Ode to Justin Timberlake

I’m up rather early this morning and after a serious of dreams centered on my promotional tour with Macklemore in Las Vegas I am up starting my day with some rather disturbing images forever burned into my subconscious mind.

I fell asleep listening to the glorious sounds of Justin Timberlake, so I blame his 20/20 Experience (specifically the slightly weird Let the Grove Get In) for my unusual dream scape.  That aside, JT is back!!!!! Thank you for gracing us with part one of your two part album.  I like the grown and love-loving music you have decided to make Justin and I welcome you back with open arms.  Today’s post is not a review but more of a dedicated fan expressing a love for an amazing artist. I don’t even care if you judge me! Judge starts with J and so does Justin Timberlake!!!

I still listen to Justified and FutureSex/LoveSounds, so I am happy to add the 20/20 Experience to my rotation. It may only be 10 songs but most songs are 7-8 minutes long which is unheard of these days. Buying this CD was a pleasant surprise, like buying Tide with the 40% extra bonus pack. JT we all knew you were a designer, a film maker, a rich internet buying guru and an SNL comedic legend but we were beginning to forget you were a musician and appreciate the reminder, which is what the 20/20 Experience is for all of your fans.

CNN ran several stories yesterday (I watch it while I work out because it is the responsible thing to do on the treadmill), about the album release.  First they asked Senator Marco Rubio if he was going to buy the album. Let me say after laughing out loud at the completely frivolous and inappropriate question, his response which was no did not surprise me. Rubio doesn’t strike me as JT fan plus he is Republican and has too much going (posturing for that government takeover) to listen to grown and sexy music. But it made me appreciate the impact of pop culture and CNNs attempts to tie into the next segment.  The following story was about artists like JT who have branded themselves far beyond the music that made them famous. Being a celebrity is like filling out college applications, you need to be well rounded and resonate with the audience.  That means endorsements, clothing lines, perfumes, tv shows, and of course music. Disney has been doing this for years, creating the six-sided polygon (aka hexagon) threats we see today. Celebrities are making money off their entire being not just their talent and I’m not mad at them. Brand on kids, brand on.

Regardless of what the world thinks or even what CNN says I should think of the JT brand, I just want to thank him for making music I can get married to and for gracing my ears with an album full of soulfully eclectic tunes! In case anybody was wondering, my standout favorites so far (in order of importance in my mind and heart) are Pusher Love Girl, That Girl, Suit & Tie, and Mirrors.

Have a great day folks and make sure you listen to a little Justin…it makes the world a brighter place.

Grammy Awards Blah Blah Blah

For the first time in a very long time I actually watched most of the Grammy Awards last night.  So instead of weekend catch-up I want to cover some Grammy Award moments of interest. Good bad and ugly from last night’s awards could take up 2 entire blogs so instead I am just going to hit some high points for me.

Most overrated moments – way too much emphasis was put on the Chris Brown and Rihanna reunion.  Like Drake, I wasn’t amused! Who cares!?  If this young couple of crazy kids wants to be together then clearly they will. Why were we making such a big deal about it? We all know that if he ever does anything to her again, we will NEVER know.  Let them live people. They are destined to be the Bobby and Whitney of this generation.  Let it happen and then wait for the weird reality show! Also topping my most overrated moments list: Jack White’s performance (his creepy Elvis inspired evil eye suit made me very uncomfortable); Fun. they are talented but the song selection was terrible; and being lied to that people were going to perform but only giving them 30 seconds of air time (if I wanted a 1:30 preview of a song  I would have gone to iTunes).

Please just stop – Frank Ocean! What the hell was that? Kudos to you for running, singing, playing piano, and upsetting your fan base all at the same damn time. Your yellow suit and headband aside, I was left confused, upset, and disappointed in your live performance. I blame you Chris Brown for upsetting the balance in Frank’s mind!  Other please just stop moments included Katy Perry’s 2 Elephants in the room; Taylor Swift (at some point can the camera find somebody else to land on?) we all know she knows every song and is 16 going on 17 forever and ever; Wiz Khalifia and Miguel’s suit jackets (optical illusions distract from your talent), The Dream's hat (enough said);  that Fun. singer wearing skinny capris in the rain with no rain boots; and the red carpet because it is clear people will wear anything including curtains, astronaut suits, and explosions of tulle regardless of the respectability of the event (all we needed was Kenya Moore in some booty pads and it would have been an affair to remember)!

Top Moments (for Me) – The tribute to Bob Marley (although I would label it an acknowledgment not a tribute). Thank you for putting the Marley brothers on stage. RiRi did a good job and Bruno Mars and Sting were epic. I enjoyed Mumford and Sons and I’m glad they had some big wins last night! I also want to thank the Grammys for bringing Justin Timberlake back, music missed you JT! Clearly the top moments should go to American Idol for creating hit makers Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Idol alum are winning and singing like no others! Prince presenting was also pretty amazing, he never ages which is starting to make me consider the possibility that he is an alien (his cool is just too powerful). Just remember never touch the cane, don’t look him directly in the eyes, and avoid his pancakes; he may steal your life essence to keep his appearance young forever.  

The 55^th Grammy Awards wasn’t as eventful as I had hoped but let’s be real it never really is. I will likely go back to not watching as I have in years past. I mean if it is going to keep interrupting Walking Dead and other shows then I’m sorry it will always be on my watch via twitter list.

Have a great Monday everyone and keep an eye out for Forrest Gump, I know he is running on your mind!

Flowers in the Attic (What If Friday)

Happy Late Friday! You know what that means…it is time for another question from If (Questions for the Game of Life). Remember, my goal is to invoke thought, and encourage randomness all at the same time.  Bear with me I have had a glass or two of wine and just finished painting!!!

Question: If you could find one thing, besides money, in your family attic, what would you want to discover?

Let me start by saying attics absolutely creep me out, even more since watching American Horror Story last season!  I’m not likely to willingly go into one unless it is to retrieve money. So if I’m in said attic I hope I don’t find ghosts, possums or other living creatures, disfigured human children, or anybody elderly.   I also hope that I don’t fall through the ceiling or step on insulation (its itchy).

If I had to pick something other than money to find in my family attic, I would want historical documents (photos, letters, journals, travel orders, health records, etc) OR I would want to find music (records, tapes, sheet music, etc)! 

Family history is awesome and I don’t know mine well at all. I would love more photos and memories of my family even the family I don’t know.  They say you can’t know where you’re going unless you know where you have been!  I would rather not pay the ancestry.com fee and would much rather find that information in my family attic, in a box covered in about 25 years worth of dust!  I also hope to find it already scrap booked and in digital form (this is my fantasy people no objections)!

Music is another thing that tells a chronicled story about a person.  What does your playlist say about you??? To find the music my family members listened to through the years is a great way to have insight into history in the most creative way, plus it would give me a kick ass record collection.  I will one day own a record player and in true artsy, anti-conformity, elitist spirit I will play records on it just so I can get that crackle sound, impress my house guests, and really enjoy the classics in original form!

 That is all people…get out of the attic and go have a great night!!!

Friends come in many forms!