Gossip: Britney

Though some people may very well roll their eyes at the upcoming Britney Spears interview special, I find myself strangely drawn to it. Why is she such a train wreck? Why are people so obsessed? Why do I even feel compelled to watch? Who knows, but I do. And I suspect many of you do too. 'Britney: For the Record,' has MTV follow Britney Spears through every step of her storied 2008 comeback. So watch December 3rd so we can discuss later.

*Update: Ok, so she is definitely on the comeback train. But still sad and lonely. Let's hope there is not a repeat of her last year. Yowzers!

Events: Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends & family today! (And just for the record, yes, we have Thanksgiving in Canada too but it was back in October. People always look at me back in NY with surprise that we have it at all ;) And if you're family is driving you crazy this holiday, may I suggest the movies "Home for the Holidays" or "The Family Stone" to put dysfunction into perspective.

Movie: Milk

Since we are at the start of the big movie season, I am sure everyone will go check out the new Bond,"Quantum of Solace" (best stunt work ever for Bond - go!), and possibly the new blockbuster from Baz Luhrmann, "Australia" (if you can sit through 2 hours 40 minutes:) But from the reviews I have seen pouring in, the movie to check out is the latest from Gus Van Sant and Sean Penn, "Milk", about the first opening gay male elected to public office in San Francisco. Considering we are on the brink of change now in America, and people claim this is a new beginning for equal rights amongst men, may I suggest the recent passing of the unfortunate California prop 8 bill has handed a set back to this equality.

Music: Kate Nash

Ok. One more just because I like the song by Kate Nash so much and was the last (again) to hear it. Apparently she was sick of comparisons to Lily Allen but...sorry...she sounds very similar in all the right ways.

Music: Recommendations...and Ida Maria

Attempting to update my Ipod after too many months of traveling about, and finally getting to the recommendations from various friends. First, LOVING the new single, 'Human', off The Killer's new album: Day & Age. The video setting is pretty appropriate seeing as these boys are from the desert town of Las Vegas, but Brandon might have thought to rethink that feather jacket.

Had a surprising reaction to France's First Lady, Carla Bruni, and her gorgeous new album. Very mellow & cozy...highly recommend it for the upcoming cold winter months.

Of course, artists like MGMT, Estelle, The Kooks and Lykke Li are all new album download worthy, so don't forget to check them out as well.

And finally, thanks to a song sent to me this morning (thanks R;), I have been rocking out to Ida Maria all morning. Her two release singles "I like you so much better when you're naked" and "O my God" are definitely dancing-around-your-house worthy. Enjoy!

Music: Best of the best?

You gotta love the top 100 music lists from Rolling Stone. There is certainly a lot to debate! Visit www.rollingstone.com to check out their opinions, such as their latest: 100 Greatest Singers of all time. There are a lot of people missing here, people. And is John really a better singer than Paul? Discuss amongst yourselves...
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/24161972/page/60

The List: Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Paul McCartney,Little Richard, Roy Orbison, Al Green, Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Freddie Mercury, Bob Marley, Smokey Robinson, Johnny Cash, Etta James,David Bowie, Van Morrison, Michale Jackson, Jackie Wilson, Hank Williams, Janis Joplin, Nina Simone, Prince,Howlin' Wolf, Bono, Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston, Dusty Springfield, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Elton John, Jeff Buckley, Curtis Mayfield, Chuck Berry, Joni Mitchell, George Jones, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Kurt Cobain, Patsy Cline, Jim Morrison, Buddy Holly, Donny Hathaway, Bonnie Raitt, Gladys Knight, Brian Wilson, Muddy Waters, Luther Vandross, Paul Rodgers, Mavis Staples, Eric Burdon, Christina Aguilera, Rod Stewart, Bjork.

Also released is Blender's Best Albums of 2008. Check it here:
http://www.blender.com/33BestAlbumsof2008/articles/45690.aspx

Fashion: Lord's Shoes: Dress for Success!

The most fabulous shoe boutique in all of Vancouver, Lord's (at 2932 Granville Street) is supporting the great organization 'Dress for Success' and creating a shoe & boot drive for the cause. If you bring in a pair of clean, work appropriate shoes or boots into the store through November 30th, you will receive 20% off any regular priced boot.

This is a great opportunity to help out your fellow women, especially during the approaching holiday season. As they state it: "The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life." To learn more about this fantastic organization, visit www.dressforsuccess.org

Not only is this a chance to help out individual's in need, but also another opportunity to add some gorgeous foot wear to your collection. So, come on, what are you waiting for? Walk, run, or drive...just get yourself to Lord's and make the shoe drive a success!

Quote: Frank Sinatra

As we approach the holiday season, and the lights go up in Vancouver & New York, I thought I would kick things off with a nice, simple quote from the late, great Frank Sinatra. Make sure to have some fun this December and remember what matters ;)

“I would like to be remembered as a person who had a wonderful time living life, a person who had good friends, fine family - and I don't think I could ask for anything more than that, actually.”

- Frank Sinatra

Global 411: Obama

A lot has happened this week and I have been reluctant to post right away, as I needed to come to terms with just happened. First of all, as an American, I am thrilled with the new path my fellow citizens have decided upon and it has restored my faith in possibility. Now we just need to keep the energy focused on the issues at hand and work on solutions: this game is just getting started. Mostly it gives me hope in what electing Barack Obama means for the younger generation, who now know for sure, that the promise of the American dream, can really be attained through hard work after all and not simply from wealth, power & family connections (Cough. Bush. Cough, cough.) And here, it is also important to recognize the very power of the youth vote, over which 67% voted in favor of Obama. But mostly I am happy to witness a leader who is educated, interested, eloquent, engaging, etc. and actually has the ability to gain respect back from the global community. I know many of you feel the same from the emails I have received throughout the week, mainly from my friends in the US. Thanks for sharing your experiences! It sounds like NYC was on fire with energy that night, as it was in the rest of the world :)

Watching the election unfold in Canada was no less exciting, as I went to the local Democrats Abroad function in Yaletown, where it was packed wall to wall with Obama supporters & press, who cheered & booed at the TV screens as the results rolled in from across America. People were happy, emotional, and eventually...relieved. Can't wait for the Oval Office overhaul in 2009!

**And it should be noted, that in a recent poll done in Canada, up to 83% of us would have voted for Obama too.

Movie: Religulous

It took me awhile to get to this film, (the latest in political satire from comedian Bill Maher), but I had heard good things and had already seen everything else. If you can remain open minded and are not easily offended when it comes to religion, than I suggest you check out his movie. Raised both Catholic & Jewish, and currently Agnostic, his exploration into the irrationality of religion and how it continues to divide us (seriously..are we really so different?), is indeed a fascinating journey & he makes some excellent points. If you want respect, then you have to be prepared to give it.