PR: RED!

So, I did things backward this week, and I kind of liked it. I recorded the show because I had work to do. Then, before I watched the show, I looked at the pictures online and read Tim's blog. Then, I watched the runway show in a rerun, but not the first part. Then, I watched bits and pieces of the show I'd recorded. I think I caught all of it by now.
I caught enough to know, for example, that this was a better "everyday woman" challenge than past efforts. People were respectful to their models, and the complaints about ladies' sizes were kept to a minimum, and only as a personal challenge sort of thing, not an actual complaint. More than usual seemed pleased about designing for full-sized women, like Mila. I like the prize for this challenge, a place in a gala runway, and the challenge itself was interesting--and forced the designers to use color In all, given the reality that the dress would be made and sold to people, I think the judges made the right choice on the winner, and I was glad to see Amy pull one out. I think she's doing well at responding to the challenge at hand, keeping a point of view without getting precious or obstinate about meeting challenge constraints.
And it is interesting, no, that after the frustrations over Jesus and Ping staying in, they are both out shortly thereafter? Gives a sort of feeling of rightness.

Enough chitchat. The garments:
Amy (flowy red strapless): Practical and pretty. I know some might not be happy with the deconstructed work she did as trim, but this dress moved beautifully and would be appealing to many customers. Kind of wish it wasn't strapless, but I think Amy did well on enhancing a current trend (the maxi-dress) to fit this challenge. This was my favorite garment this week. Adventurous it was not, but that wasn't the point.
Anna (red with nude shoulders and trim): Even Anna knew she'd made some bad choices. The colorblocking idea wasn't a terrible one, but doing it in nude (essentially tan) with bright red was not a good move, nor was the design of the colorblocking. It could be argued that the dress would look nice on a thin model-type, but I'm not so sure. The colors and design of that blocking...I just think not.
Anthony (red skirt and vest): I'll just say it--I thought this look was whorish. It was too short and too tight, and the design of that little vest gave more volume to the woman, not less. Talk about questionable taste level.
Ben (long dress with slit and gold beltlike area): Tim's Take is all about Ben. While I have liked some of his work, other garments not so much. With this dress, I didn't really care for the armpit/shoulder treatment (that's not going to be comfortable, especially if you are freshly shaven or waxed!). I also didn't admire the fit of the top half. The midsection treatment was interesting, but I didn't care for the color and I think it has useless buttons...not very appealing. Is it a hideous dress? No. But I can't figure out why Tim is so gaga over it. There were also some construction errors. Essentially, it looked like it was trying to combine a glamorous look with kitcsh elements, and I wasn't sold.
Emilio (strapless babydoll): This look was pretty safe. Emilio in general seems to do pretty and safe looks a lot. The fabric even had dots on it, which made the whole thing borderline cutesy. It was a dress I might wear if I looked nice in that shade of red, and if I could wear a strapless like that, but this was not a winner for its simplicity. I'd like to see Emilio and his cute little dresses kick it up a little.
Janeane Marie (red dress with white crepey trim): For some reason, JM liked her hem. What the what? a half hearted bubble with a strange white underbelly? I find the bottom of this dress incomprehensible enough to kill any sort of interest I had in the top.
Jay Nicolas (red carapace bustier with red skirt): I found this dress kind of regal in a Queen of Hearts sort of way--seriously, can't you see her wearing this? The model looked very sweet in it. I found the top construction interesting, but ultimately questionned its reproducibility for the sales on the website. I also am not sure how I liked the Campbell's fabric used as piping at the waistline. I recognize there weren't too many options, but that's not what I would have chosen.
Jesse (red dress with white jacket): Jesse was falsely panned. There was obvious trouble with the fit of his straps, but I really liked the fit of his skirt in front and liked the shape of the garment from the back. I didn't mind the jacket at all, but would have preferred it unbuttoned, I think. I really did not expect to see him in the bottom 3. This look wasn't a winner, but it was better than at least 3 of its competitors.
Jesus (red with rhinestone straps): Oh, dear. Now I think, sans rhinestone straps, maybe with something else up there, people might wear this dress. But this garment really did look like that of a hooker. A high-class hooker, maybe--I could see her in a Vegas hotel--but...but...no. In addition to the questionnable taste, the top half of the dress looked really badly sewn. Just no.
Jonathan (deep red tiered dress): Tim is also very about Jonathan. My problem with this dress started when the front of the dress looked like a back. The model has a flat or low chest, seemingly, like mine. Thus, I don't know if the look of the top was all that flattering on her since it enhanced her flatness. I sometimes like tiered dresses, but I thought this one was a little too voluminous and thus borderline dust ruffly. Also didn't like the bright red and white Campbell's logo for the belt, nor the weird bright red chiffon part of the bottom tier in the back. It looked like he ran out of fabric. Props, though, for using a color of deep red that would suit more ladies.
Maya (red dress with half a heart): I liked Mila's idea with the heart. I was all about that. I am not sure how I felt about the gold color of said half heart, but I thought the front was striking in a good way, if not executed as well as I (and Mila) would have liked. I didn't like the weird cut out with the back (in fact, several designers did something similar, and none of them succeeded). I like the conception of this dress more than its result, but I respected it.
Mila (gown with white stars): Okay, go with me here--when I saw this dress, I thought, Fourth of July parade costume. Yes it was well constructed, and I suppose it fit the theme, but I thought it costumey and it reminded me of fireworks. I know, I know, there was no blue, but July 4th memorability isn't always red, white, and blue, especially when you're not trying to be too kitschy. I just couldn't get past that, and I didn't think it was a dress that a lot of women would buy and wear, as part of the challenge's prize required. So, bravo for taking a risk, and putting something interesting together, but not a winner.
Seth Aaron (black skirt, red and Campbell's top): This outfit was not terribly evening nor terribly classy. I think some women might wear this, but not the market this event was geared toward. It sort of looks like she should put on a cowboy hat. I can't justify that, maybe it's the red, white, and black, but that immediately entered my mind when I saw the look. Not a stunner. Kind of surprised this wasn't in the bottom...or rather, might have been had there not been some other incomprehensible looks.

So--my bottom looks were Jesus, Janeane Marie, and either Anna or Anthony, possibly Seth Aaron. My top looks were Amy, Jay Nicolas, and I guess Mila, though as I noted that wouldn't be my winner. In all, I was happy with the judging results this week.

PR: "It Belongs in a MUSEUM" "So do YOU!"

I've made it pretty clear I can't stand team challenges. I do, however, like museum challenges. So, I watched the first part of this show and kept it on mute during the usual teams-blowing-up-at-each-other part. Then I flicked it back on for fashion. That seemed to be a reasonable compromise. On the whole, I wasn't super impressed with this week. I saw some creative things, but not much that made me feel compelled to comment. Thus, I apologize that my input isn't as scintillating as it normally is.

Amy (high fashion): I kind of liked this garment. It wasn't my favorite, but showed Amy's customary thought for the challenge. It was at least intriguing.
Anna (high fashion): The dress was simple, but I thought it fit really well. I liked the browny-black lacy bodice and the shortness of it, even though I usually hate high-waisted garments. I'm concerned about this season seeing so much black and gray again so early, though.
Anthony (high fashion): I liked the shape of this gown. The feathers really confused me. At first I thought it was black tulle, which kind of made sense if it had been worked differently. Then I realized it was basically glued on feathers, and it lost its appeal.
Ben (everyday): Drab. The jacket in particular was unattractive, and the dress plain and slouchy. I was disappointed in this effort.
Emilio (everyday): Reasonably cute and saleable dress, but basically the same shape as his first one, with the one shoulder and flared skirt.
Janeane (high fashion?): Black black black. When I looked at the picture, I originally labeled it everyday. Oops. I suppose the folds or pleats or whatever in the jacket are nice, but this look really didn't translate as a $500 look.
Jay (everyday): The judges kind of raved about this, but I didn't think it fit very well. The top, with its weird flare around the hips, was really unflattering and looked kind of like a mistake.
Jesse (everyday): Plain and black. Again. This reminded me of a cheaper version of an Audrey Hepburn dress.
Jesus (everyday): I hate this kind of pant. Period. It's not flattering and reminds me of Hammer pants. Who wants to wear silk hammer pants? With an elastic waistband? Yuck.
Jonathan (everyday): One black feather on the boob. Really? The dress was a cute shape, but that feather was ill conceived to the nth power.
Maya (high fashion): This look was my winner of the week. I thought it was sculptural and beautiful, and also very soft. It blended its elements really successfully. On this dress, the "growth" effect was a good thing; it was well handled. I thought for sure this would win, especially since the judges liked their everyday look, too.
Mila (high fashion): This won because it was separates. Period. I was disturbed that a few looks were panned for being stuck in the past, and this is clearly a shout-out to the 80s. It is NOT modern! Someone commented on the rate the runway in this way: "It is dramatic and impeccably constructed. But it is also ulgy."
Ping (high fashion): And....done. You know those classical paintings with shepherdesses or goddesses in togas with oversweeping fabric shawls? This kind of reminded me of that for the noir lady. That being said, if you looked at the back where everything is inexplicably attached, you knew disaster was ahead for Ping.
Seth Aaron (everyday): From the front, I didn't think this dress looked bad. Then I saw the back. The shape of the top was basically a racerback. Sports bras and cocktail dresses should ne'er be mixed.

PR: Sacked!

I was actually quite pleased with the challenge and the outcomes this week, and I was actually excited to post a blog about it. Things seemed to come together, and a lot of innovation took place with a minimum of whining.
The one thing I hated was the judging of the losing designer. Did anyone else out there have a total slack-jawed, huh-what expression like mine? It undermined the credibility of the judging in a way that previous seasons have done repeatedly. I am hoping this doesn't become "a thing."
This week, we'll do the rundown this way, alphabetically by category...
Above the line:
Amy. Love. Love what she did with the painted petaling of the bottom layer of the dress. I thought her garment was edgy without melodrama, and was inherently wearable. Her model didn't look like an idiot or like she was trying too hard; the design had a sort of tongue-in-cheek appeal that I enjoyed.
Anna. Liked the printing idea, which no one else had. The dress was a little drab, unlike the warmth of Amy's dress, but it was certainly wearable. Like the pleats in the skirt.
Anthony. Great color, nice draping, too short. Why do designers think the possibility of butt cheeks is edgy? That being said, I really liked the way the top of this dress was put together.
Ben. I also liked the color of this garment, as well as the fit and construction of the top. I thought this look was lovely on the mannequin, but the skirt didn't work out right on the model. It ended up too bunchy, which was distracting. That being said, I liked the difference of this look.
Jay. The dress was cute, and I give it props for looking sassy and being well trimmed. This for me was not a winner, based partly on fit of the top. There was actually a gape issue particularly on the right side that trapped my eyes and distracted me. It looked like a messy construction issue rather than a contributor to his deconstructed, frayed look. Aside from this, it was a wearable dress.
Mila. I appreciate the idea of making the garment combine past and future. I thought the top was a little too wide (thank goodness her model had a small chest), and there was some fit trouble with the top, front and back. That being said, it was a unique dress, and well styled.
Seth Aaron. While I worry, as I know at least one of you does, that SA might be pigeonholing himself as the punk/goth youth-look creator, you have to admire his ability to put a style together. I do worry that this look might in turn pigeonhole the girl too much, give her too definite of a personality, but the garment seemed well made and complete, and was cute...in a punk and youthful way.
Between the lines:
Janeane. I'm undecided about Janeane's look. Liked the color choices, the gunmetal with the burgundy ribbon. The fit didn't come together for me. It didn't seem as though the lines were as clean as they should be. Like Jonathan's look, it had merits and demerits that placed it smack in the middle of the pack.
Jonathan. On the whole, I don't think this look went far enough. It was burlap trimmed with black lace. It fit the model well, but it was a bit humdrum. It didn't stand up to the more innovative looks, for sure, but it certainly wasn't an ugly dress, either.
Below the line:
Emilio. This look makes my eyes hurt. It seemed well constructed, but the red and black against the matte tan is unattractive, and the halter strap at the top was a questionnable choice. It seemed kind of bland against the bright color choice of the trim.
Jesse. Really? An ill-fitting vest with jodhpur pants? Which made the models hips look large? Sure, you made pants, but the look as a whole was ill-proportioned and not really attractive.
Jesus. I cry foul. He didn't keep to the spirit of the challenge. His dress was not hideous, but it deserved to be in the bottom two...with Ping. Rules are rules for a reason!
Maya. This look also made my eyes hurt. Messy. Distracting. And crookedly seamed in the back. This look didn't appear well constructed, and seemed a little too...immature?
Pamela. Yes, Pamela's look ended up kind of disastrous. But to send her home over a bare bottom and a challenge cheat? Balderdash. They even liked Pamela's dye job. Was it a good, well fit garment? No. But it had merits that set it clearly above other challenge executions. Very disappointed this week with the outcome.
Ping. This was kind of like half a look--not just because the bottom was hanging out, but because even the front, which is the most finished part, does not look like an idea got fully executed. I could see the architecture that Ping wanted to create, but she Didn't. Innovation must be fulfilled by skill so that the innovation can actually be seen. The look was undone.

PR: Central Park Sprouts Fabric

Well, it's time! Project Runway is back in our lives.
First, some good news: Tim is blogging again. For those of us who are really not into video blogs or "extended workroom footage," since that is time consuming and frankly dull, this already makes the season better.
I also began this season with a little more optimism than last. It wasn't because the team was back in New York, but it all just somehow felt more like Project Runway, with more of the old PR spirit.
That being said, I'm not sure how I feel about what seems like increased award-winning and professional experience amongst the designers. There seems to be a huge disparity between people just starting out and the people who have dressed people for red carpets and won couture awards already. While this doesn't mean the results will be affected (witness the person who departed this week), I have trouble rooting for someone who is already in the loop. I like PR best when it is about plucking someone out of obscurity. Some of these people seem like ringers.
Also on the negative, my heart broke a little after the beginning of the challenge, seeing those leftover bolts of fabric on the wet, dirty park sidewalk. What a waste.

On to the fashions:
Amy (check skirt, white gauze corset top): Personally, I thought this was dreadful. Too short, the draping wasn't attractive, and the top was incomprehensible.
Anna (yellow dress): The hemming was questionnable here, but I actually thought this was a cute dress otherwise. I kind of liked the peach fabric better, though, than the gold. This was safe, but not a winner.
Anthony (green floral dress (it looks black, but Tim tells me it's green)): I'm really rarely a fan of the "growth" dress, a dress with something growing out of it. I didn't think this dress was right for this fabric. It made both design and fabric look cheaper than they were. It all looked a little too craft projecty.
Ben (cinnamon dress with sci-fi shoulders): There was also some questionnable hemming here, and puckering in the back. I didn't care for this dress. The fabric color was "hard," the neckline and sleeve length "sweet," and then we have the pointy shoulders. While I suppose in some world those elements could be unified, I didn't feel they were in this dress. It didn't make my eyes smile.
Christiane (blue and print one-shoulder dress): As this dress was on the runway, I kept trying to remember the designer from last season who had a similar affinity for print growths. Qristyl. That's all I could think about. I didn't think this dress was as bad as some others, but it wasn't a successful look nevertheless. Seriously, from the side it looks like she's wearing a print apron. I also hear the construction was horrendous, but that is difficult to see in the pictures due to the darkness of the fabric.
Emilio (print and purple one shoulder with print skirt): I really liked this dress and was glad it did well. I actually did not think it was going to win, even though it was my favorite. I really liked the fit of the top part especially, and the way the one shoulder was put together. Someone on the rate the runway commented on the shoe choice, which I agree was egregious, but the dress is super cute. I'd wear it, albeit with different styling. It's a comfortable looking dress, but one with uniqueness.
Janeane Marie (khaki skirt, black top): While Janeane's look was not very interesting, I think she came through on the "point of view" angle. The skirt is unattractive when you get right down to it, but if you saw this coming down in the middle of a person's runway show, it would be the "sleeper"--the look that doesn't strain you but sort of eases your palate in between show stoppers and makes you want to buy a piece because it looks realistic. I'm nervous for Janeane because she seems unsure of herself, but I do appreciate a good save.
Jay Nicolas (tweed skirt and green print corset): I file this under WTFudge? Again with the growths, including one right in the middle of the stomach. I really like the fabrics, and I like the idea of the pleating done with the top, but the pieces were too small in that way I hate, and that flower on the stomach was ridiculous. There is no occasion on which that look would be appropriate. I hate that flower on the stomach so much I would have sent this guy home for that.
Jesse (brown plaid jacket and skirt and red blouse): At first I hated this look, in fact I still dislike the "jacket," but I was in favor of the red blouse. I thought it was sassy and I'm still not sure how it stays up, which intrigues me. I liked that the designer was trying something different, though I'm not convinced it was successful.
Jesus (brown croc gown): "Nobody Fs with the Jesus!" That's a Big Lebowski shout out, because it's Friday and I'm a little random. I gotta be honest, I didn't think this look was ugly. Sure, it was a little cliche in certain circles, but you'd be able to find people to wear this, unlike other looks. Someone in the comments compared it to Thandie Newton in the Chronicles of Riddick, which is pretty fair. It is a little costumey, but that was okay with me. If the kid had been auf'd for this, I would have been pretty annoyed, especially considering shady Jay Nicolas's look.
Jonathan (black dress with belt and trim): I didn't get a good look at this dress; I think it was first, and I wasn't ready. I thought the top of the dress was like tree branches, with the black silhouetted on the white, but I see now that's not so. I wish it were, because I would have liked that better. Examining the pictures, I see some construction issues with this garment. Going to have to keep an eye on this cat, though, because the dress was at least wearable and real.
Maya (gold sheath with "growth"): I looked at this dress and thought, I've seen this, and not only seen it, but seen it in the bottom. I could see, I think, what Maya wanted to do here, but the floof on the left was nicely understated while the floof on the right was too long, not quite the right shape, ending in a weird place. That being said, I quite liked the dress fabric, which was kind of brocadey. Y'all know how I love brocade.
Mila (grey skirt, brown print top, black and blue jacket, lined): This designer got way a lot done, no? I'm not a big fan of most of these prints (see my opinions on What Not to Wear on the subject of ugly prints), but I liked the shape of this look and particularly the jacket, which I'd almost wear. The look was almost runway ready, in a way, and well styled, I thought.
Pamela (shocking pink dress): I'm sure most of you can predict that I loved this dress. It's pink! I liked it almost as much as Emilio's, but the back kind of not so much. The website said something about this being reversible, and I'm not sure how, but I'm intrigued. I'll be anxious to see what else Pamela puts out.
Ping (red and green fabric): Hobo chic or Boho chic? You decide. I don't think I ever saw this garment to any sort of advantage that would make it Richie's favorite. Not only does it not have hanger appeal, but it also doesn't have TV appeal--I can't see it. I do know that I hated that suspender with a passion.
Seth Aaron (check dress with gingham trim): I thought this was going to win, not because it was my favorite but because it was very complete. It was a little reminiscent of Jeffrey's work (I hate comparing them this way, but it's what sprang to mind), and the shape was cute. The fabric was sort of punk lumberjack. Yes, that is my take on this garment--and that's very popular right now, according to girls' stores. Not a fan of the red zipper, which sort of ruined the experience for me. Maybe if it had been thinner. He also made spats for the shoes, which I respect, and trimmed them to match the dress. That was a better place for bright red zippers.

So, lots of people to watch in the coming weeks. I'm glad PR is back, and I hope I'm able to stay awake for it (I have been falling asleep during my favorite shows each week--I fell asleep three times during FRINGE, for heaven's sake!)

Non sequiturs

The school term has started and it seems like my students might be a pretty interesting bunch. I made it through my three classes Tuesday but was starving afterward so I need to revise my snack plan.

In an article on the Olympic hockey team, the man who picked the team said he thinks Ryan Miller is the best goalie in the NHL right now. That's my hometown boy! I mean, man.

I do not have an autoimmune disease, according to my most recent bloodwork. That's what we were testing, since I also have other symptoms like, evidently, Raynaud's disease, which I've always had but never knew could be a symptom of autoimmunes. So, we still don't know why I have gastroparesis and I'm waiting until I hear from my doctor to see what's next.

Also, fun fact: I read somewhere that autoimmunes are generally genetic, but that the heredity isn't disease-specific. Like, a parent could have thyroid disease while the child has lupus and a cousin has rheumatoid arthritis. I wish I remembered where I read that, but I wasn't taking notes because I didn't think I had one.

Haiti makes me sad. What a terrible state that country is in, and they just keep getting pounded by awfulness. And yet, mission trip people come back and say that they are so grateful for help and positive about God's role in their lives. We should be so thankful.

Book contests are expensive when you enter a lot of them.

I've been tearing it up reading, but I haven't really been reading in an elevated way. I've been reading James Herriot books, The Jaws Log, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and other such things that please me. I did read The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins, which is at least a classic, even though it is also a fun mystery novel (ps, Sister, I think you'd like this book). I am about to start The Hunger Games, which is contemporary but is also young adult literature, to continue my trend. I will also be reading Larissa Szporluk's Embryos & Idiots and some literary journals to balance things out (although since some of these literary journals are fairy-tale related, I'm still keeping to a theme).

Yesterday I wore some new pants I made--kind of a risk, wearing them on the first day of teaching. But I admitted to one class that I made them and the front-row girls were suitably impressed. They're gray with a white pinstripe, and they turned out really well. Now I need a new sewing project and by need I mean that I need to sort through the 100 or so that I have and decide on what to do next. The trouble is I prefer clothing sewing during the spring and summer, because most of the outfits I have are for then. Who wants to make a dress or a blousy top when it's 20 degrees outside?

I got really excited when I thought I'd found my computer still had all my old CD Windows Media Player files on it. The trouble is, none of them will play. This is a consequence of having protected the files when I put them on my old office computer, and they of course wouldn't transfer properly to the new computer. I think I have to delete them, carefully not deleting the files that are on my Shuffle through iTunes, and redo them. Terrible task.

Equally daunting is the degree to which I'm behind on my photo albums and photo printing. Like, over a year behind. I need to get a new backup and print CD together, but that will take days. Yikes. Actually, now I think of it I have some regular binders for my non-family pictures that I need to cover in interesting ways and fill with my photo pages. Perhaps that should be the next project.

My carbon monoxide detector started its low-battery beeping at me last night, necessitating that I move my grocery trip up by at least two days just so I can get 9-Volt batteries, so it will quit beeping loudly at me. (Yes, I'm sure it's the low battery beep, because it is digital and also flashes 'bat' at me.)

Ghosthunters International is on tonight. I have done my homework, so I get to watch TV. And make Tuna Helper for dinner, or perhaps rosemary chicken noodles, because the tuna cans will keep. Actually, I just found a can of crab that is out of date by 2 years. I have a can of clams that is unmarked. Opinions? I hate pitching food, but I'm wondering if it would be wisest.

I'm listening to Sharon, Lois, & Bram in the car right now. Don't judge me.

Peace be with you.

I've been kind of on blog hiatus for a while. When you don't feel well all that often, blogging cheerily about the things you're doing with your life really doesn't seem that appealing. Project Runway's new season is coming up, though, so I guessed I'd better get back in it.

Christmas has come and gone; I had it with my family back at the Michigan homestead, and let me tell you how grateful I was that everyone traveled safely: Very. To be honest, I had a rough time. Everyone was very understanding, but I feel guilty about how grouchy and unsmiley I was the whole time, and how much I had to bail and lie down. I tried my best to spent some time with niece and nephew and to have some chats with my family members, but I didn't do a very good job. Not as good as I wanted to do. I'm so consumed with protecting my stomach, and no one gets the attention they deserve from me. That goes for my friends, too. I'm just not a very nice person to be around right now. I feel grateful for all the love in my life, though, and for the warmth of home.
I really didn't do much for New Year's. And by much, I mean, I didn't do anything. I don't think I even got dressed. I might not have left my house. What was the point? There wasn't any mail and I think it was snowing. On the 1st, I treated myself to a little tiny bit of champagne while I watched the Winter Classic (go home team!) and finished a puzzle. Then, I got down to business and I sorted the giant cavalcade of receipts, bills, and miscellany that was piling up in my catch-all basket from three or four years. This I did while watching 2010 and a Pushing Daisies episode or two (because I now own the 2nd season...PD, you were over too soon. I miss you.).
I did finish a quilt, which was good news since it's 6 months overdue. (I also hit up the JoAnn Fabrics clearhouse and spent an unholy amount of money on fabric for even more projects. Fabric I am out of room to store unless I get very, very creative. Or very busy.) I want to make a pair of pants now, but somehow, given my current vacillations in size, it doesn't seem the best plan. Actually, I'm never that good at making pants anyway so perhaps it doesn't matter.
Tomorrow, I have an appointment with the gastroenterologist. I am hoping for more answers, and for more help. I want to stop guessing and start living my life again. I want to be able to take off for a shopping trip or the zoo or whatever and not feel uncertain or nervous or queasy. I want to be able to go to a party and stay for a while and sample the food with abandon. I want to be able to teach three classes in a row without having to sit down and be quiet. I want to be able to invest myself in a full, sweaty dance workout. I want to be able to stay up past midnight and rouse myself to do more than sit around. I want to take advantage of opportunities and concerts and events. I want to be able to get excited about things.

I've been thinking, as one does at this time, about resolutions. I am not making any this year. I was doing a pretty good job with my life up to October, and my goal is just to get back to that place!

Turning People into Fetishes

Blah Blah, I have gastroparesis, blah, blah.
Let's talk about fashion shows.

Has anyone caught the new Bravo show, Launch My Line? From the first, I was pretty sure I was not going to watch this show. Bravo's reality shows typically don't interest me, with the exceptions of Top Chef, and in the past Project Runway. Bravo's shows seem to thrive on the stereotype-for-ratings, and fail to capture any sense of humanity, or include people who live functional or reasonable lives, and I can't relate to the characters displayed in any way. I don't generally enjoy "reality" TV for that reason, but Bravo seems to be one of the worst offenders.
This week, though, I decided to give LML a shot. I won't be doing so again.
If you're unfamiliar with the show, the premise is that 10 designers are paired with 10 professional people who want a clothing line. The show is hosted by twins Dean and Dan Caten. In concept, it's interesting. In practice, the whole thing feels like bad acting in a bad theater production.
Has anyone ever spent a lot of time with "theater people"? Dancers, musical theater folks, or your stereotypical Actor? They're lovely people, and I don't want to disparage a culture, especially not one I'm essentially part of. But often you run across the person who has actually managed to fetishize himself. The person-as-fetish perceives himself as unusually magical or potent, or pays excessive attention to the minutiae of his own real-life appearance and behavior. It is not so much ego as everything that person says or does is Acted and overplayed. It's like taking Tim Gunn's "it's a whole lot of look" saying and applying it to a person's mannerisms, dress, and other personal characteristics.
As I watched LML it became clear that, not only were there a lot of Actors, but the whole show seemed to revolve around that and even encourage it. The show's scripted components were not delivered in ways that seemed fresh or natural. The framework of the show ("We're opening the trim room! It's been stocked with things that fit your animal inspirations! You have a half hour in the trim room, and then you're not allowed back in!") also seemed to lack fluidity. They were set pieces, no more. The effect was heavy-handed in the fact that it clobbered me with, "We're a TV show! We're very dramatic! *wink*" all the time. The whole thing made people into objects, and how can fashion survive and be genuinely creative when the people have their own selves to counterbalance?
It's true that Project Runway has its poor moments, too--especially this season. But I think on the whole PR takes a more mature and adult approach to fashion. There are some oddballs, but often they're gone within the first few weeks because their results seem like jokes that have gotten out of control. PR also doesn't throw around a lot of darlings and sweeties, and LML seems to go that direction often. If you have a young soul, LML might be for you--it has a sort of teenage joie de conflit that some might relate to. I found it grating.
The proof, though, is really in the results. This week's challenge was to do an animal-inspired one-piece look, no dresses allowed. Guess how many jumpsuits? Lots. The parameters of a challenge that would produce that many jumpsuits seem just silly to me.
So, I gave it a try, but this show is not for me.

In Which I Become Afraid of Needles

So, it's been a busy week.
I had my endoscopy Wednesday. My Mum was with me. I had a terrible vein-searching experience for blood and IV that made me nauseous and I went in to my procedure with a basin next to me and a cloth on my forehead. Fortunately, it turns out that Monitored Anesthesia Care actually really does mean you are unconscious. At least I was. I spent the rest of the day in bed waiting for the anesthesia to leave me and trying to sleep with, alternately, a giant headache, an upset stomach, and the worst taste and cough ever from the stuff they spray in your throat. All in all, it wasn't a good time, and I worry I may now be phobic of needles, when previously I was fine with them. Also, from what I gather, the test was negative, so they scheduled me for a gastric emptying study Friday.
Here is what the gastric study entailed: I came in early in the morning and ate a cup of oatmeal laden with radioactivity and in which I was allowed to put sugar. Then, I sat with my iPod Shuffle in a chair that reminded me of an armless airline seat, not quite coach but not quite first class. I had a pillow behind my back and one behind my head, because I was going to have to sit absolutely still for an hour and a half. And here's the tricky part--from in front of my face to in my lap, about four or five inches from my body, was a machine taking pictures of me constantly. I closed my eyes, gritted my teeth, and listened to a bunch of songs, then landed on two Neko Case songs which I repeated for the last half hour. It was not the worst test I've ever done, but it was kind of like a battle of wills. I definitely went a little numb and got sore. I had to do a few dance stretches when I was finished. I should have the results from this test on Monday at my follow-up appointment.
My Mum stayed with me through all of this, to help me and make sure I didn't set the house on fire while doped up (in fact, at one point when she left to move her car I knocked over and smashed a bottle of olive oil). We went to the MSU at BGSU hockey game last night to celebrate the end of this grueling week (ha ha--gruel. It's an oatmeal joke). I really thought BG would pull through, since they were up 2-0 heading into the third period, but MSU put on a spurt and we got a little lackluster. We lost in overtime, 3-2. And when I say we, I mean BG at this point. I cheer for MSU when they play literally anyone else, but I know virtually the entire BG hockey team, and I want to see them succeed. They're heading up to Munn Arena tonight, and I'll be listening in on the radio to see how it goes.
Meanwhile, Mum has left to get back home before we get ice. I have portfolios needing to be read, and I am ignoring them studiously. I may take some home with me this year, which I've never done before. I really have spent a lot of time resting recently, but somehow I still feel wicked tired and not that well. Very glad I don't have to teach next week, because I need a break from talking. I have to say I am looking forward to a few days of little to no responsibility at some point.
And while you're at it, I have a friend having surgery for breast cancer this week, so some extra prayer her way wouldn't go amiss! I hope you are all well and enjoying yourselves out there.

updates

Hey, all.
Well, having no PR puts quite a dent in my Thursday night TV lineup, but will probably enable me to get some work done.
I'm in the process of getting over a cold right now, one which smacked me down pretty hard over Thanksgiving. One day and night, I could barely swallow. Now, I can't talk too well and my nose needs to be blown with frequency, but I'm doing better.
My stomach is still being kind of a jerk. I'm not feeling it too much usually because we have a little schedule for it that keeps it under control as much as I can. Still having some rough nights. I haven't had any Dr. Pepper for quite some time; been drinking ginger ale as part of the schedule, and not much caffeine. I might try a little Dr. P this weekend, in small doses.
I have an appointment for an endoscopy for next Wednesday; I met with the surgeon today. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but he is like that typical doctor with whom you can't tell if he's really listening, and he moves too quickly from one thing to the next. Anyway, he suggested that if the endoscopy doesn't find anything, we might try a gastric-emptying study to see if I have gastroparesis. I don't have a severe enough case for drastic treatment, but may need to work more with different drugs, which is always a pain to figure out with my sensitivity to most anti-nausea drugs. I think I'll pass on the botulin toxin treatment!
Anyway, I'm trying to kick along and stay warm, since getting cold exacerbates the problem. I've spent a lot of time in fleece pants and my bathrobe lately. I'm hoping this last weekend of grading, during which there are also two hockey games, is not going to put me over the edge again. Just have to keep eating tiny meals and taking my Pepcid AC and compazine, and trying not to get into situations that will make me too nervous or uncontrolled.

PR: The Finale

I'm sorry I've been so long with this post; I had a hard time picking things out that I liked and disliked about the collections--for some reason, thinks seemed like a blur. Actually, I'm pretty sure the reason is that things were not very exciting, and some of them (looking squarely at Irina) were very difficult to describe for myself--I mean, black coat. Short black coat. Long, formal black coat. It just doesn't "make good copy."
But I have watched the runway show again and am ready to comment. And, for fun, I'm going to do it a bit like a dog show.

Fave from Althea's: I know this will surprise you, but it's the look with the white satin pants and jacket, with the gold shirt with runs in underneath. I'm not sure why, but I think if I were a rock star I would wear that for a concert.
Honorable mentions: The gold gown was pretty--it was a little like updated medieval, but it was fluid, and I like fluid.
Least fave: This may surprise you, too, but it was the outfit Jaslene had on, the dusty lilac short dress. It didn't respond well to the styling required of it to fit in the show, and I had a hard time coming up with a girl that would flatter.
Interesting note: The black and gray off-shoulder sweater was very 80s dancer. You could put that on a ballerina for warmups right this minute. In fact, that disappointed me about it.

Fave from Carol Hannah's: The very first dress, the gold draping with the black stripe. It is a similar shape to the Althea dress I dislike, but it's more sensual and flattering. It's sassy, not flat.
Honorable mentions: The gold gown--love. Also, the purple gown. Girl can make a gown.
Least fave: The turquoise cape with the shorts. Huh what?
Interesting note: Didn't CH's collection remind you of holidaywear? Like, Dillard's (depending on ultimate fabric choice) might stock all of those items right about now to sell to people to wear to holiday parties. The black sweater and poofy skirt (2nd look) reminded me of that most. I honestly think if she'd stood up there and said, "A Carol Hannah girl is one who has lots of Holiday Parties to go to and never wants to repeat an outfit," she might have won this thing.

Fave from Irina's: The 8th look, with the gray sweater coat and the bird tee.
Honorable mentions: I liked the big floofy dress, but not the strap style.
Least fave: The travesty that Kalyn was wearing. Props for the carapace armor look, but the shape was incomprehensible. I guess K deserved to win because she was forced to wear that garment.
Interesting note: Evidently, by "taking care of herself," Irina means she wants her woman to be A: a beetle, and/or b: in bondage. Did no one else get the bondage thing out of her garments?

Best in show: My favorite from Carol Hannah's show
Worst in show: My least favorite from Irina's show.

Overall, I could appreciate the craft of Irina, but the boredom I felt while watching her collection was very much a concern. I was the most interested by what Carol Hannah showed, though she also had some big clunkers, or looks that seemed like inexpensive Barbie outfits. Althea had some looks that women would like to wear, but her variety not just in the show but throughout the competition was static. Her clothes are not a "feast for the eyes," which is what I look for. So, if it were my 10,000 dollars, I'd have given it to Carol Hannah. Her looks were the ones that caught my eye the most and made me think about them longest--and, I could describe them. Her looks were not the best crafted, and perhaps she isn't as strong an investment as Irina, but on the whole my taste is for the pretty.

Hearts for Nathan Fillion

If I were in charge of finding entertainment's sexiest man, I might be inclined to skew things in favor of Nathan Fillion.
Sure, he's handsome, well spoken, and considered extremely nice by his peers. He also gets personally invested in his projects, and if you read the blog at his myspace, you'll see that he's a funny man, and big on respect for others.
But did you know that he also helped found a charity called The Kids Need to Read? I didn't, until this week.
I feel strongly about children loving to read, wanting to seek out reading and bring imagination into their lives. As my niece and nephew start to grow up, it's been my pleasure to see that they're going for those books the way my sister and I did. I feel passionately about books, about holding them in your hands and poring over them, getting lost in them. I want every kid to grow up the way I did, wanting to read and learn more.
And Nathan Fillion is passionate about that, too.
That's sexy, friends. Sexy times a million!
Nathan Fillion, if you're out there, GOOD ON YA!

To give you a little more literary heft for your week, check out this blog by Stephen Burt about the parallels between Project Runway and poetry criticism, which I was in turn alerted to by a friend at Winter Wheat.

PR: Oops, the real penultimate

I don't actually have very much to say about the first half of the finale. Just this:
1. Carol Hannah, I feel you. How awful is that, to be wicked sick during fashion week?
2. Irina's Coney Island imagery mishap reminded me of Kara Saun's shoe thing (sheesh, remember that season? I still think that was one of the best, if not the best showdowns, between Kara and Jay).
3. Tim Gunn making biscuits.
4. Didn't we all guess in our hearts that Irina would have a prissy dog named Princess?
5. I love seeing the designers' families. And I love that this season all the designers are from supportive families that want their children to succeed. Too often there is the idea that artists have to have messed-up childhoods, which is dumb.

Even though I'm not super-excited, I am looking forward to the final runway, and seeing how things move. And hearing the music choices!

PR: Penultimate

Hey, everyone. It's time for this week's PR throwdown.
I love the art inspiration challenge. It's the kind of thing I'd like to do, and it is great to see it with the final challenge when great things should be created...even if they aren't always. I could really relate to the inspirations of Irina, Carol Hannah, and Gordana. CH in particular--I have been known to be moved by furniture (and have been known to move furniture, also). I thought that was a great choice of muse, especially sitting down in the middle of the floor and enjoying its ambience.

Althea--I, like the judges, was disappointed with this look. Looking at the "behind" picture, it is even more incomprehensible. As one commentor pointed out, we have yet another "floppy tank top" and a skirt that ended up all over the place. It reminded me very much of when Austin Scarlett designed a "wedding dress" for Morgan on his season. It was just a moment of "what just happened?" Althea has had some clunkers in the past, and sometimes I really like her work and sometimes I'm not impressed. But I really thought she might be out. And, to be quite honest, maybe she deserved to be.
Carol Hannah--Nina called this gown safe, and I don't really think it was safe. Yes, CH makes a mean dress, but we've seen much safer gowns in the past. I quite liked the combination of the satin and the chiffon, especially that transition. Did it relate to the bed? Hard to say--It captured the drape of the bed with the gold of the bedposts and decor, and I was fine with that. Just because it isn't the direction you'd take your inspiration doesn't mean it wasn't inspired. No one said the final look had to look like the picture. Andrae was of the opinion that the sweep should have been higher at the hip and lower at the knee, but I disagree. I think the proportion was very suitable.
Christopher--I have seldom agreed with the judges more. I was interested in the design when it started down the runway, with the subtle color play of the greys and greens, but I immediately responded negatively to the stiff bottom of the dress. It was just sort of like he'd taken a yard of tough fabric and made a tube. That's how it moved. I liked the color burst on the skirt, but the dress didn't move in a way that was sinuous, which I think it should have. The look, together, just had an amateurish cast to it, kind of like when I make clothes. Not terrible, and probably wearable to something, but not something that will win you Bryant Park status.
Gordana--I really loved this dress, and I felt a little heartbroken for Gordana. I knew the judges had some prejudice against her for previous flaws (some that I didn't agree with at all), and I can't really think of anything she could have done that would have won them in her favor. I'm really glad that she opted to do something personally edifying, and I was so irritated with Nina when she picked on Gordana's selection of a gauzy Monet painting for her inspiration. I was not bored by this piece, nor did I find it safe. I also thought it accurately represented Gordana as a designer, and I can't help thinking that if Nina had actually been present at all of the challenges, she would have more ground to stand on in her statement against Gordana's aesthetic. The dress was simply beautiful.
Irina, on the other hand--Truly hideous styling choices. It was not better when Kalyn stripped off the accoutrements, because the hair was still wackadoo. I liked the top half of the dress and the color, but was disappointed in the placement of that belt and in the seemingly heavy skirt's length (and uneven hem--the back was shorter than the front, even with the front gathered up so, so much). I am all about ethereal goddessy garments, but really. There was nothing ethereal about this, and if it were a goddess it would be a jaded Hera, moved to Miami, overtanned, sitting on a lounge chair and chain-smoking (Dance, Pool Boy!). The look, in essence, was midjudged.

So, there we go--all-girl finale. I kind of hoped they'd send the four girls, but what can you do? I am hoping Gordana will pick up some business from people who saw this last challenge and felt bad for her, or wanted her to win. I surely wouldn't mind having that dress in my closet--in fact, I'll go so far as to say it is one of my favorite looks of the season. This and Epperson's movie genre outfit.
Speaking of favorites, you should maybe check out Tom & Lorenzo's Worst PR Looks Ever
On another note, did you notice how they didn't have everybody dress each other this season? I wonder if it's because it's so often a disaster.

In other news, Supernatural was hysterical last night and Josh Gates fortunately did not die in Wednesday's episode of Destination Truth. Ah, TV. Next week, I am too busy for you mostly. VCR, you had better function.

I had a dream

You know what would be awesome?
A listing, in pictures, all together, of every look ever created on or for Project Runway, with a label of by whom each was created and for what challenge/show it was.
What I really want is a database, you see. A visual, easy-to-navigate database so I can look at past looks side-by-side when I'm complaining about not being inspired or impressed, or when I want to compare seasonal results of a challenge type.
That would be rad.

PR: No-Your-TV's-Color-Is-Not-Out-Of-Whack

While things came down the runway in an almost never-ending parade of black and grey/silver, I realized that all the winning looks chosen for inspiration except Irina's were also black and grey/silver. Surely, I thought, the judges have shot themselves in the foot with this? They complain about being bored and then essentially mandate that they be bored.

Althea: I didn't care for this look. I'm tired of the slouchy breastfest tops that Althea has made in the past, the ones that are so loose the bosom sort of rockets around while the model walks. The back of the top I liked, and I'm all about big sweaters, but I don't care how fashionable Heidi thinks those pants are.--they're awful. If they were "in," I would never, ever wear them. Is it a "look"? Yes. But not a winner. Sorry, Ohio.
My pick--Carol Hannah: CH is very good at making cute dresses that lots of women would like to wear, and I liked her fabric choices. I did not, though, find much that was original about this dress. It is stylish, and it is a look, and it's possible that I'm being too needy, but I didn't feel really excited. At the same time, I think it was the nicest thing that went down the runway this episode. And that's a little sad. CH is also the designer I currently like the most as a person.
Christopher: Ugh. The top of the dress was well fitted for Katie, but as a garment this dress was a disaster. The shape and draping of that bottom tier was sloppy and unbalanced, and seemed to be made of that cheap-looking white satin that Christopher favors. If you look at the back silhouette it's even less comprehensible. At the same time, that crazy draped-bottom technique seems to be something Christopher does often, and I'm done with it. I really wanted to like the silver petals, but there was too much of it, arranged in an unfortunate way. No. My theory is that the reason Christopher did not go home is that his garments kind of related. Logan's didn't.
Gordana: Ready for an unpopular opinion? I really liked Gordana's jacket. I didn't like the vest underneath (seen better in the Models of the Runway following) and I didn't like the shape of the skirt (petals were a good idea, but not in a tapering shape--the proportion was wrong for Matar), but I really liked that jacket and would totally wear it. And, to be honest, I think I'd be complimented on it. I was wondering, though, what it would be like if that jacket was made of a slightly more luminescent material, or had silver accenting, or was over a silver top, and was paired with a really fluid, silvery pant? I like the jacket as is, but I was trying to think of ways to improve the "look" potential. Anyway, she should not have been bottom 2.
Irina: When I saw Irina's materials, I was excited, and also when she was beginning to work with her mannequin. I was disappointed in the final look. The sheath dress was too short and too tight. The lace-up back was a little slutty--actually, the back looked a little like a craft project, as did the side trim in stripes. It wasn't as well crafted or thought-out as I expect from Irina. Irina has a good idea for color and materials choice, and I think that's part of the reason she does so well. In fact, she's the only one who HAD color this week.
Logan: The skirt of Logan's look was actually kind of cute, abeit paired with a space-dance-costume top. One thing that can be said for Logan is that he has kind of a punk aesthetic and I have seen things like some of his looks go down a few runways. I did not dislike this outfit as much as Christopher's, but really I've lost patience with them both.

If all girls go to the finale, I am not going to mind a bit.
If you're longing for Bryant Park, I invite you to go to Tom & Lorenzo's blog, where they made lists of the top ten PR:BP looks of all time, and the top ten PR looks of all time. In fact, instead of doing my work I have also spent the last half hour sneakpeeking Bryant Park on zimbio.com. Naughty.

PR: "Project I-Didn't-Mind-It"

First, let me say that judging really surprised me this week. I was not expecting the judges to gravitate toward what they did, and considering I didn't have very many strong opinions myself, I was even more confused. My opinion of the garments was pretty much exactly what Milla Jovovich said (see title).
Althea--When the model came out, I had two immediate, conflicting thoughts: "What an adorable chiffony top" and "WHY short shorts?" I loved the way the top draped, but a really cute and uniquely fashioned skirt from that fabric might have been better. (By the way, I think that was gold pleather or something). From what I know of St. Tropez (admittedly little), though, this look seemed appropriate enough. There just wasn't much risk.
Carol Hannah--Okay...I really thought CH was going to get panned at least a little this week, or just be safe. The dress was pretty, and this was a context in which I liked the fabric twisted and braided--in fact, I think the detailing saved it. But the first word in my head was "Uli." It was so strongly reminiscent of her looks that my heart sank a little. And here is where I think Kors' aesthetic came in--I could see the print pleasing Kors, and the style also. This was another look that didn't have much risk, but at least it fit the challenge. I would wear it.
Christopher--I was bothered by the judging of Christopher. The reason why is not what you'd think. Ever been to New Mexico? Ever seen the art there? Yes, there is turquoise involved, but very often it involves sandy pastels. In essence, he went pueblo with his colors, rather than feathers and vibrant hues. Why should that be inappropriate? I think part of the reason he got panned is that he didn't fit in with the judges' preconceptions of what colors "made" Santa Fe, and that made me irritated. I actually tossed out that component of their commentary.
The dress was actually nicer than I expected from the mannequin, though I agree that it looked flat on the runway, and too simplistic. It didn't look like luxe fashion, which is what the challenge was about. If you look at the dress in progress, you see that the top/underskirt is a strange shiny white material that is attached to the brown overskirt in kind of an unsophisticated way. Altogether, it wasn't unwearable, and the brown and aqua were all right, but it was shaky in several of the choices.
Gordana--I didn't care for this dress that much, and I was surprised it rated as highly as it did. The proportion of the top seemed all wrong, and it wasn't styled strongly. In fact, there didn't seem to be any styling at all. The necklace part looked the tiniest bit like tinsel. I liked the striping in the garment, but the dress just hung there on the model. It also made Katie's butt and hips look big and her chest look miniscule. I wanted to like this dress, because I liked the concept, but it didn't please me.
Irina--Let's face it. We knew, looking at the outfits side by side, that Irina would win. She arranged the most fabric, had the best styling, and her model worked it out. As a "look," it was the most complete. Yes, it was a throwback--I thought more to the 60s with the color palette, actually. I also didn't care for the fur vest. But I liked the sweater shape, and as Andrae Gonzalo has pointed out before in his blog, well constructed sportswear is carrying the day. The fans are kind of in a tirade on the Rate the Runway this week, bored by the colors and the cowl, but brown and cowlnecks are popular right now, and Irina seemed to have the most collected look. The sweater was very Victoria's Secret, but in a good way--something they would only put in the Holiday lookbook. It was more of the "fantasy" Nina Garcia seemed to be looking for (and what is up with that? She was kind of harping on that theme this week.) (Nick Verreos calls this look, "Ukrainian mafia arms dealer.” Perfect.)
Logan--I was kind of intrigued by the punkish jacket of Logan's look. I really cannot stand the skinny white jeans look, though, especially not with zippers at the back of the leg. Zippers on the back pockets I can deal with. I also do not care for suspenders. This is very early 90s and I have lived through that fashion craziness. I also didn't care for the striping on the top, which reminded me of something I might see in a Talbots catalog. Thus, in sum, this look was not aesthetically pleasing to me at all. That being said, it was one of Logan's better construction efforts. Someone on the Rate the Runway mentioned London rather than Hollywood, and I thought that was interesting and possibly accurate. It did have kind of a Carnaby Street look to it.
Nicolas--I liked what Nicolas was doing with the pleating of the pant leg. Then I saw the rest of the pant. I think it would have been okay for any designer to make something that we wouldn't think of when we thought of a world location, but when we saw the garment we could say, "Wow, I never thought of that interpretation, but I like it!" But I didn't get anything Grecian out of Nicolas' look. It would have been just as relevant to call that swathing material Egyptian or something. (By the way, how fun would it be to go to a fashion show in Egypt? I think that would rock!) Milla Jovovich was onto something interesting when she spoke of a whole dress made of that overlapping white material, maybe one with no sleeve. I'm kind of intrigued by that. Anyway, Nicolas' fashion crimes were the worst this week; at least I agreed about that.

I keep hoping for something amazing in this show. Witness Top Chef--they have some truly masterful chefs on there this year, some who seem almost unstoppable. On PR, I think we do have some good designers, but I haven't seen much that I really LOVE or that impresses me with its unique beauty. I want something to fashionably poke me in the eye! I want to twist my hands and be completely baffled as to who should win because there are several equally amazing garments, not just equal garments!

PR: I Heart Bob Mackie

I don't know why I like Bob Mackie so much. I just do (it might be the Barbies he used to do, and his amazing work on Carol Burnett's show). The opposite is true of Christina Aguilera. I don't like her. Never have. Sure, she has pipes, but she bothers me in some indefinable way (or perhaps it's her speaking voice and her frequent tackiness).
That being said, it was her challenge, and I was actually surprised at the ineffectiveness of the garments. Even the winner (which was also my winner) was not really right for an energetic singer who dances in her show.
Althea: Clever with the fabric--it looked good and it was a creative solution. The gown, however, was completely impractical for the stage unless Aguilera was going to be seated the whole time. It might work better for a Grammy red carpet outfit or something.
Carol Hannah: My favorite, hands down. This one would also be cute for the Grammys (onstage for a slow song or for the red carpet); it probably would never work for Aguilera's stage show since it seemed like it would be difficult to move in, but I couldn't get over how nice it was to look at, and it looked like the kind of thing Aguilera would like.
Christopher: Seriously? This was like a cheap Halloween interpretation of Aguilera's old look. The judges were completely right about this travesty. See more below.
Gordana: Horrific. I still haven't figured out what is up with the top--I think there are little slashes right over the breasts or nipple areas. It's very confusing. Oh, immunity. Never have you been so required.
Irina: This look was too nightgowny. Or, alternatively, it looks like a tap costume. Styled with some pinstriped tights and a fedora, it might have been better, but it then would have been a little too Moulin Rouge or Cabaret star. I also am over Irina's attitude.
Logan: I have to be blunt--I hate this fabric choice. With the flatness of the garment (it has no silhouette whatsoever except straightness), it looks like a cheap hooker dress. I agree with the website commentor that the side view is better, but you don't look at people from the side onstage much. I mean, really, can you imagine Aguilera wearing that? I can't. The fabric itself just looks cheap. In a more expensive-looking fabric, I think this could have worked, but I just cannot get over the choice of fabric with the shape of the garment.
Nicolas: In Nicolas' favor, he clearly thought about the constraints of stagework, and the top of the garment in close up is actually very pretty. However, I don't think it was "big" enough, and also it reminded me too much of Chicago (and I came up with that independently, though Chris March actually mentions it in his blog also). I also don't think it was the right color for Aguilera. Not a winner.
Shirin: Okay, I'll go on record as saying that the judges' decision this week was whackadoo. Yes, Shirin's garment looks like a cross between a ballroom costume and a cabaret outfit. BUT, it was wearble, and I could see what she was after. It was too long, it was too fluffy, but I actually think Aguilera could pull it off. I also think that there could be a few slight alterations done to make it better.
Christopher's outfit, on the other hand, was unfixable and LAZY. It was old and not fancy enough and the judges didn't like any of it, whereas they at least liked the top of Shirin's dress. How does that add up? HOW? I'm so mad about this. And that's not even considering prior work, because I know the judges really don't that much mid-season. Christopher has had poorly executed outfits repeatedly, and this was another example of the same. Why is he still here? The same is true of Logan. The mind boggles.

PR: Hospital Gowns and Wedding Gowns

Before I give my PR report, I'm going to try to explain what happened to me last night.
You see, I watched PR in the ER. I had a rough night the night before, with insomnia again, heartburn, trouble breathing, and a cough coming on. I didn't feel nauseous, but I felt ODD. In the morning, I was weak and shaking, and still having trouble breathing evenly. I made it through two and a half classes and was feeling better, but then suddenly felt awful again, and had to send my third class away early. I was scared. I went to ReadyCare, and because of the breathing they sent me to the ER, expecting labs would be needed.
I got to the ER around 7. I tried to explain my symptoms several times, and since I was feeling lethargic and stupid, I relied on the list I'd written down. I just couldn't seem to string a sentence together. The doctor, a resident, was very nice, and took me very seriously. He did some quick physical tests, and then ordered blood work, and an IV of fluids. A little later he came in and said my D Dimer level was high, unexpectedly, and he'd ordered a CAT scan to look for a blood clot.
Ever had a CAT scan? It feels weirder than 85 % of the things you could experience. When the heat of the contrast hit my veins it was the first time in hours I'd been warm, and it actually made me feel a little sick. Anyway, the scan was negative for anything, which was a relief. The non-relieving part was that there is no answer for my D Dimer being high. The rest of my blood work came back normal, and all other vital signs were normal enough.
I did develop an outrageous head and body ache, which is why, even though I had the TV on and watched snippets of Supernatural and Fringe, I didn't really feel like watching them, and of course I was interrupted numerous times. I am watching Fringe right now on hulu--anyone got ideas for how I can catch Supernatural?
The end of the story is that we're theorizing anxiety attack, and I was given medication for that purpose, to be used whenever I felt I needed it. It's a pretty powerful drug, and I asked him to prescribe half the normal dose given my size. He sent me home with one pill to take so I could sleep that night, and I took half, after eating some toast. I'm supposed to go to my own doctor next week (he is out of town right now!) for a follow-up. Today, I have a headache, but I feel stronger, and I'm not coughing. I'm breathing like a champ. Also, I had deviled eggs for breakfast and a brownie bowl for lunch. Did I mention I'm pampering myself?
I watched PR while I was waiting for CAT results, and to be dismissed. I was feeling a little more energetic by that point, so I did get a good look at the designs.
My pick for the Winner: Gordanna
My pick for the Auf'd: Logan or Christopher
Althea--I didn't care for Althea's design . It looked like the breasts were in bags...the loose cup with that contrast color were not so flattering, and the back was a little sloppy. I liked the colors, but the dress seemed a little too childlike up top.
Carol-Hannah did a good job. her dress was really chic and wearable. People have complained on the website about the color, but the dusty lavenderish look of it on my screen is nice. I actually put this in my top three.
Christopher--Seriously? This was meant to be flattering? The look was bulbous...it was very unflattering to the model, and probably would have been to any other model. It was poorly fit, and I couldn't figure out what about the construction was meant to show skill or difficulty. In short, I am panning this look.
Epperson--Unlike Heidi, I am not panning this look. I don't know where she was coming from with Oktoberfest. I think she just got that into her head and couldn't get it out, even though it was an inapt comparison. Was it a winning garment? No, but it was not a losing garment. I think they were looking for a reason not to make a decision, and they picked on his admission that he'd started with a different understanding of the challenge.
Gordanna--The color of this garment was a little iffy for this client, but the dress was sassy and well designed, and took a lot of work. It wins my "I'd wear it" seal of approval. It also responded really well both to the challenge and to the client's desires. The dress was the badass garment of the week, and I was really glad Gordanna got good credit for it.
Irina--The colors of this garment were really lovely, and I always respect a good fabric dye job. Someone on the website, though, made a similar comment to my feeling: The dress was a little bit mother-of-the-bride. It is a pretty dress, don't get me wrong. It was just a little too much in the same event category as the original dress.
Logan--Ouch. I like Logan as a person, but I don't like Logan's choices. Nothing seemed to go, the top of the garment was unflattering on the client, and the construction had errors obvious even to the TV audience. Even though Christopher's outfit was seriously questionable, I think this one should have been the Auf'er.
Nicolas--I know this opinion might be unpopular, but I thought the jacket was actually kind of cute...albeit paired with completely the wrong outfit. The pants were not that exciting, and the camisole questionable, but the jacket would be really cute with, say, a peach strapless dress or something. As an outfit, this was prety incomprehensible.
Shrin is what I call the good save. Her dress was passable--I wouldn't have top 3'd it, but she ultimately produced a good idea from the wreckage of her stressed brain and the tawdriness desired from the client. The end result was perhaps a bit too feminine, but it was at least respectable fashion.

Chris March's blog tells me that the divine Bob Mackie is the guest judge next week, so I do not know what that entails but I'm ready.

In the meantime, in an effort to "reduce my anxiety" (It's clinical, people!) I ordered the two sweaters (one in rose, one in bark (I need something pretty for hockey nights) and the sweater dress from Victoria's Secret, and some things to bulk up my Lush stock, which is dwindling more drastically than I'd thought. I have essays on tap, and Falcon hockey upcoming on the radio--which will win? I'll get some essays done, but after last night I'm going to take it slow.
Peace out for the week!

Project Runway: Snoozefest.

Unfortunately, the judges' snarkiness ruined my interest in the judging this week. I watched, but only with half an ear, while I graded essays. They were pointier than usual and belabored their points unnecessarily, trying to come up with the worst metaphorical insults to sling at people for sound bytes without actually talking about the fashion constructively, or providing intelligent comments. I hated it. It was, to use last week's term, a snoozefest. Fail, Project Runway. Also, did anyone notice how Tim's comments were completely different from the judges'? This isn't normal.
At least I learned why I don't "get along" with Nicolas--anyone so rabidly anti-ruffle cannot be a personality I enjoy. I have, in the previous challenge, made my feelings about ruffles pretty clear.
My pick for the winner: Carol Hannah and Shirin. The dress was reasonably cute and wearable. The color combinations of the blue were a little questionnable, but it made sense for the customer, and as the Macy's person herself said, if the two outfits were placed together in the store, they would relate well as sets and would sell. I wasn't all that keen on the top myself, but it made sense. Since this was a challenge about making relating outfits, I thought Carol Hannah did the best job meeting those parameters.
Althea and Logan: The jacket wasn't bad, but it was kind of boring. The skirt was a nightmare, and the pieces didn't look nice together. For the pants outfit, I thought the pieces worked nicely together and were realistic. I think this second outfit saved the pair from the trainwreck of the first.
Irina and Gordana: I thought the blouse was pretty, but wasn't as well crafted and ethereal as it could have been. It was ultimately a little heavy, and the back fastening was questionable. The skirt was bland. The dress was the prettiest things made for this challenge. I'd like to have it. But I think this pair won just on the strength of this dress, and that was annoying. The two outfits made did not really relate.
Christopher and Epperson: That greenish shirt reminded me of something you might find at Deb, something you might pick up inexpensively to wear to a party and never put on again because you spilled soda on it...and you didn't really care. The shirt dress was more manageable, and I disagreed with the judges' panning of it. That was a realistic look for you, Macy's. I've seen you sell things like this before, so don't act like they have insulted you. That being said, I disagreed with Tim's comment that C & E were reinventing the shirt dress. I didn't see anything particularly dynamic about it. But what really bothered me about this duo was the complete lack of relationship between their outfits. They were from two different planets, which missed the challenge.
Louise and Nicolas: Did anyone notice how, when the dark blue dress was on the mannequin, and the ruffle was pinned flat to the dress, with that bit of contrast showing, that it looked chic and even elegant? I actually thought that was going to be the final look of the dress, and I wish it had been, because it was cute. For the final look, the ruffle was either too big or not big enough, and it looked undecided. For the other dress, unfortunately, it had nothing to do with the sketch, and it looked heavy-handed and also indecisive--the bow on the back is a good example. I will miss Louise very much, but (and it pains me to admit this) I think she has trouble knowing her customer and designing for a customer. She got rattled and never got back on track.

Next week looks a little scandalous. I also wish for no more team challenges this season. I hardly ever like them.

In other news, I am trying to decide whether to buy this dress or this dress or both, at some point this season. I feel like sweaterdresses might be just the thing for my professional wardrobe here in freezy Ohio. They also have some new boucle colors so it might be time to get that shawl collar v-neck sweater I've had my eye on...since Lord knows 11 boucle sweaters (or whatever the number now is) isn't enough. It's a shame they're so hard to wash because I'm completely addicted. They have a v-neck with puffed sleeves, too. I haven't seen that much fall fashion I like this year, which is probably a good thing, but these sweaters...
Speaking of which, hockey tomorrow at noon (I know, weird, right?) and I need to figure out what I'm wearing!