10 items are food related
5 are related to exercise and wellness
17 of them are sports/leisure/hobby type activities
7 are literacy related
at least 12 of them involve travel
11 will help me build some mad skills
and 9 of the list items are purely indulgent
I almost missed it. I was browsing Bravo programs and discovered I'd missed the first episode of Project Runway's season four. I quickly set my DVR to record one of the kajillion repeats and then the "new" episode this week. Yay. Just as Bachelor lets me down with a resounding thud. (I should have known that grammar stuff was an indicator... though Jenni used that same wrong pronoun while on the After the Rose show Tuesday).
Dancing with the Stars continues to mystify. Do you suppose it's the fans or the Mormons that keep Marie in there. Sure, she's been doing better and if we had another 8 weeks, maybe she could reach the level of the other dancers. If it is the mormons, maybe we ARE in trouble with Mitt Romney. Gulp. I just had a wicked chill run down my spine.
Project Runway is always good fun. In part to see the interactions between the designers, to check out their tattoos and strange pecadillos. Yet, for me, it's always more about the designs. I LOVE seeing what they can create in such little time. I have great admiration for both Dancing with the Stars and Project Runway. These people have to WORK HARD to make it work each week. With Dancing with the Stars the reward is a cheezy mirror ball trophy... though I guess they are elevating their level of celebrity by staying on the show and that could help career-wise for some. On Project Runway they get money to start a line of clothing, they get to show at fashion week, they get a car, and more. It's truly that boost to get them going in their fashion careers. I don't know if that's worked out well for any of the winners, but it's sure fun to watch them get there.
I'm not much for reality shows, though this post would indicate otherwise. I just really like dancing and fashion. The Bachelor? I guess I get some kind of sick thrill from seeing how far people will go to declare their love for someone they've only just met.... and I have long wondered how long before it blows up for someone and I am afraid it finally imploded on Brad. Poor kid. But then again, it's like he didn't understand the show?
I do. (tee hee) Swing dancing, I mean. Tonight, I did the unthinkable and went to a country bar after trivia. My across-the-hall neighbors were in a line dancing competition so I had to see them perform. Never mind I saw the guys do their number three times in the hallway of my apartment building. It's like our building was MADE for dance lessons. It sounds like there might be more to come.
We sat on stools against a bar that lined the dance floor and cheered on our favorite duo. Victor and Tyler were great, choosing to do their line dancing number to Stayin' Alive rather than the traditional country. I even got in on the dancing with a little bit of swing with Victor... the king of swing.. Next time, though, I will tie my hair back. It was in the way a bit and could potentially take an eye out at the speeds we were moving. It took me about an hour for my heart rate to adjust to normal and even now as I sit stripped of my sweaty tee shirt and jeans in front of the computer I am feeling my age. This past 11 pm stuff is for the birds!
Dancing with the Stars started its fourth season last night. I am curious to see who emerges as the top competitors. I'm sure I should wait before I start my ranking, heck even THEY aren't going to knock off any couples this week... but who can resist. Here's my "first impression" for what it's worth.
I liked... Laila Ali Joey Fatone Apolo Anton Ohno Ian Ziering
I didn't mind... Clyde Drexler Shandi Finnessey Paulina Porizkova John Ratzenberger
I didn't like... Billy Ray Cyrus Leeza Gibbons Heather Mills
Dancing With the Stars is a little something I enjoy each week. Now, don't get me wrong... I pretty much can't stand either host or any of the extra stuff, but the dancing is first rate. (I record the show on my DVR and then fastforward all the parts I don't like) I am constantly impressed with the ability of the celebrities to learn new dances each week and then perform at the level they do. I can tell a lot of people think this is the Joey Lawrence and Mario Lopez show... but I could really see Emmitt Smith winning it all.
I do love "Slater" and he is pretty amazing on the dance floor. And yet, I have to say that the total package is Emmitt. Not only is he fully committed to the dances, he is articulate in the interviews. He's a nice guy and serious and sexy too. That man can really move. I think America is seeing him in a new light and discovering that there is a lot more to this football player. He's an athlete, sure, but his versatility is evident and he seems to be able to juggle his career, his family, and now this, with what appears to be ease. In the end, I think that's what makes him really great. He seems so focused, controlled and relaxed all at the same time. When he is dancing I see grace and power, and there is no doubt that he knows what he is doing and he's REALLY doing it. I wanted to show a friend one of his dances on You Tube and I couldn't decide which one... I find that I love them all. Just talking about this makes me a little weak in the knees.
Well, I thought it was sort of "cute" last season when Jerry Rice tried to prove himself on the dance floor during Dancing with the Stars (a fairly addictive show, if you enjoy dancing). This season another football star is putting on his dance shoes and let me tell you, I am impressed. Emmitt Smith. Wow. Who knew?
His score this week was disappointing, especially when I thought it looked pretty good. The judges crabby-ass attitude about lifts is sort of annoying and I wonder why all the professional partners seem to be choreographing these when it gets such a severe scolding from the judges. Certainly Mario Lopez and Joey Lawrence are leading the dance floor but Monique Coleman is right there with them when it comes to skill and style... but they are not winning over the judges with their choices in routines. Meanwhile, I am not blown away by Vivica A. Fox (Her dancing seems sort of heavy and less graceful than I want her to be) but the judges seem to be in love. Could they be scared? She did kick some butt in Kill Bill.
Oh my goodness. I just realized that YouTube.com has some of the dance performances in case you missed any.
Here's the Dirty Dancing Rendition from last season performed by Cheryl Burke and TonyDovolani.
Grand Beach, Manitoba
