JB's Chapter 2

I know where I'll be going this weekend. I'm so glad he's had this turnaround. Back in the day he was the experimental menswear designer pushing fashion forward, but when he had money problems he was forced to close his business. He began chapter 2. I found this Q & A from an interview with NY Magazine:

Two years after closing his business, onetime Perry Ellis Award winner John Bartlett is back with a men’s show at the Harvard Club (his alma mater) and a vow to keep his “ego in check” and to listen more to stores about what sells. — Jacob Bernstein

What did you do after quitting?
I went to Cambodia, shaved my head, and immersed myself in Buddhism. The Buddhist monks were so beautiful.

Did you contemplate never returning to fashion?
Yes. I was supposed to start the New School’s master’s program in media studies—which is basically documentary filmmaking—next week. But I decided not to go.

Your clothes once called to mind Tom of Finland. Now you’re showing seersucker suits. Is this a real shift or just another kind of fetish?
Another kind of fetish. When I first moved to New York, I lived at the Harvard Club and I felt like Eloise at the Plaza. I was surrounded by these amazing men in Brooks Brothers suits. It was as erotic as a leather bar. But my September 2001 presentation was a prison scenario based on Jean Genet, so I do think this is a lighter take. No one’s blindfolded this time.

Was Harvard actually fashionable?
Not at all. I was walking around in Burberry trench coats or dressing up like Adam Ant. They were all in sweat suits.

You once complained that your shows cost upwards of $150,000. How much is this one?
About $8,000, the price of my first show ten years ago. After that, I spun out of control.

iBrick

I don't have an iPhone, but if I did I would be worried about these updates that Apple's putting out. What is so wrong about wanting to change carriers if you want to?

Just something that I was thinking about. Click the title for the ars technica article.

Autism on Oprah

I just watching this incredible story about mothers Jenny McCarthy and Holly Robinson Peete fighting their son's Autism diagnosis. It was a triumphant story about courage, strength and intuition.

There is no one treatment fits all!

The Kiss!!

Tim Tebow and Tony Joiner play football and live together as roommates. So what???? This country is crazy.

Boycott NBC

NBC decides to end it's relationship with iTunes and is trying to get CBS to join it and Fox in an online venture called Hulu. That's not news, but what is news is that CBS (United State's number one network) decided to decline it's offer.
Shows on network TV are supported by ad dollars. Network TV is a product used to sell another; so a popular show is a cash cow for the network and the advertising agencies, even in reruns. Since NBC is dead last in the ratings that means they don't have big money coming in like years before. That means they have to find money from as many sources as possible. Online, syndication, etc.

NBC knew their shows are doing well on iTunes. So, why not try to make a deal where you could possibly make more money by charging a higher price for the same content. This year NBC Universal fired staff and restructured it's management. Yep, NBC is fighting for survival.

NBC, try this. Create some worthwhile programming that speaks to the diversity of the United States and see what happens...you'd be surprised. Where are the Asians, Latinos and other brown people on your network? There are lots in the United States and they want to watch TV that is smart, entertaining and non stereotypical.

I'm thinking of all my friends in LA who aren't being cast because of the lack roles specific for people of color. For black men it's worse when all the roles are all taken by Taye Diggs! How does this man continue to get work when all he touches flops? Goodness, obviously he has no pull. Give someone else a chance!

In my opinion, it's about product. CBS knows that their products will make them money iTunes, for them is a tool to promote their product even further. NBC is just desperate.

Back to Life

I was out of it for a few days. Monday night I stayed up way to late and it caught up with me. Tuesday, when I got home for work I fell out for nine hours!

You know you're getting old when you stay up all night and need to sleep nine hours straight in order to function again.

Tonight: Grocery Shopping and Laundry.

And the Emmy Goes to

Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee! Yeah! and 30 Rock!

Click the title for more winners.

Greenspan Talks and Talks

"the removal of Saddam Hussein had been "essential" to secure world oil supplies"

There you have it, spoken from one of the most powerful men in the United States Government.

I'm actually considering getting his book. He's a Republican that liked Clinton. He can't be all that bad.

Thumbs Up!

The Bubble. Sexy, heartwarming, young, idealistic and chilling. That's just a start to what I felt about the movie. I don't know why it got mixed reviews, but I guess every one's entitled to their own opinion. I thought the story of two men in love/lust torn between two countries to be interesting and discouraging.

At first I thought it was going to be some bad "Threesome" imitation, but it was so much more. These friends had their own lives that meet in their apartment in Tel Aviv. I won't bore you with a synopsis, but I will say if you live in a major metropolitan community it rings so true. Eating out, parties, social drama, dating, str8's and bents together. I wanted to book a flight and head there myself, but along with the good there's the unfortunate relations between two countries.

The theme of two different cultures coming together and how one is accepting and the other not so accepting happened to me. A long time ago (back in 1997) I dated someone from El Salvador. He was very welcoming, but all of his friends spoke Spanish around me. At first I was annoyed, but it was great to see friends together in their element having a great time. I heard Spanish so much that I began to understand certain words and phrases. He on the other hand, when with my friends he didn't quite get all the jokes and cultures references to TV shows, music and movies. It wasn't intentional, but I could tell he felt left out.

Eytan Fox again makes a movie that asks questions.

What can bridge a conflict of cultures? Is it understanding or war? Neither, I think it boils down to authenticity. Is this Palestinian or Israeli man an enemy because of where he's from or because of what he believes in? Ashraf made a horrible choice because he wasn't thinking from his own truth, but of his country's truth. A truth that wasn't his own but because of his family and a tragic event felt compelled live in an unauthentic way. Of course it's not that simple. It's naive to think that it's so black or white. Israel must have it's checkpoints and protect itself as much as it can, but they must realize that every Palestinian isn't out to destroy them.

I love the title. Bubbles float above, some for an extended period of time, but eventually they all pop. After the movie was over I felt deflated, defeated and unresolved. I actually don't mind that. It's the movie with the cookie cutter endings that I can't stand.

Audra McDonald

I purchased 110 in the shade two weeks ago and have been listening to it ever since. The show resonated with me with it's themes of wanting to be in a relationship.

It's about a woman who's not married and not ready to get married until now. I saw it before it closed and was so moved by it. Audra McDonald is a definate a force to be reckoned with. Even thought I like Merrin Dungey from Alias if they're going to replace her in Private Practice I'm glad it's Audra.

Listen to the lyrics...enjoy.

"Simple little dreams will do"