Musings on Domestication

Since I keep posting music videos and then talking about them, I've decided to make it a thing. My best friend told me that I should be a critic, so, in my own way I suppose, that's what I'm doing.

Today: Miley Cyrus - Can't Be Tamed

Today's victim... featured video... thingy...

So, first things first. I'm not a Miley fan. I'm not anti her. I don't wish ill on her or anything, I'm just not that into her. I think that's fair. Fact being, she's 17 and worked for Disney; I'm older than that, work for a University, have a contemporary art degree, love heavy metal... we have different tastes.
On that note, she's 17. I have a hard time with her being sexy in this video. Not in a "she's a minor and that's wrong", but rather in a "she look sexy sure, but has the awkwardness inherent to her youth that kills the video." Yes, she's under 18, so some people might have appropriate issues, but, to be honest, I don't find this scandalous, it's "sexy", but it ain't got nothing on the last 2 videos I posted. I'll reserve my judgements on her in general in terms on scandalizing and appropriateness for another time and place. It's not the issue at hand.
The issue at hand is this video. Let's start from the beginning... The intro. That's really the thing to do right now. It seems like all the cool kids are doing it. That's fine. I think it can be an excellent story telling device. This intro in particular is a little long I thought. And the snarling sound affects when Miley first looks up. Kinda terrifying. No lies.
Once the song gets started, I'm actually fairly fond of it. I really like the aesthetics of this video. The darkness. The Gothic look, the wings. It's pleasing to me. The fact that our Miley isn't wearing heels makes her lack of pants way less signalized. Good call on her part there... or the stylist... or her Dad said no heels, or whatever. My biggest problem with the costuming is the feathers on her hands. Holy crap they annoy me. They're just so... heinous. Bare hands would've been better all around. Really, they irritated me so much it almost ruined the who look for me. I even liked her make up. The hair was a little trashy, but it worked with the whole look... but feather hands. There are some things I'm not okay with.
There was two looks in the video, which was nice and simple... or at least simpler. I liked the contrast from the darker look to the more fresh and colourful peacock look. My issue with the peacock was that she was so obviously not allowed to move, combined with her teenage-ness, it was a bit awkward to watch her lay there. There was a little with the chest touching... but with those crazy claws and the not being able to move cuz of the bed of feathers, it look more like a "where do I put my hand" as opposed to a "look at my breasts" move. I liked her make up, fresher, sweeter, mixed it up. The scaly dress was even pretty okay. But the entire package falls short for me there.
Let's get to the dancing. Miles... not a trained dancer. But the group dances are still cool. The overall costuming and the other dancers, they all make it better. I must say, I love the "sexy orgy dance" bits. Very Britney. But also because of Miley's face. She looks so pissed. I'm not sure if she was going for angry of fierce and sexy, but the naughty sex appeal that that type of dance could evoke was totally nullified by the "I'm going to cut a bitch" facial expressions. This actually pleases me to no end.
Finally, the ending. I actually really like to closing image. It was powerful and appropriate. I know right? This is positively glowing really.
As for the song itself, nothing special, catchy, some over usage of auto tune.

But, for a not fan, I rather liked it all in all.

In the end though, my sentence for Ms.Cyrus: Either stick with catchy pop tune and movies for a tween audience, or, take a break. put on some pants. Finish highschool. Go to University (not college), learn some stuff about the world. Live in a dorm. Get an education. And, after that, maybe you will be ready to be taken seriously and to seriously work. I think you have the potential. Just need some figuring out life not in the spotlight time...
Also, if, in two weeks I want to stab myself every time this video come on much music (I don't sleep and know all the infomercials... much at 2 am it is!) I'm going to re sentence you.

The Day UofS Stopped Loving Me

So, no big deal, but I'm kinda a big deal. Someone got told they could be "the next Stevie". How awesome do I feel. I'm also the posterchild. Like I said, not a big deal. But, today was a less than loved by the world of UofS day. Sigh.

Also, as prementioned, UofS stands for University of Stevie. As opposed to sharing my true location... (those of you who are clever will figure it out, and then UofS is even more clever on my part. I refuse to explain)

Let's do this in an organized way. There are three main things:

1. Phone book
2. position appointment form
3. convocation speaker

1. First thing first. I was looking up some people I needed to contact in the SFU online phonebook. Handy Dandy document. And for funsies I decided to look up myself (who has never googled themselves?). And what do I find? Well!
"Steve LASTNAME" and I still work in DEPARTMENTIHAVEN'TWORKEDININAYEAR and have a totally random phone number. No one will be able to contact me, but, on the brightside, my alter ego is a super handsom man who works with student leaders and puts on awesome programs for a living. So, that story has a bright side. I mean, I totally made up the alter ego, and plan on expanding that further...

2. So, I know I kinda have a boys name... except for the i, but people... anyway, my boss gave me a copy of my forms saying that I offically am getting paid for this new job I started doing, anyway, I look, and it says Stephanie (Stevie). I was like "hell no". I mean, Stephanie is a lovely name. I have a really good friend named Stephanie, it's just not my name. There is a story there, but I was still like "bitch please. UofS, I thought we talked about this".
Apparently not.

3. I really wanted to be convocation speaker. I got nominated a bunch. They didn't pick me. I actually felt sad (which is a big deal, I don't like feeling feelings, cuz I think they're gross).

And thus the day that UofS decided that we were no longer soulmates came and went.
Sigh.

So Uninspired (I didnt even title this at first, that uninspired)

I am so uninspired.

There is nothing in my life that I am doing right now that I am truly passionate about.

How sad is that?

I'm feeling like it's all just a series of let downs... so how's this for something with meat following two "check out these music videos with scantly clad women"? In the words of the lovely Tori Amos "what's so amazing about really deep thoughts?"

I'm not sure I know what I want to make of this blog. I think I just need to share my thoughts with the world, even if no one is reading them.

I'm having a "what's the point" mental break at the moment. I was feeling really good about things yesterday... maybe just being tired and being rejected (more details in my upcoming post entitled The Day UofS* Stopped Loving Me) and being hungry. I'm craving sugar. Balls.

I am enjoying this whole "blogging" thing. I don't know if I'm any good at it, or if ANYONE reads this. But whatevs.

Also, it's a new day, and I'm way less bitter today. I drank lots of coffee.

Also, this is tagged as a Rant... it's more light Rant Light. No Vampire Rant level ranting... but more than just some thoughts.

*UofS is University of Stevie... what if I get super famous from my awesome blog and people want to stalk me?

Why Don't You Love Me?

So, more on the fun videos being released. Beyonce takes fierceness and sexiness to a whole new level:

I like her choice in this video. The last two videos she's done have been very digitally produced songs with Lady Gaga (don't get me wrong, love the Gaga), but it was a nice contrast to see the grainy, aged quality to this video. I also really enjoy the simplicity and the fact that it was just Beyonce. Following up Telephone needed to be something totally different. The story line, the characters, the style of costumes, everything is Telephone, while epic, could have easily gotten old quick if B didn't mix things up.
Going for the 50's pin-up / housewife in lingerie look was also a sexy, in a totally different way, choice. Even her voice and the style of the song was reminiscent of Dianna Ross and The Supremes. The details were all there. Even the scenes of her in the hotel room, drinking a martini, smoking and crying are some how just such an iconic sex symbol of the past. She's got the strong but needed - innocent, but definately not - vibe going on. And she's working it.

I think she's a babe, and often comes off as a total Diva, and this video holds true to form. But she's also a talented lady, and I adore the aethetics of this video and think she made some clever choices.

And I want the wardrobe... especially all of those shoes...

Don't worry B, I love your pin-up glamour in this video and the way you always keep it sexy and mix it up. Enjoy boys and girls.

Beyonce - Why Don't You Love Me

Well Then! Who are you?

So, x-tina has a new video. And there is lots of DRAMA surrounding it. So fun, but so silly! My thoughts and need to share my ramblings are below.

Definitely some Lady Gaga, but also Gwen, Madonna and more... I'd be flattered; it wasn't offensive stealing of looks. I, personally, felt it was more a tribute and amalgamation of some fantastic pop icons/divas.
I am bias on the Christina front. That being said I love me some Gaga and Madonna, and definitely some Gwen. Also, a lot of these looks are "in" at the moment.
Maybe I think it's silly, but what would so many people do if they didn't have celebrity cat fights (real or fabricated) to read about?
ALSO - it's called "not myself tonight"... am I the only one who thinks that this whole "she's dressing/looking like other people" thing is actually quite ironic and funny? And, I'd like to think that publicists and stylists and managers get paid for a reason, maybe intentional?
I must say there are some looks / parts in this video that I'm not as keen on. The gag... I dunno, doesn't do it for me. The pouring of the black... paint? Latex? whatever... super hot. And Christina has often been a little on the overt side with her sexuality, which is cool, she's never tried to hide or lied about it, which I appreciate. There is always something a little dark, and sexy, going on with her. I'm intrigued!
I must admit, the song itself isn't the best showcase for those amazing pipes she posses, and the depth of the lyrics aren't a the same level as "Beautiful", but I still liked it.
I do not approve of the product placement shot. It was poorly done. If it had started with that shot, and, in the same shot her hand came and grabbed the perfume, then cut to her spraying herself it would have been much better. But it was just a crappy choppy insert. Fail at product placement. That style only works if you're Lady Gaga in Telephone and it's more of an overt statement than actually product placing.
And, besides, who doesn't love some sexy controversy?
Anyway, if you are fond of overt sexuality and the sass of the "dirty girl", enjoy: Christina Aguilera - "Not Myself Tonight".

Truth and Facts

Recently I was having a random argument with a friend. She said I was "lame sauce" because I couldn't make a film screening due to work. I told her that I was infact delicious sauce. We argued, she told me I made no sense. To prove that I was right, I told her it was on the internets, because we all know that only the truth is put on the internet, right?!?!
Anyway, thus the birth of truth and facts; ways in which stevie is awesome came to pass. Everything on said page is the truth, based on pure science. fact.

The moral of my story is: if you're arguing with a friend, send them a link that proves you right. No one can argue with cold hard facts.

being a grown up makes me tired

So... tired...
You know those days, when you're inexplicably exhausted?
And you sit at work, staring at your computer, willing it to just do your work for you, but it's all "then you won't learn anything. If I do your work, they don't need to pay you."
Shut up computer. Stop being mean and logical at the same time. You're just like math.
Your to do list is just getting longer and you wish you could just add "nap and drink tea" because you'd be all over crossing that one off. But no, the motivation to actually do stuff in nonexistant.
So you blog. Cuz that seems productive, but really it's just you complaining and not feeling guilty about it. You don't have to read my blog. You don't have to read it. I'll feel bad if I complain to all my friends about how I have a sweet job and have to go to it and stuff.
But then halfway through your blog post you get tired and check facebook for a while. Maybe read about Justin Beiber on the internet for a bit and think about how much fun you'd have baby sitting him. Getting ice cream. Making him sing for you. Texting your friends during his nap time.
Not weird, right?
Tina Fey made it okay. So now I don't have to feel guilty.
Then you get bored with justifying random thoughts, so you stare at your blog for a bit. Decide that this is basically a post, and resign yourself to actually doing some work.
Yeah, this is one of those days.