Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Freedom Is Slavery
Is it possible that trans-fats and high fructose corn syrup are metaphors for modern American life? Does the poison simply taste too good? Do we live in such velvet chains that we are unable to recognize our captivity? I never agreed to the social contract. I was not given the option to sign off on romantic love, capitalist exchange, Judeo-Christian morality or an educational rewards system. I believe myself to have been raised as more of a free-thinker than the vast majority. I am counter to many of the norms that surround me in culture. And, I don't think that, despite my many flaws, that I am an idiot. Yet, I look around and find that I have fallen into each of those traps. I'm sitting here at odds with, arguably, the McDonald's of higher education and I just keep gobbling fries and chugging icy cold Coca-Cola. It's very possible that my original assertion is but a layer of the onion. Perhaps we are not just distracted to the point of slovenly absenteeism. Maybe this glaringly obvious pitfall is the Wizard and I've just noticed that there is, in fact, a curtain. Off to re-read 1984. Or sleep. Or internalize all of the cables on wikileaks.org. Hi DHS! ;-)
Footwear News Honors Brian Atwood,Christian Louboutin and Ivanka Trump
Prabal Gurung Fall 2010Blake Lively attended the event to support and show her appreciation to the "Footwear God" Christian Louboutin(we are not worthy).
The actress looks beyond fabulous in her green viscose gazar Prabal Gurung sculptural dress. This sexy silhouette is amazing on her. She actually looks way better than the model!
She completed her look with a modern ponytail, large hoop earrings and of course nude and black Christian Louboutin mesh heels.
She completed her look with a modern ponytail, large hoop earrings and of course nude and black Christian Louboutin mesh heels.
Footwear News Honors Brian Atwood, Christian Louboutin and Ivanka Trump
Olivia Palermo always seems to conjure up the perfect ensemble. It's all about texture and sheen with her wonderful ensemble.
Her laced top, metallic skirt and textured sweater is completely effortless.
Take a good look Leighton Meester because this is how a masculine pants suit suppose to look! Jessica Alba looks great in her masculine but yet feminine black sleek Dolce & Gabbana pantsuit.
She compelted her look with her hair pulled back a cute black and white tulle clutch and black pointy spiked Christian Louboutin heels.
Ivanka Trump is always elegant and fabulous. She looks simply divine in her black split sleeves Gucci dress paired with black peep-toe heels.
Hurricane Gruden
Also, the word on the street is Jay Gruden (UFL Florida Tuskers coach) as OC and Jim Leavitt (former South Florida coach) as DC.
Sunshine State Sweep
Cheers.
"Black Swam" New York Premiere
I know Natalie Portman try to give us the elegant "Black Swam" vibe in her black chiffon off-the-shoulders Christian Dior dress but it was a complete disappointment!
I am sorry but this just doesn't do it for me at all. It's beyond boring and the extra fabric adds about twenty pounds to her small frame.
Why don't people understand that I work 10 hours a day with high maintenance divas getting on my nerves(except the ones who are buying Chanel and Lanvin)? My life is pretty routine and sometimes not too exciting. When I come home to relax, I view the red carpet because it's my escape and fantasy world so therefore I need my drama!
Mila Kunis is one of those actresses who looks like she rather be in a Mexican jail with no parole serving a life sentence when she is on the red carpet. Really? You are a millionaire wearing a couture dress, we can only dream about your life but yet you have a damn attitude?
Anyway, she still looks marvelous in her blush plunge neck Elie Saab draped dress paired with fabulous blush Christian Louboutin "Maggie" heels.
MLB Whistle Stops
Thank god that Javier Vazquez inked a 1-yr $7mil deal with the Marlins. Now the Indians can't sign him. I'm still hoping for Jamie Moyer. (Oops. Jamie Moyer will have Tommy John surgery and will miss all of 2011. He hopes to return for 2012 at age 49. Must ponder plan c for the Tribe.)
Boys & Girls Club
My baby Denzel Washington and Jennifer Lopez attended the Boys & Girls Club event. Jennifer is the first female spokesperson. The American Idol judge is joining Denzel for young people nation wide.
Denzel looks scrumptious as always in his jeans, black blazer and t-shirt paired with his trademark gym shoes.
Lopez's nude textured Herve Leger dress may be a little too sexy for the Boys & Girls Club but she always have to bring on the sexiness! She completed her look with nude Brian Atwood heels.
Indians Top Prospect Videos
Courtesy of IPI, some quick looks at a few of Baseball America's Top 10 in the Tribe system. This is amateur video, but very cool if you haven't yet seen these guys.
#10 Nick Hagadone
#9 Joe Gardner
#7 LeVon Washington
#6 Jason Knapp
#5 Nick Weglarz
#4 Drew Pomeranz
#3 Jason Kipnis
#10 Nick Hagadone
#9 Joe Gardner
#7 LeVon Washington
#6 Jason Knapp
#5 Nick Weglarz
#4 Drew Pomeranz
#3 Jason Kipnis
Tom Ford Spring 2011 Presentation
Tom Ford had a top secret Spring 2011 presentation in New York and only the exclusive people in the fashion industry were invited to the hush hush event. Ford have been in hiatus for over 6 years and he finally revealed his new collection.
Divas like Beyonce, Liya Kebede and Joan Smalls graced the runway. Beyonce looks beyond fabulous in her metallic dress and fishnet stocking and I am loooooving her funky hair!!!
I can't wait to view his stunning creations!
Tales of a Black Friday
The Good
After striking out at several locations in the wee hours of the morning, I headed home to drop off a few items for my dad. I tried to sleep to no avail, and plotted round 2. While mildly more successful than the initial trip, when I got to Wal-Mart for the second time (8:30a) I was rather dejected and primed to loudly reject capitalist consumerism. I stopped into the Sprawl because I was right next door anyway. My object d'amore was a $39 Western Digital 500GB portable hard drive. It was to be a gift. When I hit Wally World the first time (5a), there were none to be found. As I lumbered in, my eyes heavy, I repeated the mantra "anything can happen" to myself. When I reached the electronics department I found several of what seemed to be the hard drives on the shelf, where there had been only empty space earlier. As I approached the electronics manager, he sighed towards me "That's the not the one that's on sale." Then, poof, he was gone. I grabbed the flier and compared serial #s. They were identical, save for the last 2 characters. The drive in my hand ended in 00, while the sale item's last 2 were WM (ostensibly for Wal-Mart). I found a price check scanner and ran the box through... $79.99. I took a deep breath and asked myself if I had the wherewithal to barter with the drones at customer service. Guilty for missing deals earlier on, I grabbed the drive and flier and trudged east to service desk. Betty, a clueless but kind sexagenarian, was first to assist me. I told her "This is definitely the item in the ad, but the guys in the back say it's not." Betty was as baffled as I, so she called Katie, a floor manager, over. I delivered my spiel again and Katie, after first comparing the circular to the absolute wrong # on the box, cited the disparity between the serial #s. She also informed me that the advertised items had been left off the truck, had never been delivered. Also, Wal-Mart was not giving out any rain checks, nor substituting any similar item, nor even informing the customers when the truck would arrive. As I asserted my intent to solve the mystery, Katie called, from her sleek headset, assistant store manager Chuck from parts unknown. After spinning my yarn for the 3rd time, Chuck re-iterated the difference in serial #s.
Me - "Chuck, WM stands for Wal-Mart. They're the same thing. Look at all the specs."
Chuck - "But they're not."
Me - "Chuck is there any way you can tell me when the sale items will arrive or will I have to camp out in your electronics section."
Chuck - "Well, if they get here after 11am, they won't be $39 because our doorbuster sale will be over."
Me - "OK, then sell me this one for $39."
Chuck - "But it's not the same item."
Me - "It's the same item in a different box."
Chuck - "But it doesn't have the same serial number as the one in the ad."
Me - "C'mon Chuck, I understand invetory depletion and replenishment. I know the computer can't tell that they're the same, but you and I, we know."
Chuck - "Good. I'm glad you understand that. Maybe you can also understand that the specially boxed items were purchased at a huge bulk discount and if I sold you this one, we'd be taking a huge loss."
Me - "But you just said that if the special drives get here after 11am you won't sell them at the advertised price. Shouldn't that cover any loss on this drive?"
Chuck - "But we don't know how much those drives will sell for because we don't even have a UPC to scan."
Me - "What about the serial #?"
Chuck - "Doesn't work."
Me - "Chuck, is there some other way I can get this? On-line (I already knew the to be sold out)? At another Wal-Mart?"
Chuck - "Do you want me to check on-line?"
Me - "Yes."
(A long pause as Chuck fidgets with the computer and pulls the sale item up on the screen.)
Chuck - "Uh-oh. This isn't going to help. They're sold out on-line."
Me - "Chuck, I will give you $39 right now and then come back later and pick up the hard drive."
Chuck - "But if they arrive after 11am, they won't be $39."
Me - "But I'll pay you now. Put my name behind the counter."
Chuck - "So you want a raincheck?"
Me - "That would be fine."
Chuck - "I can't do that."
Me - "Chuck, I wasn't even talking about a raincheck. A raincheck is the promise of a specific price at a later date. I want to pay you now."
Chuck - "You're obviously upset. What can I do?"
Me - "You can sell me this Western Digital hard drive for $39."
Chuck - "But it's not the one on sale."
Me - "Chuck, let's get down to nuts and bolts. This is the same hard drive in a different box. You know it. I know it. It's been on your shelf so long there's dust on the box."
Chuck - "What do you want me to say?"
Me - "Well Chuck, you can either say that you'll sell me the drive for $39 or you can, as an agent of Wal-Mart, implicitly state that you will not stand behind your company's name and years of great service and that you will not satisfy me as a customer."
Chuck - "What will satisfy you as a customer?"
Me - "Sell me the drive for $39."
Chuck - "Is there anything short of that that will satisfy you?"
Me - "A raincheck would be fine. Or, as I suggested, I'll pay you now and you can save one behind the counter for me."
Chuck - "But since they're sold out online, we may never get our shipment. I could write you all the rainchecks in the world and it wouldn't do any good."
Me - "Chuck, we're saying the same thing. You're trying get me to see your perspective and I'm trying to get you to see mine: they're the same hard drive."
(At this point Chuck picks up the hard drive and types the serial # into the computer.)
Chuck - "You know what, you're right. They're the same thing. It would be dishonest, disingenuous, not to sell it to you for $39. I'm sorry this took so long."
(I throw my arms in the air, touchdown style.)
Me - "But I'm getting the drive for $39?"
Chuck - "Yes."
Me - "That's all I ever wanted. Thank you, Chuck."
(We shake hands. I win.)
This took about half an hour, when it should have taken 2 minutes, but, in the end, I got the win. I was the only person to acquire a Western Digital 500GB portable hard drive for $39 from the Macedonia Wal-Mart on Black Friday. I was elated. I'm sure sleep deprivation had something to do with it, but there truly is nothing like a well-played, good, solid win.
The Bad
- I was awake for 38 straight hours.
- The same netbook that I got from Best Buy last year, after waiting in the freezing rain for 3 hours, was no longer a doorbuster and $50 cheaper this year. It was of the 2 day sale. No hurry to grab it, right? Wrong. When I got to BB @ 5:30 they were sold out. How misleading. Now my mom doesn't get her gift. Jerks.
- Before I went back to Wal-Mart I headed to Target for a 1TB portable for $70. I checked their website thrice before I left and the digital omniscience claimed the item to be in stock not only at my local Target, but at all in the NorEastern Ohio area. Just pop back in and grab it, right? Wrong. Sold out. Thank god for my mass debating skills.
The Ugly
The Lessons
(1) If you're jonesin' for a Black Friday item, if it's not a doorbuster (cross your fingers), if you want to avoid lines, aggravation and injury; go out around 8am. The maniacs are gone. The laissez-faire are still sipping coffee and you can slip in and out ;-j without much grief.
(2) The retailers have to do something about this, spread out the sales, make everything available on-line, ticket in-store items days in advance, something. This whole tradition has spiraled wildly out of control. No item is worth savagery above. Or maybe we just all become Buddhists. I wonder what that would do to the economy.
The Chuckle
I was in Kohl's at about 12:30p. Their doorbusters were about to expire at 1p, so the lines were pretty freakin' long. As I approached the registers, your classic Harley-man (leather vest, scraggly beard, carrying a extra keg under his shirt and reeking of cheap tobacco) approached me and asked if I could purchase his jeans for him. Quizzically, I informed him that I wasn't paying in cash. He replied that he would give me the $35 for his Levi's and an extra $10 for my trouble. I told him he had picked the right guy. I won't get into the details of Kohl's myriad of promotions, but I did get an extra $10 coupon because my total eclipsed $100 with Altamont's dungarees. Good times. I wonder why he picked me?
Cheers.
After striking out at several locations in the wee hours of the morning, I headed home to drop off a few items for my dad. I tried to sleep to no avail, and plotted round 2. While mildly more successful than the initial trip, when I got to Wal-Mart for the second time (8:30a) I was rather dejected and primed to loudly reject capitalist consumerism. I stopped into the Sprawl because I was right next door anyway. My object d'amore was a $39 Western Digital 500GB portable hard drive. It was to be a gift. When I hit Wally World the first time (5a), there were none to be found. As I lumbered in, my eyes heavy, I repeated the mantra "anything can happen" to myself. When I reached the electronics department I found several of what seemed to be the hard drives on the shelf, where there had been only empty space earlier. As I approached the electronics manager, he sighed towards me "That's the not the one that's on sale." Then, poof, he was gone. I grabbed the flier and compared serial #s. They were identical, save for the last 2 characters. The drive in my hand ended in 00, while the sale item's last 2 were WM (ostensibly for Wal-Mart). I found a price check scanner and ran the box through... $79.99. I took a deep breath and asked myself if I had the wherewithal to barter with the drones at customer service. Guilty for missing deals earlier on, I grabbed the drive and flier and trudged east to service desk. Betty, a clueless but kind sexagenarian, was first to assist me. I told her "This is definitely the item in the ad, but the guys in the back say it's not." Betty was as baffled as I, so she called Katie, a floor manager, over. I delivered my spiel again and Katie, after first comparing the circular to the absolute wrong # on the box, cited the disparity between the serial #s. She also informed me that the advertised items had been left off the truck, had never been delivered. Also, Wal-Mart was not giving out any rain checks, nor substituting any similar item, nor even informing the customers when the truck would arrive. As I asserted my intent to solve the mystery, Katie called, from her sleek headset, assistant store manager Chuck from parts unknown. After spinning my yarn for the 3rd time, Chuck re-iterated the difference in serial #s.
Me - "Chuck, WM stands for Wal-Mart. They're the same thing. Look at all the specs."
Chuck - "But they're not."
Me - "Chuck is there any way you can tell me when the sale items will arrive or will I have to camp out in your electronics section."
Chuck - "Well, if they get here after 11am, they won't be $39 because our doorbuster sale will be over."
Me - "OK, then sell me this one for $39."
Chuck - "But it's not the same item."
Me - "It's the same item in a different box."
Chuck - "But it doesn't have the same serial number as the one in the ad."
Me - "C'mon Chuck, I understand invetory depletion and replenishment. I know the computer can't tell that they're the same, but you and I, we know."
Chuck - "Good. I'm glad you understand that. Maybe you can also understand that the specially boxed items were purchased at a huge bulk discount and if I sold you this one, we'd be taking a huge loss."
Me - "But you just said that if the special drives get here after 11am you won't sell them at the advertised price. Shouldn't that cover any loss on this drive?"
Chuck - "But we don't know how much those drives will sell for because we don't even have a UPC to scan."
Me - "What about the serial #?"
Chuck - "Doesn't work."
Me - "Chuck, is there some other way I can get this? On-line (I already knew the to be sold out)? At another Wal-Mart?"
Chuck - "Do you want me to check on-line?"
Me - "Yes."
(A long pause as Chuck fidgets with the computer and pulls the sale item up on the screen.)
Chuck - "Uh-oh. This isn't going to help. They're sold out on-line."
Me - "Chuck, I will give you $39 right now and then come back later and pick up the hard drive."
Chuck - "But if they arrive after 11am, they won't be $39."
Me - "But I'll pay you now. Put my name behind the counter."
Chuck - "So you want a raincheck?"
Me - "That would be fine."
Chuck - "I can't do that."
Me - "Chuck, I wasn't even talking about a raincheck. A raincheck is the promise of a specific price at a later date. I want to pay you now."
Chuck - "You're obviously upset. What can I do?"
Me - "You can sell me this Western Digital hard drive for $39."
Chuck - "But it's not the one on sale."
Me - "Chuck, let's get down to nuts and bolts. This is the same hard drive in a different box. You know it. I know it. It's been on your shelf so long there's dust on the box."
Chuck - "What do you want me to say?"
Me - "Well Chuck, you can either say that you'll sell me the drive for $39 or you can, as an agent of Wal-Mart, implicitly state that you will not stand behind your company's name and years of great service and that you will not satisfy me as a customer."
Chuck - "What will satisfy you as a customer?"
Me - "Sell me the drive for $39."
Chuck - "Is there anything short of that that will satisfy you?"
Me - "A raincheck would be fine. Or, as I suggested, I'll pay you now and you can save one behind the counter for me."
Chuck - "But since they're sold out online, we may never get our shipment. I could write you all the rainchecks in the world and it wouldn't do any good."
Me - "Chuck, we're saying the same thing. You're trying get me to see your perspective and I'm trying to get you to see mine: they're the same hard drive."
(At this point Chuck picks up the hard drive and types the serial # into the computer.)
Chuck - "You know what, you're right. They're the same thing. It would be dishonest, disingenuous, not to sell it to you for $39. I'm sorry this took so long."
(I throw my arms in the air, touchdown style.)
Me - "But I'm getting the drive for $39?"
Chuck - "Yes."
Me - "That's all I ever wanted. Thank you, Chuck."
(We shake hands. I win.)
This took about half an hour, when it should have taken 2 minutes, but, in the end, I got the win. I was the only person to acquire a Western Digital 500GB portable hard drive for $39 from the Macedonia Wal-Mart on Black Friday. I was elated. I'm sure sleep deprivation had something to do with it, but there truly is nothing like a well-played, good, solid win.
The Bad
- I was awake for 38 straight hours.
- The same netbook that I got from Best Buy last year, after waiting in the freezing rain for 3 hours, was no longer a doorbuster and $50 cheaper this year. It was of the 2 day sale. No hurry to grab it, right? Wrong. When I got to BB @ 5:30 they were sold out. How misleading. Now my mom doesn't get her gift. Jerks.
- Before I went back to Wal-Mart I headed to Target for a 1TB portable for $70. I checked their website thrice before I left and the digital omniscience claimed the item to be in stock not only at my local Target, but at all in the NorEastern Ohio area. Just pop back in and grab it, right? Wrong. Sold out. Thank god for my mass debating skills.
The Ugly
The Lessons
(1) If you're jonesin' for a Black Friday item, if it's not a doorbuster (cross your fingers), if you want to avoid lines, aggravation and injury; go out around 8am. The maniacs are gone. The laissez-faire are still sipping coffee and you can slip in and out ;-j without much grief.
(2) The retailers have to do something about this, spread out the sales, make everything available on-line, ticket in-store items days in advance, something. This whole tradition has spiraled wildly out of control. No item is worth savagery above. Or maybe we just all become Buddhists. I wonder what that would do to the economy.
The Chuckle
I was in Kohl's at about 12:30p. Their doorbusters were about to expire at 1p, so the lines were pretty freakin' long. As I approached the registers, your classic Harley-man (leather vest, scraggly beard, carrying a extra keg under his shirt and reeking of cheap tobacco) approached me and asked if I could purchase his jeans for him. Quizzically, I informed him that I wasn't paying in cash. He replied that he would give me the $35 for his Levi's and an extra $10 for my trouble. I told him he had picked the right guy. I won't get into the details of Kohl's myriad of promotions, but I did get an extra $10 coupon because my total eclipsed $100 with Altamont's dungarees. Good times. I wonder why he picked me?
Cheers.
Not So Far From the Truth
Is it merely coincidence that TCU joined the Big East 3 days after Boise flopped?
Monday, November 29, 2010
Woman Of Style: Natalia Jimenez
I fell in love with Natalia Jimenez's style a year ago when she wore her stunning magenta one-shoulder Oscar de la Renta to the "10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards". The spicy Spanish singer just have an air of sophistication but yet she infuses her own personal style into her garments rocking a turban, cape or gorgeous jewels.
It's all about wonderful prints, texture and color when she steps on the red carpet. She brings on the drama every single moment! Jimenez has a love affair with designers Oscar de la Renta Carolina Herrera and Valentino because their silhouettes are romantic but yet fashion forward.
I said it before and I will say it again, I love someone who is chic but yet not afraid of taking risks on the red carpet. Natalia is a woman after my own fashion heart!
It's all about wonderful prints, texture and color when she steps on the red carpet. She brings on the drama every single moment! Jimenez has a love affair with designers Oscar de la Renta Carolina Herrera and Valentino because their silhouettes are romantic but yet fashion forward.
I said it before and I will say it again, I love someone who is chic but yet not afraid of taking risks on the red carpet. Natalia is a woman after my own fashion heart!
Gotham Independent Film Awards
It's bad enough that I didn't get a single piece from Lanvin for H&M, now Natalie Portman is torturing me in her fabulous Black one-shouldered Lanvin for H&M dress!
She looked incredible in this amazing dress. I guess you have to be up-close but I really can't tell the difference between her dress and his couture line.
She completed her look with modern up-do and BBH.
Mila Kunis looks amazing in her navy with black silk organza flowers Oscar de la Renta strapless dress.
She also completed her look with a modern up-do and BBH.
She also completed her look with a modern up-do and BBH.
Hilary Swank looks sexy as ever in her black ruched and laced trim Emilio Pucci dress.
Thank God she opted for equally sexy strappy sandals!
I have to admit that I am not a fan of her ombre hair. It just looks sooo trailer park!
Julianne Moore is on fire in this hot floral print Lanvin dress! I loooove the rust color against her luscious hair.
She completed her look with black tights and Louboutin heels.
I am not too fond of Anne Hathaway's dull floral Dolce & Gabbana strapless dress. Don't get me wrong, the silhouette is great on her but for me it's a big snooze.
Talking about doing a 180! A few weeks ago Leighton Meester wore an interesting almost naked Marchesa ensemble. Needless to say, she was on everybody worst dressed list.
I think she took this masculine trend a little too far in the black Thom Browne suit. I thought Anne Hathaway was a bore but Leighton should had stayed at home if this all she could come up with!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
