepping outside herself. Watching Leanne throughout the episode, I slowly grew to like her as I got to watch her work and play.
Stella Letha was cut for a ill-fitting get-up. She had been stirring the pot throughout each episode, but it reached a new level last night when she wouldn’t even tell the other designers what she was working on, after they had mentioned what they were making over a shared meal in the lounge. Besides the fact that anyone with eyes could see what she was making only a few feet away, at that point in the game, hearing what anyone else was making was not going to sway anyone. They were working on borrowed time under a TON of pressure.
It was obvious it troubled Leanne (one of the designers who dined with and was snubbed by Stella), who commented:
“It’s just really interesting to see people getting really competitive and closed off. It’s every man for themselves [sic] right now.”
Beyond their outfits, is it any surprise who won and lost here? It’s so true, if you’re open to the gifts of the universe, you will always find opportunity. If you’re closed off, you’d better watch the door behind you…
–Sue
September 4th, 2008
