Humpday Confessions (Music Edition)

Yesterday, I actually said this in the office after listening to the the NPR podcast called, 'The Chronic' 20 Years Later: An Audio Document of the LA Riots: "I loved rap in 1993. That is when rap meant something! Not like the rap you hear today." Officially made my generation's old lady remark.  You are welcome.

This year will mark my 20 year high school reunion. Looking back at growing up in Wichita is far different than the current world I live in now. The message of that time still resonates 20 years later. Listen here.

Road to the Oscars: Trivia Tuesday

What film director and screenwriter from Kansas created a ballet that was based on Martin Luther King, Jr. called, Martin? The ballet premiered in 1969 and was later screened on national television.

Road to the Oscars: Monday Minute Movie Review

Silver Linings Playbook

Can a romantic comedy about mental illness help audiences reach an understanding to the disease? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

Oh, the last topic I would like to tackle this past year. On two occasions a couple of friends and I laughed on this year about the fine line of the "crazies" that human beings are capable of exhibiting. We are all crazy.* Bottom line. Of note, my heart went out to a certain individual battling an injustice this weekend. My God Almighty, as a witness, has nothing to with her own illness. One betrayal became a catalyst to her mental health improvement. And another became a battle she is intellectually prepared to fight.

Some parallels are these two stories. Both stories are filled with hope.

Pat, played by Bradley Cooper, has battled not only an injustice of going through the stages of accepting the bipolar diagnosis, he has to live through the consequences of his reaction to a betrayal. His character weaves (like a Philadelphia wide-receiver) through the ensemble cast of enablers, addictions, depression, obsessions, and compulsions to accept the truth for himself. His mental health matters.

My favorite scene is where Tiffany, played by Jennifer Lawrence, is frantic over tying a bow tie for her new friend and dance partner, Pat. Pat stands silently as her efforts fail. His gaze is fixated at Tiffany's behavior and his new revelation about her. Tiffany is frantic with the thought she is continuously failing her own progression. Both have secrets and the audience knows each hand up to this point. The hints are subtle. Pat is speechless, for once, not manic.

Worth watching the development of the two main characters.The topic is not as depressing as my first impression of this movie. Don't be afraid.

I laughed out loud twice and clutched the security of my popcorn during the manic episodes. Isn't classical comedies but a series of loss and hope with moments of polar extremes? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

*100 years ago when I took Psych 101, Dr. Boyd told us not to diagnose ourselves. We all exhibit a moment of erratic and/or irrational behaviors link to one or more disorders. ::thanks::

Road to the Oscars: Humpday Confessions

I actually said today, "you know, as much as I want to identify myself as Melanie, in Gone With the Wind, someone so sweet and full of goodness, I'm afraid I identify with Scarlett."

Road to the Oscars: Trivia Tuesday

What 2013 Oscar nominated individual shares the same birthday as me, lists Rosemary's Baby as one of his favorite movies (meeeeeee too), is one of my favorite directors/screenwriters, and inspired stylists and fashion lines with retro technicolor pieces for years after one of his movies?

Monday Minute Movie Review (Road to the Oscars)

Django Unchained *Read in Tarantino Style

Django Unchained is off the hook! Okay, that was corny and so was the very last minute of the movie. What do you expect from a "spaghetti southern" genre? It is a genre. Tarantino invented it. And I appreciate it. For you well read literary types that loved Midnight in Paris, Tarantino references the works of Alexander Dumas and German folklore. Don't worry you don't need to read up on any of the works prior, because he introduces the two very well and effectively.  So, yes, historical fiction, with an emphasis on the noun.  If you want historically accurate account of slavery watch, Lincoln. But this movie is as accurate as Inglourious Bastards was to Nazi history.  But no one watches Tarantino movies for accuracy, you watch it because it is a smart, fun, and can bring the likes of almost-forgettable actors, such as Tom Wopat's, career back to life. (Is it?)

Extra! Read All About It!

Check out The Obvious Fashion Tip Paper! Bookmark it, subscribe, read!

Also Nikki Northstrom is on Twitter. Didn't see the relevance when I had an account like a zillion years ago. Now I get it. Some things I learn in my schooling that I am excited to utilize right now. Also send me your ideas of fashion topics you wish to see in the daily news

Besos!

Fashionable TV Moments: Cain's Sunglasses, Newspaper Trenchcoat, and a Hair Away From Winning an Emmy

Where have I been? Missed half the Emmy's, forgot predictions, and no fashion watch. I'm either slipping or social calendar has been neglecting TV viewing. Geez. There are so many hours in a day and so few left in my DVR memory.


On CBS tonight, I was fully satisfied in the one and only CSI the Bainbridge/Northstrom household has set on "record." The origin of Horatio Cain's sunglasses were revealed. Indeed, great season premiere of the, my prediction only, last season of CSI Miami. I have a feeling it is on the last leg of the series.


Last week on Lifetime, if you are keeping score of the Bainbridge/Northstrom blind pick tally. The score is:

Mr. Bainbridge's Blind Pick 1

Ms. Northstrom's Blind Pick 0

Both NY contenders are still in the ring and Epperson came painstakingly close to winning the two episodes before. Now a few shows into the season I believe Epperson has more experience and a clear POV on his side compared to Irina. We shall see. Irina's winning design was not very forward. But I must say the newspaper constructed faux fur was fantastic. I've personally worked with newspaper in art class and capturing that look with such a near perfect installation of each crinkled piece is impressive. I don't think I would have had the patience given only one day to design and construct such a time consuming flair. ::Whisper:: With that being said, overall Christopher should have won. You decide. Epperson, still rooting for you!

And last night at the Emmy's I was only disappointed that Stephen Colbert didn't win Outstanding Individual in a Variety or Comedy Program. Geez, how can you compete with Don Rickles. I didn't watch his performance so I can't intelligently compare the two. I'm not even a big Colbert fan. But this summer I started to watch his show religiously after his special in Iraq. First upon hearing the premise of the week, I rolled my eyes over the thought it was a ratings ploy. Yeah, trying to get that Emmy nomination. I was compelled to record the first episode in Iraq to see how it would play along and after hearing all the news hype over Obama's order to shave Colbert's head.






Far from my expectations, I thought it was the best in television last summer. Watch Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando in case you missed it this summer. You won't be disappointed. Bob Hope would have been proud.

Fark & Back to School Fashion Tips

If you can recall several years back when I did the show on back to school fashion, well congratulations, you have a great memory. Then I did another show where I recycled the year before's back to school fashion segment except I added a school administrator's favorite saying and provided listener self promotion. And I believe a year after that I recycled that show with more listener self promotion and possibly a letter written by "Kevin." (Think Gilda Radner SNL Skit.) And remember how I said reinvention is pretty much where I'm going at this point in the blogging world? Yeah. Fark is a great inspiration.


"And your point is what?"


If you are new to the world of Nikki Northstrom and her Obvious Fashion Tips, I must explain. Wait, I must also explain to fellow OFT fans and followers from the KOW, too. Because the concept of the show wasn't really appreciated for the original intention of the show. For those short on time and need a succinct answer: Farkly tongue and cheek with a slice of Onion never caught wearing Fox. ::Sigh:: So last season.

What has two thumbs and believes finding a new t-shirt is upgrading a wardrobe?

Surprised? I hope not. Don't get me wrong, I love new clothes and like to look presentable, polished, and sometimes funky. My everyday attire is pretty mute and overly accessorized.

Nikki Northstrom came out the day she was outside a Home Depot hanging with the new midday DJ while Tony Richardson was signing autographs inside. (This is about as fabulous as the 'burg gets.) We were rehashing a story Miss Midday's mom, Precious, experienced in a PF Changs' powder room on the Plaza the weekend before. Two JoCo girls were loud and snarky about an unfortunate victim to the Nordstrom's prom fashion while Precious was powdering her nose. "Nooo, not Nordstroms," Precious turned to them and sarcastically gasped. "Yes, can you believe it? Nordstorm's for a Prom dress," they snorted.

Somewhere, somehow, I started playing a scene in my head publicly in front of the Depot and proudly showed my badly executed New Jersey accent imagining I had hair out to here and believing I was a Nordstrom fashion consultant. "Hi, I'm Nikki Nordstrom. Gosh it's sunny. Wear some sunglasses. Oh, the new black is black." Yeah, I guess we thought she was funny and Miss Midday pitched it and the rest is history. Didn't want to take on the Nordstrom name for, you know, all those silly copyright stuff. And I think her surname suits her since she has been deemed a "Yankee" by her Southern friends.

So there you go. The beginning of Nikki Northstrom. Don't take her too seriously, because she doesn't. Oh, and your Nikki Northstrom's Obvious Back to School Fashion Tip: no front or back cleavage, no problem.

Keep it classy and obvious and no one gets hurt.