Random Commentary

Runway scraps

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:05:28 -0600

Bleh. Just not in the mood to blog anything. But I had to say this:

When Chris said that his collection involved human hair I was unsure. Looking at the dresses on the form, well it looked kind of weird, a little gimmicky. But when he did the showing on Wednesday I was simply amazed. You just have so see it move. All that shiny black hair, in motion, catching the light - amazing.

I think the mistake he made was choosing all black outfits. He should have put a little color into the mix to show a bit more range than the big gothic drama.

Also, that big chunky coat that Rami did was kinda icky. Actually, not kinda - very. I hated it. But the second dress he did was gorgeous. Absolutely amazing work.

Nevermind all that though - the competition is really between Jillian and Christian at this point. That's what I think, anyway.

The final 3 1/2

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:31:07 -0600

Yeah I know, late again. Bite me.

Interesting challenge again this week. And big gay Chris nearly blew it. Yeah, his dress was full on gorgeous but it was just too much like the one that he and Christian did in their team challenge. (Actually, this version was so much better.) We nearly got Rami lopped off too, since he just had to do the Grecian draping thing again. But apparently the producers wanted to do another wacky surprise ending this season - instead of aufing either one of them they have to do a mini-showing in the finale to see which of them actually gets to be #3.

I have to say it was a strong showing between Jill and Christian. So not surprised that Christian won, and I just know he's going to crow his little ass off about it as much as he possibly can. Ugh, I have to say he has been like a progressive disease in the way he works my nerves. He is such a little bitch! I liked Jillian's better though - it had a bigger wow factor in my opinion, and I didn't really like those huge marshmallow sleeves on Christian's outfit. Ah well, that's just how it goes.

I'm sad that Sweet P had to go. It was inevitable though. Her dress for this challenge was cute, but it just didn't quite have the oomph that she needed to get into the final. She did a damn good job getting this far though, and I'm glad to have seen the work she is capable of. The woman deserves a job!

Now I'm looking forward to the big reunion special, because the dish is always served, hot or cold. It's one of my favorite things about Runway, because you get to see some little tidbits that didn't make it into the actual show.

Little pieces of sad

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:27:32 -0600

Two of my Rondaks games have died now. Dangerous Skies Over Valorisa ended up turning into a shopping trip somehow, and now the ref has given up on it. I may have complained about it getting fluffy, but I was still enjoying it. Then today I discovered that a Serenity game I was lurking has also died, just as it was actually getting interesting.

The gaming thing is one of very few things that I am actually good enough at to be arrogant about, and it just makes me sad to see it get so far out of my life. Playing by post on the Portal has been frustratingly slow, but it's been the only way I could keep just a toe in the door anymore. Chat gaming is basically impossible because other people have lives, and we already know that the chances of me getting a face-to-face game are pretty much zero.

It's not that I'm giving up, it's just that there's nearly nothing left to hold on to.

Terror

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 05:51:13 -0600

Apparently you are supposed to click this. So click it.

A week late on the dish

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:46:41 -0600

WTF happened with Runway last week? They totally did a repeat for no good reason. Bastards.

Anyway, I already knew that this week was gonna be wrestling chicks as the challenge. It was just too easy. I also already knew that Chris was going to own this challenge. Christian got really damn close though, and I was actually sure there at the end that he was going to get it.

You know that little bitch was pissed!

Jill's sporty little outfit was great too - personally I can't see why those three outfits couldn't all be on the WWE diva tour, or whatever it is those scary chicks do. But that's how it is, only the winner gets to showcase. I'm so glad Chris got the win, he so deserved it.

I was a touch surprised that Sweet P didn't get the auf. I have to say, after some last minute editing her look did improve, but I was sure that the judges were gonna dock her for the unfinished look. I was wrong, and poor Ricky got the boot. Nina was right - he made a nice swimsuit, but that horrible gold tunic thing he added on had to go.

We're near the end now. Only two more eliminations before they toss out the reunion special and then the big finale. I have to say, I am getting more and more tired of Christian. Rami works my nerves, because he's annoying and pompous and he whines about stupid shit. But Christian is such a little child. It is so great to see that look of disappointment every time he puts out a fabulous outfit and still doesn't win. You would think by now he would have figured out that he's not the queen of Runway, but so far that clue hasn't slipped in. So Rami and Christian can fight it out over the who-I-hate slot in the final three. I would like to see Sweet P and/or Chris make it, but you just can't count on that. I have a feeling Jillian has a good shot at the final three too, if she can quit having unnecessary meltdowns.

Rehash

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 13:26:40 -0600

I try to be nice about the whole xian music scene thing. I don't know why, but I kind of feel bad about the reaction I have to it. It's not like I'm all hateful about it, the main thing I've had trouble with though is the fact that most of it sounds even more dull and cookie-cutter than the commercial radio music that I avoid. I get to hear a nice fat chunk of it while I hang at the Java Loft, but by now I'm mostly inured to it and don't have my peculiar allergic reaction so much anymore.

So anyway, the point of this - the other night I caught a commercial for one of those Songs 4 Worship collection things, this time with the theme being country music. And it's the same fucking songs! WTF?! Can't these jesusy people write anything new? Out of the handful of sample bits they played there was only one that I hadn't heard before. That is just so unbelievably sad, because it's not like I'm a compendium of xian music, I just keep hearing these same songs over and over again on the commercials for these dumb CDs.

Hey you people - Jesus said write new songs!

Bloody London

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:42:50 -0600

Apparently the people at Clovis like to screw with my head, because they put the poster up for Sweeney Todd but so far haven't bothered to actually put the movie up on a screen. I've been trying to get some sort of movie date deal going to see it, and we finally just gave in and drove to Lubbock this weekend to catch it with Professor Tech.

I was not about to give any hints to the hubby on what was going to happen. He's a Depp fan, of course, but if he knew the subject matter (or that the movie was going to have a pretty good gore factor) he probably would have preferred to wait for video. So, of course, I get a nice big giggle when we get our first big gushing slice and the hubby cringes. He still liked it. He loved the soundtrack. But he's not going to watch it again.

I rather liked it. It's got the expected Burton/Depp chemistry, and loads of that uber-gothick ambience. In fact, it's so gloomy that in the middle when they do a quick cut to a sunny picnic scene it gets so bright by contrast that it hurt my eyes. This is the only version of the story I've ever seen though, so I don't have that psycho perfectionist thing going that is supposed to make me hate anything that isn't the original. I'll let the theater wonks do that and just be happy with having enjoyed my time. And for those of you who haven't seen it and are curious, here is a teensy spoiler you may appreciate - I'm not kidding about the gore, this movie gushes.

So after the movie we go back to Prof. Tech's place for dinner and games. It turns out that our just-after-midnight movie DVD selection was 28 Weeks Later. I've been wanting to watch it, because I really liked 28 Days Later. I'm not one of those crazy zombie freakout people, but I do like a nice living dead movie now and then. This time we were nice enough to let the hubby know what he was getting into.

This movie was definitely more tense than the first one. I remember being surprised at the relatively relaxed pace in 28 Days. (Relatively, mind you, as in not having jumps and shaky camera scream moments for the whole last 2/3 of the movie.) Well 28 Weeks does not fuck around. It does give a nice break after the initial in media res massacre, where you get your necessary chunk of plot, but once the zombie action kicks in again it just keeps on going. Definitely a good addition to the fast-zombie genre.

However, there are nits to pick. Well, only one of note really. This one is a sure spoiler, so if you don't want this bit ruined I suggest you stop reading now. Ready? - WTF is up with the dad in this movie? Is he the new fucking superbreed of zombie? That sonofabitch is chasing those kids constantly, he always shows up to be the next big freaky jump. Does he have a GPS installed or something? I can understand the whole trauma thing they're trying to play out here, and it works for a while, but give me a break. I just don't buy that he manages to always be ready to leap out at his kids every time the movie needs to start another chase sequence.

I am willing to forgive that little nonsense though, because there is the gorgeous payoff near the end. One of the military guys has a big pissy moment when one of the refugees tries to leap on the helicopter (which is a major no-no at this point in the movie). He flies all crazy, trying to fling the guy off the skids, then he takes the copter into a forward thrust and pulls off this great move. As soon as he went for it I was cheering and laughing my ass off, because this is so exactly the kind of thing that my friends and I would do in a game - Shadowrun, in fact. I can see this exact same moment in a Shadowrun game. The helicopter pilot does a full-on lawnmower slash-fest on a big crowd of zombies. It is so great - body parts and gore everywhere. It is so nasty, so over the top, I'm still grinning over it.

So, two movies, set in London, caked with gore. How was your weekend?

The Tim Gunn rule

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:47:22 -0600

Last night's challenge was a perfect example of the Tim Gunn rule. If Tim looks at your outfit and it worries him, you better fix it - because something is wrong.

Chris got the worried speech. Tim told him that the frayed edges made it look hand sewn - that it would look better with all frayed edges or none. Chris said that he liked it that way. Well big surprise, on the runway the judges didn't care for it. I thought his dress was cute, but I didn't like the frayed edges either.

Both Vicki and Jillian got the worried speech. Of course, by this time they were both too far invested in their coats to make any real difference. Cut to the runway, and both of them are on the chopping block. And I just can't believe that Vicki thought she was going to get away with that sad skirt attached to a jean jacket. I knew the second that walked down the runway that she was a goner.

Sweet P got the worried speech too, but unlike the others she had the smarts to listen up. When her dress came down the runway it was just fantastic. I do agree with the judges that it didn't have quite enough Levi-ness to it, but it was gorgeous and very well made. I'm glad to see more good work from her - maybe she'll stealth her way into the finals.

I was a little surprised that Christian didn't get the win. Not that I'm complaining - I thought that Ricky deserved it and it was just so perfect after Christian got all bitch mouthy about it earlier in the show. Which I think encompasses two lessons here: 1) Every interview you give has the potential to bite you in the ass later, and 2) Going with what you know is not a bad idea. It's about time Ricky actually did the work he's capable of.

Frisky beef

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:50:46 -0600

And no, I'm not talking about half a dozen hawt guys in jock straps, fanning me with palm fronds and feeding me bonbons. Because that would be too easy.

Okay, hold on a sec while I enjoy that image...

No, what I'm talking about is this infernal cold that has had us in a stranglehold for over a week now. If it's going to be this damn cold it needs to fucking snow. Oh but no, instead it freezes the water in the kitty trough so I have to thaw it out every morning so they don't die, and it freezes the stock tank so I have to go fill up the little tank - also so they won't die.

The bad thing is, now the cattle are absolutely certain that I am the most amazing creature on earth, because I make food and water happen whenever they are most desperate. So when they see me they practically stampede to see what my next great trick is going to be. The cold makes the silly critters all frisky and happy too, so now I have to be extra wary while I'm waiting for the stupid tank to fill up, so I don't get accidentally trampled by happy hamburger on the hoof. Tomorrow I am bringing the fly swatter with me - this cuteness shit has got to stop.

Late Runway dish

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:03:06 -0600

I just haven't been in a bloggish mood lately, so this got delayed.

This week's challenge was a strange one, not something I would have expected. When they said that they were allowed to go over the top I knew that Chris had this one aced. I mean, have you seen his portfolio?

However, when all was said and done, I have to admit that I disagreed with the judges. Chris and his little monkey sidekick did indeed do a fantastic job, but I didn't really care for the ready-to-wear interpretation. The ruffly bit on the front looked kinda bleh to me. I didn't hate it, but I wouldn't dress any of my sims in it. I thought that Jill and Vicki's dress was amazing. The hubby and I were both full on WOW when that girl came down the runway. The ready-to-wear version was nice, not fantastic, but for having been done basically at the last minute I was amazed.

I was a little surprised that Kit got the auf. I was sure that if it was going to be between her and Ricky that Ricky would be the one to go. However, I didn't think it would come to that. I thought that Rami was a big whiny bitch and he deserved to go for putting out a dress that looks pretty much like ever other damn dress he's done. Where does he get off treating Sweet P like that? I am so glad that the judges saw the difference between his work and hers, and recognized that she can indeed make a beautiful dress. But I guess they don't vote you off for being a nasty fuck - we already have Jeffers and Santino (who finally repented at the last) as examples of that.

So, it looks like my hate for this season is officially Rami. Which means he is a shoo-in for the final three. Christian works my nerves, and I could see throwing water balloons at him in the wee hours of a snowy evening, but I don't hate him. I don't have any specific like this season. I like Sweet P, but I'm not sure if she'll make it. I like Chris, and he's already managed to survive the auf, so maybe he's got a shot. But mainly, I want somebody to smack Rami.

It's Wednesday, so you know what this is about

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 01:34:17 -0600

Aw, so sad that the token hetero is auf the Runway. They made them do prom dresses this week, which is similar to the time they made the designers do wedding dresses for the models a couple season's back. Except this time around there was apparently only one tough client and Christian got her.

They gave them a decent budget and time frame to work with, which was a little surprising. Usually they like to do really screwy shit to them, especially when the challenge is a potentially difficult one. So with all the resources at hand all the dresses ended up looking pretty good. As in, none of them were horrible and obviously going to lose - because you know you can't have a whole room full of winners.

I was a bit irked that Sweet P didn't win. I liked her dress way more than Victorya's. Not that Vicki's was awful, but it looked kind of maternity to me. Sweet P's was just gorgeous, and on top of that, she managed to make an excellent editing choice in not using white or ivory, as her client requested. But what do I know - I'm not a fashionista.

I was so sure that Ricky was gonna go. His dress was cute, but on that pale white girl it made her look like a ghost. He really needed to add some color or something to make it pop. I can understand them calling Kevin on his bad finishing (something that I knew was going to come up the second he said he wasn't going to finish the bottom hem), but I didn't think his dress was all that bad. At the end though, when it was just him and Christian up against the wall, I knew it would be Kevin. Because Christian's dress was the better of the two - even if it needed help.

Oh man, and it was such a laugh to see Christian get some comeuppance. I think it's his fault that Sweet P ended up in the bottom group last week because he got all nosy and told her that her first dress was bad. Yes, it wasn't perfect, but I thought her initial idea was solid and just needed some refinement. But no, that annoying little shit with the fucked up hair decided to shake her courage and she up and started all over. Little bastard almost got her voted off, and I like Sweet P. So I'm glad he got the mouthy girl who had decided she was a designer too. So glad that she stuck her fingers into his pie and mixed things up. She cracked me up.

Not impressed at all

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:26:08 -0600

I have been playing with this stupid online version of the 20Q for a while now. So far, out of about half a dozen things I've come up with it has managed to guess only one. I've played with one of the actual toys once, and I stumped it too. Now I know, some of my choices are pretty unlikely. I know it isn't going to pick something like cock ring or penile implant or anus. Hell, it almost got anus. But I also picked puzzle ring, which it quasi guessed as an engagement/wedding ring or just a ring. But no, that doesn't count on Jeopardy. It couldn't get Astroturf either, or cow poop (I would have accepted 'manure' but it didn't manage that either).

It got pi though. And really, that doesn't surprise me. I'm not going to give it a break and come up with easy things - that would be entirely pointless. But it's still sad that I can regularly come up with semi obscure things that it is incapable of guessing in twenty-nine tries. So, let's try a few more before I get bored with it:

Fascism - no, but it did get close asking if it was a political party

Vampire - feh, not even close

Pac-Man - nope, and it even asked twice if it was a pinball machine

Pirate - well sonofabitch it actually got one

Okay, let's try self-referential: the 20Q - color me amazed, it got this one too.

Okay, my opinion of the thing is raised slightly. Just slightly. I'm still annoyed that I stumped it with fucking Astroturf though.

Cenobunny

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 00:41:39 -0600

Candy dish

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 02:48:41 -0600

Well wasn't the candy challenge just so zippy. I want to raid a candy store like that!

I'm a touch irked that Elisa's auf did not include some sort of gaudy insanity. Her dress was kinda flat though - nearly cute, but just so brown and not candylicious like it should have been. Ah well. Definitely a close race between the Twizzler dress and the wrapper party dress. And even tho Sweet P managed to break the button curse she ended up in a tight spot tonight. She needs to go for it and not doubt herself so badly or she's not going to get much further.

Oh, and wasn't Chris' little number just so cute?! Loved it.

This picture makes me laugh so hard

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 05:46:47 -0600

You just know that clown is going to eat her soul. "Mmmm, tasty. Let me just nibble a little bit on your elbow." That poor kid is gonna extrude a cruller!