The End

Turn, turn, turn…

I started this blog as a project in discipline. I wanted to challenge myself to write several times a week, and to keep to it for one year. Once I started, I found I really enjoyed it. I found that I liked writing and getting my thoughts down on “paper”. I enjoyed the creative outlet that it afforded me. Now, I am approaching the two year mark and I find that I need a new project. I need something that feels fresh. I need a new discipline. So, as of today, Chris2fer is cancelled.  

Thanks go out to all of my guest stars: Sabrina, Mary, Rob, Coreyander, Mom, Dad, Sister Kristin, Jess & Matt, Matt & Erin, all of my college and childhood friends, and everyone else who made my stories real and funny.

Extra special thanks go out to my puppy Grady for taking the best pictures ever seen on the internet (in my opinion, of course) and to The Hub, for patiently watching me put it all out there for the world to see and sticking by me. Love you.

Finally, thanks to you, the reader. Thank you for caring about what I have to say. Thank you for commenting and reading and being my online friends.

I’ll talk to you soon.

C-

Top Judge

Awww. He cares.

As if there needed to be another reason to love Top Chef, head judge Tom Colicchio gave a statement in his blog about gay marriage. Looks like the gays are gonna love him even more than they already do…

From Tom’s Blog

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say a few words about same-sex marriage:

First of all, part of the problem with the issue is that it is framed by opponents as a discussion of whether gay people should get special rights. This is specious – yes, special legislation or court decisions grant them the right to wed in a particular state, however this is done to ensure that they share equal protection under the law by finally being able to avail themselves of the same rights as everyone else.  They are not seeking special treatment, just equitable treatment.

Second, religion has no business being part of the discussion. When a couple is wed in a house of worship, the officiant may be performing a religious rite, but as far as the law is concerned, that officiant has been authorized to perform a civil function, plain and simple. And even were same-sex marriage to be legalized by the state, no one would be holding a gun to the heads of the clergy to require them to perform a ceremony that their faith or personal creed does not condone.  Just as some rabbis would not perform my marriage to my wife because I wasn’t Jewish, clergy can decline performing same-sex marriages; gay couples can either find clergy willing to officiate or can be wed in a civil setting.

The idea that religious leaders are continuing to shape state law is just wrong. The institution of marriage should be available to all. The idea that you can have a life-long partner and not make decisions for them in a hospital, not share in insurance benefits, not automatically have parental rights unless you are the birth parent, is just flat-out wrong.”

Random Thoughts 20

I did it my way…

1. I’m in a class called the Leadership In Life Institute (Lili). For our next session I have to write my own eulogy as delivered by a loved one. I picked the Hub, of course. It is not difficult for me to write my own eulogy (I have examined my life in depth, ad nauseam) but I am finding it hard not to cry while writing it. Do you think it’s hubris or just the fact that I am writing about the death of someone VERY dear to me?

2. This morning when I got out of bed the house was a little chilly. It felt WONDERFUL.

3. Does anyone else love to mow the lawn? When I was a kid it was my job to cut the grass. We lived on a large piece of land, so it took me several hours. After the initial whining I found that I really enjoyed the time spent not being able to hear anything but my own thoughts while slowly walking over every inch of our property. I still get this feeling today. Zen, maybe?

4. This weekend we celebrate two milestones in Sabrina’s life – her birthday and the fact that she is closing on her new condo. So, congrats to Sabs for making it to 36, and congrats on finding a bigger place that is closer to me! Love ya. Next up – the decorating!

5. Last night Jess stopped by because she needed a cup of coffee for a marinade. Then, a half hour later I stopped by their house for an onion. Recently I have used a snake from Matt and Erin’s house and used Matt (of Jess &) for intellectual labor. It’s like we live in a commune.  

6. I am recording a version of “My Life” to play after the reading of my Eulogy. It is Il Divo’s version (A Mi Manera). If you haven’t heard it, click here). It’s beautiful. I printed out the words, as I am singing it in English. Again, I cried my way through it. Sheesh.

Whitney Houston – I Look To You

Whitney? Is that you? OMG, it is! Hey girl!

Whitney is streaming her WHOLE ALBUM on her website now. Read on to find out if it delivers…

1. Million Dollar Bill
Uptempo late 80’s R&B. Needless to say, I love it. Written by Alicia Keys. And let’s get this out of the way – her voice is older. She’s 46. She’s been through alot of crap. The drugs probably didn’t help. But once you get past your memory of her voice, she sounds really good. Better than many on the radio now, at any rate.

2. Nothin’ But Love
Uptempo club thumper. Deep base line with Whitney singing over it. She’s talking about the “haters”, which she’s done before, but this time she has nothing but love for them. She’s letting go of the pain. Let it go, Whit. Let it go.

3. Call You Tonight
This is almost a country song – listen to the twang at the beginning. Her voice sounds great on this track. Mid-tempo. This will make a great remix…

4. I Look To You
The title song and the first ballad on the album. It starts with a piano and “strings”. It’s very reminiscent of I Will Always Love You (except 2 octaves lower). The words are strangely moving. I wanted it to build and build to a crescendo, and it starts to, but then it kind of just drops off. It may grow on me.

5. Like I Never Left
Akon and Whitney. This sound like it was a hidden track on “My Love Is Your Love”. This is a duet, and Akon sounds good. This is an uptempo “island track”.

6. A Song For You
This is one of my favorite songs of all time (here’s the Karen Carpenter version if you’ve never heard it), and to her credit Whitney doesn’t try to out-ballad Ms. Carpenter. It starts with just Whitney’s voice and a piano, but then (wisely) breaks into a full dance stomp. So far, this is my favorite track. Woohoo!

7. I Didn’t Know My Own Strength
The second ballad, and the better of the two. This was written by Diane Warren, so that’s no real surprise. In “I Look To You”, Whit looked to us for strength. In this one, she finds her own. She sounds gorgeous on this track, if a little breathy.

8. Worth It
This is a nice fusion of hip-hop and R&B. It has a nice back beat, and Whit sounds good. It’s about being in a long term relationship, and never giving up on it. That it’s worth it. Nice slow jam.

9. For The Lovers
Whitney’s singing through the vocoder on this one, but not to a Cher “Believe” point. This will be a hit at the club. It has a strong and catchy melody. You’ll find this one stuck in your head all day. Throw your hands up!

10. I Got You
Kanye and Whitney. She starts with a beautiful high note – I’m surprised she has it in her, to be honest. This is basically a re-worked “I Got You Babe”. The sentiment is the same. No matter where you are, you got me. Nice thick chorus.

11. Salute
This was written by R Kelly, which I will try to ignore. Handclaps and deep bass all under a message about breaking up. Hmmm. She is tired of crying. She is stronger than you. She is better than you. She salutes you. Hmmm. I wonder who this is about? (hint: Baaaahhhhhbbbbyyyy!)

This is exactly what I wanted from a new Whitney album. She sounds better than I expected, the songs are radio friendly and singable, and slickly produced. Way to go, Whitney. Excellent job. Welcome back.

Project Runway Season 6 Ep 1

Ooo, Snarky…

The new season of Project Runway has started, finally. After a swell appetizer with the All Star Challenge, we finally got to the main meal. Here are the designers from Season 6, and some thoughts…

Hello, Crazy! Ari doesn’t like to sketch a design, she just stands on her head in order to get her thoughts moving. Me thinks Ari needs heavy meds. Designers are supposed to be eccentric, not legally insane.

Hello Suave. I delight in calling him “rrrRaah-Mahn”. He is fabulous.

Bobby McFerrin. Right?

She said that if you gave her a sheep she could make you a sweater. I think we have a new challenge, designers!

Johnny got himself off drugs = good.

Johnny uses that anecdote to get out of doing work and hog the spotlight and cry. A lot. = bad.

He’s “Straight”. <snerk>. Oh, me too…

I mean, with that name, could she have any other hair cut? She reminds me a little of Edna Mode from the Incredibles…

Malvin needs to pick a prettier Drag Queen name. I mean, Malvin? How about… Varicose. Varicose Vien.

I loved his nekkid flowy dress that he sent down the runway after a snafu with his model’s expected size. Really. Give me a flowy gown any day…

He looks like a Nicolas Putvinski.

She’s Jackee! But with terrible taste.

These folks made no impression on me. Come on, people! Who am I gonna rip on?

Loved this. Shoulda won.

Hated it. Looks like droopy boobs.

Ari’s losing design. Bye Ari! Take your crazy and peddle it elsewhere.

The winning deign, by Christopher. I actually agreed with the guest judge, Lindsay Lohan – One less ruffle at the bottom and it would have been perfect.

Imagine me, agreeing with Lohan!

PS – Thanks to Arianna Huffington for the pictures!