Life's A Bitch

The Songs Of 2008

2008-12-28T13:36:00.000-02:00

This blog is out of date cos I'm into writing in my own language. But I'll post this list cos I want the ho to read it.

The Bubbling-Under:

20. "Like You'll Never See Me Again" by Alicia Keys/"Lamento" by Céu
Although the former sounds like a song played in any Felicity episode, it swayed my best and lonely soap-opera-ish moments. The later was one of my faves at the psycodelic moments and sunsets during the year.

19. "Wikked Lil' Grrrls" by Esthero
Esthero was one of the most scrumptious discovers of the year. This song, that blends Hip Hop and Jazz, had the charming Canadienne singing in so many different voices that she sounded like a whole girl band, but better harmonized.

18. "Nanny Nanny Boo Boo" by Le Tigre
I've had an Electroklash momentum and Le Tigre is the best band for me. This song is deliciously poser joke about the cult of fame.

17. "Let Me Know" by Róisín Murphy
The most sensual woman from the [Dance] Electronica scene. LMK is one of the most romantic and sexy Pop songs and has one of the coolest videos I'd seen this year.

16. "Warwick Avenue" by Duffy
Yes, I prefer Duffy than Winehouse and this song comes on the peak of my drama-queenism.

15. "Rapture" by Blondie
Including one of the coolest raps from Pop Music history, "Rapture" is the opening song of my imaginary band.

14. "Let's Reggae All Night" by CSS
For months my moto was "if you want, my friend, we can drink in the afternoon". Result: after several alcoholic months, one day I ate a light sandwich and spent the night puking. Conclusion: keep junkie. Viva CSS!!

13. "Boyz" by M.I.A.
May it be "missing in action" or "missing in Acton", these two terms aren't enough to summarize who owns this alias: Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam. "Boyz", from her second album Kala, is the aesthetic ideal blend of Dance, World Music [although this is a poor category to box M.I.A. in] and political lyrics.

12. "Like A Drug" by Kylie Minogue
Minogue is part of a group of artists that never lets me down. This sexy and suggestive track, from X, was the one that mostly reverberated this year.

11. "Modern Love [Mark Moore & Kinky Roland Vox 12" Mix]" by Kish Mauve
Mima makes me think of artsy divas like Edie Sedgewick or Twiggy. She has the cold sexiness and beauty that Ladyhawke forgot in New Zealand.

Top 10:

10. "Migrate" by Mariah Carey
Factum #1: I don't like Mariah Carey.

Factum #2: I'm never that rough when what she does at least amused me.

This year Carey released the sequel from her ultra-hype 2005 album, The Emancipation Of Mimi, the E=MC². It got mixed reviews and didn't please the fans so much; as for me, luved it!, perhaps cos in her attempt to show that she has the brains in her head and not in the boobs, playing with Einstein's mass–energy equivalence, Mariah doesn't seem much like the annoying and boring Mariah we know.

"Migrate" has one of the nicest openings of 2008 Pop; besides it has Carey doing what she does best: self-celebratory lyrics that are actually fun.

09. "Black And Gold" by Sam Sparro
My favorite male discovery: Sparro is talented, hot, Aussie and gay! lol Not that the latter is a premise for me liking an artist, but it's way more real to fancy sexy with him than with Julian Casablancas, for instance. "Black And Gold", best track from his debut album, has ultra-romantic lyrics that always kills me and it was one of the best ElectroPop singles of the year; it also swayed my trip to Rome.

08. "American Boy" by Estelle
Spoken as 2008's Hip Hop revelation, Estelle was the first artist of the genre that i actually became fan. After her I opened myself to the wonderful land of Hip Hop.

Featuring Kanye West [gênio!], "American Boy" is one of those radio songs you're not afraid to admit you love, cos it's actually pretty good!

There I was at the backseat of my cousin's ex-husband's backseat, on my last night in Italy, beside my [cute] cousin's son listening to a "mix-tape" he made and I couldn't help feeling fuzzy inside when we sang it from top to bottom.

07. "Je Veux Te Voir" by Yelle
Finding Yelle was one of the most fun things of the year. Like every French girl, she's chic and glamourous, but it was her deprived and blasé features that got me hooked. Pure IndiePop fashion and naughty songstress, Yelle's music are exciting for its explicit lyrics, but above all, for the wonderful production worthy of any dancefloor.

06. "Electric Feel" by MGMT
Indiest moment of the year, MGMT was recived by me with some resistence. The hype around them irritated me at first because the psychodelic album Oracular Espectacular sounded like nothing more than a faux-modernization from 1970's Prog Rock. The way indie world copies the past and unashamedly call it retro always pissed me off, but in the end I lost cos the duo's music is actually pretty.

"Electric Feel" is about the shocks we feel when we see the creature we have a crush on... and Lord knows how much I'm addicted to them.

05. "Paparazzi" by Lady GaGa
This year's most recent addition is Lady GaGa, my current Pop adoration object. "Paparazzi", according with Germanotta, is indeed a stalker song, but much more about our daily obsession with the celebrity life, perpetuated by the loved/hated paparazzi. For me it's romantic, dramatic and lovely to sing-along, like every Pop song should be.

04. "That's Not My Name" by The Ting Tings
Jules De Martino and Katie White, The Ting Tings, are the current personification of cool. Best ElectroPop release of the year they are posers, but talented - that's why I talked a lot about them during the year.

"That's Not My Name" is a genius Electro song that always puts everyone rocking, plus it has fun lyrics about the contempt the industry has on artists that don't follow their patterns. The lyrics also synthesizes the duo bio, they were discarded by labels until they reached Britains pop-charts with this track.

03. "Womanizer" by Britney Spears
Yes, she's been one of the most trashed human beings of the past year, but in 2008 Britney Spears REALLY returned!!! Although she's not as complete as I wished, I can't deny how much she's evolved as an artist. Circus IS one of the best albums of the year and is the proof Spears are capable to do real good stuff. I had noticed with 2007's Blackout, but only when I wrote Circus's review that I could express arguments about Spears's evolution: it's like she's finally lived and now has tales to tell.

Although nowadays Womanizer isn't my favorite track from "Circus", it was important as the mark of Britney's return to mainstream.

Britney's top 5:
a. Womanizer
b. Kill The Lights
c. If U Seek Amy
d. Phonography
e. Shattered Glass

02. "My Love Is Better" by Annie
I spent most of the year following Annie. When I read she was producing her sophomore album and that it'd be released this year, I revesited her discography, searched her references and craved for every track tht leaked. 2008 was the year that being an Annie fan became important for me, because I realized the underestimated maturity she has as an asrtist. Unfortunately Don't Stop [although being fully leaked on the web] will not be released this year and risks not seeing the daylight: Island Records did to Annie what Mercury Records did to White and De Martino. And now, labeless, she keeps writing and producing songs for her new album, that I really hope is released.

"My Love Is Better" [produced by Xenomania] is an essentially Pop track, with catchy chorus, LSD-ish synths and Diva pose.

Annie's top 5:
a. My Love Is Better
b. I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me
c. I Can't Let Go
d. What Do You Want [Breakfast Song]
e. Marie Cherie

01. "Heartbeat" by Madonna
I was one of the people that trashed Hard Candy at first. Last week I read an article from the Washington Post that explained this weird relationship Madonna's fans X Madonna's new work: when Madonna releases a new album [and consequently a whole new artistic and imagetic proposal] most of the fans spend hours explaining why they hate the new album, to then have a change of heart and buzz at friends' ears saying why they now love it.

With me and "Hard Candy" was the very same thing. I coudln't understand how there could be a Madonna album in which she wasn't the one and only star. By working with mega-hyped producers and not with the Industry's underworld beings, she got out of her comfort zone and shared the spotlight. What mostly comforts me as a critical human being is that not only the fans but also the media didn't get that like many other, this was totally predicted move in her career.

In 2008 Madonna turned 50 and once again the world demanded a certain behaviour from her, and once again she refused to accept it. Months after the album's release, she started touring with her Sticky & Sweet Tour. It was when I heard the repertoire's musical reinventions and read about the show's concept that I finally understood that Madonna wasn't the same, thank G-d!

The concert was conceived as a musical patchwork quilt, like a Hip Hop album/show, using samples and various visual references. The self-celebration was more than comprehensible, after all, like a friend says "Madonna is a person that immortalize images"; and she is now in a moment of life [third age] in which not only a woman's image but everything about her is rejected by society. Still Madonna not only proved she has a lot to say and do, that she is stil able to drag our attention with exactly what is said to be disposable on a woman of 50: the image.

"Heartbeat" is for me the best track from HC. Pharrell showed it ready for Madonna, containing the vocals of one of the Pussycat Dolls's strippers ; Madonna loved, but she reworked on the lyrics that was like every other Pop/R&B song about love and sex, turning it into an ode to dance and music. In the beginning, Madonna wanted to be a dancer and with this track she explains why. "Heartbeat" is the best description of how music and dancing are capable of turning any mortal into gods, like Madonna herself.

I like to think this as a sequel to Michael Jackson's song Off The Wall, that has the same premise. What makes Heartbeat a better sequel is that it is simple and straightforward; somehow, this serves as a hymn to the nightlife and dancefloor lovers.

Madonna's top 5:
This year I also fulfilled my dream of seeing Madonna live. She finished S&S with five shows in Brasil; I was in both of her Rio de Janeiro dates. They were the most incredible experiences I had in life till now; much more important than getting into college or having sex. That because I saw in front of me and felt with all my body the reason I have Madonna as a main reference in life. Therefore, all of the Sticky & Sweet's setlist could easily be on the list.

Honorable Mentions:

- "Echo" by Cyndi Lauper: it's my week's addiction and the song with potention of turning me into a Lauper admirer.

- "Off The Wall" by Michael Jackson: this year I became a Jacko's music lover. I always accepted him as King of Pop, comprehending his phenomena and acknowledging his importance to Pop Culture. But this year I stopped, sat my ass down, listend to his music and got up to dance. "Off The Wall", the album, is my favorite of his as a solo artist - I even think it's better than his greatest trademark, Thriller; the song remits me to a déjà vu that I love having when I hear a song: the one you simply feel and the more you try you can't find where it came from.

- "Déjà Vu" by Beyoncé: DI-VA!! Beyoncé is the true 21'st century Diva; a person that is born to a fan embedded to her hair couldn't be anything less! "Déjà Vu" Bey's song I mostly like to play - it's shrill, paranoid and terribly romantic. However what mostly attracts me to Beyoncé is her appeal: no matter how wrong her artistic choices seem, you can't help find yourself loving it; and it's not only on the superficial, her works' references and aesthetic quality have become each time more intereting. May come Sasha Fierce!!

It's G-d's Fault.

2008-08-19T08:06:00.006-03:00

I'm loving to watch the Olympic games on TV. I don't care about sports but the Olympic games are mostly fun, because it's not only soccer. But well, this Brazilian gymnast that was a promise of gold medal to Brasil fell to the floor on the last movement of his routine and lost all the medal hopes. To the reporters he said drenched in unstoppable tears [yes, it was like that cos we're dramatic even in Beijing]: "I trained for four years and have been through dengue, surgery, assault, car accident and got here well prepared but in the end I fell. I couldn't believe I fell, but I did... I guess G-d wanted that way."

Although most people don't have much conscious when they say such thing, it instantly remits to the "it's G-d's fault" thought. But I don't wanna go on that now, I wanna use what happened to the gymnast "to tell my story about a girl I used to know, always cried into her pillow..." nah it's about me again.

The city's Winter Festival happend this weekend and I was excited about because Luis would come to Conquista. Last night I learned from him he's not coming for he got a new job that needs him full time. I was planning, saving money and making plans... well you know me. But he's not coming anymore and it's very easy to say that G-d wanted it that way... but you see, although I believe he's not coming at the last hour is a sign of something, I don't wanna see as negative: so when I deeply ask myself what I should do, my inner self tells me a should move on and look for another chance with him - the most logical and practical one being: go to his city, pay a visit and see how things go.

For a long time I've been sitting here waiting for things to happen, and although I'm always struggling for not being exasperated I don't think that letting oportunities go is what I need. If until the end of the week I get things needed to go to Itabuna - that being: money and a beacon of his desire of me going - I will go to Itabuna by the end of the week, even if his new Strega-boss calls him the whole weekend.

[Song: Black And Gold - Sam Sparro]

"Say Goodbye..."

2008-07-25T20:41:00.002-03:00

Here I go towards another life-changing trip.

Going to Italy isn't anymore a wanderlust extravaganza, Lucas is on the verge of the end of an era. When I return from Europe college will start and responsabilities I've taken on this first semester will be so real they'll be knocking on my door, demanding for action.

It all feels like growing up, but surprisingly or not, I'm not scared by it anymore as my Blogger profile says. I'm actually looking forward for maturity and all its implications. As for falling in love - well it still scares the shit out of me, and it seems I'm on for a rollercoaster ride again... It's silly to be deposit hopes in one place, but I'll be trying my best to have the best of funs in this trip to Italy and enjoy whatever kicks in. W-H-A-T-E-V-E-R!

Wish me luck and good trip y'all!

[Song: Chasing Pavements - Adele]

Miss Lucas Says

2008-07-23T10:43:00.004-03:00

Yesterday I was feeling like shit, so I decided to watch a movie that would probably make me cry. I chose Joe Wright's Pride & Prejudice, it's a romantic epic movie - it'd help me to release my chest, plus there was a hidden intention that'll be explained ahead.

Bottom line is that I didn't cry, I actually felt even more restless as the movie ended. One of the things I mostly love about Jane Austen stories is that no matter how romantic they seem, there's always one particular character that brings you down to reality, the one who always punches you in the guts and kicks you in the ass. In Pride & Prejudice it's Miss Charlotte Lucas [played on the movie by the scrumptious Claudie Blakley].

Always put aside by Lizzie's mother, who never watches her tongue, she's the modest thing you barely notice, but once you get out of your egocentric shell you see how grand she is. On this last screening one of her lines gave me an interesting epiphany. But first a backstory.

Saturday I hooked up with this guy I've had a crush on for almost a year. It was never a hopeless crush because he lives in another town, so I'd only feel it whenever he came to Conquista to visit the friends [me and everyone else in my party]. On the Sunday we hooked up again and, minutes after he left the rock festival he came back to pick me up so I could spend the night with him - he was leaving the city on the following morning.

Knowing my mind you're probably aware of how I'm feeling right now. So, secretly I decided to watch P&P because I was feeling in a Jane Bennet/Charles Bingley situation. I'm shy when it comes to showing my feelings and guys - I mostly suck in coming on the boys and letting them know I'm wanting them. This guy, well, he's worst than me! So, at one moment, Lizzie and Charlotte were talking at the Bingley's private ball and it hit me:

"Lizzie [about Bingley and Jane]: I think he likes her very much.
Miss Lucas: But does she like him? Few of us are secure enough to be in love without proper encouragement. Bingley likes her enormously, but might not do more if she does not help him on it.
Lizzie: She's just shy and modest. If he cannot perceive her regard, he is a fool.
Miss Lucas: We are all fools in love..."

So Lucas [meaning me this time] what's next to do?

[Song: Mr. Donut - Saint Etienne]

Kabbalah Says

2008-07-23T10:28:00.002-03:00

"Make a list of your desires. Put down everything that comes to mind no matter how small or how foolish it may seem.. [...] Without knowing your true desires, you don't stand much of a chance of attaining them. So be honest!"

["When you've done that, write next to each desire how you think you might feel if you attained it. How might your life change?"]

- To have a boyfriend that loves me as much as I love him. [Fulfillment.]

- To have a good relationship with my mother. [Serenity.]

- To be patient. [Duuh!]

- Think less about the 50million possibilities of life and work more with what I have in front of me. [I'd be less anxious.]

- To keep having wonderful and fulfilling friends. [I'd be more calm and sure of myself.]

- To be a famous artist. [Happy to show my truth for a larger number of people.]

- To see Madonna live. [That'd just leave me happy.]

- To go through Madrid withour dramas*. [Relieved.]

- To be less pessimistic. [Self-confident.]

- To be stronger and more willing. [I'd feel more alive and less bored.]

- To be less prejudiceful and more tolerant. [Would make me feel more open about my human relations.]

- To be as self-confident as I aparent to be. [I'd feel more honest.]

- To travel the world. [I'd feel wiser.]

- To help humankind more concretely. [I'd feel less guilty.]

- To do what I preach. [I'de feel even less guilty.]

- "To love and to be loved in return." [Once again: fulfillment.]

[Song: The Youth - MGMT]

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Conquista Rock Festival Day 2

2008-07-21T12:02:00.008-03:00

Yesterday we played rock; not because we felt retracted by the bad response from the Metal people, but simply because we were in the mood of rocks. That is why we opened our DJing with Caetano Veloso's Rocks*. Once again we were implicitly doing an unspoken protest against the scene's strictness; Caetano was disdained by the closed-minded rockers when he released he's Indie Rock album two years ago - however the critics praised and the real lovers of good music saw the beauty of it.

So there we were, playing by their numbers, but with our own abacus. However the audience was different; the Metal people were in short number and who were there seemed open to new stuff. Purki heard from an acquaintance [who happens to be a long-time rocker] that he loved when we played Yelle's Je Veux Te Voir*, an aunt sent him her album and he was loving it; some girls begged us to play Ecos Falsos* again, a Brazilian indie band that made quite a rush on our DJing the day before; and a woman told us she was pissed when they cut us out at the moment we were playing The Smiths's How Soon Is Now.

Somehow, all the darkness that surrounded the end of Saturday's night seemed to dissipate and we were having way more fun than were worried in pleasing.

*On the BitchyList

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Conquista Rock Festival Day 1

2008-07-20T12:22:00.003-03:00

Yesterday we DJed at a rock festival. And although the metal audiente isn't [definitely] our people, it was cool to have fun with the goo' 'n' ol' rock'n'roll, dirty and bold as it should be. We even got interviewed by a TV chanel! lol F*CK ME I'M FAMOUS!!!!!

I like rock! Perhaps I like it less than my friends, but I love indie rock, pop rock, glam rock, nu rave and all these pseudo-modern craps that actually are imitation from the old school stuff [that also pleases me]; but things like metal, hard, gothic, death, infernal, blahblahblah don't charm me at all! Sometimes they unusually touch me, like with the local band Liatris and their vocally potent "leader", Larissa Hyuga, that made a metal version from A-Ha's Take On Me.

However, it's habitual from the current rock generation to be highly prejudiceful and exaggeratedly nostalgic. So, in a sort-of-a protest agains the scene's uptightness, we opened the set with Björk's Declare Independence*. Nobody paid much attention, but some noticed that some music was being played and that it was interesting. We carried on with the play-it-safe and played stuff like Arctic Monkeys's I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor* and ultra-hot Juliette And The Licks's 20 Year Old Lover*, passing through No Doubt's Sunday Morning, that got some into the dancing with it's Ska-ish mood.

After some several beers we turned the fuckoff! on and turned the thing into an eclectic dancefloor, with made-for-dancing rocks à lá Franz Ferdinand and some Yellians electro-pops. Some metal people middle-fingered us while we Tecktonik-ed on the stage, but everything was so fun that I just replied with my fingers too and kept shaking.

In the end we were really tired with the preocupation of trying to please such a different crowd, but majorly content for being ourselves [sometimes even too much] and, that way, getting great reviews from the people that mattered [business! business! business!].

There's more today: we'll play earlier to the flies and crickets while Mr. Wolves from the Metal don't come.

*On the playlist.

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Nothing But Your Local DJ

2008-07-14T12:17:00.002-03:00

Saturday was another historic date for me. It's dang cliché to say such thing of such a thing, but I say it so because I've got no other words to describe egocentric-hard-porno's debut.

An hour before my debut on the theatre, I was heartraced and shitting myself. But somehow Saturday was a more serene day for me than to my co-workers Purki and Clarinha, that were times worried about technical stuff, times nervous with the premiere. The butterflies in me were constant, but there was a warming optimism that actually surprised me a little.

We got at the club an hour and a half before the party's official time, to solve some structural problems and, majorly, to get ourselves drunk: when it finally started, we were alcoholized enough to relax and do our things.

The DJing was started by our "teacher" Tony, that made some testing while we prepared ourselves to play: we were the first. However, not even half of our friends were there yet and, THAT made me nervous, I'd say irritated. But soon enough not only our mob-esque and devilish godmother Marco Antônio [who got us into the party's line-up] was there, but everyone else that mattered.

Tony beckoned me to get up on the stage and prepared my cue: Ray Of Light; Madonna was the main muse of practically the whole egocentric-hard-porno's formation process, and the moment the song's first chords echoed on the floor, the fags all got in the dance. My excitment was so huge I wouldn't stop singing and jumping.

The crossfado to my dalings The Ting Tings's That's Not My Name was so perfect that got me some compliments from Tony. Then, adrenaline hit the Everest top and Clara took the pick-ups over as I insanely danced to one of my favorite songs of the year. I could feel the crowd's heat, that jumped along with me, open to new dancefloor possibilities. Clarinha got everyone down with an ususal mash-up: Justin's SexyBack and Britney's Get Naked - raising a tabloid-esque and faux discomfort between the celebs [lol, as if they were there!] on the floor.

In the meantime, Purki mixed such lisergic videos that I avoided staring at them in order to keep focus on my part. I returned to the pick-ups with the duo that makes me feel the slutest of the sluts: London Brige and Give It 2 Me. Whatever you say about Miss Ferguson, and I also think she's a bit trashy, if there's something genius in her life it is "London Brige"; and when Pharrell's magical synths in GI2M were heard for the first time at the party, I felt a marvelous chill on my backbone as the whole dancefloor population happily wow-ed and worked-up the sweat with the greatly known song - but it was my momentum. Everybody got crazy with My Love Is Better and Modern Love [from Kish Mauve], two completely unknown to most of the Conquistenses.

When our brief "show" was over [we'd play at least 20 tracks if the let us], we received great compliments from the friends, everyone else and the party's staff. According to Dann, one of our closests friends, our setlist left a "gimme more" taste, and not trying to bragging, but already doing it, it wasn't uncommon afterwards being asked when we would re-take on the pick-ups; some even made requests. That was genius to our egos!

In the end, we left the place with delicious sensation of mission accomplished. Later, during Tony's set, Purki melted everyone's faces with a sequence of Madonna videos filled with breathtaking psychedelic effects. At each scene people would cheer and shout along with the song and wouldn't let go hard's videos, that surely stole the gogo dancer's show.

When we good-byed, the guys from the Morgana collective [aka our bosses] said we were on for the next rides.

PHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW... guess I can finally die now lol. brinqs

EHP's Setlist from 12.07.2008 - Morgana Mix:

1. Ray Of Light - Madonna

2. That's Not My Name - The Ting Tings

3. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake

4. Get Naked - Britney Spears

5. London Brige - Fergie

6. Give It 2 Me - Madonna

7. Little Less Conversation - Elvis vs. JXL

8. In My Arms - Kylie Minogue

9. My Love Is Better - Annie

10. Modern Love (Mark Moore & Kinky Roland Vox 12" Mix) - Kish Mauve

11. Eo Eo Eo [Tema da Banheira do Gugu] - Dream Water

12. Let Me Think About It - Fedde Le Grand vs. Ida Corr

Bold = on the white box on the blog's top, on the fold Stalker > 07 - Nothing But Your Local DJ.

July 6th, 2008

2008-07-06T01:24:00.001-03:00

I'm gonna throw the wine bottle away, and the ciggies and the self-pity.

No more giving men more importance than they deserve. Self-confidence will be now grabbed by the nails and put in my arms; people won't only notice it, they'll notice and fear it by design!

Yes, this is a Bridget Jones moment and, since I'm every woman I'll be riding the bike until my legs die!

[Song: Ooh La La - Goldfrapp]

Funny...

2008-07-05T18:56:00.002-03:00

... how nothing's under the control of our hands and mind.

This week I met a guy on the web. The stalking life seems to be working somehow and, although I'm as single as ever, at least I'm under the influence of my old foe-friend: the feeling of possibility. Hate it, but I'm addiceted to it - and sometimes it do me good; even if the possibilities apparently never take me to somewhere different from where I am, the journey is the main thing.

Anyways, I'm flirting with this guy whom I called to come with me to an event a friend organized. I gave him my number so he could confirm if he'd go, but my celly never rang and we failed to talk on the MSN whole yesterday. However, he was told about it, about my presence and about my will of him coming. There was still hope.

As night went, Lucas was having the best of the times every time he noticed that life was more-than my neurosis. There was so many long-time-no-see friends and so many new connections being made that I simply didn't have the time to fret about him, even if I was constantly hoping that he was there scanning all the faces searching for familiar mine.

Then funny and lovely things started to happen. "Woody Allen moments", as says the ho, like hearing from a straight friend that he thinks I'm so cool that he considered hooking up with me! Or listening from people I just met that the moment I walked into the room, the air chanded and stopped to watch me go. Lol, funny uh? Especially when my shyness kicked in trying to steal the show, then I knew my ego was floating. Not that I should endorse the comments that fed it gluttonously, but a good thank-you was enough, pretending modesty is the highest example of egocentric behaviour.

That takes me to another moment where a new friend told she had a friend that was into me, and asked me how should her friend approach me. Then I played the Madonna and said "if you wanna talk to me, that's exactly what you're gonna do, talk-to-me!" Okay not so dramatically, but basically I told her that her friend should come, talk to me and then we'd see where things would lead. She insisted on what and how should he tell me, and I cut the crap saying "ahhh I've got no idea!" And I really didn't, I don't know how people should approach me, they're the ones who should know that, I think.

Later, this friend and I finally talked about that [kind of indirectly] and she told me I always seem so self-confident and sufficient, that somehow, I scare people to the point of they not knowing how to taLK TO ME WHAAAA?! Am I self-sufficient! Alright I'm indeed self-confident when it comes to not giving myself up to please society bastards; but apparently that's more overwhelming to the rest of the people than I thought!

Bizarre ain't it? But in the end it's funny, because my friends and I had already been discussing that, but it was when someone I'm not very much in touch with told me that, that I realized how real it actually is. However, comofas*? Lucas certainly won't deny his strong balls to make people feel better around him. But then, maybe, it's me who should try to make them feel not so overwhelmed by me? Maybe, it's me who should come into the boys and ask them out?

FE-AR! lol

[Song: Fastlane - Esthero featuring Jemine and Jelleestone]

*comofas = "what to do?"

So Far Away...

2008-07-04T14:27:00.002-03:00

We're all searching for identification. Real people don't like something because everybody else likes it, but because there's something about it that makes them connect to that. That happens with movies, for example, when people cheer for a certain politically incorrect character, just because there's something about him that tap to the real side of who's watching.

Today there was a generalized argument with my mother. It all started with my sister, than mother decided that she had also to fight with the rest of the family - dad and I however speaking our minds let her talk whatever she wanted, or in my case just walked away.

That moment I realized the point of identification between me and Madonna's song Miles Away. While everyone's connecting it to the singer's relationship with her husband, I simply pushed the easy concepts aside and waited for my moment of revelation and as my mom said she'd go back to Salvador, because living with my sister was impossible [but living with her is always wonderful], I came to terms that in spite of all the love I have for my mother [which she thinks isn't valid because it's not her way to love], we really have our bests when far away.

Not that I believe things will be better if she returns to Salvador; actually I'm a bit worried - I think she'll be more lost than here, close - but distance always seems to widen her view.

But when will mother finally understand she's not anymore in the position of coming and going?

[Song: Miles Away - Madonna]

Chills

2008-07-04T11:38:00.003-03:00

She looks like a goblin with those shoes but this song and video gave me chills that I haven't felt with a song in a considerable time.
My eyes started welling as she finally admits she's hurt and starts moving forward. I didn't expect so much of this track, I'm glad I was surprised.

The Crazy Band!

2008-07-03T14:07:00.002-03:00

Hot Lovefoxx in her best Björk style in the new video Rat Is Dead (Rage) leaves me mouthwatered craving to see her and her crew live!
Beijosmiliga CSS!!

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - egocentric-hard-annie

2008-07-02T14:07:00.002-03:00

Saturday's been so long gone that I don't even remember when exactly these tracks leaked on the web. But Annie herself leaked 5 tracks from her upcoming album Don't Stop and ever since they've been my alarm clock, chear-upper, lullaby and tutti-more!

I don't even remember last week's stalking level, but the end of the week was poured with a good amount of work. As Morgana Mix [the party we're playing this month] approach, egocentric-hard-porno [moi + purki + ana clara] gets psycho about the debut and just think about the dancefloor music. That's when Annie and her highly anticipated album kick in.

So, as the setlist slowly gets ready, I twist and turn to know which Annie song I'd play on my part of the set.

3. Loco

While Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos's guitar makes me cum a million cums, there's something about this track that makes me think that the fags won't shake up as I'd expect. Although the electro elements are strong here, the rock/new rave feeling is stronger. But fuck it? Since our intention is to change the town's dancfloor scene, this could be kind force-fed don't you think? lol who knows, maybe it's exactly what we need...

2. Heartbeat

With the rock wave that was already new rave, before new rave being what it is today, Heartbeat matches perfectly with the style we're proposing: dancey, but not cliché. Open minded people who have fun with anything would love to rock with this song.

1. My Love Is Better

The new album's mostly hyped track My Love Is Better is HIGH-QUALITY Pop, but even better: it's also electro! The chorus remind us of Spice Girls, but more with a hard dancefloor thing, than que MTV ; the way it grows and seems like making you want to burst out dancing!

I haven't mentioned above but the one Annie song confirmed on the thing is Come Together, wonderful closing track from Anniemal; and, besides it, My Love Is Better sounds the most likely to make it to the final setlist.

[Late] NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Religion

2008-06-24T19:40:00.006-03:00

[This post was supposed to be up on the 24th of June.]

I'm agnostic. My relationship with g-d is very particular and isn't attached to any religion or cult; I study Jewish Kabbalah, but I'm not a Jew; I believe in Jesus Christ as an example, but not as a deity. Therefore I feel free, without any dogmatic string.

I usually joke that if I had a religion it'd be polytheistic and its deities besides being anthropo~~rno~~morphized, they'd be very human characters - like in Greek mythology. My Olympus woud be pop culture, inhabited by its iconic and almost "devilish" artists [according to the Christian belief].

Who'd be Zeus? Only one name has the weight and strength worthy of being the mount's boss: Madonna. During my wild weekend it was her who maddenned the senses with her [old] music videos, times lysergicora times imsply beautiful.

Below five tracks that silenced the folks and put them in an uncontrollable trance, in order to catch each of their nuances.

6. Fever

Call it campy, kitsch or what-fucking-ever, this 90's rarity has the incredible power to play with you senses in a way you don't expect. With [very] strong colours and beats that contrast with the diva's almost-sweet vocals, it's practically impossible not to feel the fever the track incites.

5. Frozen

In spite of the name, Frozen doesn't freeze you at all. Madonna, queen of metamorphosis, shows up as never seen before: pale and dark, like a deity disfavored with the blonde sympathy, but no less hypnotic, as she throws a turning-table message.
Filled with symbology and references, this magnanimous track's video, already classic in pop culture, leaves you dumbstrucked with its effects more psychological than the usual.

4. Human Nature

After society trying to shut her up during her most seuxal/romantic era [Erotica], Madonna spit this somewhat bitter reply. The video probably has the most wonderful choreography and synchronicity registered in pop music.

3. Ray Of Light

I always knew this song's effusive skills, but the song/video combo is AWESOME! Its very hard not to franticaly shake with the paraphernalia of sounds and images from this masterpiece.

2. Bedtime Story

After this 1995 video Madonna didn't have to do anything else; and still she did. But this work of art, directed by Mark Romanek, is an example of an excelent edition allied to inventive and profound minds. Treating unconsciousness as something more active than what we suspect, Madonna gifts us with a sequel of oh-so psychedelic and lysergic images that reinvent the very meaning of the word "dream".

1. Nothing Really Matters

I think that me and my friends repeated this video 5 times at least, to see if we could capture all the frames, references and expression this woman did in this video. Try to catch every face she does and you'll see she's not a bad actress when properly provoked and inspired.

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Status Quo

2008-06-16T01:53:00.005-03:00

Corao corao¹ we're late, so much I don't even remember stalking last week. I just know that I'd be writing about The Ting Tings here. Marce told me to download them and, as always, it took me a while to listen to them. However when I did I was instantly dominated by all the enthusiasm and glamour of Katie White and Jules De Martino.

Hot as hell, both have the classic pose of most of the indie bands that go through electro-pop woods. With style and New Rave sense of fashion, but the attitude of whom's not giving much of a damn to all the fuss, De Martino sexy slams those drums, while White rebels, ferocious and beautiful, on the vocals; and the guitar and the bass drum... they have this manufactured pop quality [?] overcome by the wonderful poser strength of the "fuckyou attitude."

The album We Started Nothing already brings in its title that you will find no reinvention of the same - the Tings started nothing and wish they didn't. This is my favorite thing with the Tings: the great problem of the whole Indie scene of today is that the majority of them is nothing more than imitators [and some suck at it - hi Hadouken!] - but they get all the hype because they're indie. Projects like, for instance MGMT and Hadouken!, put up their presumptuous Indie armor ["hi we're not mainstream, we make the difference"], but in spite of the the good quality [in the case of the first], they're just repeaters of a style/time/whatever that has long gone and adds little to our everyday life, except for the nostalgic desire infused in us.

Already in the begining The Tings strip themselves from this demagogue speech of the "everyday indie" and wear the FUCKIT costume. But only seeing and listening that you can fully comprehend how good it is to kick the bass drum and shout SHUT UP AND LET ME GO!

Current essencial songs: Great DJ, That's Not My Name and Shut Up And Let Me Go, on the BitchyList - in the "Stalker" folder.

To see The Ting Tings clickhere!

¹Corao corao = run run [slang in bad Portuguese].

Message To The Ho

2008-06-16T00:39:00.001-03:00

Maybe my posts are weird cos this kind of stuff has rocked my socks. Hehe

Oops!

2008-06-14T10:12:00.003-03:00

Yesterday I crashed the car. A bug, to be more specific a butterfly flew across my nose distracted me and I stepped on the wrong pedals and suddenly I was already on the back of the car in front of me.

Nor me or my sister got injured, nor the people on the other car, but ours [says my dad] got pretty fucked up. He likes to exaggerate this things; it's actually a bit irritating because when he wants to reprehend me he always speaks with this dull and supposedly calm tone that is filled with condescension. But deeply I prefer that cos I just roll eyes and pretend I'm really listening, if he freaked and yelled I'd be crapping my pants.

But what impressed me the most was the fact that when everything happened I was completely calm! I didn't freak, not even shivered or got into a quivering craze. I called dad so he would instruct me on what to do and all the conversation was very sober and normal, he told me the right procedure to the insurance stuff and blablabla. Later the cop came to register the occurrence and I was calm enough to flirt with him... some of my friends have heard what happened and showed up at the moment I was signing the occurrence and there was this mixture of preoccupation and hilarity. We all laughed of course, especially on the butterfly part.

Anyways, all this rambling... I don't know what this rambling was for. Meh I'm just telling an anecdote. zzzZzZzZzZzZzzzZZZZzzz

[Song: Loco - Annie]

Saint Anthony's Day

2008-06-12T23:40:00.004-03:00

In Brasil its our equivalent to the North American/European's Valentine's Day.

The ho and I always kid that will do all the old spells people here like to do in this time of the year to catch a boyfriend; stuff like hanging the saint's image upside down in a closet until he gets us a boyfriend.

As usual I get majorly bitter at this date and this year is no exception. However I feel I'm more relaxed and most of my bitterness is just for the sake and the fun of being so. Not even horny I am today. Actually I just feel a little bit sick but it has nothing to do with the date, because I don't give a shit about V-Days. lol A holiday less to spend money on.

Me and my other single friends went to the mall to have some beers but I before we had a joint that left me worst than I was so I simply wanted to go home and shove myself into blankets. That gave me reason to be really bitter - although people insisted it was because of the day. But in the end, who cares about having a bf when I can have crushes as gorgeous as them:

[Song: Great DJ - The Ting Tings]

So You Think You Can Play...

2008-06-10T19:30:00.003-03:00

I haven't mentioned before, but me and a couple of friends formed a musical-trio. We're the Egocentric-Hard-Porno and we are basically DJ wannabes. We already have a gig booked at a gay party promoted by some friends of ours.

Today we had our first DJing class and though the thing isn't as easy as we expected, for the style of performance we're going to do it is not so hard. Tired of the same electronica scene of the town we're to play some good and old pop music. With mindsets and tastes similar but very different in essence our setlist is to be very eclectic - so the usual 4/8 beat pattern from electronic music won't work with us. I ask how to mix Feist's Sea Lion Woman into Róisín Murphy's Let Me Know? So the result will sound more like radio setlist than a rave setlist [for example].

That sounds lame... and it is! But we'll be trusting in our good taste for music to make people shake down on the dancefloor... by simply playing the songs we would like to dance to!

[Song: That's Not My Name - The Ting Tings]

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Stalking Abroad

2008-06-09T09:59:00.004-03:00

Sorry I'm late: Saturday was hype-wild and Sunday was low-wide - couldn't write anything. [Sometimes I have fun writing as if I'm read].
I came to know Estelle by a friend that noticing my new enthusiasm with Black Music, showed me this jewel from the Queen's crown. With her delicious velvet voice and a style that sounds like Alicia Keys, but undeniably better because Estelle sounds totaly forceless in everything she does, both in the vocalizing without the genre's exaggeration [SHOUTS!] and in the raps. Not that Keys has completely fallen from my concept - but while I can do anything listening to Estelle, you can't calculate The Ting Tings's CD price + the shipping tax + plus the credit cards importation tax + how long everything will take to get here with ONE NO ONE NO ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE buzzing in your ears... you know what I mean. u.u

And since looking for Italian Boys to increase my Italian network is my newest stalker activity - Estelle's best song to define the action is American Boy. Like every song from her marvelous sophomore album Shine, American Boy has this retro Soul feeling, but it's ultra modern! Especially when Kanye West kicks in with his lovely rap, which makes me have a bigger sympathy for him, who always sounded annoying.

Check this video out mapeoples!!! Cinematography is beautiful, her outfits are marvelous and the American Boys are OHHLALA!! But her blasé expression is hilarious and the way she dances like a clumsy child is AWEEEEEEEEESOME!!! I thought it fun - noob like me! Lolz

The second song of my stalking week was Nelly Furtado's Do It. The song itself is a cute example of the psychotic genre, talking about a person who had a thing with another in the past and now can't forget.
It's interesting how these genuinely obsessive songs work so naturally into our minds. Of course that has everything to do with the fact that [like Caetano used to say] from a close range no one's normal, so our little sick heads match perfectly with things produced by other sick cabezitas.

Note: every song featured on the SS has now exclusive folders on the white box on the blog's top. The folder's obviously called "Stalker" and each post has its own.
Begosmiliga!

Good Times, Bad Times

2008-06-08T11:43:00.002-03:00

Live with people is as easy as people living with us. Get the picture? I'm far from being perfect, but as I read on the Kabbalah daily tune-up, the thing isn't reaching perfection - we'll never get there - but striving for it.

Two months ago or so, me and three of my best friends did a photoshoot for a conference and the photos got bigger attention than what we expected. However, there's this kinda-unspoken common agreement, that even if the pics ended up being marvelous and people have liked them more than what we foresaw, the process of production was the most gratifying. That's a practical example of that cited on Kabbalah. But what to do when you're put on a test?

Last night I got deeply irritated with a friend's ego. His has got into the linepoking mine and even if I thought I was right, the fact that I got pissed and even thinking I am right is proof that my ego also reacted. "Listen, we all react. We aren't angels."

Although I think that abrupt reactions like arguing and looking for a higher tone than the other person's are useless, I do think that after a little self-analysis you should show that a barrier was surpassed, that [if the case] not only the ego was pinned, but a limit of was broken and the parts involved must solve a problem. Yesterday, I tried to show that with actions. My look stiffened, my voice got a darker tone and in a short time I chose to leave instead of exposing myself even more to what was bothering me - I chose to leave to not explode. That way, I still was reacting.

When I got home I was ANGRY! My eyes were so red I wouldn't concentrate in bullshit I put myself to do, so I went to bed. I went to sleep frustrated, angry with myself for not having spoken what I thought at the moment that happened, angry with my friend for being so thoughtless about his actions... so, there Lucas and his brain [aka ego] were reacting like a snake before moviment.

But today in the morning, after a surprisingly good night of sleep [considering the little pain I was feeling due to my recently pierced nose and ear], I woke up with Nelly Furtado singing Do It. I chose this song to wake me yp everyday because it gives me a sense of musical: when the leading girl wakes and gets up dancing around as she starts to prepare herself to the day.

As I got up and moved my hips as far as my sleepy body would allow, I noticed that I still had ego, but it was more worried with the piercings than with last night. And following the custom, I sat down here and read my emails and there the Kabbala Daily Tune-Up was waiting for me:

"Kabbalah isn't about attaining perfection — it's about striving for perfection. We are not going to attain perfection and then the world will change. The world will change when enough people strive for perfection.
Listen, we all react. We aren't angels. But if we are just aware and striving not to react, the act of striving and being somewhat successful at it - more times than not - is helping to raise the immortality rate for the entire world.
Today, put extra effort into proacting. When you see someone coming who you don't like, run towards them with love and acceptance. Do the opposite of what you normally do."

Maybe, June 8 has arrived earlier for me...
[Song: Shine - Estelle]

Call 555-555-CONFIDE

2008-06-05T00:02:00.003-03:00

Theres always that tale that the shrinks are always the fucked up ones and choose the job as a way of solving their own crap. I'd certainly be one of those if I had ever started the Psychology course I was accepted in couple of years ago; but there are times that I really feel like the shrink-of-us-all. I'm already used to the fact that I was born with a "confide in me" sign stamped on my forehead. But it's from her that I often get my experiences. But what experiences?

They say that wise are those who learn from others' experiences. If that is true, I'm the best relationship guru I know. Always the fly on the wall of my friends' relatioships, Lucas is always watching the behaviours and actions and when they come for advice, it's funny, sometimes even for me, how I always have something meaningful to say [I say so cos I get positive feedbacks]. And, to be honest, it's very true! Along the years I have listened so much to people's romantic complaints that, allied to all these million of films and books I read, makes me like to think I really have some substance on the matter.

But today, as I shared my wisdom with a friend, I found myself facing a moment of self-doubt in demagogy. Perhaps this vast but only observatory experience doesn't make me an impostor? After all, I have as much practical experience as a pubescent girl. From crush to crush I'm always the one who ends with the broken heart and the cheesy songs.

Nowaday I barely complain; a lot of times I even thank G-d for thinking that I'd easily fall into the "do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do" crap. However, there are always the moments you get pissed with everyone else for having the thing you most long for and they behave so inept in dealing with the thing.

Nevertheless, who said I'd know how to handle? My friend said I seem to be prepared for it when it comes, but am I? Dunno maaan!! Even liking to be a good adviser, I've got doubts if I'll be as shrewd when my time comes, conseidring that I've been automatically falling into the same old traps.

[Song: Creator - Santogold]

YSL Is Dead!

2008-06-02T09:24:00.006-03:00

I'm shocked cos I only read about it today!

One of the greatest Fashion designers the world will ever see he raised fashion to the status of art, at the same time he was a libertarian dignifying women's position on society. He was the responsible for the publishing of the first black cover girl - Naomi Campbell. Saint Laurent promissed advertising retaliation if they put the cover off. Always brave and fearless to be controversial his brand released a perfume called Cocaine, and guess who was the chosen model?

Yes, she!! >>>

I don't know much about YSL's life but as soon as I learned to like fashion I learned to admire the beautiful clothes designed by him that made clothing more than a necessity but a beautiful and luxurious way to express ourselves.

RIP.

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Stepping In The Dark Side

2008-06-01T14:58:00.003-03:00

The other day I got all wet to write at once what was supposed to be posted here, but I didn't have much time, la bohême was already waiting for me, but I swear that it was hardfuck to leave and forget the PC's amplifiers pumpin the Missy Elliott out into my eardrums. However it's not only hers today's Stalker Song, but of a whole genre that not even Madonna, with her new reinvention, nor Mariah made me feel as curious about it as Nelly Furtado did in the last few days. The genre in question is the controversial Black Music, with richer variations than the prejudice allowed me to see.

Missy Elliott is a rapper, fact. But what I didn't know how well produced and conceptual her albums were. Timbaland's little friend, they were two of the responsibles for a whole revolution on Hip Hop that happened on the late 1990's - adding more elaborated beats and percussions, with details that transcended the repetitive basis of traditional Rap.

But Lucas, in spite of being generally dumbstruck with Missy's work, chose as her stalking feat one of her most bizarre songs: Get Ur Freak On, that already shook my dancefloor dreams, but now it has an even stronger taste of novelty, considering that its genre is my newest curiosity.

However, it's Esthero, a Canadian who does trip-hop that showed me how far and yummy Black Music can go. Mixing Soul, Hip Hop, Rap and Caribbean music, thus read Esthero's music may sound like a big giant mess, but in her second album, Wikked Lil' Grrrls - for exemple, - everything's perfectly harmonized; with production having instruments coming in and out with perfect timing, the songs' orchestration is a big guy's thing! And she's only 29!!!

Ledgend has it, that after leaving home at 16 and going by herself for Toronto, Esthero passou started to sing at open mic bars while worked at several places to earn some cash. Then she met a pair of managers who took care of her career until she was 18, when they set up a meeting with Canadian EMI's president, Michael Mccarty, who - amazed by the girl's charm - even withou hearing her singing a single note booked and paid for a demo's recording sessions.

Ever since Esthero is declared influence for the likes of Nelly "Nellstar" Furtado. It was through her that I came to know Esthero, years ago when I became the Nellstar's fan I came to know a beautiful song called I Feel You, b-side from I'm Like A Bird's single, that features Esthero. However, twas just now that I came to download and know wonderful songs like Thank Heaven 4 You, Wikked Lil' Grrrls, Bad Boy Clyde and My Torture. And it's exactly it that is on video bellow.
Bellower, Missy's!

cries

2008-05-25T16:46:00.003-03:00

And I didn't see this when it was released!!!:

Adventure, drama, marvelous cinematography, breathtaking performances and romaaaaaaaaaaaance, romance to make your socks rock!!!!!!
Is Australia to be the 21'st century's ...Gone With The Wind?!
[Song: Scarlett Ribbons - Róisín Murphy]

Noob¹Times: Stalker Song - Premiere

2008-05-24T23:27:00.007-03:00

Inventing some new series for this quasi-mortum blog. The Stalker Song is the one that makes me hype as I play the stalker on Orkut - the sound that injects endorphyn as you commit the guilty pleasure of grub people's lives on the Internet.

At this opening there won't be a song, but a whole album that today put me a mover el esqueleto, as I stalked a certain Julio Raposo's profile [whom I won't link]. The chosen one is the ultra-adrenalizing Overpowered [WILL SOMEONE GET ME THAT OUTFIT YESTERDAY!!!!] from Miss Róisín Murphy [pronounced rosheen]. As history repeated the last time she was featured here, I couldn't simply choose one between the many tracks that aroused my best Nosferatu impulse.

The 5 highlights from my nerd-flirt [considering that my profile will probably be got on his stalker-radar... human behaviour on the web is indeed very complex] were:

5. Overpowered: "when I think that I'm over you, I'm overpowered" - uhh that's me! An obsessive mind like mine works like that, under a choking rhythm. Obviously who gets smothered is moi, but fuck it! Most of the times it's just for fun anyways. lol

4. Footprints: simply because the word "footprints" has everything to do with stalking and crimes - at least for me.

3. Let Me Know: this is my current definitive-romantic-song. There's a part on the wonderful Ian McEwan's novel, Atonement, that Cecilia Tallis imagines if the man she's meeting for the first time is the one she'll marry and have kids with and then, projects her life with thim. Now tell me folks: who in safe mind doesn't do exactly this? So, if my life were a musical, it would be this exact song that would play whenever I met someone - dans vraie vie, or on shitty . And the scene would be such as thus:

2. Cry Baby: okay, it has nothing with Orkut vouyerism - but above I talked about adrenaline injections; but once again this wonderful thing of Jesus played and I had hair and arms waving all around!

1. Primitive: this is one of the most romantic songs of my life [so far]. I like to imagine a tiger or a puma hunting whenever I listen to this; the word stalker is already very animalistic and this song - OI - is its quintessence! There I was fine and well sleeping when I wake up with it buzzing in my head, first thing I did was to log on to nose some profiles.

Very well, every week then there will be an ombudsman moment of self-depreciation, only with the good musical approach, after all, one thing is to play the stalker and admit it - another is to write a post about it. bEIjos!

¹noob = newbie, or in this case: silly.

[Song: If We're In Love - Róisín Murphy]

Orkut Says:

2008-05-21T02:42:00.002-03:00

Today's fortune: Your dearest wish will come true.

I only hope so!
[Song: My Best Friend - Annie]

Pretty Things You Find By Chance On The Web

2008-05-19T17:06:00.000-03:00

This Is Why...¹

2008-05-17T05:06:00.004-03:00

Revisiting the past I came to re-watch this perfection! ¹This is why I love Madonna till death - no one can put up a show like her:

To an overview perspective:

Top 5 : Electro-Indienization

2008-05-15T13:14:00.006-03:00

Indie Yes! Boring Jamais!

After all the Indie Rock thing with me I just felt I missed a good-old dancefloor; so following the tracks of Saint Etienne who rocked my world with their marvelous House beats, I came to naturally find more names of the Indie Dance scene. Here and bellow 5 acts that are rocking my world and body.

Honorable Mentions:

- Give It 2 Me [by Madonna]. There's nothing of Indie in it and at face value it's R&B, but pay attention to its wild variations and you notice such an exciting Dance act like Madonna hasn't done in a loooooong long time.

- Like A Drug [by Kylie Minogue]. It's no surprise that my favorite Dance divas would be here. At the moment they're the only non-Indie stuff I can't stop playing, and "Like A Drug" with it's empowered intro and massively involving synths "got me hooked, getting me on the floor."

Top 5:

[5] Helpless Fool For Love [by Annie]. Miss Annie is a forever favorite thing. I've talked some about her here, and she has featured a lot of post songs - and now, as I [re]connect with the new rave scene I start to recollect and re-listen to her simple but gorgeous album debut - Anniemal. "Helpless Fool" is an exciting mid-tempo thing that has a great hook directly synchronized with the obsessive lyrics. But warning: if you don't trully love the Electro-Dance thing, don't even try Annie.

[4] Je Veux Te Voi [by Yelle]. There's this Brazilian band, called Bonde do Rolê, that is bombing the world with their [even more] irreverent approach of the Favela Funk. Yelle is the gringo thing nearest to what the Funk Carioca is. She however has more elaborated/electrified beats and production, plus the lyrics and singing-style is even closer to Hip-Hop than to the Proibidão. "Je Veux Te Voi" can sound annoying to non-likers of the style, but for those who love a good sluttish and exciting song this is a treat.

[3] A Cause Des Garçons (TEPR Remix) [by Yelle]. I have this new dancefloor dream [lol] that is to dance to this song like these guys. Tecktonik is the new deal. Hey, don't be surprised if Madonna shove it into her Sticky & Sweet tour [it would perfectly match with "Give It 2 Me"]!

[2] Cry Baby [by Róisín Murphy]. A couple of friends told me to download her, I downloaded but it took me ages to finally give her a try. Stupid stupid Lucas!! Always delaying the good things for himself! I'm still addicted to every single song of her two solo albums, so much I dunno which I should choose, but Cry Baby [that has an incredible beat that reminds a bit of Donna Summer's long-time imitated classic, I Feel Love, but even more up-tempo and an atmosfera capable of kicking you out dancing all over the place] was the one playing as I started writing this position, so there it goes.

[1] Sing It Back [by Moloko]. When I told a friend I was in love with Murphy but I didn't know anything from Moloko he felt a bit offended. So he sent me a couple of videos and I understood why. THEY'RE PURE PERFECTION!! With a more organic approach of Electro-Dance music, their songs had more live instrumentals than most of the scene - something like what Saint Etienne does. This performance bellow was the one who rocked my socks; Róisín's personna, presence and beauty is breathtaking!!! Every vocalist wannabe should dream to be as exciting and chic.

Crucial Moments

2008-05-10T05:21:00.004-03:00

When do you know you need a life style makeover?

- When you wake up in the middle of the night having flashbacks of longtime gone health problems, such as: half-an-hour long unstoppable sneezing breakdown.

When do you know that you REALLY need that makeover?

- When your brain automatically blames the pate au scargot you ate hours before at dinner.

When do you know you're romantically desperate?

- When you have sexy-romantic dreams with a guy you don't even think is that handsome and you like it.

When do you know you're pathetic in that matter?

- When your dream-self knows that it's a dream, but you're so excited that you tell youself over and over that that is not a dream, it is real and happening and life will be beautiful from that moment on, because finally you've found someone who's not the ideal form you always hoped for but he's real, he's there, it's a dick, it's a hot dick that will make others envious... okay I cut it.

[Song: Shadows - Rufus Wainwright]

Does Anyone Know...

2008-05-09T12:11:00.002-03:00

...how moch is a train ticket from Rome to London?

lol

Three days ago the KylieX2008 hit off, the newest and most bombastic undertaking by my beloved Kylie Minogue! I saw some photos from the frist show in the charming Paris, home of the tour's costume designer: no other than Jean Paul Gaultier. Man, think of Perfection! Today I got a newsletter talking about it, saying it has nothing less than 10 dancers and 4 acrobats, and a whole brand new band [and we know Kylie does everything live ok!], including a brass section [HelloBjörk!!!].

But of course the tour's only booked [until now] to Europe. Kylie is the artist that I have no hope in seing live here in Brasil, soooooooooooooo... considering that Lucas will be in Italy between July 25 and August 9, I repeat the 1st question: HOW MUCH IS A TRAIN TICKET FROM ROME TO LONDON?!?!? Because the ticket is under my budget [I'm happy to know that even with the whole technologic aesthetic apparatus, Kylie isn't as capitalist as the Candy Shoper], all that rests me is going to London City!
In the meantime, just check out such beauties!!!

Catfight!!

2008-05-08T12:29:00.002-03:00

"ui madonne vose ta acabade! relasha vamos migrate" "uhg... fuck off mocreiah! you don't have my name!"

Funny but this feud as old as fuck. At the same time of Confessions On A Dance Floor's release Mariah released the album that brought her back to the critics and general public's arms [the fans don't count], The Emancipation Of Mimi. In 2008 Mariah tries to maintain her position as America's queen with E=MC², while Madge [aparently] tries with Hard Candy what Mimi did for Mariah 3 years ago. Before the launch of both albums the media was already declaring the war; even if none of them officially endorses it [surely the two of them feel they're too old and settled for such crap].
On a usual past I'd simply say "fuck it... of course Madonna's the best," but today things are different, considering that my fanaticism for Mrs. Ciccone-Ritchie and dislike for Carey shrinked. Days before of finally listening to HC I was already addicted to the nonsense formula of Mariah; and though I don't give much damn to these media stupidities about these two, I myself had already installed an inner quarrel about who would do the best Urban-driven album of the season.

Why Mocreiah*?
Mariah Carey's greatest achievement this year was breaking the ice I put between me and her. Obviously I condemned Touch My Body without even trying; but then I simply fell in love with the camp that Mariah perfectly brings. The best thing is that she acts as if it's not! But this lack of self-consciousness is one of the strongest and tastiest American Black Music's features. Are there tackier things than bling-blings, hockey clothes with sideways caps and slutty pants with stilletoes? But, dude, it's they're way! and the fact that they cheerfully embrace it is a lot laudable.
Mariah Carey is one of the personifications of all of this. Rolling Stone says that she embraces her extremes like no other: "She's either grinding out R&B-hop or singing syrupy ballads, talking dirty or cuddling with a Hello Kitty. Her tenth studio album is no different: It starts in a club and ends in a church."
Deeply I admire people like this. Who cares if she's as deep as a bowl? The cool thing is that she's fun.

Why Mandonna*?
Simply because even when I decide to hate her I don't succeed. Hard Candy is the best example that first impressions are not always the best. Any Madge-maniac with [pseudo] intelligence and critic sense quickly opens the mouth to yell that this album is a lot inferior to any of her others'. But it takes attentive hearings to not only the lyrics, but especially the arrangements to realize that the prepotency is more yours than Madonna's.
What I mean is: Hard Candy's lyrics are great! They're all introspective and mostly very well crafted, but above all things they're unpretentious. Reading other reviews I noticed that the only politicized lyrics are 4 Minutes's, and still in a subtle way. The fact Madonna is not trying to save people's souls from hell with her music is actually good. We fans surely love when she tells us to fuck off and then say "put away your past/love will never last/if you're holding on to a dream that's gone"; but not everybody, actually most of people, give a shit about that.
In Candy it's like she presented herself to please; but Madonna style. She knows we'll suck everything she stuff into our mouths anyway - not for ignorance, but because her sugar is always sweet! So, I take back what I wrote on my initial review, that Hard Candy's biggest flaw is to have less Madonna than usual. Probably that's the album's best quality, because like all the Yoga crap she usually does on her dance routines, she shows how flexible she is. Although Timbol, Justin and Pharrell's ghosts are very strong in Hard Candy, they're all there because and for Madonna.

Candy X Physics
Which would you choose? I know which I'd choose without blinking. However in this candy and this Physics class' cases, choosing isn't so easy.
E=MC² is a typical specimen of its genre, while Hard Candy is more like a fusion of the Urban Pop's beats and the Dance Music's wackoness. Try to thoroughly listen to the Material Girl's new album and you'll notice a million details almost psychedelic. That's why I pick the obvious option: Candy. Like she said, it is a hard candy but one day you'll end up swallowing and adoring it.

Conclusion
In the end, both albums are accurate proofs that without prejudice you can go far. Mariah's has the quality of opening doors to the R&B, for the unpretension before its importance or lack of it. Nor the Emancipation or this Einstein parody will be remembered for more than its commercial status due to their wisdom of giving what is wanted [Mariah has been way better in it than Madonna lately, fact!], but is there quality behind Billboard? Hell yeh! And Mariah is there.
As for Madonna, maybe the best of Hard Candy is that it's not a bombastic reinvention. "Confessions" had world-wide spreading of the Euro-pop, but by choosing to share her spotlight with many others, maybe that's the greatest [self] reinvention, after all, sharing her momentum with strangers isn't what Madonna often does. She does that in Candy, so fairly that at day's end it's HER you can't stop thinking about.

*Mocreiah, Mandonna: those are puns with Mariah's and Madge's names in Portuguese. Mocréia [Mocreiah] means "a really fugly woman" and mandona [Mandonna] means "a really bossy lady." Yes, Portuguese is very fun sometimes.

Fucking Shit 2

2008-05-08T12:24:00.004-03:00

Forget the fucking problems!!
This time is true!!
This time is REALLY true!
She's coming until December!!
OMFG!!
*dies*

Fucking Shit...

2008-05-06T14:18:00.004-03:00

Last night Purki cited a famous Brazillian poem that goes about dangerous liasons playing with our relationships. It all ended with "Lucas, who belonged to no one."

Of course he meant in a good way: Lucas is the free spirit. I AM the free spirit; the fact I don't have relationship craps to solve soothes me a bit, but it's fact: every shoe has its foot.

So duh, I'm feeling hollow inside because I don't have a boyfriend nagging my nerves. But the truth is I'm feeling hollow because I am hollow. My life is filled up with social life and crazy drunk and druggie nights, but I have no job, no school, nothing to do to be REALLY proud of myself and brag it around. So much that even with all the crazy stuff happening every night in my life, I don't feel like writing them here or anywhere else.

Lately I've been feeling that I'm living free spiritness in the most shallow way, always remaining in the surface of thrills, but never in deep knowledge of real emotions. So I find myself repeating behaviours I surpassed and now satirize [such as falling for Internet people], because I simply have nothing left to do!

So, yesterday I wanted badly to cry after Purki's joke... and today I got somehow exhausted. My body decided to ache and not work, probably asking not to succumb to daily beers and pool matches.

That way I decided to catch a bus to Belo Horizonte, Brazil's forth biggest city, and see Rufus Wainwright live. That's my official pretext, but maybe I'll stay there for more than a weekend; see and try new things and people, cause in a different commotion... let's see what goes.

[Song: Whenever You Feel Like It - Kylie Minogue]

Finally!! Finally!! Finally!!

2008-04-28T10:40:00.007-03:00

And rocking the electro-pop airwaves and all the fashion runways from Norhtern Summer and Southern Winter: Annie!
I fell in love with her a couple years ago, when I realized her album was a piece of pure and sheer delight, ignoring the haters who think that to sing you need a voice [and you know what I mean!]. And as I started to miss her more badly I find out she's coming back!
I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me is lovely pop song that should be ignored if sung by [let's say] Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani or even Shakira. They'd probably give a slutty quality to the thing, and it's Annie's barely there personna that makes her music so appealing. It's like you know that it could be performed by anyone else, but as you think of annieone whom could do it, annieone but Annie runs your mind.
And to top it all, what the heck is that video?!?! An Umbrellas Of Cherbourg redux? I mean, those set/costumes mix is simply genius! When the yellow thing came along I fell off my chair and wanted to cry with such perfection!
It's a pity she's not majorly known, but alto it's not! A Celeb status would probably make her less rare and precious.
[Song: Me Plus One - Annie]

Casual Candy

2008-04-24T14:25:00.004-03:00

Still on the flow of her previous album, I'll spill some confessions about Madonna's new album. Confession #1: I was prone to hate Hard Candy since the start. Yes, that's awful – but as Hip Hop isn't my cup of tea, I decided in advance that bitch it was my job. Confession #2: but in the end, I didn't see why.

I'm a Madge fan for some years now, but I'm not fated to love everything she does. Hard Candy, for instance, has a flaw that should never be on a Madonna work: the lack of Madonna. The Pop Music G-d has always worked with underground producers; obviously she never [re]invented wheels with each project, but the fact that she was releasing that producer would unconciously give a Madonna soul to the whole thing.

For “Candy” she chose The Neptunes, Timbaland and colaborations by Justin Timberlake and Kanye West. All these guys are ultra-mega hyped and have egos as big as hers. So, when you listen to “Candy” you see more Timbal and Pharrell working, than Madonna. Sometimes, it sounds like she's throwing the Rihanna/Beyoncé/Fergie, when SHE is the inventor of those Pop-whores.

However, when you stop to think about these pseudo-intelecutal stuffs, the album is filled with "masterpieces of the beats". “Candy Shop” is a delicious opening, with a Missy Elliott-worthy sass. And while some songs like Give It 2 Me and Dance 2night are those which will boil the dancefloors around the world, there are pearls like Heartbeat and Miles Away, that are sung with a verve that wasn't expected from the almost-50 lady in such a "colde" moment of her career.

My favorite aspect of the songs are the twists. On most of them are moments that everything changes, and you have a new song into the same track. The best one in that matter is, deffinitely, Incredible. The song sheds opinions, but it's the one which best defines the album. Just like "Incredible", Hard Candy has breathtaking moments - like a wild sex night (“sex with you is incredible!”), but with someone that after the orgasm gets up and leaves... not with someone you longtime know. But, as she says on the best track of the album, Beat Goes On: “I'm not telling you something new/There ain't no time to lose/It's time for you to celebrate."

[Song: Incredible - Madonna]

OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-04-17T17:00:00.001-03:00

JOSS STONE IS COMING TO BRASIL IN TWO MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*dies*

2008-04-15T12:20:00.002-03:00

I'll always love the unusual and unexpected indie versions of dirty pop music! Even if this sounds a million light years better than the original version, it makes me want to pole dance with Britney instead.
Thanks to Glenn for alerting the world to this gem.

Corraaaao! Wanderlust + Alcohol...

2008-04-14T21:11:00.005-03:00

Ahh Itacaré! Piece of hell in the middle of the coast! Hot as fuck, but as they say "some like it hot". Stopped on time, where songs from 5 million years ago play as if they're the latest hits: "eu só quero é ser feliz, andar tranquilamente na favela onde eu nasci..."

There was Lucas mucho loco on last Friday night, heavily drunk, to say the least, and to two friends come up with the idea:

"Let's go to Ilhéus?"

"What... now?"

"Yes. But it has to be now!!"

"Let's go dude! Now!"

Nearly an hour and some arrangements later there I was in the backseat of a Pegeout 206 heading to Ilhéus! It certainly was the greatest madness I've done; but everything was chilled, we had enough money for a day and zero commitments for the weekend. However, none of these implications were thought, I just went with the groove and suddenly there I was in the middle of the Massal Mountains [a beautiful place as I could verify on the trip back], high on Shut Up and fogs.

Around 6AM we were in Ilhéus, we stopped at an apparently good bakery [note-to-self: "apparently" sucks!], drunkness was gone and we figured out what we just had done:

"What the fuck are we doing here?!"

Withou a single idea of where to stay or what to do, I suggested we'd go to Itacaré [a kilometers after Ilhéus], where at least there would be nice beaches to see.

Once there, we'd check into an inn with the condition of an air conditioning in the bedroom; despite conquista's heat, us plateus kids are not used to plains' heat, especially on the coasts. And the first thing to do after settling up was: sleep. Before fallin asleep I thought that that was the most extravagant nap of my life, and laughing of the whole thing was the least to do, after all shit was already done. lol.

It was a tranquil weekend, dispite the sudden isanity - but, for all the time, I was thinking and certified myself of the uncontrolled core of wanderlust. Even if other had sung the desire to move, I believe that none was as eloquent and genius as that Icelandic devil, with her highly opportune screams and that brass section full of energy and wandering life.

Obviously trips like these are filled with revelation and unexpected, but certainly good acts. The greatest kick of the wanderlust drug is the fact of jumping into the unknown, so the unexpected was embraced by 50 million arms. However, they're sacred - then, they'll remain in secrecy.

[Song: Tout Doucement - Feist]

Adieu Uli

2008-04-07T10:14:00.003-03:00

Last night I posted on my movie blog about how every classic artist has been dying this year. During the night a classic figure in my life passed away: Ulisses, our oldest dog, got horribly sicky overnight and died this morning. Dad says it could've been a heart attack... but who cares?
Ulisses was a character! As young he used to be the bitchy thing that bickered whenever you approached him; he was carrying things around as if saying "hey, you came! look, i can carry things!" As he got older, he became the most blasé dog in the house: he loved us to pet him, but snarled at first, just for the sake of bitching. He had those low eyes and we suspected he was becoming blind, because he'd stare at the same spot for very long minutes. Still he was a lovely thing to have a round.
I shall miss him very much - especially because he was my most loved companion on drunk nights, when I'd get home alone and he'd already be waiting for me on my bedroom's door.
Rest in peace Uli.
[Song: Não É Fácil - Marisa Monte]

Because She's An Icon, No Matter What!

2008-04-01T13:09:00.001-03:00

Click on the photo to see portfolio.

Hey Shorty...

2008-03-28T18:30:00.003-03:00

...It's your birthday
We're gonna drink Bacardi like
It's your birthday...

It IS my birthday!! And 50 Cent dressed up and came as a nice boy to congratulate me - but of course he wasn't invited to the party, he'll die trying.

Pissing On Love

2008-03-27T12:21:00.002-03:00

After I watched Jules et Jim, by the magnanimous François Truffaut, I started to think more fiercely about romantic relationships and how our perceptions of it are filled with conceptions infused in the genral speech ever since we start to get interested by knowledge.

I'm the guy who never had a real relationship for more than a week, or only the one who thought that was having. So, what could I say about relationships? I speak of them with the beautiful and cynical experience of the observer; though I never dated, I end up being the one who listens to almost all my friends' emotional craps. Maybe because I see a romantic relationship like any other one in life, in which you must give more than want to receive; maybe for [always] being the outsider with the view of the big picture; maybe for always being the bride's maid never the bride. ha-ha

Fact is that for alwats busying my mind with these thoughts and writing here or there about them, I started to consider a good idea to directly write about it - a book maybe - with the thoughts of a love pariah, that never ceases being an idealist.

[Song: Le Tourbillon - Jeanne Moreau]

The Expected

2008-03-25T11:42:00.004-03:00

Well, Madonna and Justin's 4 Minutes started to grow in me.

My previous opinions about its quality remain: it's a down-there mediocre track compared to massive and marvelous beats like Hung Up's or let's say it American Life's! However the effing song, like previously leaked The Beat Goes On, has the utmost Madonna quality of being catchy; sum up to that the fact I'm now craving to hit a dancefloor!!

All the indie pop/rock stuff I've been into lately like Radiohead or Arcade Fire, are damn cool and genius, they could make good on the dancefloor if I lived in a place where people were more ecletic and not so closeminded into the electronica scene. Raves are okay but only them... boring. So, while I move myself towards the "if the DJ doesn't play your music, go 'head and be one" axiom, I crave for more dancefloor and shake-ass oriented tracks - and 4 Minutes provide that.

I'm starting to let go of the critical point of view and just going with the beats - after all, Promiscuous was damn awesome song!

[Song: 4 Minutes - Madonna]

The Newest Love Of My life

2008-03-15T21:32:00.002-03:00

I was gonna do a personal ad of Gregory Peck/Atticus Finch, but I decided he's mine, all mine!

Hard Candy

2008-03-14T17:43:00.005-03:00

"What's Your Perversion?" Personal Ads:

"Craves attention, messy, open, rash, irritable, likes large parties, low self control, weird, fragile, does not like to be alone, emotionally sensitive, worrying, depressed, heart over mind, does not respect authority, dependent, not rule conscious, not good at saving money, more interested in relationships than intellectual pursuits, likes to fit in, very social, frequently second guesses self, phobic, suspicious, not careful, outgoing, vain, compassionate, aggressive, likes to make fun, hates to lose."

[Description stolen on Facebook.]

[Pic: Hard Candy's cover.]

[Song: Lucky Star - Madonna]

Buy A Dog...

2008-03-14T01:45:00.003-03:00

Cos even when he snarls at you he'll never refuse a caress or a kiss of yours.
*bitter bitch mode on*

A Happy Song...

2008-03-12T21:06:00.002-03:00

...Just to inform you that I passed on the vestibular again!
Behold the future best Journalist from Brasil!! hehe

Song Addiction Of The Day

2008-03-11T10:29:00.006-03:00

The only good things of not knowing exactly what to do are the surprises.
Today I woke up not wanting to listen to my usual current music [Radiohead or Céu or Marisa Monte] so I just hit play to the first thing that appeared to me on WMP: Bent's Intercept!. And as I prepared breakfast and danced to it a previously ignored song broke my line of concentration and made me wake up [for real] and dance with coffee and bread: Waiting For You.
One of the things that attract me in Bent are the fierce lyrics that cut through the layers of beats and call your attention, making you pause the dancing for hearing it. Waiting For You's with its exciting verses that grow along the electro-beats and synths are about seeing the reality behind all the layers of illusion; or would it be find the lyrics behind all the beats?
Regardless of which were the Brit duo's intentions, the song is a massive dancefloor candy with a The White Stripe's Seven Nation Army similarity that sweep off your feet an move up your hips and head whether you want it or not, because it's there waiting for you.

To listen to this marvel just look for it on the BitchyList above, or simply click here.
[Song: Waiting For You - Bent]

"4 Minutes" by Madonna

2008-03-02T14:02:00.003-03:00

Oh boy!

Okay... it's a maaaaaaaaaassive hit!! I can already see Conquista's pretty girls without style and substance loving it all over the floors and becoming Madonna fans. I can already see myself dancing and singing along to it. But boy, that it's a mediocre track it is!!! The beats are absolutely stolen from Nelly Furtado's Promiscuous, making me start to doubt Timbaland's versatility.

Even the lame The Beat Goes On's demo is better than this; and as I heard this 4 Minutes one, I hoped that they didn't change it as much as they're claiming.

[Song: How To Be Invisible - Kate Bush]

Feelin' Crazy 'Bout My Body

2008-03-02T04:35:00.007-03:00

"What's Your Perversion?" Personal Ads:

Kylie "G-d" Minogue

The word is: WOW! Once you have a taste such as this delicate and fine lady's, you will feel as if you never had any ride in your life. Before her every experience was just rehearsal. You come alive as she says you're making her feel crazy about her own body. Your two heartbeats will be rocking while in her arms, because there's no subterfuge: she's the one.
You'll feel like making real every desire from your blown mind, through cosmic trips and shimmering starlight right before your eyes: like a drug.
Every tease will be pleased and soon you will be dancing, getting physical on the floor.
Preferences: pheromones.
Do not: dare to be tired.

[Song: Like A Drug - Kylie Minogue]

I Drink Your Milk-Shake!!!!

2008-02-29T00:20:00.009-03:00

"What's Your Perversion?" Personal Ads:

Daniel Plainview

Your darkest and most inner fantasies of transgression and ambition: he can go there. Everything that moral and ethics disable your conscience to even consider, he's already on it!

His voice will seep into your brains and ring loud as he walks in your lands and drains your water. The mystery printed on his face, due to his history, will contrast with the inexplicable prosperity and pleasure his presence will bring.

He likes tight places [especially wells], some booze [understatement] and have strong contempt towards people. He doesn't like to explain himself, but you'll never feel like questioning his logic and reasons, he'll never let you anyway; and if you do he will drag you on the ground and bury your face on the oily mud, after of course slapping it severely; or if you prefer, you can bowl. You'll be the pins.

Preferences: milk-shake.

Do not: ask him about his child.

[Song: Proven Landes - Jonny Greenwood]

Le Red Carpet

2008-02-25T11:04:00.008-03:00

Starting with the commencement. I wasn't able to see the red carpet live, no cable in this shit so I had to see pictures during the ceremony's intervals with the guys from the chat. And then I did mini-lists.

#The Queens Of The Red Carpet

1 - Nicole Kidman

The first simply for being the absolute queen of Fashion Police. The Balenciaga is kinda meh [pregnant ladies usually aren't tasty], but THAT NECKLACE WAS PERFECTION!! It's to be in Red Carpet history! And it never hurts that she's always the epitome of class.
2- Marion Cotillard

Simply one of the most beautiful women of the night, her sirène-esque Jean Paul Gaultier was the best of the night, in my opinion.
3 - Katherine Heigl
Simply for this, this and this:

4 - Tilda Swinton

For me she's the Björk of Movies. Her choices are always excentric in a genius-non-wannabe way. This black washed silk combined with her androgyny got me drooling all over her acceptance-speech.
5 - Jennifer Garner

Just like Kidman this woman is the best Red Carpet gold out there. Never in my young Awards Season life I'd seen this woman go wrong. I missed her red-in-red formula from the Globes, but the black art-deco Oscar de la Renta blew my mind away. Who the fuck cares if she's married to Ben Affleck and did Electra?
6 - Jennifer Hudson

Just because she seems to be the most-comfortable-in-her-own-skin girl out there.
7 - Diablo Cody

Cody's dress is tacky, trashy, all-kinds-of-bad-ys but I thought it was a very brave choice for the Oscars. As if she was thinking: "I might be here for being a regenerated stripper, but I don't give a fuck and will keep wearing my pole costumes!"

#The Plain Girls That We Love

1 - Cate Blanchett

The dress' collar is a bit weird, the dress itself is boring. But Cate is always shiny!
2 - Amy Adams

My favorite up-and-comming actress I can't wait the year she'll walk down the red carpet for a win!
3 - Laura Linney

She's always a marvel to look at. She's ageing beautifully!

#The Skanks of the Night

1 - Jessica Alba

While she looks cute with the glow of being pregnant, that dress was awful. Besides, Alba is someone I'm supposed to hate. Talentless bitch! u.u
2 - Ellen Page

Okaaaay, if she had pulled the Diane Keaton in 2004 she would look less lesbian than with this gown she picked up. Opposite to Cody's outfit it felt like Page thought she was too smart and cool to care about wearing to the Academy Awards.
3 - Hilary ~~Skank~~ Swank

Every year I dream she'll stumble on the red carpet and break a hip, or [more simply] wear a very very very hideous dress. Every year my dream gets lost under the paparazzi's cameras' flashes, she always manages to dress decently, safely but neat. Until 2008!! 'Nuff said, just look at that disaster.

#The Beaus (L)

1 - James McAvoy

Is there another young actor as hot and talented as Mr. McAvoy nowadays? There probably is, but I just have eyes for him. [And allow me to be very corny here] Eyes and everything else he pleases.

2 - Daniel Day-Lewis

It's a fact that I'm completely in love with him........ okay that's all! But let's be a bit poisonous here: Rebecca Miller's dress makes her look like a Corpse Bride version of Bizet's Carmen.

3 - Johnny Depp

Uhg... even if I hate his current career and choices I cannot deny I think he's a cute piece of man.

4 - Javier Bardem

Because he's one of the sexiest men out there and dates on of the sexiest women out there.

[Song: Fallin Slowly - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova]

Give The Man His Oscar!!

2008-02-24T15:35:00.003-03:00

Oh my fucking G-d!!! I haven't seen such a wonderful, mesmerizing and fierce male performance in a very long time!! Daniel Day-Lewis you are G-d!!

Argh Vestibular!!

2008-02-24T07:20:00.003-03:00

It's 07h22 a.m. and as Nalim and I procrastinate for the moment we will HAVE to leave the house to do the often-dreaded vestibular we listen and sing-along to Feist and aknowledge that fear and nervousness aren't with us.

In my case it probably will come as soon as my ass is sat down on the desk's chair; but like every year it'll turn out to be the adrenaline's punch and I'll probably do a good exam. I hope the same for Nalim, of course.

Yesterday we went to a reviewing class and most of the other people were teenagers on their first vestibular. Won't get too confident cos it could sneak into cockiness, but I think I will go well and succeed once again. This year I'm doing for Journalism.

Wish me luck, byotches!

[Song: Leisure Suite - Feist]

Oscaruary: Marion And Cate

2008-02-21T11:56:00.013-03:00

Just to start: I hated Elizabeth 2 because it was such a bad and over-the-top movie. But I often give up and have fun with the bad and the over-the-top!! 300, for instanse, if it was just bad I would've slept in the theatre, but there were over-the-top naked abs so it was fun. But 300 didn't get an Oscar nod by simple default and detriment of others; in normal circumstances I'd raise my lovely middle finger and just enjoy the over-worked campiness of Shekhar Kapur's movie, but yes I'm obsessed like that and have nothing better to do with my time.

However, in my intellectual [indirect] quarrels with the ho, I read on his review:

But when minutes later she is screaming "I keep my bitches on my collars" you wonder when did Blanchett stop playing Elizabeth and a deranged Norma Desmond arrived to play the Queen of Hearts from "Alice in Wonderland".

That was the best description of Blanchett's performance in it and it made me laugh so much that, in spite of still thinking the film sucks and that she didn't deserve that nod, I feel like I could've tried and enjoyed it a bit more. Yesterday I watched the first Elizabeth on TV and I wondered how such an okay movie could become that Mariah Carey meets Cher Tour! The thing is that whenever I think of The Golden Age and its Best Actress nod, I think of all the better performances and films that didn't make it to the shortlist due to Cate's default. Argh, whatever, she's so great that even her bad acting is convincing.

However, there's the other woman. The French one who was able to turn watchable [at least once] the dull movie that was La Vie En Rose: Marion Cotillard. "La Vie" was so disappointing that at first I didn't care much about Cotillard in it. However, senses hit me and I came to terms of what a genius beyond mimicry performance it was. When comparing "La Vie" to Ray the ho said:

a better version of myself: what we must ask ourselves here is what impressed us about Marion that didn't move a nerve on us from Ray?
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( Dressed In Red: tell me ur thoughts
a better version of myself: I think it all lies in how unshowy marion is. Jamie Foxx was all about the show and the tics and the Ray-ness of Ray, while Marion plays Edith like a woman first and like a world known diva later. I love that very first scene when she sings, where you can see all this fear in her eyes and then she opens her mouth and knocks everyone off their chairs.

So I started wondering for the first time about the way biopics intend to show humanity from the artists and end up just blabering on the myth. And we came to the conclusion that what makes a performance close to real humanity are the details. I mentioned Reese Witherspoon's tapping foot in Walk The Line; as Jose cited: "like Marion's annoying laughter. You'd see Edith being that sort of vulgar laugher? [...] Yes! She was raised by prostitutes and lived in the streets a lot, she wasnt a Grace Kelly."

The de-glamming factor also came along:

a better version of myself: and while the film sucks, Marion is
undeniably brilliant.
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( Dressed In Red...: exactly, I didn't know she was that young ho! Somehow I am very glad that I knew nothing about her before watching the movie.
a better version of myself: and that beautiful too
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( Dressed In Red...: exactly, [and] I didn't feel abused by the deglaming while watching it. I even thought Marion was one of those legendary french actresses that worked once in a while now.
a better version of myself: but is it really deglamming all the way?
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( Dressed In Red...: I know. It's not ONLY deglaming. Like Berry.
a better version of myself: I mean Piaf might not've been clasically pretty, but she was beautiful in her own way. I think Theron and Swank are worst deglamming than Berry.

In the end, even though "La Vie En Rose" isn't the movie we expected it to be, it had cute intentions ["cause in a way the musical biopic needed some sort of shakeup", said the ho], plus Cotillard turns it into a must-see, only for her genius and captivating performance. That's why I believe she captured Piaf's aura, made it her own and returned as bursting with vivacity acting. For that reason, if Marion wins the Oscar I will not be angry.

- Previous Oscaruary:
Juno
[Song: Sea Lion Woman - Feist]

Ha!

2008-02-21T01:30:00.001-03:00

Alright, this really made me laugh.
Poor thing.
[Song: I'm So Stupid - Madonna]

I'm Not There!!!!

2008-02-14T23:43:00.006-02:00

Normal biopics tell you all information they can gather about the person in at least 90 minutes and you leave the film's enviroment sure that you know a lot and enough about that artist's life and work. The last three ones I can recall have watched [Ray, Walk The Line and La Vie En Rose], despite different from one another, are exactly like that and I could say that biopics, particularly if they are from music business personalities, were not my thing.

Until the moment my eyes and mind layed on 2007's Todd Haynes's effort: I'm Not There. Whenever I think of it I still feel the overwhelming feeling of being thrown into a world I know nothing about, and worst, had left it knowing even less!!

I'll explain: when I saw "Ray" and "La Vie En Rose", I already worshiped Ray Charles's and Edith Piaf's music and had little info on their lives, and when I saw "Walk The Line" I knew nothing about Johnny Cash [except that he had died recently and had covered a 9 Inch Nails song] and June Carter, but when the films ended I didn't feel a pinch of urge to read more and to know other points of view over their lives stories, the only thing I did was to download "Walk The Line"'s soundtrack, since I knew nothing about Cash, still I downloaded Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon reinterpreting the Cashes' songs.

When "I'm Not There" was through I was totally speechless, because I din't know what to make out of it! The only thing I knew is that I wanted oh so badly to download every Dylan album I could find. I felt that instead of telling us tales of Dylan's lives with the supposed certainty that they are facts, Haynes's film feels more like his feelings and thoughts about Dylan's work than reenactment of his life's stories. That way I'm sure I have to watch this movies a million times more, as I study and find out more about Dylan's work from the Dylan himself.

But as the thoughts remain I wonder if that's not the best way of biopic-ing an artist? Through his or her works; unless the artist himself writes the screenplay, but that would be a dang of a Norma Desmond thing to do.

In the opening credits you can read the "inspired by the music and many lives of Bob Dylan", and for me that's where the thing takes the genius form, because it's not based on anything like a specific biography.

And inspired is way more including than based; you might say they end up being the same thing, but if you pay attention closely to the words and their many layers, you'll notice the difference between them.

In the end, "I'm Not There" does feel like no one is there! You know it's Dylan they're talking about, but is it really? The film presents a raw honesty that those are the views of Haynes's over Dylan's work and that's why [in my conception] the film is so intriguing, demandind and [why not] inspiring.

From now on I have the two missions of discovering Dylan and Haynes.

[Song: Lenda - CéU]

If My Life Were A Movie

2008-02-13T23:16:00.004-02:00

My mom would win an Academy Awards, hands down!

QUEL: another thing I've learned. You're smoking too much, a cigarette after the other. Is that true?
)( Lucas Silvertongue)(: lol
QUEL: is it or not?
)(Lucas Silvertongue)(: I smoked three ciggies today.
QUEL: son, do you love me? From the deep of your heart?
)( Lucas Silvertongue)(: yes.
QUEL: son, you're killing me little by little. My soul lives sad just because of that, I have no joy in being your mother!

...to be continued.

[Song: It's Cool To Love Your Family - Feist]

The Joy Of Dancing

2008-02-12T02:48:00.000-02:00

We've been worried about our Indie-nization of the past months, but why worry about it when we have a woman that can bring joy even to the depressing moments. After this I'll never walk a treadmill normally again!

Rambling Over Margo

2008-02-08T05:10:00.000-02:00

"So many people know me. I wish I did. I wish someone would tell me about me."

-Margo Channing

It's funny when you start living with people for a while and they start to think they know you well. So well to the point they know you better than yourself. In some cases it's not impossible, after all there are a bunch of individuals out there either so predictable or unaware of themselves, that strangers might know the lines on their faces better than their own mirror reflections. I, however, do not aply to the case.

Last night a guy told me I seemed to be those headstrong people who defended so much my views that didn't accept none other. I may act by my mind and follow my own instincts but I'm not as shallow as that; I'm always open for changes of heart by second or third opinions as long as they make any sense. Nevertheless that guy barely knows me. And normally I'd go with Madonna and just spit a full and somewhat rude "nobody knows me" - but tonight I prefer a more sarcastic but utterly classy approach.

I just watched All About Eve with two newbies who got mesmerized by Mankiewicz's quick-witted dialogues and Miss Channing absolute and unquestionable bitchy charm. And as one of them claimed loudly his resemblance with Margo, I kept mine in check for a while.

The path to self-awareness is bumpy and endless, although I can say I'm not a retarded in it. I could in fact say that I'm a great runner. I don't completely know myself because I'm not a race with endline - as I said, there's always some energy to go the extra mile. But it's my own marathon and although there are plenty of intersections no one can tell me they know my road better than myself.

That's why I quoted Margo Channing in the begining; like a protest against those who love to fill their mouths to say they know people too well.

[Song: Intuition - Feist]

Oscaruary*: Juno

2008-02-05T16:08:00.003-02:00

*Might contain spoilers*

It all started when I read the ho's review for Juno. It said:

In the film's best scene Vanessa [Jennifer Garner] runs into Juno [Ellen Page] at a shopping mall. She asks if she can touch her belly. What follows is a one way dialogue that nothing else in the film ever compares to. This moment encompasses the overall mood it was trying to get for its heroine; a sort of limbo where her decisions started counting for once and how terrifying yet magical it all turned out to be. [Movies Kick Ass]

- The title character:

What followed was a whole discussion about the film's flaws. Alright, you might say we're negative bitches but if you wanna know all about ~~blind~~ raving on Juno just look at the cinema media at the moment.

We both thought Juno a lovely and tremendously cute movie, with charming quirky characters and awesome performances. But there's a irresponsability and some irrealities in it that is kind of freaky. I said:

That's my favorite scene as well: the one that stuck into my mind for ages and I totally agree with the grade, cos the film is mega cute and funny but somewhat irresponsible. I mean, alright its Juno's film and maybe twas Cody's intention to make it that way. But the way Juno moves through the story as if she's always too cool [she's cool for getting pregnant, she's cool for wanting to take it out, she's cool for deciding to keep it, and so it goes]… and how every one else seems to support her preposterousness…

To which the ho replied:

I know! Except Vanessa and her stepmom [Allison Janney].

The conclusion to that is that Diablo Cody's screenplay most of the times seemed to worship Juno's inconsequent behaviour.

- About reality:

Of course that we don't give a damn for the reality in the movies, but in the end of the day when you move on with your life it's the "level of abstraction" you've taken from it [or any other form of art] that says if it's important to you or not. By level of abstraction I mean how much of it stuck to your mind; like the ho said: "because they linger in your mind" when I said that the Loring couple is the only thing close to reality.

The ho goes further about it in his review, by saying:

Surprisingly this isn't a dark family drama, but a cute, "look at how quirky I am" indie comedy that uses its genre to avoid touching deeper repercussions (that nobody ever freaks out about all the STDs Juno could've gotten results a bit disturbing). [MKA]

I would add up abortion to the repercussions. The film chooses to avoid the discussion; till then it's alright. But it somehow reflects on how Hollywood deals with the subject as I read once on a Guardian blog.

Have you ever met a parent that treated a teenage daughter's pregnancy with such carelessness and sarcasm as Juno's father [J.K. Simmons]? Or a guy so idiotic that wouldn't want to participate on his own child's future [Michael Cera]? That leaves the Lorings and Juno's stepmom as the ones you would run into in real life.

About Mark Loring [Jason Bateman] the ho says:

Mark glows with rock star dreams he feels his wife stopped him from fulfilling, while she becomes oblivious to her husband's feelings, because for her they should've become one by now. Bateman's empty smile captures the joy of long lost dreams with the selfishness of refusing to grow up. [MKA]

On the MSN he mentioned a discussion with Andres about Vanessa:

I had a small discussion with Andres cause he said Vanessa was OCD and Mark was the coolest guy alive; [I said: I totally disagree.] (...) I do so as well, but that shows that the film only works effectively with them. G-d knows I wouldn't argue about the orange tic tacs.

I went further by saying that it's when the film tries to make us hate Vanessa for not being quirky like the others that the screenplay starts to fail. I mean:

What I think Vanessa was is a bit obsessive. She (oh so) wanted to have that baby and sometimes it felt like she didn't know why and that's where I also think that the Cody's screenplay fails as well. I felt that as Juno and Mark's relationship starts to evolve, it feels like the movie is trying to make us hate Vanessa for seeming so desperate. However, it's JUNO's movie maybe twas supposed to be that way; however again I bet a lot of people disliked Vanessa by the end of the movie (because they) thought she was cold.

And for a movie that loudly brags for being indie and quirky, judgement on difference should be the last thing to be endorsed. That leads to the thought that most of these lovely comedies with all its alternative languages and pop cultural screenplays are mostly the most [pardon the cacophony] conservative.

- About the Oscar, Ellen Page and Roger Ebert.

The ho: We sound like Ebert and [Richard] Roeper on their show; except Ebert jerks off to Juno but whatever, I think page will win.
Moi: I don't and hope not.
The ho: Well if I have to remind you, Ebert creates an oscar winner every year. Usually it's the one we'd never pick, but he's damn powerful like that.
Moi: Lol I know. But who knows, things've been so solid for Christie.
The ho: They'd been solid for Sissy Spacek in 01 as well. Until Ebert made a fierce Monster's Ball campaign.

In simple and short conclusion: we wouldn't choose Juno as 2007's Best Film, neither Page as the best actress. Even if we loved both.

*Oscarurary: since February is my Astral Hell month we named it Oscaruary so I don't think of it.

[Song: It's Cool To Love Your Family - Feist]

Astral Hell

2008-02-05T15:32:00.000-02:00

Since my encyclopedia told me there's no specific expression for this that I'm going to post about, let's use this one I invented, based on the literally english translation, to talk about the period in one's life that all kinds of shits are going to happen.

The astral hell is the 30-days period right before your birthday. Astrologers say it's the time when a circle in a person's life is close to an end, hence the emotional and [sometimes] rational mess. Lucas's period start on Feb 26 and he is already preparing himself to it.

Funny thing is that this week's Kabbalah Tune Up goes about ego and how we must keep always awareness in relation to it; but the first thing I read about astral hell said that it's a moment of introspection. Alright that's also something that should be done - considering that being aware includes knowing yourself - but maybe it's should be a time of looking for the big picture too.

Twas when I found another text that said:

According to the astrologer Eduardo Maia, the "Astral Hell" just happens when we don't realize that we should leave the stage to behold the world and disattach, in benefit of those that need some emotional or practical assistance. "It's time to be an instrument for the others' goodwill and not be concerned about oneself", he says. Considering that it mostly doesn't happen, comes the anguish, the emptiness and the sense of disorientation. [Porto Do Céu]

My astral hell ends on March 28 and until then my usual submarine behaviour will be assisted by an antenna connected to people.

Sounds contradictory: c'est moi most of the times.

[Song: Moving - Kate Bush]

"You Should Blog This"

2008-02-04T22:45:00.000-02:00

As Oscar Season approaches its end day by day, Lucas and Jose start to think and discuss about our favorite subject more fiercely: the Oscar's best actress race! But instead of just raving on this year's goddesses we'll be writing our most honest thoughts about each of the movies.
And the first happy fellow to trip under our bitchy talk will be:

[Song: Monarch - Feist]

Do You Believe In Love At First Sight?

2008-02-04T01:27:00.001-02:00

My quickest and most honest-to-the-moment reply would be: no I do not.
But the hurt lies on the fact that a sparkly part of me wants badly to believe so. You know what with sparks: they might be tiny but very powerful and dangerous; a single one is enough to create an explosion. So this silly passion of mine that often hibernates, sometimes go up and so loud that the darkness of my well of desires is mostly lighten by the cries of this pest.
Old as fuck as I am now I can't say that I believe in the Disney concept of love at first sight. I however do believe in conjectures - not planted-by-me ones but inexplicable harmonies. A friend of mine found his current boyfriend in a rom-com like situation, filled with brief and unaware encounters and friends in common. Of course things are too young and only time will tell if they're affair is one to remember or will be swallowed by chance.
But seeing his happiness I cannot deny a pinch of jealousy for never have had it. Voilà, c'est la ~~bitch~~ beast! It's in times like this that I get the most sensitive about the fact that I never had a healthy and reciprocal love affair.

I'll definitely tap to the good sides and appreciate what's under my ownership. Things will come if they have to - but how I wished a supposed coincidence happened to me.

[Song: Manhatã - Caetano Veloso]

Uhhh Okay...

2008-02-02T15:35:00.000-02:00

...let's say I'm obsessed about her now:

If I Were A Woman...

2008-02-02T14:54:00.000-02:00

I would be Keira Knightley at the Coco Mademoiselle ads. I might be exaggerating here but this girl is the reincarnation of classic Hollywood. Her jaw-line, her thinness, the beautiful and expressive eyes, the smile - all of them combine with a vivacity that instantly remits me to the Hepburns, especially Kate's Tracy Lord.
[Song: Let It Die - Feist]

Why We Rock Each Other's Worlds

2008-01-31T13:30:00.000-02:00

a better version of myself diz:
hi
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( I'm The One diz:
hi
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( I'm The One diz:
ure so sexy
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( I'm The One diz:
ure here everyday?
a better version of myself diz:
i know
a better version of myself diz:
sometimes
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( I'm The One diz:
how YOU doin'?
a better version of myself diz:
im ok
a better version of myself *chews gum*
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( I'm The One diz:
shall we shag now or shall we shag later?
a better version of myself diz:
how much are ya paying me?
a better version of myself *plays with gum*
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( I'm The One diz:
how much do you want me to pay?
a better version of myself diz:
how much do ya have stud?
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( I'm The One diz:
how much do you think i have?
a better version of myself diz:
i cayn't count very well. but if ya have $5 i can do ya for a half hour
*chews gum*
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( I'm The One diz:
do u work with visa or master?
a better version of myself diz:
u.u
im amy ryan in gone baby gone
enough
[Song: (you got you got it, you're wow wow wow) Wow - Kylie Minogue]

Hedonism

2008-01-31T03:08:00.000-02:00

"Modern day hedonists strive firstly, as their predecessors, for pleasure. But also, hedonists feel that people should be equal, and that the way to achieve that is through allowing much more personal freedom. Hedonists, in the words of an organization known as Hedonist International, 'want joyful togetherness, anarchy, epicurean ideas, multifaceted joy, sensuality, diversion, friendship, justice, tolerance, freedom, sexual freedom, sustainability, peace, free access to information, the arts, a cosmopolitan existence, and a world without borders or discrimination, and everything else that is wonderful but not a reality today.' (Hedonist Manifesto)" [Wikipedia]
In such a fucked up world as this it's taken as cheap selfishness to think of sheer delight. I, however, ignore such as cheap judgements; as the the modern Hedonist manifesto says it's entitled to anyone to have pleasure come in any form.
That Kylie Minogue's X album is a celebration of sorts is already known by fans and great pop music lovers; but that this woman should materialize each of the 13 desires in such colourful and tasteful artistic approaches feels like too much to ask for. But that's what she's been doing so far. 2 Hearts' video is simple and hot, but compared to its follow-ups it feels dark and shy. That's how I saw that when I was least expecting, there's another guilty pleasure by the new queen of Hedonism. The video for Wow.
There she goes again with colored neon walls and poles, impeccable make-up and cinematography and inimitable dance moves that still take your breath away. Minogue with these New Rave-ish new works of art show that there's absolutely no problem in being outrageously... hedonist.

"I'm Listening..."

2008-01-29T17:46:00.001-02:00

Pop culture is something so broad that anything could be part of it. What is basically known is that any movement that finds comfort in the arms of the public can be considered culture, even if we don't like it, even if it's not exactly decent quality.

In recent Pop culture Kylie Minogue [alongside the other main diva you know whom] feels like the Tarantino of Pop music: she mixes and deconstructs genres as if she's simply changing clothes. Her new video, In My Arms, is a great example of it. With colors that make it feel like a staging of famous Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe's portrait, Kylie mixed her 1990's persona [check out the hair from the Confide In Me vide] to a transitory look. With hyperbolic costumes and breathtakingly aesthetic scenarios she released a simple but deeply artistic video.

You might say that it lacks a plot, but who needs a plot with that party of references, that go from the mentioned Warhol to Madonna? In addition, in this current work Minogue homages the 80's - when the music videos lacked plots and feasted on aesthetics.

Guess...

2008-01-27T07:00:00.000-02:00

...what's worst than waiting 3 weeks for the complete Aimee Mann's discography and receiving a porn file?

IT'S STRAIGHT PORN!!!!
[Song: Comin' Back - Bent]

Admiration

2008-01-24T03:05:00.000-02:00

While I still try to place my head around Ledger's death I hear things from a friend that made me shrug and blush. He said I was someone he learned to admire a lot; that my behaviour and actions somehow became lessons even if I didn't notice.

There's a silly bug inside me that always looked for people's attention and admiration. Despite my eloquent tone and sometimes outrageous manners and thoughts, I have a little shyness hidden the many layers of my being. These layers, mostly carved and constructed during the most recent years of my life are results of a willingness of going deeper and deeper in what I am and what I stand for. I guess that the moment I stopped trying to show who I am and what I'm capable of and simply did my thing, people probably to see these things and start finally admiring me.

This deliberate self-indulgent talk is also the sel-recognition that I have good to give and share. On the posts below I mention the million possibilities dead with Heath, and I suddenly remember a Virginia Woolf line in The Hours; when questioned by her husband why would someone had to die, she with her deep and hoarse voice replies: "Someone has to die in order that the rest of us should value life more. It's contrast."

All my layers, all my principles, all my thoughts and actions, aren't [most of the time] loosed in the wind as I learn that thoughtfulness is the best path to serenity. That I am admired by others makes me fuzzy and perky I cannot deny; but what makes myself mostly fulfilled is that I'm myself's most admire, and no one can take that I away from me.

[Song: Liz On The Top Of The World - Dario Marianelli]

The Young Death

2008-01-23T13:31:00.000-02:00

I'm still trying to cope with my feelings towards Heath Ledger's death.

For a while I was feeling guilty for being sad about the death of a celebrity while tons of people die this young here in Brasil. Then I started to think why was I sad and why should I feel guilty. First, just because he was a celebrity doesn't mean we can't feel his death; I read this on TFE:

"It's a media saturated voyeuristic age and we are essentially encouraged from all sides to be interested in the lives of beautiful strangers. And the movies have always served as an enticing proxy, a heightened version of real life; Experience this story. Feel this catharsis. Relate to this performance."

That way my guilt for mourning someone famous' death more than I mourned my granduncle's went away. It's not like I'm putting Ledger on the stupid "hero" pedestal, but to understand my feelings towards it I'm considering his death as not a "celebrity tragic death", but as "a young man's tragic death".

As every other young man, Heath Ledger was a well of possibilities; the difference is that we knew it because the media showed/told us all the time and we chose to see/listent to it. But that's where my feelings stop, I guess. I'm not worried in defining how and why Ledger died; my heart is only trying to understand why his death is tragic. And that's what I wrote on the previous post mean.

Those lesser things will be learned by us after scientific report about his death. Autopsy will determine how and why he died. For now I can only think what does it all mean to mean...

[Song: I Don't Blame You - Cat Power]

Heath Ledger And The Infinite Possibilities

2008-01-23T02:40:00.000-02:00

Ever since watched on 10 Things I Hate About You Heath Ledger was for me a rising star. With his sexy and piercing Australian smile he shone before my eyes whenever I saw him onscreen. Firstly all the hype gotten with Brokeback Mountain excited me, then it bored me because BBM bored me; but his performance was never snubbed in my mind. For me he was already a great actor of his generation.

Celebrities in our time are the kings and queens of the past; and the media's high speed makes us know about their lives faster, having us feeling intimate with them more than what we wished. So, when a celebrity dies it's normal to have a commotion everywhere. To learn about Heath's sudden death was and has been shocking. People, and even us sometimes, might act skeptic about feelings over a stranger's death, but any death is close.

Now, as I mull over the facts and see how much people are putting the effort in trying to figure out such sudden loss, I feel my heart weight down and my mind wheel as I read more and more stuff about his supposed last hours. Why? Why am I affected by a distant celebrity's departure?

I guess that the reason lies more on what Ledger represented to me and my generation than Ledger himself.

Ledger represented the young promises, the infinite possibilities, the limitless ability and capacity. He characterized youth and his deep and long future. And with his death, it is the death of all of those things. No one imagines someone dying so young and that's why it's so shocking, especially because his deeds has been serving as models for many others from his age or younger. At this moment I not only speak of Mr. Ledger, but also of every promising youngster - famous or not - who died before all the promises inherent to his being became facts.

Heath Ledger however, will also be very missed.

Other Thoughts On The Same Thing

2008-01-22T14:28:00.000-02:00

And after I ate I decided to take a look at the technical nods and realized that the love for Atonement is bigger than I thought. Actually I knew it'd get most of its nods on the tech-cats but my obsession for acting performances made me overlook them.

So, it's also up for Cinematography - and no matter how great the others probably are, I can't see how they're better than Seamus McGarvey's for my beloved movie, - Art Direction, Costume Design and [YES] Original Score!! And I guess that this is the category to which I root the most, because I know the other ones are practically impossible. So on 24th February, if Dario Marianelli leaves the Kodak Theatre [if the ceremony happens] without his Oscar I'll be real pissed.

Additional happiness comes from the Original Song nods. YAY for Falling Slowly from genius musical Once and Enchanted's Happy Working Song and That's How You Know, especially because we will have Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová singing and also and hopefully AMY ADAMS for the Disney movie.

But again: if the ceremony happens.

*pessimistic bitch mode on*

Edit: Lucas you shithead! You let your emotions run freely and you don't listen to things properly! The old guy [who is called Gil Cates you insolent child] actually said that the ceremony WILL not only happen, but Jon Stewart's the host. At least it's what this says.

Edit 2:

[the ho] a better version of myself diz:
oh schnabel is from ny
[me])( Lucas Silvertongue)( OSCAAAAAAAAAAAAARS diz:
yeah i learned that later
a better version of myself diz:
he was practically a lock for director
)( Lucas Silvertongue)( OSCAAAAAAAAAAAAARS diz:
but those were my thoughts then and i didnt have that info

[Song: Gatekeeper (One Room One Hour Mix) - Feist]

My Thoughts During [And After] The Oscar Nods

2008-01-22T11:39:00.000-02:00

This is the first time I do it this way. I woke up early to run to the PC and see the nods announcement live by streaming. So, I finally installed the needed plug-in and few minutes later the old man I forgot the name was there to announce the top 5 names on each of the main categories, and to assist him was lovely Kathy Bates. But I was sooooooo excited and so in a hurry to open this f-ing Blogger page that I barely looked at their faces.

So the nods!

- Supporting Actress: I stomped my fet happily when Saoirse Ronan was anounced for Atonement. All the others were absolutely no surprise for me; they even said Blanchett for I'm Not There first, displaying a major lack of sense of suspense, but okay. After having watched Juno the night before I had a little silly spark inside me that hoped Jen Garner would be the year's big surprise. But well, nah.

- Supporting Actor: my jaw dropped as I heard Casey Affleck's name for The Assassiantion. Not that I thought it was surprise, but that instantly something clicked inside and I imagined the Affleck love being spread all over the Oscars and having the other Affleck as best director. But as for the rest of the guys, it'll be my new catch-phrase: NO SURPRISE AT ALL.

- Actress: Made me happy: Ellen Page [Juno], Julie Christie [Away From Her] and Laura Linney [The Savages]. Made me a bit angry: Cate Blanchett for The Golden Age, simply because every reviewer I read hated it and it's a common sense it is a shitty movie, so her nod is pure blind love. Alright alright, Cate IS the wonderful actress they're trying to convince us she is. But that's it AMPAS, we already know she is! Long time before you do dopeheads!! So in my hurt and resentful heart you should've saved that spot for someone who was in a more deserving film; let's say: Keira Knightley!! Okay, it was obvious I'd go that road. The other nominee that gave me no as much thrill as I had for the others was Marion Cotillard for La Vie En Rose, the best part of it was the old guy trying to pronounce her name properly but never succeeding it. Linney also left a bit surprised because I've seen almost no buzz at all for The Savages; but I'm sure she's exquisite in it, as always, so torrents here I go.

- Actor: At first I got angry about McAvoy's snub, but then I remembered/realized that despite wonderful his character wasn't that big. Tommy Lee Jones [In The Valley Of Elah] was a surprise for me and so was Emile Hirsch's [Into The Wild] snub. At first I got angry with Depp there but then I pinched myself to remind me I still haven't seen Sweeney Todd and that despite the annoying hype and the I-wanna-be-a-freak rut that Depp's in, he tends to be a good actor. And YES, love for Viggo Mortenson [Eastern Promises]! Whom I'll hopefully see today on my lovely PC so I can cheer for him, now that my dream of Atonement was semi-crushed.

- Director: honestly, the only surprise was Julian Schnabel for French Diving Bell And Butterfly, but not so much at its nomination in fact, but the fact he's foreign; but then I go again, why am I surprised? AMPAS is not that xenophobe. I'm happy for Jason Reitman's [Juno] nod but nothing surprised me here.

- Original Screenplay: You have no idea of how much I cheered and jumped as I heard Diablo Cody's Juno. Apart from Ratatouille I still haven't seen any of the others, so I can't say I'm totally happy or not with this. But according to the buzz there's no surprise to be happy at.

- Adapted Screenplay: Finally the love for Atonement starts to be shown!! But, alright I know about the unfair Atonement backlash, I can't say I fully understand it but I know about it. But I'm happy Christopher Hampton's genius screenplay was considered, even if I know it will not win; unless AMPAS is really up to surprising us. I also was happy for Sarah Polley's nod, because Away From Her is a marvel of a story. As for the others I'm still to watch.

- Foreign Film: Isreal, Austria, Poland, Kazakshtan and Russia; which means: no Brasil. Can't say I'm not disappointed, but I haven't seen the others yet - so I have till 24th February to be mad at AMPAS.

- Animated Film: When the Foreign Film shortlist was out last week I saw a huge and angry uproar for France's Persepolis and Romania's 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days. I haven't watched any of them yet and for the whole anger they're supposed to be good. But, in my humble opinion I always knew Persepolis would be in for animated film, after all it IS an animated film, so I never really understood it's snub at the foreign film category, but kept my mouth shut, after all what do I know? But yeah, guess I was right all the time.

- Best Picture: The love for Atonement is shown at its best and I'm wonderfully happy! But as for the rest there is no surprise at all! I wasn't expecting any though. I'm happy for Juno's nod and I'm pretty sure of the best contenders for this cat this year, so I'm not very excited about it as I am for the acting fields.

And since surprise was probably the most prominent word on this post, the old ~~bitch~~ guy is saying that the show is A SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That it will either happen or notm depending on how the Writer's strike will end!! Can you believe it? All the suspense they didn't give us for Blanchett's nods they're giving on this. But as for what concerns the nods, really: no surprise at all.

[Song: Ghost Song - Patrick Wolf]

Just...

2008-01-18T03:42:00.000-02:00

...because I enjoyed doing it.

[Song: Fever - Kylie Minogue]

Things About Me And This Blog That Is Kind Of Useless To Know But I'll Tell Anyway

2008-01-16T12:42:00.000-02:00

Whenever I title a post "Whoever, I Love You" I'm parodying Madonna's Vogue's line that says: "Bette Davis, We Love You".
So, just now I realized that in the 2 and half years of this blog's existence I never actually wrote "Bette Davis, I Love You", so ho tell me Davis movies to download right away! Apart from All About Eve of course, you know my love for that one.
[Song: the whichever song my dad is listening on his laptop - Billie Holiday]

Amy Adams, I Love You!

2008-01-14T20:08:00.000-02:00

When I watched Junebug I instantly fell in love with her. Her character had a naivité that broke my heart in a thousand pieces everytime she was onscreen. From that moment on she became to me one of those actresses I'd be happy to follow the works and root for at any awards season.

Friday I watched Charlie Wilson's War and for my surprise there she was, stunningly beautiful with her huge blue eyes trotting loyally behind Tom Hanks/Mr. Wilson as his assistant, I couldn't take my eyes off her, and when she and Julia were both onscreen I had horrible inner struggles to decide which I'd direct most of my attention.

So yesterday I hurried to the cinema as soon as I knew Enchanted had openned - even if it was fucking dubbed. And despite that turndown I still felt a joy in the theatre that I didn't feel in a long time! I felt so in the mood that even popcorn I bought! And I'm definitely not a fan of popcorn.

Enchanted is the usual Disney silly children oriented comedy, but the first good part of it is how adoringly self-indulgent it is, paying homage to most of Disney's biggest classic animations.

The second and most important part of Enchanted being worthy your money is surely Amy Adams; to know that the film is silly is obvious but you'll never feel it from Adams's so beautiful and humble performance. You never feel the film being judged from her, especially because it seems like she's having the time of her life playing Giselle's maneirisms. Was that musical scene at the Central Park solely designed to make me happy? And when she arrives at the ball, was that dress solely picked up to make my breath flee my lungs completely?

Despite the film's flaws you can't help loving it because of Adams. I left the theatre so happy that I didn't mind walking home - I did it singing it.

I just saw at IMDb that next year she'll be on the silver screen under the direction of Norah Ephron. Guess who's going to be her co-star...

[Song: That's How You Know - Amy Adams]

I Don't Blame You

2008-01-14T02:25:00.000-02:00

I went out today to have lunch with Purki and as soon as I came back I turned the PC and 've been Cat Power-ing ever since!!! I'm addicted!! But with lines like these:

"Just because they knew your name,
Doesn’t mean they know from where you came"

who can blame me?

[Song: After It All - Cat Power]

Thanks...

2008-01-12T14:23:00.000-02:00

Dad and aunt travelled to Salvador yesterday and I'm home alone for the first time in a very long time in Conquista. And needless to say how alleviated I feel, having the house only for me with no worries of sound volume or where to smoke [as long as I carry an incense along]. The mood is so sweet that I'm even enjoying my introspection at my utmost, avoiding people's presence and all.

Last night Purki and some others came over, but I still felt so on my own and as they blabbered around I watched Björk in my room; I didn't even mind to sleep in the middle of Pan's Labyrinth. I remembered a question the ho did me a while ago: "how do you handle always being around people?" And at that moment I didn't have an exact reply for that, because the fact was that I've been needing a time by myself...

Just to listen to anything I want without hearing complaints, write peacefully without no one asking me things and crap. So at this time I wanna thank some entities for making my days:

- Nessa Carlton - for having the coolest and sweetest songs to sing along;

- Feist - for giving me the best of introspective songs;

- my aunt - for going with my father...

- Norah Jones - for inviting me to come away with her;

- Keira Knightley - for making me cum and cry at the same time with her beauty;

- Dario Marianelli - for writing such beautiful scores;

- Julia Roberts - for showing everyone how to light up a screen;

- Björk - for always fulfilling the gaps and silent spaces; and,

- dear leisure - for just existing and allowing me to write such useless post without feeling guilty.

[Song: Come Away With Me - Norah Jones]

Oh Keira!!

2008-01-11T13:54:00.000-02:00

I'm fond of novelas and last year there was one that thrilled me the most. A sort of screwball comedy about six childhood friends having their chance again together as adults. One of them was played by stunningly beautiful actress, Juliana Paes. She's the typical TV actress who's mostly there for her looks than for her acting. However, in this novela she surprisingly shone and I thought that maybe, under a decent direction and a better text than a good-but-still-subdued-by-ratings soap she could do a good job.

Joe Wright's brilliant second film Atonement is not a bit close of a soap, but I remembered Paes as I saw Keira Kightley moving vivaciously on that mesmerizing emerald dress. Often bashed for her crappy movies [yes, I'm talking about Pirates], but it's incredible how much she shines and impresses when in a greatly directed movie. In her first work with Wright, my beloved Pride & Prejudice, she not only got an Oscar nod as she grabbed me by the balls and made me love her craft despite the previous shitty movies. In Atonement she steals you with a performance so filled with fire and maturity that your heart coldily warms every time her beautiful glance fills the screen with Cecilia's sorrow.

As a cinephile-wannabe I admit I still don't know much about films' techniques and specialities, but I can recognize a good acting performance when I see one. Keira's efforts on Wright's movies are for me top of the line stuffs, enough to place her among my favorite actresses alive. So I shall pray for one thing "oh Keira, keep doing at least a decent good film a year!" That would make me cinematically happy in every twelve months. Atonement is a last year's movie and it satiated my 2007 Keira thrist, as much as it did for my 2007 film craving so far. I still have other to see, but this movie made chill with each and every frame of it.

[Song: Briony - Dario Marianelli]

Step Out Loser!

2008-01-07T19:27:00.000-02:00

Today's Kabbalah daily tune up said:

"Step outside yourself today. Check in with your thoughts throughout the day. Notice how much time you spend thinking about what you need."

Less than five minutes before I was just rambling with myself about what I needed.

Ana Clara returned today from Rio. I was missing her so much and to spend the day with her was a natural thing to do and I was glad to do it. Still there was something irking me; and well, it was me, with my moody introspection that sometimes is very usual and necessary, but others is annoying. Like today.

So after making a pit stop at Loli's I decided to leave and reel into myself, to finally get home and realize that that wasn't my best option. Of course that it's better to be annoying alone than ruining poeple's mood, but in the end it wouldn't be so hard to push myself a little farther. To step outta me at least for today... as a start.

[Song: Wind In The Wires - Patrick Wolf]

In 2008...

2008-01-04T12:49:00.000-02:00

...Lucas will hit the road!

Tired of this harbour where the habitants just dabble around irrealities, he will save money for travelling to as much places as he can. The first stop is nothing less or more than Rome, Italy! Ever since Mr. Dollar got cheaper his father realized that traveling abroad costs the same as traveling inland, and sometimes even cheaper. So there they're going in early April, for a fifteen days trip. But feeling restless and relentless ever since the trip to Rio, Lucas has decided that this year he will spend less on domestic booze and save for other places' boozes.

All the crazy björkian talk is to inagurate another year of this blog with a light and down-to-earth feeling of accomplishment. Tired of daydreaming with trips, places and different people, Lucas simply decided to work for it, by saving money and actually working! Spooky, uh? But yeah, he's to become the ultimate working girl and start facing reality.

So, happy and full-of-accomplishments 2008 for everyone!

[Song: Wanderlust - Björk]

The Songs Of 2007

2007-12-24T18:09:00.004-02:00

2007 itself was really crappy in music. Obviously I didn’t ignore music this year, I just wasn’t tapped into current music when most of the music that hooked me was released before 2007, which made my pre-lists very rich. So, although it wasn’t so hard to know which artists and songs would make it, it was hard for me to restrict them to only ten songs; then I decided to do a top 20. Last year I divided the list in fields but now I’m just too lazy for that and just separated them in two: the first part with brief comments and the second with longer and more elaborated ones. There are ties, which yeah ho was a way for me to shove more songs into the list; but what can I do, I dig on ‘em!

I have Samba and a lot of Indie stuff here, like a Canadian belle with the smoothest of voices, an androgynous Brit with one of the most wonderful voices and a filmstar turned rockstar with a fun-to-hear voice; alongside with the good’ol’ mainstream Pop. Dance music makes itself very present with a firmed G-d and a new Diva [to me], and a new G-d is raised on my altar, even though she’s not so keen on G-d.

The Bubbling-Under:
20. "Like A Star" by Corinne Bailey Rae
The song of lonely moments...
19. "Crippled And The Starfish" by Antony And The Johnsons
I have pleasure to say I’ve seen him playing it live!!!
18. "Tema de Não Quero Ver Você Triste" by Erasmo Carlos e Marisa Monte
One of the most romantic songs you will ever hear.
17. "20 Year Old Lover" by Juliette And The Licks
The monologue by the end makes me cum a million cums.
16. "Ever Fallen In Love" by Nouvelle Vague
Foreign Bossa Nova/Samba – you can be sure I’ll gladly listen.
15. "Amado" by Vanessa Da Mata
One of the most romantic songs you will ever hear – part deux.
14. "Get Naked (I Got A Plan)" by Britney Spears
Delicious self-indulgent songs from Tinseltown’s ex-Pop Princess and now promising stripper. YAAAAY!! And LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!!!
13. "Divine Gosa" by Bonde Do Rolê
Crazy and funny lyrics combined with Carioca funk and Eletronic and Rock elements. Count me in!!
12. "Os Novos Yorkinos" by Bebel Gilberto
Me and my friends’ theme. We turn this small shitty town [Conquista] into New York.
11. "Don’t Look Back" by Télépopmusik
A perfect trip hop love song. Angela McCluskey’s voice is beyond lovely.

Top 10:

10. "Don’t Stop The Music" by Rihanna
I still think her voice is awful, but man, what awesome music this woman made this year!! From the Micheal Jackson sample to the exciting background claps.
- "Friday Night" by Lily Allen
Allen’s drunken nights and fights in clubs really made my fun early in the year.

9. "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse
Early in the year this was a fever, I loved it to death; now it bores me. But I chose it to the top 10 because it’s a good picture of this decade’s culture. I mean, it was released last year but it was still all over the place in early 2007; but now, it feels like it’s a hundred years old. Things are very ephemeral lately; every week is a new technology, a new fashion, the best rock band of all times… kinda boring right?

8. "HeadTurner" by Joss Stone
The songs from Stone's third album swayed my early year; HeadTurner, the slut song – as the ho and I call it, - is my favorite from the album, because it makes me feel like a natural ho. Another song from her album that made me cum this year was Bruised But Not Broken – but I chose “Turner” instead because of the not depressive tone.

7. "Wuthering Heights" by The Puppini Sisters
The Puppini Sisters were my ultimate gay delight… okay there was Rihanna, but you know what I mean: three beautiful women playing vintage music and wearing 1930’s looks – and one of them is Italian, hello!!
Playing Jazzed Pop hits they are all I love about artists: fun, competent and poser. And the things they did to the songs are wonderful, listen to their I Will Survive and The Smiths’s Panic. But to feature here is their mesmerizing version of Kate Bush’s classic, Wuthering Heights. The harmonized vocals, the theatrical performance, the arrangements make me shudder with excitement as I behold delicious reinventions.

6. "Hands On Me" by Vanessa Carlton
I’ve always loved Nessa Carlton and suddenly one day I woke up with this song’s demo version on my mind and remembered her third album was to be released. The album was reviewed here a while ago, but this is definitely my favorite song.
It's so romantic in a kind of bitter way, having a Carlton singing about an obsessive behavior towards a romance. Sounds familiar? Lol.
There they go climbing Tibetan mountains and crossing deep oceans, when they actually never met yet. And in the end when you think it's obsession enough, she goes and begs “just put your hands on me!” This desperation is both sweet and funny; and considering how Carlton has always been very centered on her love songs, I can't help loving such sarcasm.

5. "One Evening" by Feist
“When we started, both brokenhearted. Not believing, could begin and end in one evening.” Isn’t it the dream of everyone who ventures in dates and one-night-stands? The delicious thing of the song, however, is the fact she keeps herself very grounded on the following verses.

Feist became an instant sensation on my playlists; the same happened with Saint Etienne last year and Feist’s folk quality brings a sort of cynical Indie aura to me. The whole Indie movement is kind of a bore, especially because most Indies think they’re better than anyone because they love unmainstreamed things [even if they’re now the mainstream]. But Feist is thrilling with her soothing voice and wonderful way of arranging music. She’s nomed as Best New Artist from the Grammies, for this year’s The Reminder; but her solo career start is dated from 1999… that was so Indie of me. *hehehe*

4. "Belo Estranho Dia De Amanhã" by Roberta Sá
Although she's the only Brazilian Music representative on the top 10, for a period this year I have been addicted to samba and MPB. Roberta Sá was the main star of that phase; early in the year I got addicted to her first album and a while later her sophomore was released and what a marvel it is.
Bringing samba to a closer and more modern reality, on the Que Belo Estranho Dia Pra Se Ter Alegria album she proved herself as an exquisite performer and musician by showing she knows how to choose a repertoire. In both of her albums she sang songs by unknown artists releasing new composers on the market, or songs by already firmed writers but that are so rare that are practically new.
The song I chose is a delicious love song about forgetting all life’s troubles and stress and tapping to the simple and serene side of everything. By listening to it I long for such a love, one that makes me smile; better yet, it brings me hope that one day it’ll come along.

3. "In My Arms" by Kylie Minogue
The other day the ho and I came to the conclusion that we were never let down by Miss Minogue. Ever since I became a fan there was nothing from this woman’s creative and delicious mind that made me stick up my nose.
This year, after a delightful treat with White Diamond and the Showgirl Homecoming we had the excitement of having leaked some tracks from the new studio album. In My Arms came to me like a thunderbolt full of joy and hope. No longer kicking depression with dancing, this time she was coming filled with self-assurance and happiness.
Although it’s become tacky [but still is very common] mentioning her cancer every time she’s the subject, I can’t help saying that probably what she went through put her in a happier line in what it comes to her lyrics. Another track from her latest album, The One, is beyond romantic but in the end she goes and says “I’m the one, love me”, instead of “why’d you leave to find yourself, I can’t dance with no one else.”
Kylie’s top 5:
a. In My Arms
b. Please Stay
c. The One
d. Sensitized
e. Disco Down

2. "Today The Sun’s On Us" by Sophie Ellis-Bextor
One morning in Salvador I woke up with Murder On The Dancefloor pumping into my head and had an epiphany: “hey, I don’t know much about Sophie Ellis-Bextor!” Nah it was not so theatrical, I simply got up and decided to download her discography after I saw a comment about Catch You on a blog. From the moment I started listening to her music and studying her career I knew I was a fool for having neglected such wonderful and genius artist.
With elaborate and joyous beats Ellis-Bextor has a Minogue quality when she comes with dark lyrics combined with ingenious dance hooks and layers [give a try on Move This Mountain from her debut album, or The Walls Keep Saying Your Name from her sophomore]. But when she gets optimistic as in Today The Sun's On Us she's heartwarming and bright. I lost track of how many times this song lifted me up from depressive moods and dark times.
Sophie’s top 5:
a. Today’s The Sun’s On Us
b. If I Can’t Dance
c. The Walls Keep Saying Your Name
d. I Won’t Change You
e. New York City Lights

1. "Wanderlust" by Björk
Despite the fact that she’s the most ubiquitous artist of my year [just check out my last.fm] and that this was the year I became a die-hard fan, it’s this track from her latest studio effort, Volta, that best defines my life and behavior in 2007. I last year moved to Conquista in the high hopes to move to Salvador; and after six unhappy months in Salvador I returned to Conquista. And engaging myself in planed or last-hour trips I’ve come to know places and have a bunch of experiences that fulfilled me in ways that were very new to me.
This song, with its sometimes scary brass section became a hymn to my new desire during my trip to Rio de Janeiro. Sometimes putting comfort aside and following intuition, I’ve come to see and feel things that pushed my own nature and brought self-awareness and reinvention. This song is definitely the best way to describe a fully colourful 2007.
Björk’s top 6*:
a. Wanderlust
b. Bachelorette
c. Unravel
d. Isobel
e. Possibly Maybe
f. Dull Flame Of Desire [with Antony]
*because I couldn’t help it.

Honorable [very late] mentions:
- Once Soundtrack
The one movie this year that touched me to the core. Every and each song of its soundtrack makes me teary eyed, but indisputably romantically hopeful. Highlights are: Falling Slowly, When Your Mind’s Made Up and Lies.
- "No One" by Alicia Keys
For me “No One” felt like a one-day wonder, one morning more specifically.
- "What Goes Around… Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake
Justin “Hot” Timberlake was very present early in March – but what comes around…
- "Thinking About You" by Norah Jones
Somehow she’s always around during my year.
- "Lenda" by CéU
Genius experimental Brazilian music. CéU has the voice of an angel combined with fierceness of a woman not afraid to try new things.
- "Grace Kelly" by Mika
Alright, he is beyond annoying now, but I really enjoyed him back in May.

The Songs Of 2005
The Songs Of 2006

My Celluloid Women

2007-12-18T10:57:00.000-02:00

Here are the top 6 movie women that made my year marvelous in different ways.

6. Anna Scott [Julia Roberts - Notting Hill]

There she is, the greatest star in the world; maybe the face we all can't forget. And out of nowhere she gets in an unattractive travelbooks shop and lives are changed. This marvelous modern Cinderella story made me cry unashamedly on some of the darkest days of the year. Roberts' performance was both heartbreaking and lightful, portraying the poor celebrity with marvelous dignity. If in the past I felt more like Hugh Grant's character, today I'd be definitely Miss Scott - hyped but unloved. The beauty of the movie lies on the feeling of possibility that fills the air as you watch it. As Björk would say "all is full of love... your doors are shut."

5. Regina George [Rachel McAdams - Mean Girls]

"This girl is the nastiest skank bitch I've ever met. Do not trust her. She is a fugly slut!"

Those who had seen the movie know what I'm talking about. But for the newbies I'd start with "Regina George is flawless", not because she really is, but because she knows she is and parades it! From all the evil self-indulgent bitches out there, Regina George is the most fun of them. With a notable beauty she goes beyond the hot shallow High School queen, becoming an archetype of a human phase. Of course there is some exaggeration on Tina Fey's genius script, but this girl is real, she's everywhere and [believe it or not] on every age field.

Of course that most of Regina's charm is due to McAdams's performance; you can see she's having the time of her life as the blonde adolescent who thinks she's the cherry on the top of the sundae. Her jargons and laidback confidence match adoringly with her [mostly] subtle meanness. As Janis says "she's a life ruiner", but as Cady says "she's like de Barbie doll I never had."

4. Elle Woods [Reese Witherspoon - Legally Blonde]

The best quality of Elle Woods is that she is good! "She may seem like your typical selfish, back-stabbing slut faced ho-bag"... but wait a minute, that's the #5! Elle Woods is GOOD!! She's sweet, helpful, devoted and hardworker. That's why you totally don't understand why that ugly-piece-of-shit Warner Huntington III breaks up with her. "You're breaking up with me because I'm too blonde?"

Further on we end up reassuring ourselves that breaking up with Elle was the best thing Warner could do to her, because she then created one of the best icons of this century so far. The way her triviality is never judged and is actually sweetened makes you adore her right away and hate those who mistreat her.

Besides, she's a twisted feminist icon, funnily competing with Enid, the lesbian activist from the same film; although she follows the preppy blonde stereotype, she's the reinvention of the feminist one. But above a feminist, Elle is a humanist! The best thing I learned with her was to have faith in people. As she'd say "you might be surprised."

3. Miranda Priestley [Meryl Streep - The Devil Wears Prada]
"Do you know why I hired you? I always hire the same girl- stylish, slender, of course... worships the magazine. But so often, they turn out to be- I don't know- disappointing and, um... stupid. So you, with that impressive résumé and the big speech about your so-called work ethic- I, um- I thought you would be different. I said to myself, go ahead. Take a chance. Hire the smart, fat girl. I had hope. My God. I live on it. Anyway, you ended up disappointing me more than, um- more than any of the other silly girls."
That's the worst thing you could hear from you boss right? Yup, we agree and there'll be no punchline here. Alright, I'm kidding! All I have to say is that no one could've said those lines better than La Streep with her Oscar-worthy performance as the most evil of the bitches: Miranda Priestley.
I'd say that she and Regina George are my favorite movie bitches, but what makes Miranda #1 is the fact that she's got reasons to be how she is; George is just a conceited teenager that is funny, hence we love her. But Miranda uses her meanness to keep herself where she is, on the top; and if she were a man everyone would say she's just doing her job, as Andy would say to defend her. The thing is that, despite the headeater behaviour, Priestley is a fine and perfect example of the modern executive women; and since we're keen to feminism, she's highly praised. That's all.
2. Lizzie Bennet [Keira Knightley - Pride & Prejudice]
Okay, I've written a million posts about this film and my Lizzie Bennet adoration. So, I'll limit myself in saying that the second Miss Bennet is still my favorite female character and that Keira is my favorite this-generation actress. I'm so damn happy she's got a Globe nod; I don't think she'll get an Oscar one, but I'm sure we'll have delicious red carpet moments!!
1. Bridget Jones [Renée Zellweger - Bridget Jones's Diary]
"Bridget Jones, wanton sex goddess, with a very bad man between her thighs... Dad... Hi."
I loved talking about my Bridget devotion. But right now I lack inspiration! This year I've become her by drinking vodka at home and mourning the broken heart with tearjerking songs. But indeed I've said so much about Bridge that I'll just leave it for the ho this time.
"So beyond good and evil with me, that now I'm careless about being a spinster and a lunatic, if my life can be carried with at least half the joi de vivre with which Bridget carries hers. It also left me craving a snow filled make out session."
"Whenever I'm having a rainy day, it instantly makes me feel better."
"Behold as Renee Zellweger creates a cultural icon."
[Song: The Weather - Patrick Wolf]

The Personality Of The Year: Starlight

2007-12-15T08:21:00.000-02:00

If this weren't the year of the Björk advent in my life, the previous post would definitely be about the woman who proved she has the force with her.
I more than promise not to turn this into a wow-she-beat-cancer blablabla, but it's inevitable to talk about this woman's strength without mentioning it. But I believe that in Kylie Minogue's case, although cancer will always have a way scarier tone than anything else, overcoming it wasn't the one prove of her strength. Anyone who knows her history knows that the force has been with her ever since she started.
It was there when she left PWL and looked for greener and freer pastures in Deconstruction; it was there when the greener pastures got a bitter taste and she moved for Parlophone, where she spinned around and we couldn't get her out of our heads. So, after the initial shock of hearing about that breast tumor I knew that the years of 2006 and 2007 would naturally come.

[Minogue in a display of strength back in the 80's: anyone who survived that hair would overcome even cancer.]

In 2007 the anticipated album X came out teasing the fans. In June some things started to leak everywhere on the Web and that gave us a delightful insight of what was to come by year's end. Differently from any-crap-else that had been leaking at the same while [hi Madonna!], Kylie's tracks were filled with electrified beats in the best Eletro-Pop/Rock style. But the interesting thing was that lyrics-wise she was coming with an unusual approach: optimism. Not shallow and The-Secret-slash-Oprah-esque one, but subtle and poetic good vibration.

And then, in [really] early November The Kylie Show was aired and she proved the rest of the world she knew how to pull a show, even better: she still can do it. We fans were more than used to it, after all we followed every step of the Showgirl Homecoming; but regardlessly, we were dazed by the beautiful work that little TV show was. Instead of doing a simple new-single-celebration gig, she homaged the grandiose TV bashes from the likes of Judy Garland and Sonny And Cher, as she mentioned.

Entertainment, parody, comedy, music, millions of cultural references, but above all an impeccable production, she kicked [one more time] the balls of the boneheads who insist to claim she has no talent, competence and depth. The sketches were genius with the sweet Minogue playing a bitchy diva Minogue, but the tone was so jocose that it felt like she was saying "if I were a bitch, at least I'd be a fun one". As for the musical numbers... I can't say much about them, for if you ever get interested you should run on YouTube and search for the marvels that are Tears On My Pillow, The One, I Believe In You and Sensitized. [Or obviously just click the links.]

[2007, Minogue riding the X bull showing the strength of her figures, as we're riding all the way to bonner-land.]

And then finally came the album with those beautiful pictures and artwork, bringing the 1980's back in a way that felt more glamorous than simply imitative, as the ho said on his review: "Kylie Minogue's tenth studio album sounds as if someone travelled to the 8os, made a record with twenty first century knowledge and came back to show us how brilliant futuristic retro can be. It is a celebratory experience of a woman who has made it through two decades in the music business, survived cancer and has never lost the will to make pop masterpieces."
And, by the end of this year if you look back and see how much have been accomplished by this woman only in these twelve months you still will be surprised to know that there's an upcomming world tour next year. Wait a minute, will you? I would only be if among the venues were the Maracanã.

[Song: Stars - Kylie Minogue]

The Year Of The Bird: ...Getting To The Core

2007-12-14T10:45:00.000-02:00

"The inner or deep part of an animal or plant structure."

Back in 2004 I had downloaded a recently relased album, by an eccentric artist from a quite unspoken European country. Few of her discography and history was known by me, who was simply enjoying the different and quirky sensations those fourteen songs used to bring me. Those weird vocals and dark uncommon beats really captivated me; until I made the mistake of wanting to know more about that unfamiliar woman by turning to her fanbase.

I've always believed that the musical experiences, though being so grand that should be shared, are innitially personal. Doesn't matter if you hear people's opinions about an art, in the very end it will be your feelings and intuition about it that will define your position towards that craftwork. But sometimes you turn to people for the sake of sharing and exchanging, and you might find yourself not prepared for that yet.

In 2004 it traumatized in a way that made me ignore the woman's art for the following two years, until I decided to mature about it and revalue my impressions. I did it in my best investigative style and by the end of 2006 I downloaded her main discography [the albums and the released greatest hits].

So in 2007 it was sort of inevitable that a new G-d would be hailed on my altar. Paraphrasing another G-d's song "the bird has flown," and it was up to me to follow her trace and know her upcoming and previous paths.

The more I digged in, the more fascinated by her sense of naturalness and deepness I would become. From all of her works, I had started with the most "serious" and "dark", the one that was most likely to disappoint me because of its inconvenience; so I was surrended by the Bird's beautiful feathers and wings, but mostly by her straight flights to the core of everything and her voice. Her proposals of profundity and philosophical search for the beggining of things fascinated me more and more.

But the most important part of it all, was that it inspired me. Inspired me not only to do my own quest for inner structure of everything in life, but to share it with the ones around me. Discoveries are meant to be shared, if not they lose their power and beauty: "let's open up, share!" In the end "peel[ing] of the layers, until you get to the core" was a mantra that would possess me throughout the year. But it was the urge to share it that made me seek and keep looking for the Bird's name: Isobel, Charlene, Mother Oceania...

[Song: Wanderlust - Björk]

Lies

2007-12-13T01:44:00.000-02:00

In a very considerable time a movie and its soundtrack didn't let me so immersed and in love with it. Probably the last time it happened was with Pride & Prejudice and Prime. But this little indie movie called Once grabbed my by the balls and the following words are stuck to my head; for nothing in particular, just because they and their melody are simply beautiful.

"You're moving too fast for me
And I can't keep up with you
Maybe if you slowed down for me
I could see you're only telling
Lies, lies, lies
Breaking us down with your
Lies, lies, lies
When will you learn"

[Song: Lies - Glen Hansard]

The Forgotten Item

2007-12-12T04:27:00.000-02:00

I said that I would forget something and I did... and I did forget probably the most stupendous thing that happened this year.

17. Rio de Janeiro

A million shits happened before it but in the end turned out to be the best trip I did to date. I spent a week at the city we call "Cidade Maravilhosa" and almost everything I've heard about it was confirmed. The smart and funny people, the hot weather, the breathtaking sights, the hot men... all was there for me to see and drool on. And the violence, the thing people warned me the most, wasn't a bit close to anywhere I went; not the Rio is a safe place, I guess I just went lucky.

I made nice friends there and hung around with Alais at beautiful historic and modern places: Santa Teresa, Laranjeiras and Lapa, the artistic neighborhoods; Copacabana and Ipanema, the place with the hottest shirtless people; Leblon, the fanciest place I've been; Cinelândia and the old downtown, the most charming neighborhoods I've seen so far.

Also in Rio I saw live one of my favorite singers, Roberta Sá [brunette on the pic] in a pocket-show that felt like a true carioca event: close-to-people but very glamorous and hype. The connection between the audience and Sá was inevitably delicious, considering the stage was actually part of the dancefloor separated for the band. She played favorites such as Mais Alguém, A Vizinha do Lado and Samba de Um Minuto; but the highlight was when she sang Fogo E Gasolina looking straight at me!!!! I died a million deaths at that singular moment. Later, after the show, I and Alais went backstage for autographs and pictures; Roberta was nice and gentle and signe the hundred autographs I was charged to ask.

Next year she's going to Salvador. I hope it's not in Carnaval, because my wanderlust will take me to the farthest place till then: Rome!

[Song: Mais Alguém - Roberta Sá]

The Highlights

2007-12-10T22:22:00.000-02:00

Hereby I list the best moments of a very good and rollercoaster-esque year. [It's not in importance order.]

1. The Reveillon

On the very first day of the year I lost my brand new cell phone and got really stressed. But I didn't let it get me down, and appreciated the fact I was camping for the first time and having mostly a good time with one of my best friends.

2. The Cigarette Club

Purki, Nalim, Naiara, Bel, Mônada, Marco, Tcheus... later in the year: Loli, Ana Clara, Diego... amazing friends I've come to bond with, cherish and love most dearly. From drunk nights at deserted roads to fun time at motel jacuzzis, these guys made my year wonderful.

3. The Comment Guy

I don't wanna talk about him... do you wanna hear about him? Well, if you do just click there.

4. The Heartbreak

Gave me dreadful moody days but it didn't kill me, which means it made me stronger.

5. Salvador

The place I desired last year and the one I ended up despising this year. Nah, that's too dramatic, I don't despise it - but figured it wasn't exactly the place for me... at least not now.

6. UFBA

I spent six good months learning a lot and having fun with lovely people. But the best thing UFBA gave me was the assurance I didn't want to study Literature. Don't get me wrong, I still love it - but there I realized that my calling is Journalism. So here we go again...

7. Nave

The wonderful Indie party that makes me dance from 10PM to 7AM!!

8. Nina

The one I miss the most in Salvador.

9. Björk

Comments on her later.

10. Bridget Jones and the Depression Movies

The first semester was lived as a Bridget Jones reenactment. I spent days locked indoors stupidly mourning a broken heart, drinking vodka, smoking like a chimney and watching depressive movies. The first Bridget Jones were once watched everyday of a certain week; Moulin Rouge and Notting Hill made me cry like never; and Pride And Prejudice is the one movie that makes me cum and cry at the same time. In the end it seems ironic to call such depression as highlight, but they inspired me to write abundantly on this blog.

11. The Kylie Minogue Week

The commemoration of Kylie's 39th birthday took form here as a successful week of posts about the Aussie G-d. Some of them were written by four hands [the ho's and mine] and all of them were delicious things to do.

12. The Ho's absence

Cos it made me love and cherish him even more.

13. Moving back to Conquista

Returning to where you started from isn't exactly decaying. Living alone in Salvador made me appreciate even more the moments I have with people; missing human touch and care made me see the many faces of loneliness... sometimes they're like Renée Zellweger or Keira Knightley or Julia Roberts or Audrey Hepburn. But surely they sound like Possibly Maybe and Unravel.

14. Getting high

Well, I know it's politically incorrect to list it, but I had wonderful moments under influence...

15. The wanderlust

I travelled a lot this year, more than ever. And I'm just getting started...

16. Alais
The girl with a wanderlust bigger and older than mine that I never get tired of running after.

And I'm probably forgetting something... but surely I all I do is thanking - these things definitely put me in a better place.

[Song: All Is Full Of Love - Björk]

Close To The End

2007-12-08T14:31:00.000-02:00

As December flies desperatedly I realize I must start moving my ass around my year auto-analysis. The dramas, the things to praise and thank for, the music, the movies.

I'll quickly start with the movies - I decided to download the Oscar buzzed movies and the first is indie musical-drama Once. I downloaded the soundtrack earlier this week and despite its very Damienriceness I don't feel suicidal when I listen to its songs. A couple days ago I saw the trailer and it gave me chills, so I'm already anticipating the screening.

[Song: Gatekeeper - Feist]

Life's A Bitch

The Songs Of 2008

It's G-d's Fault.

"Say Goodbye..."

Miss Lucas Says

Kabbalah Says

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Conquista Rock Festival Day 2

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Conquista Rock Festival Day 1

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Nothing But Your Local DJ

July 6th, 2008

Funny...

So Far Away...

Chills

The Crazy Band!

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - egocentric-hard-annie

[Late] NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Religion

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Status Quo

Message To The Ho

Oops!

Saint Anthony's Day

So You Think You Can Play...

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Stalking Abroad

Good Times, Bad Times

Call 555-555-CONFIDE

YSL Is Dead!

NoobTimes: Stalker Song - Stepping In The Dark Side

*cries*

Noob¹Times: Stalker Song - Premiere

Orkut Says:

Pretty Things You Find By Chance On The Web

This Is Why...¹

Top 5 : Electro-Indienization

Crucial Moments

Does Anyone Know...

Catfight!!

Fucking Shit 2

Fucking Shit...

Finally!! Finally!! Finally!!

Casual Candy

OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Corraaaao! Wanderlust + Alcohol...

Adieu Uli

Because She's An Icon, No Matter What!

Hey Shorty...

Pissing On Love

The Expected

The Newest Love Of My life

Hard Candy

Buy A Dog...

A Happy Song...

Song Addiction Of The Day

"4 Minutes" by Madonna

Feelin' Crazy 'Bout My Body

I Drink Your Milk-Shake!!!!

Le Red Carpet

Give The Man His Oscar!!

Argh Vestibular!!

Oscaruary: Marion And Cate

Ha!

I'm Not There!!!!

If My Life Were A Movie

The Joy Of Dancing

Rambling Over Margo

Oscaruary*: Juno

Astral Hell

"You Should Blog This"

Do You Believe In Love At First Sight?

Uhhh Okay...

If I Were A Woman...

Why We Rock Each Other's Worlds

Hedonism

"I'm Listening..."

Guess...

Admiration

The Young Death

Heath Ledger And The Infinite Possibilities

Other Thoughts On The Same Thing

My Thoughts During [And After] The Oscar Nods

Just...

Things About Me And This Blog That Is Kind Of Useless To Know But I'll Tell Anyway

cries