Props to Paula

Dear Paula Abdul,

Your newest song sucks.




Your reality show Hey Paula sucked.



I don't believe that you have never been drunk or abused prescription drugs.

What I am saying is girl, you have made some bad decisions. But I am really proud of you today for finally standing up for what you believe in. It has been announced that you are not returning to American Idol. Your host, Ryan Seacrest (who I have a weird celebrity crush on and do believe is worth every penny) just signed a contract for a whopping $45 million for hosting the next three seasons. Simon Cowell who ridicules you you on a regular basis makes an insulting amount of money. And you my dear Paula only made somewhere between $5 and $8 million a season according to the same article.

While the amount you made per season is more than I will make in a lifetime, it is not on the same scale as your male counterparts. I am not sure if people thought that your comments were worth less, or that you would just accept what they offered, but you showed them. You encouraged many young people and while your comments were sometimes hard to decipher, you said them with a pure heart which is rare in Hollywood and you will be missed. Take care Paula and please use your talents in choreography and encouraging young people and don't focus on your music career. The 80's are over.

Love Always,

Typicalquirk

In Case You Missed It: The Secret Life of Words

In Case You Missed It is going to be a new ongoing series like Retro Reviews. These are movies that are less than 15 years old that I have recently discovered. Last week was free movie night at my local library so Saviabella and I decided to take advantage of it. We went to see the Secret Life of Words from 2005 starring Sarah Polley and Tim Robbins.

I quickly looked it up on IMDB because I had never heard of it and it looked intriguing. I was so not prepared. Polley plays a foreigner named Hanna who is hearing impaired. Her boss needs her to take a vacation because other employees are complaining that she is making them look bad having never taken a sick or vacation day in the past four years. Hanna agrees reluctantly but needs to keep busy so she finds a job for the month nursing Josef (Robbins) back to health after an accident on an oil rig. Hanna adapts to life on the oil rig and meets an eclectic crew of people that work on the rig. The most noteworthy are the chef Simon (Javier Camara) and the oceanographer Martin (Daniel Mays).

The scenes are stark and sparse. The weather is always grey, Josef's room is drab, and the rest of the rig is utilitarian. This sets the stage for an honest and real relationship to form. Josef and Hanna are two broken down individuals who help each other heal both mentally and physically. Polley transforms herself in this role and is nothing short of phenomenal. Robbins manages to be cocky and vulnerable at the same time. These two have a surprising on-screen chemistry.

The Secret Life of Words is like a gladiola, very slow to bloom, but once it does it takes your breath away. There are very sensitive topics discussed and foul language so I would definitely put an advisory warning on it. I highly recommend this movie and give it 5/5 geese. (Watch the movie and you will understand.)

Razzle Dazzle

Here is awesome video that Diva sent me. Enjoy!

Way Better Than Keyboard Cat: Meet Nora

The bf found this yesterday and all I can say is awesome.

Manic Monday Links

Here are five fun links I found:

Here is an awesome new version of the Rickroll featuring Nirvana. Also take note of the article below the video about the new marijuana app for the iphone.

Speaking of apps, check out the Amazing Girlfriend Manager. I didn't know whether to cringe or laugh. At least they recommend for "moral reasons" not to have more than one girlfriend at a time.

So much fun...a picture guide to all of the muppets from Sesame Street

Here is a fun music video that is super crafty

I found this maternity tee on line for future geeks. So awesome.

There you go...five links for Monday.

Wait.. I lied. Here is an awesome bonus one about... I'm not going to tell you. Check this out!

Retro Review: A Child is Waiting

The boyfriend and I were flipping channels the other day and happened upon the film A Child is Waiting from 1963 starting Judy Garland and Burt Lancaster. We were both confused as to what type of movie it was from the opening credits. I actually thought it was a psychological thriller because there were children singing a creepy song while on screen were dark pictures that children had drawn. As soon as the credits finished we realized that the film was about children with disabilities living in an institution.

My curiosity was immediately piqued because I have worked with people with special needs and have seen the discrimination that they face. I was curious as to how this forty-six year old movie would deal with it. And the result was fairly well. Jean Hansen (Garland) is a thirty something lost single woman trying to find her place in the world. She is both vulnerable and strong. She becomes very attached to a young boy named Rueben played brilliantly by Bruce Ritchey. Rueben is a child who feels abandoned by his parents and doesn't fit in with his peers at the institution. He takes to Miss Hansen right away. However, Dr. Clark (Lancaster) is concerned. The onscreen chemistry between Garland and Lancaster is palpable. They both believe that they have Rueben's best interest at heart.

I really enjoyed this movie minus a few moments. The acting was extraordinary. It of course was dated with its treatment of people with disabilities, but for the time it did really well at showing the struggles that people with special needs face. I was disturbed by the use of the word "defective" used to describe Rueben. "Retarded" was used but purely in a medical aspect. I also could have done without the children basket weaving every time they were in the arts studio. The one thing that really bothered me was a shift in attitude by Garland near the end of the film with little explanation.

All in all this is a worthy watch and I give it 3.5/5 Studebakers.

Michael Jackson's Memorial

Less than two weeks ago I was having a nap after packing to go on vacation. I woke up, checked Twitter and realized that Michael Jackson had passed away. This was one of those rare moments where I will remember where I was when a momentous event happened, such as learning about Princess Diana's death and the attack on the World Trade Center September 11, 2001. I am a media nut and it drove me crazy that I was going to be away from the spectacle while camping in bear country for nine days.

I am not a huge MJ fan. I am also not critical and judgmental of Jackson. I always felt for him because I am not entirely sure that he would have chosen fame for himself. The stage became so much a part of who he was, that he was uncomfortable and vulnerable in all other aspects of his life. I choose to remember Michael not for his personal life, but for his music. I will remember the time I was sick and watched the premiere of the Black or White video. I will also remember the many Saturday nights I spent dancing to Thriller at the local pub.

Today's ceremony was everything that Michael was. Sad, funny and more than a little strange. Since I love lists, here is a breakdown of my thoughts on the service.

Top 3 Moments

1. Paris Jackson's emotional tribute to her father. I was pretty much over the whole affair near the end of the ceremony, but then I cried again. It really did seem heartfelt and spontaneous. I sincerely hope that this was her and only her decision and that the Jacksons did not pressure her to speak.

2. Brooke Shield's eulogy. So cliche, but she made me laugh, and she made me cry. She definitely humanized Michael. She was genuine in her grief and I could just picture her teasing Michael. Michael had a true friend in Brooke.

3. Jennifer Hudson's rendition of "Will You Be There." I think that Jennifer did the best job of all of the performers at today's tribute. She had great vocals as well as wonderful stage presence.

Bottom 3 Moments

1. Al Sharpton's speech. I think that African American Rights are something to be fought for. I also think that Michael Jackson did try to decrease racial tensions. However, it was not appropriate for Sharpton to use the public arena of Jackson's tribute to further his agenda. Also, saying that Michael Jackson wasn't strange is like saying Betty White isn't old.

2. Sheila Jackson Lee's speech. In a similar vein to Sharpton, she was using this chance to further her agenda. By intimating that Michael was persecuted and that "People are innocent until proven guilty" Lee brought Jackson's controversy into the limelight.

3. Magic Johnson's speech. Johnson is known for being extremely charismatic and a great public speaker. Today he was outshone by Brooke Shields. To be on tour with Michael would be a great honour but I found his story about Jackson enjoying KFC an odd choice.

3 WTF Moments

1. The performance by Shaheen Jafargholi. Alright. People say that they want to remember Michael for his humanitarian spirit as well as his music. Comments by Sharpton and Lee led spectators to believe that one should stop speculating about whether or not Jackson was a child predator. Why, why would they have a twelve year old boy sing a tribute to him? This was a gross mistake in judgement.

2. Corey Feldman dressing up as the King of Pop. Feldman and Jackson had drifted apart. Corey did this for publicity and no other reason. If someone like Justin Timberlake had imitated Jackson I would not have been surprised, and I would not have questioned his motives. A has-been '80's star is another story.

3. John Mayer's performance. Here is another publicity whore. This article from the Los Angeles Times also questions the decision to use Mayer. These moments added the kookiness that I expected.

Michael, I hope that you finally find peace.