(no subject)

[blodeuedd]

Too Deep For Tears (by Kathryn Lynn Davis): While it certainly looks like a romance novel (exactly the kind of book I'd normally avoid like the plague), Anna swore it wasn't. And she was right. It's about three women in the 19th century who all have the same father; he married a woman in Scotland (first daughter), ran off and had an affair with a concubine in China (second daughter), was forced to abandon them due to politics, then ended up in India and had an affair with a married British woman (third daugher). The book follows the three sisters and it's all about love and forgiveness and family. I suppose I don't have much sympathy for philandering, cheating men at the best of times, so the ending of the story had me rolling my eyes. The book is not badly written, but I'm not used to this much sentiment(ality) in my reading, bonds of love and family being felt over long distances notwithstanding. HOWEVER! While I appreciate that this isn't a romance novel in the broader sense, it contains not one but TWO (*gnashteethgraar!*) instances of Simultaneously Orgasmic First-Time Sex. In the second instance the man in question is most likely not a virgin, so maybe he has enough experience with women to time it all perfectly. But the first instance takes place between two 18-year-olds, a Scottish maiden and her shepherd boyfriend, both of them virgins who've lived in the same tiny community of the remote Scottish highlands all their lives. Their first time includes him going down on her and intercourse culminating in the aforementioned simultaneous orgasms. Were nineteenth-century Scottish youngsters better educated about sex than I think they were, or should I assume he'd been practicing on the sheep? Oh, right, it's their Bond of Twue Wuv that makes it perfect! *bleurk*

Project Catwalk: The British version of Project Runway, featuring Elizabeth Hurley as the host. It was interesting to note the difference not only in production values (American reality shows always look to me as though they're filmed in a studio even when they're not -- this show had natural lighting!) but in culture. There were some pretty interesting designs though the "design a line for Topshop" challenge produced some boring, god-awful stuff -- what the hell were they thinking? One thing that annoyed me was that when the judges were deliberating, they'd have pictures of the designs tacked up on an easel but whenever they'd point to one to comment "I loved this" or "That one is too fussy" or whatever, the camera would never show which one they were talking about. Also, Matt was sweet and talented and all, but I think the only reason he made it so far was that someone else was always weirder (and there was some serious weird going on with a couple of the contestants) or worse than he was. I wanted to tell him to stand up straight, have an opinion and speak FIRMLY for once. The other thing that really bugged was the "mentor", Ben de Lisi; I wanted to punch his lights out everytime he showed up. You, sir, are no Tim Gunn. Not only was his advice often useless, he is one of those people who never seem to express emotion with their face or body or voice. When he blew up at one of the contestants (who'd insulted him), he was saying "I'm really furious right now, I'm incredibly insulted, etc. etc." but his voice was just the same as it always way, albeit a bit louder, and his expression was the same as if he'd just told someone he didn't think they should use so many sequins. The fact that he had to state that he was furious is telling, I think. Normally, wouldn't you just be able to figure it out from his tone of voice? Also, dead fish eyes.

Project Runway (season 2): I've read message boards complaining that compared to seasons 1 and 3, season 2 was a barren wasteland, design-wise. And while it's true that there were very few knockout designs, the contestants were on the whole much more likeable and/or entertaining than those of the other seasons (no total psychos or asses like Wendy and Jeffrey!). Because no matter how much of an asshole Santino was at times, his impressions of Tim Gunn had me howling with laughter all alone in my little apartment. Even though he should have been sent home for that attrociously festooned underwear. And Andrae should be outlawed; that little montage of him they showed during the reunion show had me clutching at my stomach, I was laughing so hard. Heidi and the judges also showed a lot more personality and seriously funny snark ("Barefoot Appalachian Barbie" -- heee!) than in seasons 1 and 3, I thought, though that may have been in reaction to the contestants themselves. If I had to pick a favourite design, I'd probably go with Daniel V.'s orchid blouse and skirt. I think it had the most visual impact of any outfit that season. As for the most brilliant moment of the season... The reunion episode in its entirety. I think that even if you hadn't seen the rest of the show, it would be solid gold entertainment. Come on, Guadalupe high on whatever the hell she'd been drinking/smoking? The timed "defend your design" montage? The musical montage? The Andrae montage? Heidi vs. the L.A. posse? The "Where the HELL is my chiffon?!" discussion? Genius.

Twin Peaks (season 1): Five words: "My log does not judge." That has got to be the best line EVER and if I hadn't already been completely won over by Agent Cooper and the rest of the show, that would have sealed it. I'll write more once I've watched the second season.



ETA: I forgot to mention that Santino? That dress you designed for My Scene Barbie? Pretty, but Garden Party Barbie wore one just like it. Back in 1989.

Comments

[krk.livejournal.com]

Ben de Lisi is seriously way over the top. Tim Gunn at least has some creative criticism and doesn't just sit there going "That is hideous."

I too am a fan of Santino. I was actually sad at how that season ended. He disappointed me.

[blodeuedd.livejournal.com]

Another thing that annoyed me about Ben de Lisi was how he would, instead of suggest things or make the contestants think about it, basically do it for them. "Take this off, add some trim there, add two inches at the bottom." Tim Gunn will make it clear what he thinks, but he still always leaves it up to the designers.

[krk.livejournal.com]

Very true. I think we both agree that Tim Gunn > than Ben de Lisi. :)