For those of you already opposing my post who are not familiar with my blog, I love snow! I love the beginning of winter where you get those special Lorelai Gilmore shivers of wintery excitement, complete with the rights to make popcorn and hot chocolate, maybe bake some cookies and watch movies feeling the snow raging outside. Too much Christmassy spirit for you?

Turner Classic and Disney Gave Me the Biggest Yule Present Possible... 

Ah December 21st, my holiday. All Christmassy like traditions have been given an en route to Yule instead of the 25th, so what could be better than an endless string of Christmas movies on Turner Classic that Sunday (Christmas in Connecticut, Holiday Affair..)? Oh, I don't know, stuff from the Disney vault perhaps?

Disney. The infamous vault. Late last month Turner Classic and the Walt Disney Company locked a deal together. TCM would help spruce and change up The Great Movie Ride  at Disney World if the Walt Disney Company would share some of the good stuff from the film vault, including ABC TV series like "Disneyland" or the classic "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" among many other magical and even Christmasssy treats. The other magical part of all of this? This series block will be will be offered "roughly four to five times a year" according to Turner Classic Movies's Senior Vice President for Programming and Production, Charlie Tabesh. 

What's in this month's lineup?

7:00 pm (Short) On Ice (1935)
7:00 (Short) Chip an' Dale (1947)
7:00 (Short) Santa's Workshop (1932)
7:30 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color: The Disneyland Story (1954)
8:30 The Reluctant Dragon (1941)
10:00 Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier (1955)
11:45 The Vanishing Prairie (1954)
1:00 Third Man on the Mountain (1959)
3:00 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color: Perilous Assignment (1959)

Bring it. I'm so ready for this!

Ace Wilder Starts a Sexy "Riot" in New Video

First she warns us that "Bitches like Fridays" (which has wormed its way into my guilty pleasure playlist...) and now, Swedish bad ass Ace Wilder is in our TVs insisting we start a riot... if not a pretty sexual one, I might add. Have I mentioned that it's currently in a commercial promoting Alyssa Milano's reality show that's coming in January? Oh yeah, I did a happy dance upon hearing that randomly on my TV. 

Warning, it will get stuck in your head.

Nick Offerman Sings About Whiskey

We all know Nick Offerman is basically Ron Swanson between his love for red meat, steak and eggs, alcohol, plaid and making things out of wood. So it really should be no surprise that he writes a little Scottish ditty about his disappointment that he does not have enough arms to both play his guitar and drink at the same time. I'll take it and love it immensely!

The First Wave of Mission Creek Festival Looks Pretty Damn Magical!

And magical indeed! As of March 31st, there will be way too much to see, hear and experience here in Iowa City. Music ranges from Father John Misty, electropop darling Betty Who (who I'm pretty excited to see!) Squrl, Foxygen among many, many many others you can find here. What could be better than this line-up? Oh, I don't know, Ingrid Bergman's beautiful and talented daughter, Isabella Rosselini performing her Green Porno on stage? What a Load of Craft's art festival being revived after a year of retirement? I'm already pretty excited, but then Mission Creek Festival is an amazing time of the year. Remember, this is only round one...

Mr. Little Jeans Puts Out a Christmas Song,

I repeat, Mr. Little Jeans Puts Out a Christmas Song!

I admit, I have a dream list of my favorite singers who I would kill to put out a Christmas song (if not an album) which includes Annie, The old line up of The Pipettes, All Angels, Charlotte Church 2.0, Charlotte Martin, Emily Wells, Hey Geronimo, Jamie Cullum, Le Kid, Lake Street Dive... the list goes on and on. But never would I have thought that Monica Birkenes would ever put out a Christmas song! Last night a happy gasp ran through my throat seeing this in my facebook feed and immediately hearing that Phil Spector-inspired bass beat, I immediately nerded out. Like what I wrote on a comment on the link, it's everything that I love: An original Christmas song, that retro sound and naturally, Monica herself. I already want to make up a Pipettes-like choreography and learn every lyric! 

Nothing is Better than Darren Criss Singing Disney Songs

It really is no surprise to anyone who knows me that I have the biggest lady wood for Darren Criss, Blaine Anderson, Harry Potter, whatever you want to call him. But Sunday night on ABC, he will be "that guy from Glee that's singing that one song that got cut from Aladdin" for the network special "Backstage with Disney on Broadway: Celebrating 20 Years." Anyone who is a Disney nerd knows that "Proud of Your Boy" was cut from Aladdin but found life in the musical. However, anyone who is a Disney nerd and spends too much time watching documentaries knows that it's impossible not to cry when listening to this knowing the story behind the song of our great Demi-God Howard Ashman and his wanting acceptance from his mother. It's a beautiful, heartbreaking song and Criss pares it down with a simple voice and guitar which is enough to turn me into a crying mess and a puddle simultaneously. 

You can hear it here.

It's coming, the literature and food, readings and concerts of people who you can hear on NPR or Indie Rock Playlist on constant repeat. It's Mission Creek next Tuesday, the magical time of the year where everyone starts interacting a little more than usual under the influence of nicer weather and bonding over big names (Philip Glass, The Head and the Heart, Kishi Bashi...) and making new friends, facebook friends (because there's a difference) and networking. I'm so ready it hurts.

 

 

Want to See Something Dean-Mayzing?

 

While I despise puns, I can think of at least a thousand over Dean Pelton (Jim Rash)'s Pay Day rap on Community's episode on March 13th. This is still hysterical even after two weeks! "Even Barack Obama is scared of me!" And Gillan Jacobs not trying too hard keeping it in. While Community has been a little up and down for the last season or two, this is ultimate win.

 

 

 

Mr. Little Jeans is Streaming and Premiering a Video-Video

 

 

There's little question of how much I am obsessed with Ms. Monica Birkenes, or more popularly known as Mr. Little Jeans. Maybe it's her heritage or her magical moody electronica that can either make you dance or cry, but the ultimate magic has occurred -- her latest album, while it's not on Spotify, it is very streamable on Hype Machine. And until it's up on Spotify, I think I'm going to keep this link in safe keeping.

 

Some videos are meant to make you happy and some just punch you in the gut. And would we expect the former from Ms. Birkenes? Maybe in the future (and preferably a video to the tune of Valentine, pretty please?) but now we have a gorgeous, albeit rather depressing, video to "Good Mistake" that features a truck driver realizing the pain of his life and Monica in full form whipping her hair around in a telephone booth which hearkens to the movie, Stoker. The "Good Mistake" video is definitely just as moody and a little frightening like the Chan-wook Park film but it is also heartbreaking and unexpectedly made me cry. Absolute perfection.

 

 

 

Margaret Berger is Making Us Scream

 

 

Aaaaand the puns just keep happening... but the best news (second or first depending on the hour considering there's NEW DONKEYBOY happening!) is that Margaret Berger is finally putting out another teaser to "New Religion" and while I am excited, I am also just as frustrated. Last time anyone heard about the album was back in September and was intended to be released last November and then according to Wikipedia it was to be out last month! What gives, Margaret? We're ready to have your album! "I Feed You My Love" and all!

 

But while we're waiting and agonizing, Margaret has been kind to put out a new song, which is currently being made into a video, that reunites all the songwriters that formed the second semi-finalist song for Eurovision 2013 ("I Feed You My Love"). This time, "Scream" has the same charging electronic sound but with a little Mediterranean beat during a very infectious chorus. If it's any indication with the comparisons between the first three singles off the new album, "New Religion" is going to be fucking solid! I am so ready!

 

 

Donkeyboy Somewhere Between Crazy and Normal...

 

 

...but normal is just a setting on the washing machine, right? Well, Cato and crew are kind of nuts and they prove it along with a children's choir that they are "living how we wanna/spinning through the night." It's a perfect Donkeyboy happy dance (and happy-dance, however you want to read that) single that is going to prove that their next album along with "Triggerfinger," we're going to see a little deeper into the synths of the otherwise happy-go-lucky band and see something sweetly and adorably profound in them.

 

But let us watch them get a little dorky. It's an international language.

 

 

 

 



Amazing New Videos

Jena Malone Sings and it is Wonderful!

I love Jena Malone; I love her nonchalant awesomeness, her dorky charming smile and never mind the fact she totally got to make out with Patrick Fugit in the movie Saved! Along with her musical partner, Lem Jay Ignacio under the band name "The Shoe," the band is coming out with their first album "I'm OK" in June. Until then, here's a teaser and it's so pretty!

Josh Groban Does it Again on Kimmel!



The Four Words I Never Thought I Would Say:

Mr. Little Jeans Album

Mr. Little Jeans album, Mr. Little Jeans album!!! I have been waiting for this day for so long. "Pocketknife" is coming out March 25th and it is complete with songs that have been out as singles since her "Angel" EP. It is full of Ms. Birkenes's best: Runaway, Oh Sailor, the recent Good Mistake, and my favorite Valentine including seven new songs I am literally dying to hear. March 25th, get here faster! (And it should... I have a date with Ages and Ages and Lake Street Dive that night!)

Speaking of New Albums...

Sharon van Etten album!!! Sharon van Etten Album!!! And as the first single to May 27th's release of "Are We There," Sharon puts out a new symphonic sound quite different to her lo-fi folky tunes from "Tramp." "Taking Chances" teeters a strange line between cheerful (as cheerful as van Etten's smoky music can be) and her signature lo-fi folk as she tempts everyone listening in running away with her. In a second, Ms. van Etten!





Because my neighborhood is under a boil advisory. Yee freakin' haw.

In Case You Didn't Know...

Jimmy Fallon is Kind of Killing It!

Jimmy Fallon is officially a part of the great line-up of The Tonight Show including Jay Leno and the immortal Johnny Carson -- but he has managed to bring his signature episodic format to the more tedious monologue, something funny, guest, music. There is a kind of interjection that includes pre-taped videos (just this week alone, Brian Williams Raps "Rapper's Delight", "The Evolution of Dancing" with Will Smith (below)), and last nights genius in-studio game of Charades with Emma Thompson, Tim McGraw and Bradley Cooper. I'm still dying over that last one. There is something special and different in the way that Fallon interacts with actors and celebrities. Don't ask me to describe how it's different, it's like he just wants to have fun with his guests and cameos (Stephen Colbert showering him with pennies Monday night, anyone?) and in that way, makes them seem much more human. Maybe Jimmy Fallon is going to make late night cool again; becoming the late night host for us Gen Y'ers who love his nostalgic for the 80s and 90s humor. You have to appreciate that!

Speaking of Talk Shows...

Has anyone seen this? Oh dear God... no words. I have no words...



Josh Groban does Valentine's Day

Stop my beating... well, it's not my heart,

I'll say that much...

Mr. Little Jeans and Madison Release

Some Bitchin' Electropopping Sounds

Two of my favorite moniker-named dance vixens seem to be on the same brain wave this week.  Madison released "Start a Fire," an electric... fiery if not for lack of a better word... electropop dance song complete with echoing choruses and catchy "ooh's" you'll probably end up singing a long to; and Mr. Little Jeans (Monica Birkenes) releases another tease of her ever changing but consistently electronic sound on Tuesday with "Good Mistake which is full of her signature lo fi electronic beats and her affinity of throwing something amazingly profound into the lyrics, "surely what you remember what you're good for there's much more in life." 

A Very Grimm Valentine's Day

A little predictable to the devoted Grimm fan? Yeah maybe a little... Hysterical? Oh hell yes. And what of Rosalee and Juliette's friendship? Make it look a little less arm-length and I think I really love this! (Note: on E! Online's "Save a Show" feature, Grimm is on the block! What?! This should be happening... go on there and VOTE!)







 

 

 

There's no excuse for my absence but in my spiritual life late summer always kicks my butt hard. But wider periods of time between Vspots means more happy awesome accumulated in one post.

 

Can you handle it?

 

Hey, Annie! ...and Richard X

 

The magical duo are finally back making sweet sweet music ranging from the club-friendly (Invisible) to electronic (Mixed Emotions)  to the electropop (Ralph Macchio) to Carribean infused beats (Hold On). If it takes 3 years for Annie to break out  new songs; this is definitely worth the wait and as you watch the music video to the first single "Back Together," you'll forget about the gap of time staring into her beautiful Nordic face. Oh and when I say you, I really mean me. <3 <3

 

 

 

Cher's Back.

 

I think when you get to a certain age you are allowed to write a song about it being a "Woman's world" even with all the anti-abortion bills, women being raped mindlessly, and Middle Eastern women stripped of their rights. But in Cher's case, when you have been a survivor like she has for seven decades, you can do whatever the hell you want. And as for the first single off of her TWENTY SIXTH album, Closer to the Truth coming out September 24th, it doesn't disappoint -- at least for those who like her evolving sound.

 

 

 

 

"Coffee Town" is Open for Business! Josh Groban, make me coffee!

 

CollegeHumor finally put out the trailer "Coffee Town" which I had announced back in January in "January 20th's Holy Snow Vspot" and while it looks like a "let's just watch and see how it goes" I just want to put that Kanye West quote on repeat. I love it when Josh Groban goes gangster.

 

 

 

Scandipopera? Yes Please!

 

 

 

 

Natalia Kills Kills Saturday Night

 

Natalia Kills knows exactly how to make herself look like a bad ass while simultaneously making bubblegum pop -- and she succeeds with Saturday Night.

 

 

 

Oh Mr. Little Jeans, Marry Me.

I love you.

 





Regardless of my theories on the concept of marriage; it's great for those who want it (and I know a very deserving lady couple who will be married soon and I hope they find a song on here that they will enjoy ... aaand maybe play at their reception? =] ) who are lucky enough to find their someone. But it's clear to me I'm meant for a "lesbian handfasting"... are those legal? #curiouserandcuriouser

Busy spring works brings an exhausted B brings no voguegasmly awesome posts. So, I will not waste much time in showing off epic awesomeness that has happened in the past... oh I don't know... the past month.

Monica Birkenes's Mr. Little Jeans on Fi-yah!

A music video that shows Monica's perfect face in its entirety, a song on one of the most popular movies of the summer AND blowing up her soundcloud with new awesome electro beats. Yeah, there's not much else to say other than... FINALLY!

THIS! (but especially Damon's picture)

Musicians Who Need No Introduction With New Music 

(Except for a mass of keyboard letters in excitement)

ANNIE - Tube Stops and Lonely Hearts

Le Kid - We Are Young

... But the Greatest News of All....

One Life to Live is resurrected and thus far proving a little shaky, but to see people's faces who you consider

comfort food is the happiest thing to happen to me ALL month. Thank you Prospect Park and thank you to fellow fans, WE DID IT! (And Corbin Blue, yeah that one from Disney, he's pretty nice to look at)

So what if today's episode had 2 girls kissing or more fluent swearing or racier getting naked and sex? It's real, it's OLTL2.0 on Hulu! (And Trevor St. John is BAAAAACK) (And Shenaz Treasury as Rama has an amaziing body and ... OK OK, I'm done! I swear!)

1. Valentine's Day - The Dollyrots
2. Can't Hurry Love (Supremes Cover) - The Knocks feat. Alexis Winston  
3. True Love Stalker - Miss Li
4. Cancer (Love Me) - Smile Smile
5. Cuddle Alone - She Keeps Bees and Sharon van Etten
6. Danger Love - Top Less Gay Love Tekno Party 
7. Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) (Beyonce Cover) - Mr. Little Jeans
8. So Romantic - The Charms
9. Sex - Persephone's Bees
10. Love Kills (Freddie Mercury Cover) - Little Boots 
11. First Love - Emmy the Great
12. Fall Into Love - Rabbit!
13. Love is a Battlefield (Pat Benatar Cover) - Thao and Mirah
14. My Best Friend's Hot - The Dollyrots
15. The Loneliness Song - Best Friends Forever
16. You Really Got a Hold On Me (The Miracles Cover) - She and Him
17. Because It's Not Love (But It's Still a Feeling) - The Pipettes
18. You're Pretty Good Looking For a Girl (White Stripes Cover) - Marc with a C
19. I'll Be Yours - Those Dancing Days
20. Love is the Cruelest Cliche - Clare Fader
21. Oh! Darling (Beatles Cover) - Florence and the Machine
22. Let's Just Fall in Love - Marit Bergman
23. Someone to Love - Minipop
24. Release Me - The Like
25. Goddess - S.J. Tucker
26. I Can't Help Falling in Love With You (Elvis Cover) - Erin Lang
27. Too Young to Be in Love - Hunx and His Punx
28. Love, You're a Whore - Regina Spektor
29. I Will Love You - Fisher
30. Valentine - Mr. Little Jeans

There is a difference between covers and what Glee sings. Sorry, Gleektards for the brash comment - but a cover in a non-broadway with a story line sense counts as making your own sound with a much loved previous song. You will receive hate for it but at the same time you will gain a whole new following and respect depending on how good the cover is. Behold my top 10. (and in no particular order)

Mr. Bright Side 

Original by The Killers

Cover by Le Kid

A common denominator in song covers, I find, is the closeness of the melody to the actual accompaniment, if a song can become sing-songy to a more complicated accompaniment or vice versa, that is a just cause in making it sound more original for the cover band. Le Kid succeeds with Mr. Brightside because of the more rocker sound to a, as a friend said, a more "DDR sound." Plus, I'm just obsessed with the song - gender switching is another one of my favorite cover denominators. 

Womanizer 

Original by Britney Spears 

Cover by Lily Allen

 It's the same case with this, a more rhythmic note to note by Lily Allen seems more effective to be sing-songy versus the danceable, yet always fun and classic, Britney Spears. Lily's version is slightly down a few beats and her tone of voice definitely sounds more wry and a little sarcastic than Britney's seductive delivers. It's so good I'm posting it a second time!

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) 

 Original by Beyonce Knowles

Cover by Mr. Little Jeans

As if I need to plug Ms. Birkenes any further on this blog with almost under ten songs under her belt, she has to go and make this epic, lo-fi version of Beyonce. Lowering the beat doesn't so much make it more singable than it already is, but gives the song more of a chill sound than the hectic sound of the original.

 Street Spirit 

Original by Radiohead

Cover by Eliza Lumley

Sometimes all it takes is a really trained ear and great taste to cover something 90s emo and Tim Burton-ify it. That's what Eliza Lumley's goal was, somewhat, when she made the album "She Talks in Maths: Interpretations of Radiohead." "I was a choral scholar at Cambridge, doing Palestrina, Tallis and Byrd, and I think that style suits the Radiohead material really well. The lyrics are so fantastic; quite hard and angular - and the music is so beautiful when it's stripped bare. I think I've discovered other sides to the songs in the process." This is me not complaining considering her voice just soars during the "And fade out again" which feels like wind versus Thom Yorke's  (as much as I have loved his musical contributions to Velvet Goldmine) angst. Is angst something that makes the soul slightly soar or grounds you in your misery? It's all personal choice. And according to my friends, this cover is even better than the original.

Toxic 

Original by Britney Spears

Cover by CallMeKat

Again, this is so good it needs a repeat. Danish goddess Katrine Ottosen turns one of the most covered (and successful) Britney songs into a lo-fi tango. Every so often I need the maddening instrumentation of Britney, but the hipster simplicity of Katrine just feels right on a rainy day.

My Body is a Cage 

Original by Arcade Fire

Cover by Sara Lov

Sara Lov's perfect dream pop, stripped down and airy, is the perfect contradiction to Arcade Fire's almost theatrical operatic angst of "My Body is a Cage." Sometimes all it takes is a pained singing voice and a piano versus massive accompaniment to get the point across. Oh, she gets the point across and if it made me a little scared and cry at first listen, it will make you cry.

Brand New Key

Original by Melanie

Cover by The Dollyrots 

Kelly Ogden has a voice of summer, bad-assness and attitude ... blend that with a classic 70s single in Melanie's "Brand New Key" and yes, your face has indeed been imploded. There's not much else to say. IMPLOSION!

Plus: check out Kristine Tuna's cover of Tegan and Sara's "When I Get Up (I Want You)" free download at last.fm Such a beautiful voice is finally tackling the sometimes grating Quinn harmonies.

Today my focus is on fashion and when it's not the actual clothes or models, it has to be the music. Maybe some of these songs have been in shows and if so... I totally called that. =)

Sugar High

Jaymes Bullet

All the Girls Get Together and Rule

Costanza

I Wrote the Book 

Beth Ditto

Bitchin' 

The Donnas

 Cut Up

Duchess Says

 Work

The Saturdays

 Boys Will be Boys

Goldfrapp

Down the Rabbit Hole

Adam Lambert

One Touch

Mini Vivia

 Angel (RAC Remix)

 Mr. Little Jeans

Crown on the Ground

Sleigh Bells

Straight To...Number One (Dreamcatcher's Mix) 

Touch & Go

So every Monday night I'll be showing off at least under 10 things that are making me happy or a voguegastistic bitch the past week in pop culture, facebookland, twitterland, or random irreverent things here in Iowa City.
Why should you read me?
Sheer insanity, maybe.

1. LIZ LOVELY COOKIES


Here in Iowa City, the Bread Garden Market is the ultimate addiction for any foodie and for a rookie-rated foodie like me, even though I know the soup bar on a daily basis, I have been going in the last few times for the latest merch. And not just the newly prepared meals which are a plus (anyway to get cheap but good sushi) but a brand new brand of junk food. Sorry, Liz Lovely cookies like to be called "real food with real ingredients" but oddly with no lower calories which is a must in my mission to lose those last ten pounds. Regardless the half cookie for 180 to 210 calories, this is probably more of a recommended indulgence in all its organic and/or vegan glory. I passed little pieces to friends at the weekly Writer's Hangout on Friday and without asking what it was, they thoroughly enjoyed The Peanut Butter Classic cookie and LOVED it without ever knowing the vegan quality until I told them. That is a clear indication that these cookies will be trending in Iowa City soon.

Not only at the Bread Garden, the company has their own stores and even an online store HERE.

2. HELP NATHAN BUY FIREFLY CAMPAIGN

When interviewed for Entertainment Weekly on February 17th, 2011 primarily for his stint as Richard Castle, Nathan Fillion suddenly was feeling nostalgic for the beloved Firefly which prompted, whether in sarcasm or truth, Fillion quipped back with, "If I got $300 million from the California Lottery, the first thing I would do is buy the rights to Firefly, make it on my own, and distribute it on the Internet." That was enough for one amazing facebooker to start the campaign with a website and a facebook group. While the question is still up in the air of how much it really would cost to get Firefly away from the evil empire that is Fox, so far the facebook page has 17,109 hits and enough people with dollars burning in their pockets ready to donate for the greatest miracle in hipster heaven to be attempted.

Spread the facebook plague

HNBF site

3. MR. LITTLE JEANS IS INTERVIEWED FOR BEAT

Mr. Little Jeans's "anonymity" has been shattered and we get a closer glimpse into her random and irreverent humor. Complete with an attachment of the unremixed "Rescue Song" as well as the youtube link to "Single Ladies." Put a ring on this, please!


4. MEXICAN MACARONI AND CHEESE

You know what? It's not as horrible as it sounds. Really. Since my girlfriend is vegetarian (technically a mammaltarian, there's always room for sushi) I couldn't make my classic trademark baked chicken macaroni and cheese with Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup, I had to compromise with Campbell's Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup. Oh God, it was the best compromise yet. Massively cheesy with the velveeta alone, the nacho soup added a soft spicy kick and best of all, it was a mere 160 calories once I calculated it on livestrong.com. I'm a fan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Krogers Elbow Noodles
• 1 oz Velveeta Cheese
• 1/2 cup Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup
• 1/2 cup Skim Milk

Directions

Boil elbow noodles as long as needed while simultaneously dicing velveeta.
In a greased casserole dish, mix all ingredients together then place in oven 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Occasionally stir to mix cheeses together.
Serve.

5. Justin Bieber in Rolling Stone


Criticism aside, there are a little bite to the way how Vanessa Grigoriandis wrote the interview with Justin, as a standard adolescent as an adolescent is: opinionated, presumptuous, and a little over the top. Seriously, IHOP, ice skating then watching him be reprimanded by his vocal coach? Let's just say Bieber dug his own grave through a modern day version of "We're bigger than Jesus" in form of opinions of abortion and the American health care system.

The Canadian-born Bieber never plans on becoming an American citizen. "You guys are evil," he jokes. "Canada's the best country in the world....We go to the doctor and we don't need to worry about paying him, but here, your whole life, you're broke because of medical bills. My bodyguard's baby was premature, and now he has to pay for it. In Canada, if your baby's premature, he stays in the hospital as long as he needs to, and then you go home."
...
He isn't sure what political party he'd support if he was old enough to vote. "I'm not sure about the parties," Bieber says. "But whatever they have in Korea, that's bad." He does have a solid opinion on abortion. "I really don't believe in abortion," Bieber says. "It's like killing a baby." How about in cases of rape? "Um. Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I don't know how that would be a reason. I guess I haven't been in that position, so I wouldn't be able to judge that."

I'm trying so badly to look at it all objectively without getting a little angry at Bieber's opinion, but unfortunately as a woman I just have to roll my eyes and say that's just an example why children should be seen and not heard. And those words weren't an expansion, Rolling Stone explicitly states on its site that Bieber's phrase was word-for-word.

I just find it unfortunately ironic when earlier in the article, Grigoriandis tells the background of Bieber's own mother of how she was sexually assaulted at fifteen, although an abortion or pregnancy had not come of it, you seriously have to wonder... would have the Biebs... *insert Tourette style "swag" here* have a different opinion if his mother did happen to get pregnant from her sexual assaults? We can either call this great journalism portraying how today's youth is heavily inconsiderate or asking a teenager about his current event opinions and show how little today's teenagers really care.

Either way, thank you Grigoriandis, for putting this fire under my ass.

6. OZZY DOES ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Dr. Ozzy Osbourne answers sex and relationships questions now! And in lieu of this, when asked if a man's sex life is altered because of porn overload unable to give his wife the sex she deserves but is sure that his twig and berries has suffered from porn... Ozzy reprimands the questioner with this statement that made me want to get up from my seat in the coffee house with a hallelujah. "Women didn't stop getting pregnant when the internet was invented."

7. LYKKE LI'S "LOVE OUT OF LUST"

Lykke Li always aims to please with the smallish audience that knows she exists. As a love child between Lady Gaga (although Lykke precedes the Lady) and Yoko Ono and maybe a little of Bjork's ovary, she makes odd music quirky and actually likable. Wounded Rhymes is going to be out on March 1st, and last Friday stereogum issued another tease from Miss Li, "Love out of Lust" makes neo-medieval music become ear candy.




8. CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CHEESECAKE FROM AMES'S "THE CAFE"

Valentine's Weekend I was in Ames for a wonderful four days with my girlfriend, who decided after seeing her on stage for the first time in the Vagina Monologues Thursday night, she took me out on a romantic date at her favorite place, The Cafe. There, I met her.... her... HER! Her name was Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake, and it was love at first lick. Sweet and cheesy, chocolaty and rich, she was a foodie's dream... wet dream. So what could my lovely lady (oh yeah her...) possibly do this weekend to make it more perfect after not seeing her for about a week? Oh I don't know, bring me a slice? It was love all over again on a rainy Sunday afternoon, ABBA therapy through the movie Mamma Mia (which I will be writing on soon) and slow fluid fork penetration into the cheesecake to my mouth. It was heaven all over again and I almost forgot about the wonderful happiness I get with my girlfriend. And it's fine by her that I'm cheating on her with what we have nicknamed "the sex cheesecake."

9. LAUREN ZIZES

We all know of my love to hate stance on Glee, maybe it's a bit unorthodox after my last post, but after last week's Puck/Lauren storyline, it had made me love Miss Lauren Zizes (ZY-ZEES) even more. When we first saw her in the first season, she was the pure stereotype of "that fat chick" in high school, constant candy references, showing the multi-political themes of childhood obesity, consumer generation, etc etc. It sickened me.

But after Murphy finally broke through the stereotypes by season 2 and showing not only is Zizes a plus-size girl with a pension for junk food, but the fact she has a bigger-than-life attitude towards men, especially Puck, and for being a female wrestler. She demands for Puck to impress her, make her feel like not only a bigger woman which he actually enjoys but to prove to her that he enjoys other aspects of her. Feminine empowerment for the win! I was the "that fat chick" in high school as well, but I only wish I had someone like Zizes to make it look cool back then, before Mika wailed in libretto, "Big Girl, you are beautiful."

Despite the feminine empowerment, I would like for Fink herself, if it effects her health, to lose weight. Maybe I was a little put off at first at her appearance, I can't wait to hear her voice more as her first solo last week "I Know What Boys Like" was mediocre at most, but Ashley Fink, a singer and dancer, has a lot more in the back of her pocket instead of a Snickers bar, so let's see it already!!