Victorya And Eric Shine; Christian . . . Not So Much

So, the guest judge in episode 2 of PR 4 turned out to be Sarah Jessica Parker.



I’m sorry, but I’m kind of over SJP. That doesn’t mean I don’t like her. I just can’t understand why the designers had such a strong emotional response when they saw the Sex and The City star. I’ve never had that kind of reaction to anyone. Actually, I’d probably respond that way if I saw Sarah Polley or Tom Ford. My heart rate would probably reach dangerously high levels. So . . . I guess I can imagine what it would be like to meet one's favorite celebrity. Oh, and how sweet was SJP on the show? With her status in Hollywood, she could be forgiven for being self-centered and bitchy, but she was the exact opposite—so gracious. And she’s a smart cookie, too.



Christian’s confidence is both fascinating and annoying. Is it the product of environment, genetics, or both? I have no idea, but this little diva needs a serious reality check. When he essentially ignored Tim Gunn’s criticism of his outfit (pictured below), I almost lost it. Christian responded by saying that it was perfect. What?



Tim is the voice of reason and experience on the show. Christian is a 21-year-old kid with the least experience and a serious attitude problem. Nina Garcia brought up a great point about the dress. She hated it and said it reminded her of 80s disco fashion. This design and his dress for the first challenge looked really dated and uninspired to me, which is odd when you consider his age. Of all the designers, one would think he’d be the most fashion forward. Nope! I’m not sure what his problem is. Is he stuck in the past? Does he lack vision? Or both? He needs to get with the program.

Ok, I’m getting concerned that I agreed with the judges’ decision this week (and last week, too). They loved Victorya’s dress (pictured below). It’s too early to tell, but I’m starting to think that Victorya doesn’t mind using her neocortex, that stuff that sits on our primitive (reptilian) brainstem.



I presume that being a designer is something of a balancing act. Of course, a designer wants to remain true to his or her vision but also has to know what pleases those powerful fashion types (older, well established designers, editors, and so on). Jeffrey Sebelia did that so well last season, and Victorya and Kevin made it work this time around. Some bloggers seem to think that their dress looked kind of dated. Well, I think it was quite effective. Again, I’m happy that they won this challenge.

There’s another brain system between the primitive brainstem and the neocortex. It’s called the limbic (emotional) system. And I think it’s safe to say that Ricky and Elisa are more than in touch with this particular system. Ricky cries in response to all types of things—good or bad. It’s starting to get annoying. However, he seems like a nice guy. So I’ll give him a break, for now. And Elisa is turning out to be quite a character. I have more to say about her later.



Ah, Marion, where did it all go wrong? His outfit (pictured above) was a disaster. It was poorly executed and he got what he deserved. I must say, it must be hard to keep a show like PR going after 3 seasons. The novelty effect has worn off, but the producers have managed to keep this thing alive. This episode didn’t blow me away, but it was entertaining. You have some craziness, a little drama, divas, and I’m sure there’s more to come. And by “more to come,” I mean Jillian. She has serious diva/bitch potential. I’m over Christian. That kid’s all bark and no bite.

A Very Queer Post

Another day, another blog-a-thon. Wait! This isn’t your average blog-a-thon. Not at all. On Monday, November 19th, Queering The Apparatus will be hosting its very first Queer Film Blog-A-Thon. Finally! An opportunity for gay bloggers all across the blogosphere to express their love for queer cinema. The following is my contribution to this wonderful blog-a-thon.



I’ve always enjoyed great films. However, like most members of the LGBT community, I’ve often been disappointed with the dearth of gay characters and stories in mainstream Hollywood Films. Fortunately, there are directors, writers, actors, and producers who manage to create amazing cinematic treasurers for us (the gays), often with limited resources and support. Thank goodness for independent films and passionate artists.



In the film The Sum of Us, Russell Crowe plays a regular bloke who just happens to be gay. I debated whether to mention this film. To be honest, it is far from being perfect. However, I liked Russell’s character (Jeff) a lot. The great thing about this film is that is doesn’t conform to tired stereotypes. Jeff is straight acting, and he has a father who offers him unconditional love and support. And that’s a beautiful thing.



I realize that coming out stories are an important part of gay culture, but they’re becoming something of a cliché. And coming out films usually annoy the hell out of me, especially when they’re poorly made. The film Get Real is an exception. There are other great films that deal with the same subject matter, of course, but I connected with the film’s protagonist, Steven Carter; and I think Ben Silverstone did a great job of brining this character to life. The film is conventional in many ways, but Steven’s courage is quite remarkable. He wrote an inspiring essay that was published in the school newspaper. For a while, the author of the essay remained anonymous. But in the end, Steven addressed the entire student body, as well as his family, and acknowledged that he had written the essay. The pen, as they say, is mightier than the sword.



I enjoyed Brokeback Mountain. It certainly deserves to be praised. This film, by the wonderful director Ang Lee, brought a love affair between two men to the silver screen. Of course, other films have done that before, but Brokeback Mountain did what most gay films rarely every do—it managed to break into the mainstream. And it has secured a special place in American popular culture. I also think Annie Proulx, Larry McMurtry, Diana Ossana, and Ang Lee should be commended for making this film a reality. It’s always nice to have some straight people on our side.



Queer cinema doesn’t get better than John Cameron Mitchell’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch. This film is one of my favorite films (top 10 material). John plays a transgender performer who leads an extraordinary life. Everything about the film is wonderful. John does a great job of introducing the protagonist, Hedwig. Within the first 15 minutes, I fell in love with Hedwig. John is a gifted director. There’s no question about that. The music is wonderful and the film is just enchanting from start to finish. Of all films mentioned in this post, I think Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the most beautiful. It is also visually and intellectually provocative.




I love John Waters. This post wouldn’t be complete without a John Water’s film. And Pink Flamingos is my favorite film by this great director. I know some—or maybe most—people find it crass and unacceptable, but this film represents so much to me and other members of the LGBT community. Pink Flamingos is a film that refuses to conform to societal standards of decency. It laughs in the face of social conformity. Divine’s character, Babs Johnson, is confident and defiant. It’s hard for the average gay person to exhibit this degree of self-confidence in the real (straight) world, which is why Babs Johnson is a breath of fresh air. Of course, one shouldn’t celebrate the violence in the film, but the violence is part of what makes it work so well. It’s all about defiance! Interestingly, John Waters often says that he wants the audience to just relax and have a good time. Well, mission accomplished. His films are certainly very entertaining, but there’s so much more to Pink Flamingos than meets the eye.



Pink Flamingos was my favorite gay film for a very long time. That changed after I saw Gods and Monsters, a film about James Whale, a film director who made horror films in the 1930s. The accomplished stage actor Ian McKellen was brilliant as James. Lynn Redgrave also delivered a great performance, and Brendan Fraser was effective as Clayton Boone, the object of Whale’s interest in the film. Gods and Monsters explores the last few moments of James Whale’s life, before he committed suicide in 1957. James lived with depression, memory problems, and other conditions that lead him to take his own life. He was 67.

Gay cinema and culture seem obsessed with youth and beauty. This blog is no exception. I post pictures of hot actors and models from time to time. However, this film focuses on the inner struggles of an aging gay man. That, I think, makes the film stand out in the world of gay cinema. Older gay men are often portrayed as asexual figures in many films. In God and Monsters, James tries to seduce a young straight man. He shows us that sexuality and the need for companionship are strong motivators that exist in all human beings, young and old. But the main reason I adore this film is because of Ian McKellen. His performance is the heart and soul of this film. The people behind Gods and Monsters get extra points from me because they cast a real gay man to play a gay character on the big screen. What a novel concept!

Bravo, Project Runway, & Crazy Women

I had an interesting conversation with a friend this morning. What did we discuss? Global warming? Trouble in the Middle East? The current mortgage crisis? The answer to all these questions is . . . no. We were talking about Project Runway. My friend was, to borrow a phrase from Michael Kors, quite underwhelmed with the first episode of PR. He was so disappointed that he suggested not watching the show on a regular basis. His words elicited a reflexive response from me—I was ready to slap the crap out of him. But I didn’t. I don’t resort to physical aggression to solve problems or resolve disputes. I’m all about peace and love and all that good stuff. Anyway, my friend is not alone. A number of people in the blogosphere found this episode a tad boring.

I understand what they’re saying, but, honestly, I think some people had unreasonable expectations. Consider the following. I dare you to approach your friendly neighborhood drug addict. Ask him or her to describe the first time they tried their favorite drug of abuse (psychostimulants are quite popular with the kids). In many cases, they’ll describe feeling immense pleasure. However, after repeated drug use, it takes even higher doses of the drug to experience the same effects, and, in many cases, the person eventually stops experiencing pleasure all together. Ok, I’m not sure that’s a good analogy. Honestly, I just wanted to use the phrase “friendly neighborhood drug addict” in this post. My point is: we’re talking about the fourth season of Project Runway, for crying out loud. Did you expect to be blown away? We’ve seen a lot of it before. The divas, the drama queens, the assholes, the nut jobs, and the list goes on. And, as the years go by, some of the designs are starting to look awfully familiar. Aren't they? Again, the novelty effect has worn off. I thought the first episode of PR4 was entertaining and predictable. But that’s ok.

Sorry, I went off on a tangent there. Ok, let’s get back to the task at hand—obsessing about Bravo reality television. Anyway, I’ve already complained about the lack of female talent on other Bravo shows; so now I’d like to say something positive about Bravo. I’ve noticed a few interesting trends in Bravo land. For starters, they sometimes select contestants who don’t conform to certain stereotypes. Exhibit A: lesbian hairdressers! Seriously, before Shear Genius, I had never thought of combing the words lesbian and hairdresser in the same sentence. Bravo managed to find two lesbians for Shear Genius 1 (my beloved Tabs and Daisy). Also, what’s with over-achieving Vietnamese Americans? Cloe (Project Runway) and Hung (Top Chef), both Vietnamese Americans, won the top prize in their respective shows. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy for them. I really am. But the chances of two Vietnamese Americans succeeding on Bravo aren’t that high. Why not Chinese Americans, Mexican Americans, or White women? It’s just interesting. That’s all I’m saying.




Well, Bravo has done it again. They’ve managed to find another stereotype to mess with. Instead of the tired stereotypical Hispanic woman, Bravo now offers us the crazy, rebellious Hispanic woman. At first I thought Lupe was an isolated case of craziness. Of course, a handful of unstable Latinas exist in this country, but Bravo found another one. Yep, I’m talking about Elisa Jimenez. Ok, she’s not exactly like Lupe. Elisa appears capable of formulating coherent sentences; I can’t say the same for Lupe. I like Elisa. She’s the crazy, artistic type. I can dig that. However, if she’s going to play that part for the next few weeks, she’ll need to produce some great designs.



Wow, this post is getting kind of long. I know; you’ve got other things to do. So . . . I’ll stop beating around the bush. This episode wasn’t horrible. It was predictable but still entertaining. As stated in the previous post, I love Rami. Did he deserve to win? Well, that’s debatable. I think he has great taste, but his design was kind of safe and not very original. Two dresses caught my eye. The one below was designed by Chris.



I agree with Ms. Place; his dress was fierce. The man certainly has talent. Also, I noticed that a handful of gay bloggers are going crazy over Chris. Why? He seems like a nice guy, but it’s too early to tell if he’s a character to love. I’ll give him a chance. Who knows; he may win me over. Christian is turning out to be a little bitch, which isn't always a bad thing. Although I didn't like his design, I admit that he is creative and confident, but I suspect he may have trouble competing against more experienced designers. He’s a kid compared to many of the other designers.




I also liked Kit’s dress (pictured above). She may be one to watch. Of course, it really is too early to pick favorites. Now, I’m off to Pink Navy. See you there!

The Problem With Perez

Sometimes the gay media pisses me off in a major way. What did they do now? Well, Out.com recently recognized Perez Hilton as one of the most influential gay people in this country. He even got the royal treatment by the folks at Out.com (check out the following picture), and that's what I object to.



Now, in all fairness to Mr. Lavandeira (aka Perez Hilton), I have to acknowledge that his blog, Perezhilton.com, is one of the most popular blogs on the web. Is he influential? Well, I'll give him some credit. He gets a lot of attention from the main stream media. He was on the view and he appears on MTV and other popular news and entertainment outlets on a regular basis. So, from a very objective perspective, I'd say that he is influential. But does that mean he should be honored by the gay media?

Funny thing is, he is every activist's dream. He's out, proud, and successful. Oh, but it gets better. The man doesn't hide his sexuality. Many have seen a side of Perez Hilton that's too disgusting to describe on this blog. My point is: he is not asexual. I read somewhere that's he's getting his own show. That's impressive. So, should we kiss his ass? I don't think so. I contend that he is not an asset to the LGBT community. I'm sorry, but simply being out and proud shouldn't be some sort of badge of honor. I think it's great that's he's out. It's always wonderful to see someone who's comfortable with his or her sexuality, but we shouldn't just shower someone with praise for being out. He is not a good role model for LGBT people in this (or any) country. He's a smart internet personality. Good for him, but why does the gay media have to jump on the "I love Perez" band wagon.

I'm fully aware that Perez is a part of our community, whether we like it or not. The LGBT community is not a monolith. We are a very diverse group of people, and Perez will always have a place in our community. My beef is with the gay media and the writers who work for and/or are associated with them. These individuals often serve as representatives of the entire LGBT community. And that's a shame. They only represent a segment of our community. It's interesting that Perez Hilton is Hispanic American but contributes nothing significant to the plight of gay men and Lesbians of Hispanic descent. I'm not saying Perez is obligated to do anything; I'm just pointing out that he's just a successful American blogger who has nothing meaningful to contribute to any cause. Where are other gay people of color? Don't they exist? They have a very different perspective that's rarely heard. How about gay people who can't be out for various reasons. This large group of gay men and lesbians may not be out to the world, but they are on the internet consuming gay culture. They are a part of our community.

It Sucks To Be A Lion: Bill O'Reilly & The Proper Use of Stereotypes

Ok, if you love Bill O'Reilly, this post is not for you. Now, let the bashing begin. Bill never ceases to amaze (and horrify) me. The man is clearly intelligent, but his inability (or refusal) to even consider alternative perspectives is scary. Why does that scare me? Well, if an intelligent man like Bill refuses to even listen to dissenting opinions, then there's no hope for the many men and women who worship the ground he walks on. And that, my friends, is a very scary thought.

So, here's the issue. A few days ago, Mr. O'Reilly made some interesting comments on his radio show. He talked about having dinner with Rev. Al Sharpton at a place called Sylvia's, a restaurant in Harlem that is owned and operated by African-Americans. Most of the patrons are also African-American. Bill was shocked that African-Americans weren't acting--you know--crazy! Nothing escaped Bill's sharp eye. Specifically, he said,

I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City . . . There wasn't one person in Sylvia's who was screaming, 'M-Fer, I want more iced tea . . . There wasn't any kind of craziness at all.

Ok, I was speechless when I first read this report on the Media Matters for America website. The first thing that came to mind was, is this guy for real? In all fairness to Bill, his comments were not racist. I think most would agree. However, his comments are troubling because they may represent how the average American views Black people. Seriously, if you're surprised that (average) African-Americans actually act like average Americans, then you must be living in some sort of bubble. I've met African-Americans who are educators, business owners, artists, writers, and so on. Do they not exist in New York City metropolitan area? Hm, maybe I'm the one who's crazy. It's possible that I just imagined meeting well-behaved African-Americans. Maybe my junior high school principal, Mrs. Watson, was a figment of my imagination. How about my 7th grade science teacher, Mr. Anderson? He must have been a magnificent apparition that happened to know the periodic table of elements. These wonderful individuals helped mold me into the person I am today.

The sad reality is that Mr. O'Reilly and others like him are doing what many of us do on a daily basis--rely on stereotypes for various reasons. Yes, it's a cognitive phenomenon that requires very little brain power. Now, don't get me wrong; it can be very useful. For example, if I see a lion charging at me, I probably won't ask questions. I'll just run! I know, it sucks to be a lion; everyone immediately judges you. However, in contemporary American society, we have access to so much information and we live in a country that's economically and socially stable. All we have to do is open our eyes (and minds) and stop being lazy. Yes, many of us are lazy. We can't be bothered to learn a little more about people who aren't like us. Or, we sometimes do the opposite; we focus on an outgroup's negative traits.

So, when you see a woman acting hysterical. Stop and think. Ask a question or two. Maybe she's upset for a valid reason. Or maybe she's just had enough. Many women, in case you didn't know, have to work full-time to help support their families, and they're also expected to devote a lot of time to various household tasks. That's like having two jobs! So, before you judge any woman, please keep this little nugget of information in mind. Sure, women are generally more emotional than men, but they also have to put up with a lot of crap. There are many more examples, but I won't subject you to any more of my liberal musings. So, here's the take home message: America, please stop being lazy. Stereotypes should only be used on those rare occasions when your life and physical well-being are threatened. Give Ethnic Americans and other minorities a chance, they may surprise (and educate) you. Imagine that!

There’s More Than One Way To Be A Sissy.

The always wonderful GayProf wrote an interesting piece about the media’s obsession with the Larry Craig scandal and what that may tell us about how society views gays. It’s an excellent post. In that post, GayProf provided a link to another post by Kenneth Hill. I thought Kenneth made some excellent points. However, I didn’t buy it. Actually, it kind of irritated me. And here’s a passage from that post that essentially sums up the tone of the article,

Basically . . . people hate a sissy, aka anyone who acts too gay (read: too effeminate).

Please note that Kenneth discussed other issues and provided an overall compelling argument. But I found it devoid of true objectivity. In fact, this very statement and other comments made in the post seem to place gays into two categories—sissies and non-sissies. And, according to Kenneth, in order for gays to be free, we all need to accept our sissies. That’s a good point, but, again, I have major issue with this and other statements.

First of all, as most probably know but tend to forget, gay people are a very diverse group. The sissies that Kenneth speaks of probably represent a small minority of the gay population. Interestingly, this small sample seems to get a lot of attention. More about that a little later. My major beef with Kenneth’s piece is that he seems to ignore the fact that there’s more than one way to be a sissy, so to speak. Relative to many straight men, I’d be considered a big ol’ sissy. Now, that doesn’t mean I’m more effeminate than a fabulous drag queen. I’m actually considered straight-acting by most, but I will never deny that I have female-typical traits and interests. In fact, I celebrate those traits. I mean, have you read my blog? Check out the banner and some of the side bar pics.

I also don’t get what he means by too effeminate. I mean, I know what he’s talking about, but, again, I find that phrase a little off the mark. Gay men are first and foremost living, breathing mammals, and, in all sexually reproducing species, diversity is the rule rather than the exception. Sorry, I study animal behavior for a living; please bear with me. Anyway, my point is: Effeminate gay men are as diverse as any group of human beings or animals, for that matter. Whoever came up with this sissy/non-sissy dichotomy is just foolish and lazy.

Ok, I’ll admit that generalizing and keeping things simple can often be very effective and desirable, something John Kerry should know by now. However, I expect more from intelligent gay men. Why? Because these men are near and dear to my heart. And I have to say that I found it quite objectionable that Kenneth lumped Carson Kressley and Chris Crocker in the same category. Carson Kressley and youtube sensation Chris Crocker may seem identical on the surface, but when you really start to compares these two gay men, you will immediately see that they are as different as night and day. Chris seems to enjoy making vulgar comments, dancing provocatively, and doing other questionable things. Casron, on the other hand, has established himself as a respected television personality. His quippy comments and success as a fashionista have made him what he is today.

Finally, I’d like to comment about the homophobic statements directed at Chris Crocker. Of course, I think that’s deplorable. And it is a sad reminder that gay men who don’t conform to societal standards—gender norms and other rules—are often subjected to verbal and/or physical abuse. However, the behavior exhibited by Chris should not be considered gay-typical. Even straight women are subjected to hateful comments if they appear “too” sexual. In fact, Paris Hilton, a woman I can’t stand, is often bashed throughout the blogosphere. Yes, the media may often shower gay men like Chris Crocker with the wrong type of attention, and society can be harsh. There’s no question about that. But society also praises certain effeminate gay men (see Tim Gunn). What I’m trying to say is that being effeminate (or even too effeminate) isn’t the same thing as being histrionic (and effeminate). Again, there’s more than one way to be a sissy.

Never Judge A Book By Its Cover (Top Chef 3, Reunion Special)

Bravo’s Watch What Happens special aired a few hours ago. It was nothing spectacular; Andy Cohen interviewed past and present Top Chef contestants. But I enjoyed seeing some past cheftestants talk about their experiences.

Ok, now let’s get down to business. I’m sure other bloggers are going recap the entire thing; so I’m just going to focus on two aspects of the show: tolerance and the importance of not judging a book by its cover! Please let me explain.

In most societies, it’s not easy being a fabulous harlot. Women of ill repute are often shunned by others. In some cultures, even a straight-laced gal who falls from grace one time can end up wearing a scarlet letter for life. It’s not easy being a whore.

I feel for these women. I really do. Out there somewhere is a prostitute with a heart of gold. Or a stripper who dutifully performs for disabled veterans. Or a desperate housewife who pays for her young gardener’s college education. I refuse to judge these women.

Anyway, at one point during the show, Andy read a comment submitted by a Bravo viewer.

How the hell can you cook anything with that Padma parading around. Christ, I’d eat anything off of her; I’d drink her bath water.

First, I was shocked to learn that heterosexual men actually watch Bravo. Interesting. The suits at Bravo sure knew what they were doing when they hired her. Yeah, sex sells. Anyway, at first, I was concerned for our Padma. For a brief moment, it appeared that Padma’s sexuality was on trial. Here’s the evidence.











It’s undeniable; our beloved Padma is asking for trouble. However, just when I had given up hope, an angel appeared on the screen. No, he wasn’t an angel, he was more like a deity—a gay deity with impeccable taste. It was my personal hero Tim Gunn. He said of Padma,

I love Padma’s style! Padma is who she is, and if risqué is the way she wants to be, risqué is how she should be. Padma, keep it up.

Then, fellow judge Tom Colicchio added,

In Padma’s defense, she’s not cooking in that kitchen.

While all this was going on, former cheftestant Sandee was jumping up and down like a teenage boy at a Jessica Simpson concert. She must have heard the news that Padma was leaving her husband. Oh, one can only imagine the types of thoughts that were in her head at that very moment.



Sandee immediately offered the object of her affection the following words,

She’s a pleasure when she comes in the kitchen . . . she comes in and it brightens our day.

How touching. Of course, Padma was allowed to speak in her own defense. She said,

It doesn’t matter; all I have to do on the show is think, speak, and eat; and I’m dressed perfectly for those three tasks . . . people don’t know this, but Gail’s actually much more, uh . . .

I’m the real slut is what she’s trying to say.

Finally, the truth was revealed. So, it turns out that Padma may look like a slut, but she’s really just a misunderstood beauty. Seriously, if she wanted, she could dress that way in Bollywood and still play an innocent virgin who saves herself for the right man. But, instead, she’s a reality star here in the States. And I think she’s doing us a favor. You know, I’d pay to see her dancing in one of those Bollywood dance numbers. Yes, I’d love that. Anyway, now we all know who the real whore is; don’t we, Gail?

This reunion special taught me many valuable lessons. The most obvious lesson is to never judge a book by its cover. But, the most important lesson of all is that we should be tolerant of everyone. Even harlots need a little love.

What Would Letitia Baldrige Do?

First, I must tell you about Letitia Baldrige. She is an American author and expert in matters of taste, etiquette, and public relations. She served as public relations director for Tiffany and Co from 1956 to 1961. She then went on to serve as Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy’s social secretary while the Kennedy’s were in the White House. I know; this woman is amazing. She actually worked at Tiffany’s while Blake Edwards was filming the phenomenal film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Letitia even met Audrey Hepburn. How wonderful is that?

I like Letitia for several reasons. To give one example, I completely agree with her that civility and good manners can make the world a better place. Oh, and anyone who worked for Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy wins a gold star from me. I could write a whole post about that and the fabulous Jacqueline Bouvier! Ok, let’s get back on track here. The one thing that bugs me about Letitia is the fact that she was born in the 1920s and raised during a time when women were expected to conform to certain societal rules—rules that were designed to keep the average American woman in a subordinate role. Now, I’m not saying that people who were born in the early 1900s should not be trusted; I’m just saying that her perspective may reflect a system of values that is no longer necessary in contemporary society. Below is a sample of her writing, taken from Letitia’s website.

Thinking Outward - Many people think manners are irrelevant today. It's just the opposite. They have never been more necessary for a peaceful, healthy society.
Manners are not elitist or foppish. They are the way in which we interact with our fellow men and women. Much of the unhappiness, sadness and failures in the world today stem from those who go through life unaware of the importance of anyone else around them. They have no time for kindness.

Good manners result from thinking about someone else. They are a question of heart. That's it. The moment you wake in the morning or the minute you go outside the door of your home, the respect you show for the people around you, equals the quality of your manners. They are an exercise of the heart, not of money...

Again, I couldn’t agree more. The practical significance of this concept is far-reaching. Making others feel comfortable and respected can do wonders for business and life! It’s surprising how many people fail to realize the importance of good manners.

My former college roommate and I had an interesting conversation while we were both undergraduates in South Carolina. He, a true Southern gentleman, was from North Carolina. And we both agreed that some women, particularly women from the Northeast, hate for a man to hold the door open for a woman. Why is that? I’m sure Ms. Baldrige would consider that quite appropriate. My roommate even encountered a woman who became annoyed by this very gesture. Let’s just say, if looks could kill, my friend would be dead.

There are, of course, other examples, and I could go on and on about this topic. But I’ll conclude by saying that times have changed. I was raised in a family that expects all of its members to adhere to certain rules of propriety. I just can’t help but wonder if these rules are no longer necessary. And my biggest concern is that these societal rules may be doing more harm than good (e.g., subordination of women).

Click here to listen to Letitia Baldrige on the popular NPR program Wait Wait . . . Don't Tell Me!

Europa Europa

When I first learned of Emma’s blog-a-thon, I immediately thought of Sir Ian McKellen’s performance in the wonderful film Gods and Monsters, my favorite “gay” film of all time. Actually, it’s one of my favorite films of all time. Period. Emma had challenged us to write about a life changing performance. But, the more I thought about it, the more it became clear to me that this particular performance (and film) did not change my life in a drastic way. Let me explain. I was in my early 20s when I saw this film for the first time. And I was moved by it; it was a great cinematic experience. However, at that age and still today, it took a collection of things—movies, songs, books, and so on—to change my life in any meaningful way. A single movie just doesn’t seem to do the trick anymore.



My life wasn’t always that way. In fact, I saw a film in the early 90s that changed my life in a major way. That film was Europa Europa. This and other films (e.g., anything by Almodovar) made me fall in love with foreign cinema, and that’s why I’ve decided to write about this particular film. Thus, the performance that changed my life—my viewing habits, to be exact—was Marco Hofschneider’s portrayal of Solomon Perel (Solly) in Europa Europa.



As mentioned before, I first saw Europa Europa in the early 90s; I loved it without question. I saw it again last year, and I still enjoyed it immensely. However, the film is not perfect; of course, the flaws that seem so salient now meant little to me a decade ago. Marco Hofschneider’s Solly was born into a typical Jewish family and lived in Germany during the late 1930s and early 1940s, a tumultuous time for Europe. Solly was an adolescent when his family was forced to flee Germany after his sister’s death at the hands of an anti-Semitic mob at the outset of World War II. His family relocated to Poland.



However, Solly's stay in Poland was short lived, as Hitler’s forces invaded Poland in 1939. Solly’s parents decided to stay behind but encouraged their two sons to run far, far away. After much hesitation, Solly and his brother obeyed. During a frantic attempt to board one of several ships that could take them to a safer area, the brothers inadvertently boarded different ships and were separated. They called out to each other, but, sadly, they would not see each other again for years.

Solly ended up in a Russian orphanage and joined a youth organization that promoted communist ideals. He even became fluent in Russian. I should point out that, after seeing this film as a kid, I thought I was a communist for several months. It was a phase. Anyway, Solly was taught to reject religion and the exploitation of the lower classes. At one point he gave the following speech to his peers,

The bourgeois keep the people in ignorance . . . encourage religious superstitions, and with the help of the popes, priests, and rabbis, they smother all revolutionary instinct . . . we call religion the opium of the masses

Then, after two years in Russia, Solly’s life was again turned upside down by the Germans. He was forced to flee the orphanage with his peers and instructors. As before, he was left behind by unfortunate circumstances. He was arrested by German soldiers, but, luckily, he managed to fool them into thinking he was a German boy forced to live in a Russian orphanage. He spoke German perfectly, and he easily befriended the German soldiers



He would spend years pretending to be a German adolescent. And he was eventually sent to Germany, where he was enrolled in one of Hitler’s Youth Schools, surrounded by people who hated all Jews. Things went from bad to worse. He was unable to make love to his girlfriend Leni (Julie Delpy), out of fear of being discovered. One look at his circumcised penis and that would be the end of poor Solly. At one point in the movie, Solly even tried tying his foreskin, to prevent it from slipping back. It was a very painful experience, but his attempt was not successful. Fortunately, he was eventually able to escape. He was reunited with his brother and they made their way to Israel.

This film motivated me to see other foreign films. In fact, at one point in the 90s, I foolishly told my friends that I would only see International films from that point forward. Almodovar! Bunuel! Fellini! And others, of course! Ah, I was very impressionable at that age.

Marco Hofschneider gave a solid performance that truly moved me. The film was based on the real life of Solomon Perel. Marco’s portrayal of Solly really affected me in a way that’s very difficult to articulate. Solly was forced to pretend to be something he wasn’t. He was forced to listen to lectures and read literature that praised the Nordic phenotype and belittled Jewish people and culture—his heritage.

Although I’ve never experienced anything like what the real life Solomon Perel had to endure, I connected with Hofschneider’s Solly. As a gay person, I spent many years pretending to be something I wasn’t. Even after I came to terms with my sexuality, I remained in the closet for many years. I was silent as the people around me made hateful comments about gays.

The great thing about Solomon’s story is that he survived; he somehow managed to overcome all that hardship and psychological stress. More importantly, his experience made him stronger. He was a fighter. I think I’m a lot like Solly. I grew up in a conservative community in Texas. But, just like Solly and many gay men and women around the world, I'm a fighter.

Long Live Japanese Beauty

Hey, Marius, I heard you watched the 56th annual Miss Universe Pageant on Monday. Were the ethnic festivities to your liking? Oh, and one more thing, if you wanna make it right? Then when you go to Nationals... bring it.

Yes, Gabrielle Union, I really enjoyed the 2007 Miss Universe pageant. Of course, I love pageants. Thanks for asking. Also, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Nationals? Hm, you must have me confused with Kirsten Dunst.

Anyway, I think what the lovely Ms. Union was trying to say is: it sucked to be a white woman in the Miss Universe Pageant this year. That is, delegates of (mostly) European descent, if you don’t count some of the Hispanic women, didn’t do so well this year. Problems started when Miss Sweden decided to drop out of the competition. This was a big blow for Europe, as Sweden was a pageant powerhouse for many years, winning the MU crown on three occasions. And although Sweden is no longer the pageant powerhouse that it was back in the day, Swedish delegates always seem to perform well at the Miss Universe Pageant.



At the outset, four European women made it to the top 15. The show started with the swimsuit presentation, and Tjasa Kokalj, Miss Slovenia, lead the way. Lucie Hadasova, Miss Czech Republic; Zaklina Sojic, Miss Denmark; and Lyudmilla Bikmullina, Miss Ukraine were the remaining three. Unfortunately, all 4 of these delegates, as well as Farung Yuthithum, Miss Thailand, failed to move on to the next round—the top 10.





This year was full of surprises. In fact, only four Latin delegates made it to the top 15. Fortunately, all of them also placed in the top 10. They were Natalia Guimaraes (Brazil), Ly Jonaitis (Venezuela), Rosa Maria Ojeda (Mexico), and Xiomara Blandino (Nicaragua). Of these four delegates, Brazil and Venezuela were clearly the judges’ favorites. Asia was well represented by Riyo Mori (Japan), Honey Lee (Korea), Puja Gupta (India), and Farung Yuthithum (Thailand), who was the only delegate who didn’t place in the top 10. Rachel Smith (USA) looked amazing and easily advanced to the top 10 group. Africa was represented by two amazing delegates—Flaviana Matata (Tanzania) and Micaela Reis (Angola). The judges loved these African beauties and they made it to the top 10.



Brazil looked sensational in her swimsuit, and the judges awarded her the second highest score. Interestingly, she reminded me a lot of Rafeala Zanella, last year’s Miss Brazil. Rafeala made it to the top 15, but didn’t impress the judges. Although Natalia looked a little like Rafeala, she was clearly a stronger delegate. She’s more sensual and has a body to die for.



However, the judges awarded the highest score to Japan’s Riyo Mori. Riyo isn’t as curvaceous as Natalia, but her thinner body was well proportioned and almost flawless. She narrowly defeated Natalia by delivering a phenomenal catwalk performance. This dancer turned beauty queen sure knows how to work it.



The one thing that really bugged me was that the judges were just all over the place with their scores. They disliked delegates who, on the surface, seemed very similar to other delegates they seemed to like a lot. For example, they weren’t crazy about Thailand, but they sure did love Korea. The judges also had some unusual preferences. They weren’t too crazy about Mexico or India, but they did love Tanzania, who had obvious flaws that the judges seemed to overlook. Mexico performed much better than Tanzania, but the judges consistently gave Mexico lower scores.

The evening gown presentation is my favorite part of the night. Mexico picked a red gown that showed off her fantastic body. She simply had an unconventional beauty that doesn’t sit well with judges. I’m not surprised she didn’t make it to the top 5. Unlike Mexico, Angola had a fighting chance. She looked lovely, and she delivered a solid performance. However, the judges weren’t as impressed as I was.


Miss USA looked radiant in her black gown, a better choice than the gown she wore for the Miss USA pageant. Unfortunately, that special moment was cut short when she slipped and fell on her tush. My heart almost stopped. I was worried that that would decrease her chances of placing in the top 5. It didn’t! She recovered nicely and managed to place in the top 5 by the skin of her teeth.



I wasn’t surprised that Korea and Venezuela made it to the next round (top 5). Interestingly, Korea reminded me of Laura Elizondo, Miss Mexico 2004. Both women seemed unstoppable at first. They could do no wrong. The judges just loved them. To be honest, Korea’s hip-to-waist ratio just seemed off the mark. I thought this flaw would keep her from advancing to the top 5. However, the judges were just hypnotized by her beauty. Yes, much like Laura before her, Honey’s striking beauty was her ticket to the top 5. Venezuela delivered a strong performance; no surprise there. I wasn’t crazy about her gown, but she looked fabulous. The judges also gave her one of the highest scores and she made it to the top 5.



Riyo (Japan) wore a lovely Gucci gown. The judges gave her a somewhat lower score, but she delivered another great performance. Her confidence set her apart from the other delegate. She just has such a commanding presence. She placed in the top 5 and proved, once again, that Japan is slowly but surely becoming a pageant powerhouse.



But the star in evening gown was without a doubt Brazil. Natalia was perfection. She looked gorgeous—just the right amount of sensuality, beauty, and glamour. Although she lacked Japan’s aggression, she delivered a performance that was flirtatious and effective. She earned the highest score in the evening gown competition.



The final five—Venezuela, Korea, Brazil, USA, and Japan—all deserved to be in the top 5. I was disappointed with last year’s top 5. And this year, I think Angola should have been given a shot, but, I guess she just didn’t wow the judges enough. USA was asked a fair question and she delivered a good answer. However, she clearly wasn’t one of the judges’ favorites. She ended the evening as 4th runner-up. I had predicted that she would dominate the pageant, like she did a few months ago in the Miss USA pageant. I was wrong. Korea was asked a silly final question, and I’m sure that hurt her chances of winning the crown. However, I was expecting more from Honey. I was disappointed. The judges awarded her the 3rd runner-up position. Interestingly, Laura Elizondo was also the 3rd-runner up in 04. Venezuela delivered a strong performance throughout. Her final question was reasonable and her answer was good. However, Venezuela usually sends delegates that are well prepared and kind of superficial. Ly had pageant pattie written all over her face, and I’m sure that hurt her chances of winning the crown. She ended the evening as 2nd runner-up. Brazil really did an exceptional job this year. She answered her question without any hesitation. It just didn’t seem possible for any of the other delegates to top her final answer. Well, it was possible and it happened. The moment Riyo opened her mouth it became clear that she wasn’t going down without a fight. Like Natalia, Riyo answered her question without flinching. However, she answered her question with a confidence that impressed the audience and, more importantly, the judges. She was also quite unconventional, a personality trait that earned Kurara Chibana, last year’s Miss Japan, the first runner-up position. Well, Riyo managed to win over the judges and she became the second Japanese woman in history to win the Miss Universe crown.



Some bloggers and pageant aficionados have made some very negative comments about Riyo. They’ve said that she didn’t deserve the crown, while others believe that Kurara was more deserving. And, of course, many were not pleased that Brazil’s textbook performance was not rewarded by the judges. Clearly, Brazil did everything right. She was flawless. However, I think Riyo deserved the crown. She wasn’t my favorite delegate, but her unconventional performance and impressive confidence won me over. There are plenty of pageant patties in the world of beauty pageants. That's for sure. What we need is more women like Riyo who have beauty, brains, and real personality.

The Hershberger School of Coolness

You might be gay if . . . you’re a guy who loves to blog about Shear Genius and beauty pageants. You might be a redneck if . . . oh, go ask Jeff Foxworthy.

Anyway, now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I’d like to discuss everybody’s favorite reality show Shear Genius. Fortunately, life after Tabs isn’t as bad as I thought it would be; as they say, life goes on. Of course, now that Tabs is no longer in the picture, I have to come up with new material (thanks a lot judges). So, I’ve decided to focus my energies on the great Sally Hershberger. She’s a fascinating woman. In fact, she’s one of the most influential stylists in the entertainment industry. How do you like them apples?



The one thing I love about Sally is that she is well aware of her coolness. She’s mingled with people that Andre Leon Talley would call Hollywood royalty. She’s worked with great photographers. She’s done it all. Now, she’s a member of Bravo Reality Television, an institution that has been entertaining gay men and fabulous people for the past few years. Hm, I guess Bravo could be thought of as a University: Bravo University, to be exact. And like other institutions, it is made up of different departments and schools. The department of Health and Fitness is headed by Jackie Warner. The dean of the School of Fashion and impeccable taste is Tim Gunn, of course. But there’s another school that doesn’t receive much funding or attention: the Hershberger School of Coolness.

Yes, Sally is the dean of this often overlooked school. She usually shows up (fashionably) late to meetings. Her staff can’t stand her. She makes unreasonable demands on her students—like forcing them to take a course on the influence of the shag on Western Civilization. Sally is misunderstood. It’s not easy being cool. Oh, and we'll pretend like she didn't show up to the reunion special looking like a mere mortal.

Now, let’s talk about the stylists.

Tyson


Tyson is one confident person. Yes he is! He’s clearly a talented stylist, and he was one of the favorites before he was cut. It’s fun to watch Tyson work. He’s fast and efficient. He starts off with an idea and works hard to realize it. I’d say he produced some of the most impressive styles on the show. Unfortunately, the trait that made him so successful is the same trait that got him eliminated. When he has an idea, he works like a mad scientist to create something beautiful. The problem is . . . he doesn’t always produce something great. He can’t seem to break away from this very narrow-minded approach. So, at times, his approach produces something impressive, but it can also produce total crap.

Tabatha


Yeah, she’s been called a bitch and a bully, but this woman is talented and she’s officially the fan favorite. It’s hard to be objective when it comes to Tabs, but I’ll give it a shot. Tabs is an experienced stylist, and she rarely loses her cool. She works at a steady pace and knows what she’s doing. In the first episode, her style was one of the best; it was actually my favorite. Tabs is an aggressive person and that comes across in her styles. As Michael Carl would say, her styles have a hard-edge—she was a punk back in the day for crying out loud. Unfortunately, she seems to lack versatility. Seriously, don’t let this woman do wedding hair. She just doesn’t care to create anything beautiful. Another thing I noticed about Tabs is that she was becoming terribly predictable. Some of her styles looked cold and calculated; we were never wowed by most of her styles. Her best trait was her nonconformity and hard-edge, but that never really came through—we only got what appeared to be approximations of what a hard-edge style should be. It’s a shame because we know she’s capable of doing better.

Dr. Boogie


I hate to say it, but I think Boogie never seemed motivated to evolve or improve as a stylist. It’s one thing to be at the top of one’s game, where success has already been achieved. But Boogie is far from being a phenomenal stylist. He sure loves to remind us that he’s great, but actions speak louder than words. I do give him credit for having a vision and sticking to it. He’s an experienced stylist, as evidenced by his good time management skills. So, he obviously knows what he’s doing and I applaud that. His biggest problem on the show was that he approached almost every challenge like it was business as usual. It just seemed like he was styling some random clients hair at some salon. He never wowed the judges (or the viewers). I never got the sense that he wanted to improve. He was pretty satisfied with everything he did. And that was his downfall.

Ben


Oh, Ben. Sweet, Ben. First, let me just say that I like Ben. In fact, I’m kind of happy that he’s made it this far. His family must be thrilled. He’s just a sweet person, and I’m sure Bravo viewers are tickled pink that he made it to the final. It’s always nice when good things happen to good people. Ok, now it’s time to break this down objectively (no heart, just brains!). Ben is by far the luckiest person in the competition. He’s created some of the worst styles and he’s still around. Why? Well, he’s one lucky guy; there was always someone—just one person—who sucked just a little bit more. Now, to be fair, Ben has some great qualities. For example, like Tabatha, he prefers styles that have a hard-edge. He’s also like a sponge; show him something once and he'll emulate it perfectly. He’s very observant and eager to please his clients (and the judges). That’s important! Ben’s biggest problem is his lack of experience. He tends to take a passive approach when it comes to working with other people. But his biggest weakness is his lack of vision. Michael Kors and Nina Garcia once described the winner of the first season of project runway, Jay McCarroll, as having an innate creativity. Ben, on the other hand, seems to lack this innate creativity. He’s good at emulating others, but he seems to work with no direction in mind. Sometimes that works, but most of the time it just doesn’t. He needs to stop looking for guidance from other people and start thinking for himself.

Anthony


Anthony is another nice guy. Actually, they’re all really nice people. It’s enough to make any normal person sick. I’m just kidding. Remember . . .good things . . . good people. Anyway, Anthony is the most experienced of the three remaining stylists. But his biggest asset is his versatility. Yes, he can create beautiful styles, but he’s also capable of creating styles that are somewhat edgy and “fashion forward.” Honestly, that alone makes him the front-runner. I also like the fact that he works with a clear direction in mind. He seems to have vision. However, it’s not going to be a walk in the park for Anthony. His styles always seem to lack something, and that can be a problem. What good is vision if you can’t deliver the final product! I’m sorry, but approximations aren’t going to guarantee you the win; just ask Tabatha.

Daisy


I think everyone in the blogosphere wants Daisy to win. Yes, my heart also belongs to Daisy (aka the Hialeah Sound Machine). From the moment Daisy looks at her client’s hair, her brain, hands, and mouth just go crazy. She’s a woman on a mission. I just love watching her work. She describes what she plans to do and then starts moving at a pace that even the road runner would envy. Like Anthony, Daisy has vision and then some. The one thing about Daisy I love is that most of her styles just look . . . complete. And that’s very satisfying. She creates some very nice styles, as well as some styles that are just amazing—she and Anthony hit a home run in the bridal hair challenge. However, for the most part, her styles just don’t seem good enough to be in the types of fashion magazines that Sally and Michael Carl probably swear by. And we all know that Sally hates it when people play it safe. Daisy needs to keep that in mind if she wants to win.

Now, let’s talk about the judges.


Sally Hershberger

Sally is the easiest to read. She’s like an open book. I have a feeling she’s rooting for Ben. Remember, Ben now knows how to do the shag, and, of course, Sally noticed. Sally is all about being edgy and cool, and Ben is one cool guy. So, he gets extra points for that. Ben also has another thing going for him; he never plays it safe. He doesn’t know how to. Seriously, if you lack vision and direction, it’s hard to create something that’s nice and . . . safe. He usually ends up creating crap or something edgy and very rock star-ish. So, I think if lady luck is on Ben’s side, he’ll win Sally’s vote. Anthony can also pull through and earn Sally’s respect and support. He just needs to wow the judges for a change. Daisy is probably Sally’s least favorite of the three. She’ll need to create a work of art or the other two will have to create crap on a head in order to win Sally’s vote. Let’s face it; in Sally’s world, Daisy always seems to play it safe!

Michael Carl

Ok, Michael Carl isn’t an open book. Actually, one thing seems very clear: Ben’s not on his good side. While everyone was raving about Ben’s hair last week, Michael provided the dissenting voice. Interesting. If I had to guess, I’d say that Ben is his least favorite of the three. He seems to like Daisy a lot, but I’m going to guess that Anthony’s versatility will win him over. However, if Anthony fails to really deliver, Daisy’s professionalism and ability to create a finished look may guarantee her the win.

Jaclyn Smith

Ok, I need help with this one. I don’t know what’s going on in Jackie’s head. I suspect she’s not Ben’s biggest fan, although she does seem to enjoy his fun personality. Whether or not she prefers Daisy over Anthony is hard to tell. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s rooting for Daisy, who is professional and consistently performs well. However, Anthony is also talented, and I can totally see him creating a style that could easily please the beautiful former Angel.

So, I’ll conclude by saying that I have no idea what to expect on Wednesday. By the way, if you disagree with my reasoning here, please let me know. Anyway, if Ben manages to pull himself together and create a style that’s original and hard-edged, then he will probably win Sally’s support and everything else will fall into place for him. Anthony needs to show the judges that he’s the most versatile of the three. He can win this thing by actually creating something that looks finished. Approximations just aren’t going to cut it anymore. Daisy, of course, has what it takes to win. However, her win will be highly dependent on Ben’s luck and Anthony’s performance. She’s been very consistent thus far, and I don’t know if she can actually do any better. It truly is anyone’s game.

Miss Universe: True Beauty Queens

Don’t forget to mark your calendars. The 2007 Miss Universe pageant will be televised live from Mexico City (on NBC) on Monday, May 28th—that’s just around the corner. Latin hunk Mario Lopez and the lovely Vanessa Minnillo will host this annual celebration of . . . beauty or whatever it is you want to call it. I love Mario, but I’m a little disappointed that Carson Kressley and Shandy Finnesey won’t be participating. Seriously, they were awesome last year.

So, this is my BIG post—my final predictions for the 2007 Miss Universe pageant. As I mentioned before, my predictions are based on a number of factors, including past delegates and current trends.


Rosa Maria Ojeda, Miss Mexico 2007, is one of the favorites, and for good reason. She’s one of the strongest delegates. She’s not drop dead gorgeous like Russia or Greece. However, she’s very pretty and seems like a sweet, down to Earth person, which should help her win over the judges. Rosa has an amazing body, and she knows how to work it. She has it all. I predict she will make it to the semi-finals (top 10), and she should have no problem placing in the top 5. It’s hard to say whether she really has a shot at winning the crown. She’s not as polished as Venezuela and she lacks USA’s powerful presence, but she’s a strong delegate. As mentioned before, her biggest rivals are going to be Spain and Russia. If she manages to place in the top 5, I think she’ll end up as 3rd or 4th runner-up.


Doukissa Nomikou, Miss Greece 2007, is the woman to beat; well, that’s what many bloggers and pageant aficionados seem to think. I predict she’ll place in the top 5. There are two things working in her favor: she’s gorgeous and sexy. And she has a lovely figure. Yep, I’m sure she’ll place in the top 5. However, I don’t think she’ll win the crown. She certainly has what it takes and her chances are better than Mexico’s, but USA and Venezuela aren’t going down without a fight. I think she’ll end up as 3rd runner-up, but the 1st or 2nd runner-up positions are not out of reach for her.


Honey Lee, Miss Korea 2007, deserves to be on this list. Opinions vary, but it’s safe to say that she’s one of the strongest Asian delegates. Japan has been receiving a lot of attention lately, but my vote is still for Honey. I predict she will make it to the semi-finals (top 10), and I’m cautiously optimistic that she’ll place in the top 5. She has strong communication skills, an understated confidence that’s charming, and a natural beauty. She is the epitome of femininity. Honestly, I think she deserves the Miss Universe crown, and it is within her reach. However, I predict that she will end up as 1st or 2nd runner-up. Let’s face it; Asian delegates aren’t always evaluated fairly. If Honey wins the crown, I will be one happy camper.


Ly Jonaitis, Miss Venezuela 2007, is the queen of the pageant patties. In a world devoid of subjective feeling, Ly could easily win the Miss Universe crown. However, we don’t live in such a world; the real world is very different. Ly is a very impressive delegate—great body, beautiful, and sexy. But she isn’t really unique, which makes sense because pageant patties are all very similar. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. She can easily win the crown, but I predict that she will be the 1st runner-up. Of course, some pageant aficionados are worried that Ly will fade into obscurity just like some of her predecessors. To be honest, Venezuela hasn’t been doing well these past few years. I think Ly will turn things around for Venezuela. If she falters like Monica Spear in 04, she’ll leave the door wide open for Korea, Greece, and Mexico.


Rachel Smith, Miss USA 2007, has been losing support among bloggers and pageant aficionados these past few days. She’s not as photogenic as some of the other delegates, and some people think she’s just not as attractive as the other women on this list. She does have some qualities that are undeniable. For example, she has the perfect figure—just lovely. And although she lacks maturity, she’s a confident speaker. However, she has a secret weapon that very few delegates have—stage presence. This quality sets her apart from the rest. Alicia Machado had that same quality, and she easily took home the Miss Universe crown in 96. I predict Rachel will dominate this year, much like Alicia did in 96.

I wish I had detailed information about the judges—about their likes and dislikes. That would be very helpful. Now, all we can do is wait for the big night. In one week, 77 delegates will compete for the coveted Miss Universe crown. My personal favorite is Miss Spain; she is amazing. I have a gut feeling she will place in the top 5 by displacing Mexico, Greece, or Korea. Does she have what it takes to win the crown? We’ll have to wait and see. Miss Mexico has a killer body and a lovely face; she’s one the strongest delegates. I don’t think she’ll win the crown but she will surely deliver a strong performance. Korea may surprise everyone and steal the show; she’s one to watch. Greece will probably place in the top 5. She’s just gorgeous. Finally, although I think Miss USA will win the crown, Venezuela will challenge her to the very end. This promises to be an interesting year for the Miss Universe organization.

I’ll post a recap of the final some time after Monday, May 28th. If you enjoyed this post, you may want to check out some of my other MU posts:
Beauties with Great Potential
Magnificent Beauties (Top 10)

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE DELEGATE!

CLICK HERE TO MEET THE DELEGATES (VIDEO)!

Spider-man 3, Symbiotic Organisms, and Kelp Shakes

Beware of Spoilers!

A lot has been said about Sam Raimi’s Spider-man 3—too many villains and subplots, as well as other problems. Yes, I think most would agree that Spider-man 2 is far superior to Raimi’s third Spidey film. And, as some have suggested, that isn’t surprising; how do you top Spider-man 2? Personally, I don’t think the film was a total disaster. I wasn’t blown away, but I was entertained. Anyway, I’m not going to repeat what others have said about the film. Instead, I’d like to talk about . . . hair! No, I’m not kidding.

In Spidey 3, Peter Parker comes into contact with some black substance from outer space. What is it? I have no idea. As MarryAnn Johanson would say, it’s just comic book science. I guess we don’t question this sort of thing. Anyway, this symbiote wraps itself around an unsuspecting host and turns it black (of course). It also seems to influence the host’s personality (and not in a good way). Yep, Peter wears his new black suit and loses himself in the process. He flirts with the dark side and does some pretty nasty things to his friends. So, I guess this symbiote increases aggression, decreases inhibitions, and makes the host act like an asshole. The dark side is one scary place.



Now, let’s talk about hair. Yes, the first thing Peter changed was his hair style. It was kind of silly, but it makes total sense. As Peter Parker, the good boy, he would usually go with a pretty traditional style—looks a lot like the Princeton, a very clean-cut look that screams White Boy. Ah, but the Princeton is not appropriate for the dark side. No! Peter needed a drastic change that would coincide with his new (evil) persona. So, he went with . . . bangs?!? Hm, I guess that’ll work. Maybe it’s comic book science. Who knows?

Tobey McGuire’s character isn’t the first person to venture into the dark side. In 1963, Jerry Lewis starred in the delightfully entertaining film The Nutty Professor. This movie was great. Lewis delivered a great comedic performance, and Stella Stevens was perfect as Miss Purdy.



In the movie, the clueless chemist, professor Kelp, created a potion that completely changed him from a nerdy scientist to an attractive playboy (Buddy Love). Interestingly, his little potion also made him a good dancer and musician. So, the symbiotic organism from outer space makes you an asshole, but Kelp’s wacky potion does that and more! I’d like to order a Kelp shake please, but go easy on the asshole. As in Spidey 3, Kelp’s transformation wasn’t complete without a new hair hairstyle. Kelp’s hair was clean-cut and natural; it was the kind of style preferred by conservative business men in the 60s (or so I've read). Buddy Love, on the other hand, loves hair products. His hair style was a classic taper that was messier, more modern. Honestly, it wasn’t much different, but it was effective. We got the point: Buddy Love is a bad ass.

Musicians are just as vulnerable as actors. Garth Brooks also flirted with the dark side (check out his pic).



In the late 90s, this Country Music Superstar decided to release an album as his alter-ego Chris Gaines. Yep, before Peter Parker experimented with bangs, Garth had been there and done that. I’m not sure what possessed him to attempt such a bold career move. Was it some black substance from outer space? Or one of those awesome Kelp shakes, perhaps? I have no idea. I’m sure his fans were just as puzzled as I am to this very day.

So, I guess the take home message is never underestimate the power of (superficial) change. When we’re getting ready to go out to a club, bar, social event, or whatever, we usually dress to impress. Some people spend hours in front of the mirror trying to achieve the perfect “look.” In our minds, that “look” conveys a message. Some people want a style that says, “hi, I’m single and looking for action.” Other styles convey a different message, “hi, I’m responsible and intelligent; please give me a raise.” Of course, these changes are superficial, and, most of the time, our behavior stays pretty much the same. To an outside observer, a hairstyle change doesn’t seem to do much. However, to the person who styles his or her hair before some important event, a change can energize and sometimes change our disposition. By the way, I’ve experimented with bangs and still do from time to time! But don’t worry; I usually go with a Ceasar or my version of the Princeton. I rarely go the dark side.

Childhood Memories and Great Movies

Nathaniel, I accept your blogging challenge. First, let me point out that I’m not a film critic (obviously). I do, however, enjoy good movies, particularly films that make you think. Anyway, here are a few films that I truly enjoyed as a child and adolescent.


Jaws (1975)
This Spielberg film is a masterpiece. I enjoyed every minute of it. I actually saw this film in the 80s. I had no negative comments about it at the time, which is interesting because I’m a pretty judgmental person; well, not all the time, but I have my moments. Of course, I was a young kid who hadn’t really thought much about films. That would change in the 90s.


Carrie (1976)
I was blown away. De Palma is a gifted director. It didn’t feel like a horror film, it was just a great movie that I enjoyed immensely. High school can be such a drag sometimes, and I remember empathizing with Carrie from the start. There was another thing that I got from this movie—we’re all special in some way. Carrie had telekinetic powers; unfortunately, many people were hurt in the end. As they say, payback is a bitch. Sissy Spacek was amazing.

Superman (1978)
Christopher Reeve was such a handsome man. My family and I enjoyed this film so much. Also, Margot Kidder will forever be Lois Lane in my book. She rocked! My favorite line in the movie was; “you’ve got me; who’s got you?” Oh, that really takes me back.

Dawn of the Dead (1979)
I also saw this film some time in the 80s. And for some strange reason, I fell in love with zombies. Of course, not all zombie movies are great, but the idea is quite powerful. These films feed on our basic fear of the unknown, disease, predators, blood, guts, the undead, and so on. It’s scary to think that there are zombie-like diseases in the animal kingdom. So, these films are far fetched but not beyond the realm of possibility.

Nine to Five (1980)
I think I saw this film for the first time in the late 80s. Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton! What a great cast. This was such a fun movie to watch. This film was kind of educational for me. Seriously! I remember being appalled by management’s lack of consideration. I was so happy when the girls took over the company. Corporate America can suck, but this film offered hope.


Excalibur (1981)
Yeah, I’m a bit of an anglophile. I just thought this film was enchanting and beautiful. I can’t remember how old I was when I first saw it, but I enjoyed it!

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
I loved this film. Harrison Ford was the perfect Indiana Jones. I remember feeling so excited after watching this film. I think I wanted to be an archaeologist after watching this film. Well, I didn’t become an archaeologist/adventurer, but I love how some films can inspire you to think big.


E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Spielberg did it again. This is also a magnificent film. I just loved the fact that everyone around the world had seen it. And how cute was Drew? Anyway, I loved it. I should watch it again some time.

The Secret of NIMH (1982)
What an amazing animated film. I just loved the whole idea: lab rats escape and create an impressive community. They borrow electricity from a local farmer and lead extraordinary lives. My favorite animated feature of all time.

Tootsie (1982)
I remember my mother just loved this film. Of course, I watched the film a second time in the 90s, and just fell in love with it all over again. Jessica Lange’s performance was unforgettable. Who wouldn’t fall in love Lange’s Julie Nichols?

Karate Kid (1984)
This film made me feel like I could take on the world. I actually took karate lessons after watching it. I wasn’t a total disaster, but I’m no Daniel LaRusso. Also, this film had everyone at my school uttering the same phrase over and over again: “Wax on, wax off.” Pat Morita is the man!

Howard the Duck (1986)
This wasn’t one of my favorite movies. I thought Lea Thompson was cute, and the movie was entertaining, but that’s about it. The reason I’ve decided to include this film is because it really got under my skin. For some reason, I found it somewhat disturbing. Yeah, the thought of a big duck having sex with a human (the lovely Lea) was too much for me. It still kind of creeps me out.

The Brave Little Toaster (1987)
Yes, I loved The Brave Little Toaster. It’s true. I saw this animated film on the Disney Channel. Old, forgotten appliances venture into the unknown to find their beloved owner. It kind of made me appreciate the things I grew up with—my old teddy bear, for example. It was just great animated film.


Dirty Dancing (1987)
“Nobody puts baby in a corner.” How many times have we heard that one? Yeah, I loved this film. I remember my mother used to love the soundtrack, as did I. Patrick was so hot in this movie. Great memories!


Beetle Juice (1988)
Fun, fun, fun! Yeah, I also enjoyed every minute of this movie. Michael Keaton was hilarious. Of course, the real star was Tim Burton. He’s so talented. I love his dark imagination and sense of humor.

Heathers (1989)
Yes! Winona Ryder rocked in this film. This was a very cool movie that I enjoyed from start to finish. My favorite line was: “My son's a homosexual, and I love him. I love my dead gay son.” Acceptance is such a beautiful thing.

Ghost (1990)
I don’t believe in ghosts, but I sure did enjoy this film. It had everything: suspense, humor, sensuality, and so much more. Whoopi delivered a fine performance.

Ok, I could go on and on, but I need to stop typing at some point. So, I’ll conclude this post by summarizing my thoughts. Actually, I should first point out that not all of these were summer films. However, they all left a lasting impression on my boyish and adolescent brain. The funny thing is, as a kid, I never questioned why I liked a film. It was such a natural, uncomplicated process. Now, as an “adult,” I find myself scrutinizing almost every aspect of a film. I miss the days when I just trusted my instincts. I totally agree with Nathaniel’s statement, “it's those years as a kid that inform movie love as an adult.” Interestingly, even now, there are moments when I can’t quite articulate why I like (or dislike) a certain film. These moments can be quite refreshing because they force you trust yourself without question. It's like you're a kid all over again.

American Super Babes

This (old) post is my contribution to Nat's Action Heroine Blog-A-Thon. Click here to go to Nat's (not so) secret headquarters over at the Film Experience Blog.

If this blog were a living thing, its blood estrogen levels would be dangerously high, which usually occurs around this time of year. That’s right; the Miss Universe Pageant is just around the corner. It will air on Monday, May 28th at 9 PM on NBC. Seventy or so women will be vying for a crown that is both a blessing and a curse. Mark your calendars.

The U.S. has always been a power house in the pageant world. We have the most Miss Universe wins, and the level of competition here is amazing. Although many people may despise the Miss USA pageant system, there’s no denying its contribution to the entertainment industry. For example, desperate housewife Eva Longoria participated in the Miss Texas pageant in 1998; she represented Corpus Christi. Sadly, most beauty queens never achieve Eva’s level of success.

There are two former American beauty queens that have achieved a level of success in the entertainment industry that most can only dream of. Interestingly, these two women have so much in common.



Lynda Carter (Arizona) represented the U.S. in the Miss World pageant in 1972; she was a finalist. Halle Berry (Ohio) also represented the U.S. in the Miss World pageant in 1986; she was a semi-finalist.



The similarities don’t end there; both women were born into nontraditional families. Specifically, Lynda’s father is of Anglo-Saxon descent and her mother is Mexican-American. Halle was born to an African-American father and Anglo-Saxon mother.



Wait, it gets better. As most of you probably know, Lynda went on to portray Wonder Woman on the small screen in the late 70’s. And not to be outdone, Halle portrayed not one, but two superheroes, Storm and Catwoman.



Now, I’m sure Halle would prefer that I not mention Catwoman, but you can’t run from your past. Also, Halle looks really hot in her Catwoman costume. So that’s something to be proud of.



Halle is currently one of the highest paid female actors in Hollywood, and in 2002, she won an Academy Award for her performance in the film Monster’s Ball. Life has been good to the beautiful Miss Berry. However, my favorite of the two will always be Lynda Carter. She just took my breath away the first time I saw her. What a stunning beauty! And she’s more than just a pretty face. She seems like an intelligent and good-natured person.



I think Lynda is one of the greatest American beauty queens in the history of the Miss USA pageant. There’s no question about that. She is amazing!