Project Runway 10- Episode 5 (Women at Work Challenge)

Just a quick nod to Episode 5 and the deja-vu of Raul departing before I move on to this week's episode.

Team Challenge. Those dreaded words to a group of designers who think their skill is too superior to descend to the evil of cooperation. Surprisingly, there wasn't much drama involved with the forced companionship this week.

It was quite interesting to watch the very different psychology of the two teams and the results of two very different styles of designing and manufacturing.

"Team 5" consists of Nathan, Vin (who comments "good choice" when picked), Christopher, who then picks Fabio (although it breaks Raul's heart but Christopher doesn't think the source of his budding showmance could work on a team with Christopher), and Gunnar.

"Team 6" then would be Sonjia, Elena (OMG-WHY?), Melissa, Alicia, and this week's fat kid on the gym bleachers- Raul.

The challenge? To create a "Marie Claire at work- fashion capsule collection." The cohesive line must look editorial but also could work in the real world. Each team would also direct their own fashion shoot and the winning shot would appear in the magazine. (I wonder what effect the magazine's involvement with Project Runway has had on their sales.)

Nathan's team declared that they would use a COLOR scheme. With COLOR. As did the other team. Unfortunately, one team chose purple, the other blue (chosen by Sonijia to match her hair?), and not much more than the standards black and white beyond that. But, it's a start!

Sonjia's decision to have each team member complete two of the same pieces and then planning to match them all together on the Runway just seemed wrong to me. There's no ownership of an actual "look" but rather just the production of an item of clothing. I guess it speaks of teamwork, but this logical approach to assembly-line fashion had Smurfette racing all over Mood (forgetting a shopping bag of supplies), and had their team stressed and frantic in the workroom. Of course, the competing team's zen approach to individual workmanship did not create an enlightened product line either.

So, here's my overshadowing question for the week...

You know how the designers will often say "who" they are designing for, or the judges will ask, "Who is this girl?" Well, my question this week is, "Where does she work?" The most stand-out piece of this collection is the off-shoulder top on the second look, but unless you are a travel agent maybe, are you going to wear it to work? Or perhaps you are employed as a medium and will fashion the turban in the 4th look.  Also, that side seem in the second look? It looks like she went to the loo and pulled up her pants sideways.

 

The winning look this week, created by Melissa, was also my favorite piece. Her work overall intrigues me. I love this dramatic neck and was surprised by the zipper detail. I would totally love to have a dress with this neck... but with sleeves... that I would never wear to work.

 

 

 

I also like the small panel openings in the back of Dmitry's dress. Again, I question what the appropriate workplace for this outfit would be. But overall, Dmitry quietly and greacefully creates some well-tailored and reserved, yet creative, pieces.

 

 

Of course, it wouldn't be a Season 10 runway without a pair of "Elena's shoulders." In future seasons, Kors and Heid are going to refer to outfits on the Runway having "Elena shoulders." The gem of Madame Psychotic this season has to be this week when Elena did not like the was a team mate had posed one of their shoots and she screams out, "It looks like the model is taking a.." Well, you get the point. She's not exactly the model of grace and decorum.

Raul deserved to go home. He had in his mind the garment he wanted to make before the challenge was even announced and refused to alter it when his team mates and Tim told him it didn't belong in the workplace. Also glad to see him go home because I just hate it when any reality show brings back an evicted player.
 

Big Brother 14- Eviction #6 (Boogie) (and Ashley)

BEST WEEK of Big Brother this season!

 

Bye Bye Boogie, Bye Bye. I cannot say that it was sad to see you go. One might say that his greed to go for the 10k instead of immunity or HoH in the slip & slide challenge led to his demise. However, he knew the others were game players and he wouldn't have much competition. Not to say he didn't get blindsided by the eviction. Or even more blindsided by Ian's taped admission of orchestrating his departure.

 

 

Welcome to the game Ian! The Quack Pack kept referring to him as their "Mole." He was more like the Godfather of the Big Brother house this past week though- everyone was out to protect him. Dan and Britney refused to reveal his name as their source and Boogie is still trying to give him game advice as he is walking out of the house... until Ian tells his Yoda, Get to Stepping, referring to Boogie's departing words on an earlier season, and Chilltown knows he's been had.

Now, in reality, Ian does not possess much power in this game. His "manipulation" to get Boogie out of the house was simply revealing the details of his private conversation to his alliance. Although it made him look even more like a prepubescent teen, Britney's manscaping of the lovable geek obviously gave a lil' boost to his testosterone. And in true bildungsroman fashion, the young lad comes of age, wins his first competition and HoH (abbeviated though the reign will be).

 

He even brings an end to the fairy tale showmance that was shredded to pieces the week before on the HoH suite couch. Despite his aggressive grooming habits, Ashley said her date with Ian was "bubble gum" while her time with Frank was "risque." Even admitting the influences of CBS producers, I do have to admit their second date was rather lame. So lame, that it smoothed her path out the door... That is after losing the Veto competition when she unknowingly forfeited the competition to Frank. It seems that in a normal competition, Julie Chen would have pointed out that with only two players left, forfeiting your turn would mean you lose. However, I think even the producers at this point were like- Just get her out!

 

 

By the way, Ashley, who has a degree in elementary education,  apparently thought she would sound less dumb to say that she is a Mobile Spray Tanner than an aspiring model. AND, on her audition interview tape, she said that she wanted to start the "Snow White" alliance and the players would follow her around like the seven dwarfs. That didn't work so well, did it, precious?

 

Also precious? Shane. Who misses his doggie that he sleeps with every night. So, when a poochie pic is added to his HoH suite, he promises to sleep with it at his bed side every night. Can we just share a collection "Awww"- GAG.

 

 

Hmmm... what about this picture looks awkward to you? And although Shane was a bad puppet (!) for throwing Britney "under the bus" to Frank and the old man, he did at least protect Ian and credit JOE with telling him that the two were trying to backdoor him last week. You know that's going to earn some brownie points with me. This week's adds to Joe's ever-lengthening list of annoying traits? The "stories" from being the person to name "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" to his family selling the land the White House was built on for a mule and a fifth of whiskey. I missed that lesson in my history book, but perhaps his family could use some lessons on bartering.

 

What else does Shane do? Nominate Rocker Chick!

 

 

When she went to Shane in an effort to keep herself from nominated, I reeaally wish Shane would have said something like, "Who are you again?" She said Dan had to go up if she "had any chance of wining this game." Delusional much? She is WALLPAPER! You can go an entire episode, never see her, and not even realize it. She is being referred to as the "ultimate floater." That is giving her far too much credit. Floating can be a strategy. She is nonessential. She is not even a BLIP in the Big Brother season. It was hard to even find a picture of her to post (although props for the matching leopard ball cap and arm sleeve- ugh.) The only thing better than her trying to be all tough and threatening to Shane, was when she is put on the block and Ian says, "Good Luck Man."

Early Mornings & Late Nights

(Disclaimer: I'm cheating. I am actually writing this blog post on Thursday, but since it starts yesterday and ends today, I'm calling it legit. Also, I want a break between this "Real Life" post and The TeeVee ramblings I'm going to catch up on tonight, and that won't happen with this blog format. So, welcome to my yesterday... and today. Stick around a while, I might confuse you more ;)

I woke up before the alarm this morning. That is I woke up shortly before it was going to blaringly jar me from sleep, not as in the multiple times I wake up through the night ticked off... because I am waking multiple times through the night. (We will also overlook the fact that I had forgot I set the alarm fifteen minutes later the morning before... because that extra five minutes over the frugal ten minutes of the snooze button was so worth the extra effort. That's not even sarcasm.)

So, waking up moments before the alarm sounds is a good way to start the day. (It's also supposed to mean your body is getting the amount of need it naturally needs, but I doubt that is true in my case. More like my bladder has had all the time in bed it can handle.)

Anyway...
My second thought of the day (third if you count the bladder's input) was, "What's on The TeeVee tonight?" This ticked pissed me off for two reasons.

Number One.
I hated that I was letting The TeeVee have such an influence on my life. Seriously? I thought about it before the kids, breakfast, maybe even the bladder. Right now, one season of shows is wrapping up while another season is starting, so my schedule is pretty thick.

It looks something like this...
Sunday- Big Brother, Army Wives
Monday- The Real Housewives of New York City, Gallery Girls
Tuesday- Craft Wars, Dance Moms, The Week the Women Left
Wednesday- Big Brother, Toddlers and Tiaras, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo (hanging head in shame)
Thursday- Big Brother, Project Runway

 

Ten Shows- one three times a week. That's pretty bad for me, typically I only tune in to about three shows. Oh well, the school year started is probably going to bring home too much work to keep stuffing myself with so much Brain Candy.

 

The Second Reason this ticks me off...

Is because I am blowing the whole day off. I am disregarding any high points, important decisions, cherished moments, just life in general... by waking up thinking about how I am going to end the day. THAT really ticks me off.

 

 

I saw this posted on someone's FaceBook status the Sunday night before school started. (I promise that although I did it 2 nights in a row, I am not going to make using FaceBook posts a normal standard for blog fodder.)

The person that posted it wasn't a teacher, it wasn't even someone I really "know." However, the sentiment immediately made me reflect on the school year. The entire concept of school is built on a count down. 180 days. With our 2-semester system, it's a countdown of 90 days dangling over the head of each student. Teachers pass me in the hallway asking, "Is it Friday yet?" or  "How long until break?" I myself, although in pure jest, will always end day one beaming, "Only 179 to go!" Well, I don't like looking at my job this way. I don't like living life this way. I'm not going to all YOLO up in here but I want to shift my internal focus from that countdown mentality- till the end of the day, the weekend, the next break- and focus instead of being fully engaged in the life that is happening right then, right there. Intentional living. I know this is a Utopian ideal, but it's a good goal to work towards.

Segueway to tonight... (No boys & girls at home, do not use this as a transition in your writing!)

Tonight was a real stressor- a stressful, stressing, stressor- on the lunacy of our schedule that lies ahead. After the runing around to pick up Benjamin from day care, get Cameron from Cross County practice, take home our car-pooler, get gas, run to grocery store to get corn (and Starbucks), it had me staring dinner at 7:00 p.m.- STARTING dinner. I almost threw the entire plan out the window, but forced myself to de-stress and follow through. I get "Bad Mom" points tonight for feeding the babe cereal and banana for dinner because it was already so late. BUT, I'm giving myslf some "Good Wife" points for serving the hubs a hot, home-cooked meal as he walked through the door at 8:30 p.m. That's one small benefit of our crazy schedules right now- Jason & Justin getting home late enough that I can pull together an otherwise dysfunctional dinner plan.

What was for dinner?
Meatloaf, mashed taters, corn & biscuts

You better redneckonize!

Big Brother 14- Eviction #5 (Wil)

I will just touch on my personal highlights during last week's game play, since so much has developed since then to make theorizing worthless, but didn't want to completely skip a posting and move to the next week's ousting.

CBS opened the week referring to The Silent Six as a "Powerhouse Alliance." I must admit that I agreed. I felt pity for my nerdy lil' loner that he didn't realize that his entire alliance had turned their back on him to join the Dark Side with Boogie and Frank. While I though Ian was clueless to what was happening, it appears instead, that I was the clueless one!

The Pack is alive and quacking!

 

 

Britney immediately questions whether voting Janelle, and not Frank, out of the house was a mistake. She says "Frank wears his hair like that in public which means he has no shame and can't be trusted." Dan doesn't feel safe and thinks Frank is going to backdoor him in the Veto. Shane fears this too. Keeping Frank was a dumb move. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. He is a Powerhouse Alliance all within himself. He had to be taken out of the game when the opportunity was presented because there is no way of knowing how long it will be until that opportunity surfaces again, but show history at this point says that might be quite a while.

 

 

I was sad to see Wil go. He did indeed have some beautiful hair. Good game strategy? Not so much. Asking Frank and Boogie not to put him on the block? Smart. Refusing to reciprocate that promise for one measly week-even if in word only? Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. He played a good psychological game. Like a Thespian he could make any player believe he swallowed every lie they told, until he told us otherwise in the diary room. Sharing his high school troubles with Danielle had her caring for him like a puppy left outside in the storm. Still, he wrote his own eviction notice when he walked out of Frank's HoH suite not willing to say who he would nominate the following week if given the power.

 

 

Ashley has quickly fallen from my favored player list. The fact that she asked Frank on a "date" (Definitely a BB14 legacy) is smart game play- definitely not something we are used to seeing from her. She came onto the show giggling about how much she liked nerdy guys, but I'm not buying it. I think she feels like she would be a "catch" for any nerdy guy. But as soon as the popular jock asked her if she "wanted to make out on the couch," she forgot all about the resident geek. I don't think it was a big insult to go on the date with Frank- it was smart game play. But her back wasn't looking "out of commission" when she was rolling around on that couch. What lowered her standards even more in my eyes, is that the more attention she is given, the dumber she acts. No, she's not a bright one, as Zingbot says, but you can see her going from being generally ditzy to playing the dumb blond the more attention she is given.

 

 

The return of the annoying Zingbot. And his annoying offspring, which Frank releases from captivity when he unsurprisingly wins Veto power. Joking on Shane's pink shirt (borrowed from his niece) wasn't too zingish and Boogie being an old man, not so much a surprise. But when he announce that Shane would be getting something for Danielle- a restraining order- that was kinda priceless.

 

 

Also annoying? Still annoying? Shouting Joe! Even his wife and kids made fun of him, shouting into the cameras. As Frank says, "Joe is like a drunk girl at prom. You know she's going to make a mess, you just don't want her throwing up on your shoes."

 

Or yelling at your TV.

 



Big Brother 14- Eviction #4 (Janelle)

"Always the Big Brother bridesmaid, never the Big Brother bride."

Finally, the masterminds of the CBS production team gives some spotlight to the budding romance between Ian and Ashley, instead of force-feeding us the lustfest between the two attractive players. It was a total gagfest when CBS slow-mo'ed Shane tackling Danielle with a hug after winning the HOH competition. Danielle said she was "like hey." And, I was like, "he knows you are in power this week, duh!" Ugh...I would rather follow the fairy tale of "The Princess and the Frog" then endure much more gushing from the Southern Belle over her shirtless iron-pumping beefcake.

That Southern Belle was definitely drunk on HOH power this week. Before her Queen's Suite is even ready to ohhh and ahhh over, she proclaims that Janelle is jealous of her and she can "float her jealous @$$ out of here." That, of course, proved to be a wise premonition when the power in the house danced right into Mike Boogie's hands and pushed Janelle out the door.

Poor, poor Janelle. So surprised by the back door that she didn't even think to put on make-up for the Veto ceremony.

Explain this one to me please... Did she think that the camera would not pan over to her at any point if she was not on the block? Or, does she think by prettying up for the "Time-Out Chair," the other house guests are going to be persuaded to not vote to evict her. Oh no, can't vote for Janelle she's so pretty... with her make-up.

Of course, we have already proven that she is not the brilliant player she thinks she is and far too transparent in her meager attempts at game strategy. We see this yet again when she bemoans in the HOH Room how desperate she is to get Frank out of the house and then goes directly down the stairs and to the bathroom to whisper to Frank about the game. This whole scenario reminded me very much of when the mean girl runs for Homecoming Queen and will fake-nice with everyone just long enough to get the vote... which, like, totally works because everyone thinks it's super awesome to be, like,  her friend!

It's understandable that Janelle's questionable allegiance would make her a target in the house. Ultimately though each player in this house needs to allied to just one person and that is himself. That being said, it was plain stupid not to send home Frank when the chance was given. He is like the roach of the Big Brother nuclear fall-out. His neck has not left the guillotine all summer. Yet, he survives. He continues to survive, and win competitions, and control the fate of others in the house. I think it was the wrong move for everyone involved except Frank and Boogie, who wants to be his Puppet Master.

The Frank & Boogie Show is likely to be the only showmance to last through the season. Even Ian felt like the puppy dog left outside during the storm and sought alliance elsewhere. Realizing there is no room for him in this Bromance finally sent him for the PLAY the game and not just experience Big Brother. Although there is no doubt he will be the outcast of "The Secret Six," at least this may buy him a bit longer in the game. The floaters aren't going to see him as a threat and the powers are going to see him as a vote in their pocket.

Britney's rank will be only slightly higher than Fido's in this new power structure. Did she not learn anything the first time she joined a male-dominated alliance that pawned her and then dismissed her? She just signed her name in BB blood with the Brigade II. Her honest commentary will be truly missed when this day comes though, from her sarcasm about the circle of obligatory hugs following each ceremony to her applauding Rocker Chick for wining the vacation, "a well-deserved reward for all her hard work and strategizing in the game."

Should there be any doubt of Frank's power in the BB house, let's consider the trend he has influenced among the menfolk.

The list of annoying traits about Frank is long. On that list would be the 4-inch wide wanna-be gangsta style of wearing his bandanna. As weeks pass though, this ridiculous trend gains new followers in the house... much like The Red Tie becoming a symbol of power during Bush 2's reign.

This anointing of the Secret Six certainly has Boogie more interested in the game, after Julie Chen pointed out his pouting tantrum when forced to join his fate with the houseguests'. The other coaches express such shock at his "honesty" at not being willing to get rid of Frank or trusting Janelle. Well duh, Frank is his ONLY ally and Janelle is his biggest threat!

His fake-virtue of wanting to be "just a coach" quickly dissipated when there was a greater chance of him not being sent straight out the door. He even criticized the HOH for not nominating him. Oh me too, me too Boogs.

Project Runway 10- Episode 4

Women on the Go Challenge ("Dropping Like Flies")

First, let me start off by saying that I thought the previews last week said that Elena disappeared in the middle of the night, not Andrea. Or maybe I just got the names and faces crossed in my mind. Occasionally I make mistakes. However, the Project Runway staff obviously changed their mind and let her have her anti-psychotic meds after last week's outbursts, realizing that withholding them was not going to create the rating boost they were hoping for. Perhaps, she is just not able to sanely work with teams. I am sure her report card said "Does not play well with others."

But no, our seasoned veteran Andrea snuck out in the middle of the night like a boy brought home from the bar. Not much of a loss. I think she may have been able to stay in the "safe" level of designing for a few more weeks, but only due to there being a couple more really-bad-how-are-they-possibly-still-there designers still sending fashion bombs down the runway.

Of course, Andrea dug the hole to fashion freedom and Kooan crawled along right behind her. He felt that he needed to find his own way to make it in the industry. Apparently, he thinks selling spray-painted t-shirts with pom-poms on the street corner will give him more exposure than a nationally broadcasted platform showcasing upcoming designers. Hmmm... well, it's not his fault all these rules makes him "sad, not happy." Really? The only niche he has a chance of succeeding in is that realm of conventions where people dress up like video games characters, but I doubt he will come to see that opportunity.

So, the challenge this week was to create a look that is "stylish, practical, comfortable- and must last throughout the day." The designers were taken to Michael Kors flagship store (where, disappointingly there were no actual ships) for their inspiration. When I looked amongst the Kors goodies, there are lots of accessories- heavy yellows and oranges, clothes with an almost nautical feel (or maybe I am just influenced by that "flagship" label) in bright yellows and turquoise blues.

And, the designers creations? Black, gray, brown, tan, Guldens-mustard-yellow. Can we please get some color this season?! Ok, can we please get some color from a good designer!

The winning looks had a similar feel/taste/inspiration. On the runway, I preferred Christopher, but seeing the dress better in still photo makes that side knot rather sloppy and overdone. Maybe I was just dazed by the pretty little leather jacket. Usually, a well-tailored jacket will always push you toward the win. I liked Dmitry's dress best- think it had the most style and skill, but will grudgingly admit that Sonjia met the challenge better. There was something about that shoulder that I didn't like. The whole outfit just looks a bit too easy, but I guess that relates to comfort.

The top three designers were very good this week... and the bottom three designs were really... bad.

Buffi- I think Kors nailed it on the head when she says that she uses kookiness to hide a lack of talent (and yet... she got on the show...) This was just a mess. Early in the show she said that it's not a big deal that Andrea left because she wouldn't be around much longer any way. Umm, total denial? Her personality will surely be missed among this crop of bland folks, but alas, we can only let that keep her around so long, especially when designers are "dropping like flies."

Raul- Holy 80's Batman? I know fashions recycle, but this one should have been composted. What a waste of a chance to be back on the show.

Fabio- It's a shift dress. It's Home Ec 101. It's far too short (insert Christopher's vulgar comment about just how short here.) I could not believe how much the judges (and Tim) were complimenting this fabric choice. It screams K-Mart to me! It looks like it would be used to create an over-sized top with an elastic waist-band. Not exactly Project Runway material.

There were some bad designs, oddly curious designs, and hinting-at-brilliant designs that fell in the middle of tonight's runway critiques. It will be interesting to see  how all of these "safe" designers scurry as the competition narrows.

Elena- Tim pointed out that she was, YET again, recycling THE SAME design we have seen from her in every.single.competition. So, what does she do? Cut open that boxy-shouldered creation and call it a jacket! It looks like something in the wardrobe closet for Golden Girls.

Melissa- This is the design that I find intriguing. It's not "good"... but it's not bad... you just keep looking at it saying, "What exactly is it?" For the sake of this challenge though, no one is going to wear that outfit all day long unless they are on the set of a Star Wars movie.

Gunnar- I was disappointed in this look this week only because I wanted more of it. I like the ombre layering of that skirt but I wish it had a few more flaps. I know it walks a thin line between classy and Southern Belle  fluffy skirt, but a couple more panels would have been nice though. I like this look and think it is very high-end, but it doesn't speak "comfortable." That skirt is among my favored pieces this week though.

And next week...
A group challenge. Drama, much?
I really wish they would slap down a challenge that demands more color.

Project Runway- Week 3

So, after last week's candy craptastophy, we are given the. most. boring. challenge EVA' on Project Runway. Also, the most pathetically obvious example of product placement in reality show challenge history.

Contestants were taken to a lot of Lexus cars and given a key. The car to which their  key fit was to be their inspiration for this challenge- creating an Emmy red carpet look for a Project Runway alumni. And by "inspiration," we totally mean your dress must be the color of of your car. I'm sure the designers could barely contain their creative brilliance... and yet they DID. It would have been far more entertaining to watch them use car parts to create accessories for their red carpet look (yes, I realize that's another show).

Oh, but it gets better! Not only must designers dampen their creative mastery and deal with some major Diva issues from PR has-beens, they must also work in teams. Assigned teams. Surprisingly for a random draw, the teams were rather well-balanced with a designers of a higher skill set and a weaker contestant. As Elena pointed out again and again. And again.

My fave Ven won another challenge.

I love Kinley and I love her style. This dress is very much her style but I don't think it speaks "red carpet" at all. Sonija said Kinley could go to church in this dress and no one would even notice. Well, I do think it would be awful nice for church, just not for rubbing elbows with Tom Cruise. I like the detailed pleating. I just wish they had done this in at least a quarter-length gown. Of course, the greatest factor in this design's success was Kinley's attitude because her love for it was evident coming down the Runway.

The same cannot be said for Irena in the Kardashian bride gown created by Gunnar and Kooan. She obviously didn't care to go to the Emmy's.

It's an insult to the judges for this dress to have made the top two. As they are leaving for the runway, Gunnar says this is an "awful white dress" and the judges are going to eat it up. Kooan is traumatized to have to fix the Frankenstein stitching across Irina's backside because the dress makes him "sad, not happy." We learn two things with this creation- a train can cover bad workmanship, and the well-placed accessory and make a bland design appear more extraordinary.

Maybe I am just dazzled by sparkles in this bland, bland challenge, but I like the designs made for April and Valerie. Valerie obviously does not have a model's body, but they really could have done something a little more elegant with her hair. April's dress was original but modest in the front, then caught you with a sexy surprise in the back.

Unsurprisingly (and thankfully), the challenge of teamwork lent drama to this week's episode (since the dresses had so little). First there were Elena's psychotically-laced temper tantrums towards Buffy. And her reason for being such a mean wench? "Because in the Ukraine you have to fight daily for your food to survive." Yeah well... the food during the production of the show is free, so nice try... wench. And as she was sketching out her design, what did we see? The exact same dramatic shoulders silhouette used for hr last two designs. Buffy does lack skill and will be leaving soon, but you have to pity the poor lil' leopard-headed chick for having to put up with the evil brat this week. Hopefully the teaser is not misleading and Elena really has disappeared from the show.

The other candidates for "Cutest Couple" would have to be Christopher and Andrea. Oh, how quickly that showmance faded away within one episode. Christopher went from saying how much he wanted to learn from everyone on the shaow, especially the most experienced member that has dressed celebrities, to not having the ability to be rude enough to say about Andrea what he wanted to on the runway. And, with reason! I wanted to like her... but I just can't. I don't know how any student is going to cinsder her a capable mentor after this show. She laughs about spending all day "doing really crappy work." She knows that she's close to kissing Heidi goodbye, that's why she's playing "sour grapes"- saying before the critique, "If I get knocked out it's a relief at this point." I hate-hate-HATE when anyone on a reality show says that. It's such a cop-out, an effort to look like you don't care when you know you are about to lose. I think Andrea is the one that should have went home.

The dress that Alicia and Raul made was frumpy. It was bland and not the perfect fit, but the basic construction far exceeded that of Anya's gown made by Christopher and Andrea- a Hershey bar interrupted by a studded belt according to Kors. The slit is too high. The seam for the slit is crooked and poorly stitched. The cowl neck is obviously a make-shift add-on, and the eye-hooks were grossly visible on the back of the neck.

Unfortunately Raul said he "hated every single minute of this challenge" and it shows. It would be quaint to say that this week's episode was a good lesson in seeing how attitude affects work, but that fails when Gunnar's "awful dress" that makes Kooan "sad, not happy" is praised on the runway.

Big Brother- Noneviction Week (The Reset)

Finally caught up on all the episodes that aired (and drama that went down) while I was out of town.
Another good week BB, lots of good (yet unsurprising) twists.

This not-a-showmance between Shane and Danielle is getting rather boring. I find it deliciously evil that Shane outright declared that he would have preferred that JoJo stayed in the house... but since she didn't, he'll just hook up with Danielle... but not hook up... but hook up. Obviously, CBS in a desperate attempt to create some showmance this season, keeps peppering them with leading questions and editing the aired clips to make it look like more than it is.

Much more interesting is Rocker Chick hitting on Danielle! Oh come on, you know she was... that patio pow-wow when she told Danielle that she likes to treat her woman like a queen and "make love to her brain." Even though the President of Chick-Fila may bring eternal damnation onto CBS, that could be an interesting twist to the summer's plot. The love battle between Shane and Rocker Chick for Danielle's affection would definitely be more entertaining than the spin-a-bottle kiss that had Danielle acting like an innocent bride on her wedding night.

I have seen my share of odd, lame, exciting, confusing, and disgusting competitions on reality shows, but there really aren't words to describe the coahes' competition thi week. It was a blurry neon blend between a cheesy adult film and an 80's Olivia Newton John video.

Frank definitely has game! From his directing Boogie to give Ian the $3k following this challenge to his super-secret alliance with Shane. That worked well. Of course, we have to pity the neglected son of wrestling legend, Sid Vicious! Oh, what a twist that was! Not. Who cares? What was more sad that Ian blubbering over the $3k? Frank's mom tenderheartedly sharing that Frank just doesn't know how much Pappa Sid is "into the show." As if that makes up for all those missed t-ball games. I bet he is "into" the show... and any potential path it could get him back to the limelight. I am not a Franko-fan and cringe every time he and Boogie do their little Dr. Will-flashback hip checks.

What I am a big fan of though, is the Diva War between Janelle and Will. Janelle is going to declare to Brittany that "when I get sad I just change my emotions," then try to turn on the waterworks as she claims to be so upset that Will thinks she doesn't respect him as a player. And? He read her- like. a. book. "Act One, Take Two."

I was also a big, BIG, fan of the Yelling Chef finally being on the block. We were this close to getting him out of the house. THIS close. Oh, but he made himself so much more adoring this week. First there was the breakfast delivered to Shane, in bed, the morning after he won HOH, delivered with, "Sir Shane: This is my apology and ass kissing for the week." Then, Janelle sends him up to the loft to talk "hearts and butterflies" with this week's powers to be, and what does Soul Patch do? Curse to knee-sock wearing Shane about how much "THIS SUCKS." Oh but out brave brave nearly-evicted lil' soldier redeemed himself in his "last chance" speech, right? He declared that "The President of the United States has the right to Veto while in office," and he implores Shane to "Be like the President." Such powerful words.

Joe is a one-man idiot parade, as Britney's impression so clearly demonstrated.

THIS close, but saved by the twist. Well, one player was saved by the twist. Frank probably would have the numbers stacked against him and left, but still... SO close. Those stacked odds are what made Superstar Shane feel safe enough to stab Frank in the back and put him on the block. But the twist, oh the twist... he better hope Frank doesn't win HOH soon.

Project Runway- Week 2

Ahhh, the Unconventional Materials challenge. Haven't we done candy before? My initial thought was making a "chain mail" open vest with Life Savors. Of course, that is probably heavily influenced by the jewelry that I have been working with lately.

In the biggest news this week, Ven is Vindicated! I really think he was cheated out of a win last week. During the working stages, I wasn't too confident that his dress was going to have the "wow factor" this week because of the muted colors, but the design, outlined in black licorice really pulled it all together.

He still remains my favored designer. I accept his arrogance (Confidence in talent gets such a bad rap in our falsely humble society.) However, I was a little disappointment with his announcement that he graduated top of his class at FIT and unprecedentedly won all four of the awards given to the graduated class. That bristles against my romantic notion of the show discovering a novice. I also question how long ago that was... because why hasn't that already gotten him somewhere in the industry?

I think the great snub this week went to Dmitry. He, rather than Gunnar, should have been in the top three.Gunnar's dress, although well-coordinated with his hair, was falling apart on the runway. The styling of it was "cute" but the construction was not Top Three standards in my opinion. Dmitry's dress had great movement. The other designers commented that it looked like beading. I would see that dress on the street and possibly not even realize it was adorned with candy. In the creator's own words, "It's the perfect balance between fashion and candy."

I must also give a nod to Sonjia. I didn't like this gal at all last week Despite the Smurf-doo, I thought she was going to be a "Play It Safe" designer, at best. However, I think everything about her nautical-hued dress this week was surprisingly adorable, especially the gummy shark bib- which could have gone either way. The reverse blazer opening to the back of the dress was classy and well-tailored. It was overall just a very clean-cut, nicely detailed, well-tailored piece. She may be able to pull off being the "fun" designer without going to ridiculous extremes... like SOME OTHERS! (I am not even going to give Kooan blog-space this week.)

Lantie going home was definitely not any lost to the creative flow of the show. Her apathy was too much to deal with another week. She is going to complain about the lack of time the designers are given being her detriment when, #1- she was given just as much time as every other designer (that made creative and well-tailored looks with the same supplies), and #2- she was walking around the shop EATING candy rather than planning how to use it for her look! She described her own look as "girlie with an edginess to it." There is nothing edgy about her look. More like a "laziness" to it. I am well aware with the editing schemes of reality shows to villainize characters, but Lantie was flaunting excuses from her arrival to her departure... such as blaming her boutique failure on the "market crash." Oh, and she lost this challenge because it was "nothing like what she normally does." As if the other designers sat around on Friday nights making Barbie dresses from Fruit Roll-Ups?

Lastly, for this episode, I will just add that although I am not at all Buffi fan, she did endear herself to me just a bit when she said about the critique, "I did actually poop a little up there." Yes, I know, only I would be moved by self-proclaimed flatulence.

Big Brother: Eviction #2

How great was this week?

#1-
Russell Jr. is gone in a wave of more self-imploding drama than I could have even scripted.
And, let's take a moment to reflect on this "fight."

Jason's comment to me during this scene was if he fought like Joe, I would divorce him. I replied that obviously I would have to kick the butt of whomever he was fighting with first! I have to admit, I do wish Willie got in one good punch before he was ousted. That "fight" was more lame than a Baby Daddy Brawl on Maury. Hantz is obviously "bad boy" enough... since he was arrested for intoxicated driving just days after his premature house exit. Besides, that new "I'm so effing cool and not the old man" 3-inch long soul patch Joe is growing only adds to the reasons he is too annoying to continue suffering.

#2-

Ian's mommy obviously orchestrated a plane to fly over and drop his bottle of Ritalin tied to a lil' parachute into the Big Brother compound, because this week he went from the pestering freak back to the adorable geek. In searching for a picture of Ian in his cute lil' bow tie, I came across instead a pic of Ashley getting undressed after their date... in the Have Not Room... with Ian sitting on the "bed" behind her. What's up with that?!

#3-

Bye bye JoJo. Her lack of irritability factor is only due to others in the house being far higher on that scale. For me, evictions this week were a toss up. It didn't change the game for me much regardless of who left. She was a bit too hung up on being the caricature of a New York girl though. The only benefit of keeping her was the potential battle lines that could be drawn with her/Shane vs. others. (Aligning themselves with Willie will be like Herpes. He may be gone, but the effect of having been with him will keep coming back to haunt his weak alliances.) There's no hint of a great house divide yet. That will be inevitable when the alumni (unsurprisingly) join the game.

#4-

The ironic chain of HoH winners! Willie stabs Frank in the back, then Frank gets the next HoH. Frank puts Shane on the block, who saves himself, and then wins HoH. Retribution is the featured entree on the Big Brother menu so far this season. And Boogie suggesting that they backdoor Shane (not put him up for eviction but use him as a replacement nominee)? Even Rocker Chick (who I still despise by the way) knew "Pawns always go home!" Yes, granted, that would have worked given this week's scenario... but not if Shane wasn't on the block and therefore competing for the Veto to save himself. That is such a rookie mistake Boogie... tsk, tsk.

#5-

Showmances! How quickly did the budding affection between Shane and Danielle end when she was put up for eviction against JoJo? He did not even TRY to fake empathy towards her! Yes, he may have proposed an alternate plan to Frank to keep her off the block, but once she was pitted against JoJo, he gave her the cold shoulder. Antarctic Baby! Then, he was the ONLY vote for her! It will be interesting to see in this upcoming week if he will be overcompensatingly nice to her given his safe position.

And of course, we cannot mention the summer camp phenomenon that is Showmances without one more nod to Ian and Ashley!

I would say "my two favorite players" hooking up... but Ashley's attempts to prove what a dingbat she was this week were disappointing. Unfortunately, even though she has proclaimed "flying under the radar" to be her strategy, I don't think it's an act. She was so bad at that "Nacho Menu" memory game that she made Janelle look smart.

Project Runway, Week 1

Project Runway is my absolute favorite show. I watch several reality and reality game shows, and this is the only one that I can say I have never missed a season (an episode?) of. I'd like to say that it's my dream to sew like this. But I think that's an abuse of the word dream. I think learning to sew is an achievable task, and like most things, with practice, learning to sew well is also achievable. I am definitely going to put it on my craftiness time table.

For the Season 10 premier, I was glad to see Beatrice go home. I tossed her on the bad designer side of the list as soon as she said that she was a "nonsewer" and it took her four weeks to complete her "first look." Both outfits that she sent down the runway looked like sleepwear. I realize that in the "real world" of fashion design there may be minions to do the menial tasks like sewing, but I think for Project Runway, the ability to visualize a look is only half the competition. You should be able to masterfully create the look too. There has already been one season winner that didn't know how to sew... and for heaven's sake, we don't need another season of "draping" winning the runway.

I would have been just as happy to see Kooan go home though. I am all about the kooky guy and I love the designer that creates unconventional looks. I am a huge Mondo fan! However, I think Kooan's attempts at being eccentric are contrived and forced. And I think that his clothes were a mockery of the show, specifically the monochromatic Twister jumper that Michael described as a Telebtubby's vomit.

Alicia (dread locks)'s red hooded jumper, however, I really liked. It had a fashion forward style and a casual feel. I would n-e-v-e-r wear a romper. However, I have often liked the ones I have seen on the runway. It takes real artistic talent to create this look without it looking like a maternity jumper.

The other piece I thought was overlooked was Andrea's long gown. I tend to always like the older female designer. (Maybe because I know I will be old when I figure out how to sew this well, ha!) The only thing I don't like is that she is so well-degreed in art and teaches fashion. I don't like, in general, when there are designers that have done runway shows, or own a boutique, or just have a lot of experience in the field. I like the romance of a novice being given their "big chance" at stardom and success.

My favorite look on the runway tonight was Ven's white pants suit. I loved the pleated flared legs with matching cuffs. Loved the fuchsia color stark against the white and the twists and tucks of the top of the bodice. I would actually wear this look (a rarity for anything that comes down the runway)!

Although there is a handful of lackluster talent, namely Leapord Head (Buffi) who was Retro 80s, not in a good way, there does seem to be an abundance of talent this season- architectural stylists with classic taste and clean designs- Elena, Gunnar, Dmitry. However, I foresee a lot of runway commentary about "playing it safe" and needing to "break out of your comfort zone." There was a lot of black on the runway during the season premier and that cannot last for long before the judges' criticism begins.

Big Brother- Eviction 1

I would have preferred to say Week One, but with the emphasis that the guests have been in the house 13 days (how?) that would be confusing.

Well Ian... dear, dear geeky lil' Ian... you are a bit too much. I will have to resend my previous prediction that he would make it to at least the half-way point, and perhaps further if pawned. Instead now, I am apt to predict that his longevity in the house is solely based on how long there are bigger targets to attack (such as Russell Jr. in the upcoming week, yee-haw, sweet justice ahead for Frank? Yank the knife out of your back and throw it at Willie a la the spinning lady at the circus with an apple on her head?)

One trick to surviving on an a reality show where your peers determine your time of game death is to secure a "role" for yourself. Are you the one everyone confides in? Are you the one that cooks or cleans?  (The benefits of this role become moot when you attempt to cook the house's entire ration of  food such as the "I-must-yell-at the camera-in-the-diary-room-to-prove-my-testosterone-level Joe, who is quickly going to turn this to a game of "Survivor" instead of "Big Brother.") 

Or, you may become the entertainer. I have a feeling that Ian has used self-deprecating behavior often in his life to try and gain the favor of those around him. Ironically as he was kicking himself in the head, literally, this past week, I told Jason that could have been his bully-avoidance technique. Seriously, who is going to hurt a guy that starts beating the crap out of himself? That party trick is only entertaining for a fleeting moment and is going to be rekindled far less often than streaking through the house with the other guy's hats cradling your genitals or camping out on the bathroom couch in hopes of getting a boob peek.

This, of course, being ironic with Frank's ploy to label Russell Jr. as a bully in the house tonight. This was a smart move in the sense of the sheeple mentality of house guests to follow the latest stated opinion and thus come together to label a common enemy. I don't think it was very effective though as a last-minute plea to survive eviction. Do you think any players are undecided or change their mind at that point in the game? The best use of the "Final Plea" is to make a proclamation that will affect the next round of game play. As Frank did. Well played Carrot Top. 

Russell Jr., instead, would have liked to paint Mike Boogie as the common enemy. Now, I could be in support of this for two reasons: Number One, it is creepy to be 41 years old and refer to yourself as "Boogie." Number Two, I am already fed up with his self-promoting t-shirts, as if his egocentricity needed such tangible proof. However, that sheeple mentality of the house guests is most evident in their willingness to follow the advise of their "Coach." There are beginning to be rumblings of the understanding that the Coaches are playing their own game, not the house guests' game, but no one has been willing to act upon that belief yet. Even though I agree with Brittney that they are likely to enter the game later, and thus you do not want to make enemies, all the house guests are too willingly abiding by the alliances that they were thrust into by the spinning beds. (I wonder if CBS sees this playing out and thus instigated the Coaches' swap next week?)

Ashley is my favored player for the win right now, mainly because she reminds me of an endeared Key Clubber. But she does face the danger of being wallpaper and becoming a floater. And Wil (with one l... of course) is my favored player by which to be entertained. Russell Jr. is who I want to go... go, g-o, GO... next. I appreciate the value of a villain to the plot, but I am content just disliking Boogie for now. Please don't let Frank be stupid enough to fall for a deal. I still really dislike Rocker Chick but she if flying to far below the radar to be targeted right now.