"Where did you get that darling thing?"

I find I have a hard time putting a finger on my style. Is it California casual chic? Or does it adhere more to Seattle's "rock 'n roll professional" aesthetic? Certainly my draw to boots, chunky belts and stylish coats is a holdover from my Colorado days. Or is it regional at all?

Whatever it is, I've been having fun shopping lately. Color is back! I remember roaming into stores over the last couple years thinking, "Beige and gray? Are they serious? I'm an autumn, dammit!!" But now, man, you roll into these joints and they're all Red! Royal blue! Emerald Green! Mustard Yellow! Rich earthy colors and jewel tones as far as your wallet will take you! Hurrah!

More than clothes, though, I love accessories. I found a shop that carries really cute shoes in wide sizes, as well as an affordable shoe repair shop near my house, so I'm finally getting excited about shoes. My collection of beautiful necklaces & pendants is an abundance of pretty, and I love dressing up coats and jackets with a fun brooch.

The whole reason for this post, though, is that I have two items that never fail to draw compliments and get people asking, "Where did you get that darling thing?" And since I do not fancy myself too original to copy, I'll just tell you.

1. The Pretty Silver Necklace: I can not take credit for picking this out, as it was a birthday present from my friend Erica. Her taste in clothes is almost exactly like mine (only better), and her taste in jewelry is impeccable. Anyway, this necklace is absolutely beautiful, and never fails to receive compliments.

Where to find it: On Robson St. in Vancouver, if you're lucky enough to go, at a store called Blue Ruby. They also have a website. Go through the Mimi & Marge collection until you find the "Soda Dot Necklace." There are also matching earrings and a matching cuff if you're into the matchy-chatchy thing.

2. The Groovy Printed Clutch: I found this prize in Austin, at a store that specializes in Austin designers. When I got home, people kind of freaked out over its retro-like fabric and clever design. I mean, I went to get my teeth cleaned, and even the front desk staff and my hygenist were all, "Oooh, so cute! Want!"

Where to find it: the Kailo Chic web site. The name of my purse is "The Mocca," but you can find it in a whole variety of cute, vintage-y fabrics. The real draw with this clutch is the little strap on the side that you slip your hand through to help hold onto the bag.

So, there you go, the two most-complimented components of my wardrobe, available for appropriation at reasonable prices. Plus, now you have a couple sites to bookmark for the women in your life who appreciate artistic, well-made things.

41 songs

I've been a bit of a musical slut lately. I hear something pretty/cool/dancey/rockin and the next thing I know my iTunes account is totally depleted and I've got all these new songs. I haven't posted a Mix of the Month in a long time, but I also haven't been doing monthly theme mixes in the last year either. What I have been doing is customizing mixes for my family & friends out of the 41 songs you see below.

Note: Many thanks to Amanda, Eyad, Megan, Conrad, Amy, Mikey and Mac. This mix would be a lot shorter, and a lot less cool, without all of your contributions.

1. See You at the Lights, 1990s - From the album Cookie, which I Totally Recommend. Happy guitar rock. Good times.
   
2. D is for Dangerous, Arctic Monkeys - These kids are getting better, this song in particular.
3. Trophy, Bat for Lashes - I JUST discovered Bat for Lashes a couple weeks ago in Seattle. They're moody, haunting, and feature floaty girl vocals over percussive bass & drums. SIGN ME UP!
4. Fucking Boyfriend, The Bird and the Bee - A side project of Inara George, The Bird & the Bee are a little more electronic. This song is hilarious and awesome.
5. Earth Intruders, Bjork - Hi, B's using FRENCH HORNS now, in addition to everything else. Because she rules.
   
6. Sunday, Bloc Party - A Weekend in the City is SO GOOD, y'all, I recommend the whole album. Actually I recommend everything Bloc Party--their drummer is sick, they're awesome live, they're delicious, danceable Brit Pop at its best. This song stays in heavy rotation 'cause I'm a sucker for lyrics like, "Giant proclamations are all very well, but our love is louder than words." Swoon!
7. Silently, Blonde Redhead - My favorite track from 23, their most recent album. The whole album is rad, but I want to HUG this song, it's so sweet.
   
8. The Long List of Girls, The Blow - Amanda turned me on to The Blow, and they do so many cool, interesting things. Here, they've got drum corps percussion making asses everywhere shake happily, while singing, nonchalantly, "Guess I'm on the long list of girls who love the shit out of you."
   
9. If Looks Could Kill, Camera Obscura - This song is like crack to me. All my favorite elements are here: heavy drums, strong bass line, sweet girly vocals, AND it's reminiscent of a 60's motown girl-group song.
10. To Build A Home, The Cinematic Orchestra - This is that pretty rolling piano anthem you're hearing everywhere that sounds like Coldplay, but isn't.
    
11. Let the Drummer Kick, Citizen Cope - A So You Think You Can Dance discovery, I love this song's ability to lure me into a laid-back trance of cool.
    
12. Bulldozer, Datarock - A birthday present from my friend Conrad, I like the way the drums on this press urgently forward, like a train. I hear the rest of the Datarock album is great, but I haven't heard it yet.
    
13. The Crane Wife Pt. 3, The Decemberists - I wouldn't call myself a Decemberists fan, per se, but I AM a fan of big, swelling (heh. That's what SHE said) anthems. ANTHEMS. Ahem. Seriously, though, this song is all strummy and pretty and, for CD-mixing types, a great way to end a mix.
14. Society, Eddie Vedder - From the Into the Wild soundtrack, it's all jangly acoustic guitars and Eddie's signature deep, sexy voice. Yes, please.
    
15. Drunk and Stoned, Faux Jean - Faux Jean is a Minnesota bar band my sister Amy introduced me to when I told her how much I love male/female duets. This song is powerful, sweet, funny, and totally rockin'.
    
16. Bang Bang to the Rock 'n' Roll, Gabin - Another SYTYCD find, this updated mambo track makes me dance, plain & simple.
    
17. Tell Me Where It Hurts, Garbage - Who loves Garbage with all her heart? And big, orchestral numbers? And plaintive, touching vocals about friendship and love? Dinah, that's who. So this one pretty much makes me happy without hardly trying.
    
18. Buddha's Delight, Haley Bennett - Okay: If you haven't seen Music & Lyrics yet, go rent it. Nay, BUY IT. If, that is, you can appreciate 80's throw-back numbers, would be delighted by a "POP!" video that's reminiscent of Roxette and Wham, or would be as stunned as me to realize that all the jokey modern pop songs, like this one, that were written to mock every other pop starlet out there, are actually kind of awesome, danceable, addictive tracks.
    
19. Fools In Love, Inara George - I heart Inara George. On a cold, gray, miserable day, she is my warm blankie, my bunny slippers, my chamomile tea. This song was a present from the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack, and it's just one of the prettiest songs ever made.
    
20. The Way I Am, Ingrid Michaelson - Yeah, it's that Old Navy commercial song. Shut up. I like it.
    
21. Real Life, Joan As Policewoman - I discovered Joan as Policewoman last fall in Australia, in this little record bar. I was standing in line waiting to settle up the bill, and found myself rocking on the balls of my feet, totally sucked in my the simple piano and vocals of this slow, deliberate, and dreamy song.
    
22. Weekend Without Makeup, The Long Blondes - I recently picked up the Long Blondes album "Someone to Drive You Home," and it's great. If you like Girl Rock (The Donnas, The Blackhearts, etc) then you like The Long Blondes. The lyrics on this particular track tell a story many women can relate to, and they're written & sung in such a way you an almost hear the punctuation. And you know I love that, comma, sweetie.
    
23. Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks, Los Campesinos - This is a great strummy alt-rock song (with violins! yay!). I think mostly, though, I just like the expression "Sweet Cheeks."
    
24. Valerie, Mark Ronson, feat. Amy Winehouse - I've had a ton of different people ask me my opinion on Miss Amy, and here it is: I heartily disapprove of her lifestyle and her attitude towards getting help for an obvious drug addiction. Her immaturity is as grating as joints in a skeleton with no muscle or fat to cushion them. That said, I have to admit the girl can sing. And this song is darling, so. I listen to it. A lot.
    
25. The Libertine, Patrick Wolf - Patrick Wolf is this 23-year-old British dude that all the hipsters like. I've tried out a handful of his songs on some friends' recommendations, and been kind of underwhelmed. With this one very distinct exception. The Libertine is a find, a treasure, an exciting musical journey with violins that wail like the wind in a storm, and trotting horses on percussion. It's one of those songs that you hear for the first time and you're like, "...What? Wait, play it again!" And then suddenly you've listened to it, like, 43,652 times in one sitting.
    
26. Young Folks, Peter Bjorn and John - This is that song you've heard all over the damn place, with the catchy drums and the whistling. The one that gets stuck in your head for a week until finally you're like, Fine! I'll buy it on iTunes and listen to it repeatedly! YOU WIN, PETER BJORN AND JOHN. At least, that's what happened to me.
    
27. Hey There Delilah, Plain White T's - Oh, strummy, heartfelt pop songs. It really doesn't matter how overplayed you are, you're just so, so pretty.
    
28. Pieces Of The People We Love, The Rapture - Mac found this track several months ago, but I keep putting it on mixes & playlists because I like the strong backbeat, and I love me some backup vocals that sound like they could be sung by Muppets (see: Hard-Fi, Kaiser Chiefs).
    
29. Ain't Nothing Wrong With That, Robert Randolph & The Family Band - As Mikey once said, this one is a Powerhouse. I like to open mixes with this track, so the first beat just knocks you square in the chest, and makes you pay attention: "This is not background music, friend. Now get up and DANCE."
    
30. Release The Stars, Rufus Wainwright - This beautiful track swells and sways and makes me want to don a strapless frock and slow dance under paper streamers and a balloon arch in the high school gym.
    
31. I Don't Feel Like Dancin', Scissor Sisters - But I DO! I DO feel like dancing! Oh, you cheeky Scissory Sisters.
    
32. Australia , The Shins - The Shins' most recent album is great, but I latched onto this happy track because it's called Australia, I think. What? It was a great trip, even if it was a year ago.
    
33. One Mile Below, Siouxsie - ATTENTION FRIENDS: Siouxsie Sioux has a new album, Mantaray, and it is AWESOME. Yeah. Go get it. Of course, I choose this track for my mix because it's the one with the... you guessed it! Really heavy drums and floaty vocals. Because I'm predictable in what turns my musical crank. What can I say? I know what I like, and so, evidently, does Siouxsie. Rawr.
    
34. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb, Spoon - Spoon's new album, Ga Ga Ga Ga (seriously), is really good, and this is just kind of a classic, perfect alt-pop song.
    
35. Punkrocker, Teddybears, feat. Iggy Pop - "Cause I'm a punkrocker, yes I am." I like how this song's lyrics sound kind of insecure, while the song itself rocks. It's a musical paradox, and a damn good time.
    
36. Oh Timbaland, Timbaland - I like Timbaland's new album, and appreciate the repetitive (if totally overplayed) "The Way I Are" for motivating my lazy ass on the treadmill. That said, this is the best track on the album. It samples Nina Simone's "Sinner Man," only in the most badass possible way.
    
37. Body And Soul, Tori Amos - I know a lot of Tori fans. Traditionally, I'm not one. I mean, I like her fine, but I don't LOVE her or anything. I do LOVE this song, however. It's all heavy piano and striptease beats and sexy as hell.
    
38. Here It Comes Again, Tracey Thorn - More dreamy, floaty girl vocals. I can't help myself. This one's like a bubble bath followed up with a big, fluffy towel right out of the dryer.
    
39. In The Clouds, Under The Influence Of Giants - This song challenges my commitment to perfect the song order on every mix I make, because it's a hard-hitting disco number that just smacks you in the face on the first note. Tricky, but totally worth it.
    
40. (I'd Search) The Whole Wide World, Wreckless Eric - My friend Eyad put this on a mix of love songs for his fiance Amanda, then left it at our house by accident after we hosted her birthday party here. So I listened to the mix (I couldn't help it, E makes really awesome CDs), and heard this song, and was like, "Aw!" And then I imported all the songs so I could return the CD and still listen to it whenever I want.
    
41. Down Boy, Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Finally, we end with Y, and I don't know if it's because it's fall, or if it's indicative of my overall mood, or what, but it's another moody, sexy number featuring sexy beats and warbling female vocals. So good, though! I have a bunch of tracks from the YYY's latest album, actually, and they're all kind of awesome. This one's a definite favorite, though.

Now, your turn. What are you listening to right now? GO!

soup, clogs, kittens or politics

I have an RSS Feed!

I've been asked about this by a couple different readers, and I finally figured it out. I've only had this blog for, what, 3 years? Yeah, hi. GENIUS.

Anyhoo, if you check back here from time to time, and find the feast/famine style of posting is bumming you out, and you just wish you could be notified when I finally get off my lazy butt to post my brilliant musings on soup, clogs, kittens or politics (ha!), then this RSS feed is for you! Just click the orange button in the upper right corner, above my picture, then you'll get all kinds of feed options. It gets a little complicated from there, but I'm hoping that those of you who WANTED the RSS option can sort it out.

If you're still confused, and honestly, I am a little, then just sit tight until someone more blog-smart than I explains to me how to simplify this whole RSS thing, at which time I'll be more than happy to pass it along.

all kinds of thoughtful

Tomorrow morning we're flying to Seattle for 7 days, the longest trip we've taken there since we moved away in 2003. I find this trip has me all kinds of thoughtful--about the people we've kept in touch with, about the people we haven't kept in touch with but are hoping to see anyway, about all the changes our lives have gone through in 4 years (marriages, divorces, kids, houses, dogs, new businesses, etc etc etc) and all the changes Seattle's gone through during the same time. I don't know how it's going to be, but these two things I know for sure:

1. We're going to eat at some of the best damn restaurants in the country.

2.


I am NOT packing my new suede shoes.

my train of thought

If you climb aboard my train of thought, it would take you through a Twilight Zone of easy distractions and OCD, arriving at the Bermuda Triangle of my mind also known as, "What the hell did I come in here for? Wait, what am I doing?"

It started with a staffing memo for this Talk Like a Pirate Day event at the El Cap tonight, on which the attire was described as "Pirate Chic." I realized that I had the velvet blazer and boots for just such an occasion, and all I needed was to find one of my pairs of hoop earrings. (Obviously, "pirate chic" = hoop earrings.)

So I went into the bathroom to find them. I started pawing through all my cupboards and drawers, only to get frustrated at the overwhelming clutter and piles of products promising to make me prettier, smoother, more relaxed, and, ultimately, happier. I started pulling everything out, throwing things away, and putting items back in a more orderly fashion. "There," I thought, "That's much better."

I was about halfway through this non-hoop-earring-related project when I started coming across bags and piles of travel-sized beauty products--shampoos, lotions, mouthwash, you name it. Many of them from hotels, many from those cute bags you get people as gifts that are filled with liquid delights scented in lavender, ginger or vanilla. (I also found about 10 of those cute little travel bags stashed in various places.) I'm an easy mark when it comes to gifts. Do I like beauty products and things that smell nice and come in miniature, darling packages? Oh, yes, I certainly do.

Do I need any more of these thoughtful gifts?


No, indeed. I do not.

Naturally, after pulling out all these travel products to see what can be emptied & recycled, and seeing the overwhelming mass of tiny promises on my sink, I immediately stopped what I was doing, got my camera, took a picture, transferred it to my computer, cropped my reflection out of the mirror, uploaded it, and started writing this blog. Leaving the mess on the bathroom sink.

Ladies and gentlemen, you have now reached your destination of, "What the hell did I come in here for? Wait, what am I doing?" Please detrain as quickly as possible, before we depart on another sidetrack and go completely off the rails.

I know it helps

Readers of my blog, I need your help!

More specifically, my friends need your help. More specifically than that, they need your prayers and a little of your money.

My friend Chris was run over by a car in New York on Tuesday 8/14. Without going into too much detail, suffice to say that his injuries are extensive, he's still in the hospital, and his recovery will be long and hard. Those of you who know Mac & I from Seattle, or came to our wedding may remember Chris as an old friend of Mac's and one of his groomsmen (or "henchmen"). And even if you don't know him, I believe in the power of good thoughts and positive vibes and prayers and karma. So if you could throw some out for him and his wife Julie, I know they will help.

I'd also like your prayers for an old friend of mine from college, Krista. Krista and I were suite mates my sophomore year, which meant that the cell blocks that passed for our dorm rooms were adjoined by a pair of sinks and a mirror. I found out a couple weeks ago that Krista has Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. She's currently in the first stages of remission, but her best shot at survival is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. This costs approximately $250,000, and she has no health insurance. Her people have created an awesome web site for her, however, to help get the word out and try and raise some money for her. If you'd like to check it out and maybe kick in a couple bucks, go here:

Krista Berry Bryan Fundraiser

Thank you, my friends and family, for looking this over and contributing whatever you can, even if it's a brief plea to the universe to help these people out. I know it helps.

So satisfying

Okay, so I've been busy the last few weeks (wait, strike that: BUSY. Like mutha-effin BUSY FOR REAL). So I've lagged in my So You Think You Can Dance coverage. But tonight is the finale. I've just come home from a sing-a-long screening of Hairspray (So much fun!!) and I'm ready to recap the end of another awesome season of my favorite reality competition show.

Before I fire up TiVO, a few notes on our final four.

You know, I would have like to see Pasha here in the final four, if only because I just liked him as a guy. He seemed like a sweet, good-hearted gentleman and performed as one helluva partner, and it would have been cool for him to be here. And y'all know I haven't loved Neil. But... well? Neil outdanced him. I have to agree with the voters here, Neil stepped up, as they say, and really earned this spot. I don't love him as much as Pasha, but I think the final four turned out right. Danny is sensational to watch, and I'm impressed with how his attitude has shifted for the better. Lacey, while still annoying in how she's constantly mugging for the camera, delivers like a professional. Neil's come a long way. And Sabra, well. She's just a gem, and a joy to watch, and going into this finale, I really, really hope she wins. Let's see what happens, shall we?

(Also, last night's show: I liked the girls' fox routine, it made me all misty. And Mia Michaels' contemporary routine for the two guys was bad ass. Amazing. Loved it.)

Holy crap, what the hell is Cat Deeley WEARING? She looks like she looks like her skirt fell off just before the show started, and she fastened it up with some glue, safety pins, and a whole crapload of ...BROWN TULLE? Lord. Cat, memo, take this down: NO. That is all.

Also: Why is Mary Murphy so crazy?? Can we get OFF the bloody hot tamale train, already?

YAY! They brought the clogger back! That dude is awesome. I liked seeing that pop&locker again, too. He's rad. You know the one I mean, right? Brad Gainor, or something? Look him up on YouTube, he's amazing.

Aaaaand.... Lacey's out of the competition. Of the top four, that is as it should be. The top two should be Sabra and Danny. Let's see if I'm right.

And I am! Yay! The two best dancers were voted the two best dancers! See: This is why I love this show so much. I mean, besides the obvious joy I get from watching all the dancing. They really get the best dancers into the top 20, and the combination of voting and judging really refines a proper top 10. So by the time it gets to America's votes, they're really choosing between a bunch of hard-core, hyper-talented people and it's hard to go wrong. And even so, the results are usually (only a few exceptions) highly satisfying. Really, there's no bad here. I love this show.

*sniff* I can't believe it's almost over.

Okay: The Cat & Nigel thing was a total RIPOFF. BOO! LAME! BOO!

Finally, Sabra or Danny? It's.....SABRA!!!!!! HELL YES! YAY! SO HAPPY!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS GIRL GO YOU I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!

*sigh* See? So satisfying. And with that, we now return to our regular, non-SYTYCD programming.

I'm enrolling in dance classes in the morning.

six babies

I've decided that 2007 is officially The Year All My Friends Spawned. It's not entirely accurate--I have a handful of early bloomin' friends that created some amazing, gorgeous kids before this year. I'm sure more of them will have babies after this year. But seriously? Check it out:

1. Feb - Gretchen & Anton welcome Ria
2. May - Bridget & Jeff welcome Aiden
3. Also May - Wendy & Jer welcome Mason
4. July - Sarah & Jeff welcome Russell (they're family, but still)
5. August, I think - Sherri & Dom welcome...??? I don't know, I just today got an email with a baby photo attached and a note that said, "Sorry I've been out of touch, we've been busy."
6. And in November, Brandy & Ryan are due to welcome a girl.

That's six babies, y'all. SIX. And these parents, these friends of mine? Are all, like, really awesome, smart, good-looking people which in my completely biased and superficial opinion is also good news for the whole planet. I'm serious. I love seeing such amazing people repopulate the earth in a world where choosing to have children is more controversial and challenging and unfair than ever. I mean, you have potentially awesome parents thwarted from their hearts desire by their own biology. You have all these unwanted kids put up for adoption, but the cost of the process is extremely prohibitive, and that's AFTER you've invested in a house, a car, & whatever else is needed to create an agency-dictated, kid-friendly environment. And, at the same time, people struggling to parent have to read about idiots like Britney, or teenagers getting knocked up because they don't know no better (sex ed is bad, mmkay?).

And at the SAME TIME, our government wants to take away the whole choice element of this equation all together. Unplanned pregnancy? Too bad, you're having a baby, no choice for you! And not to be all "un-eloquant understatement" about it, but that choice is so freaking important, for so many reasons, the least of which is simply that we women live in a world where every goddamn person has an opinion about our bodies and what we should do with them. We need to lose weight, we need to be sexy (but not TOO sexy, what are you ASKING FOR IT?), we need to be fit, we need to have babies. Furthermore, if you're in your 20's or 30's and in a relationship or married, you REALLY need to have babies, like, NOW. GET ON IT, IT'S WHAT YOU'RE FOR.

GOD. I didn't mean to get into a rant. What was my point? Oh, yes.

This is the world, this is the climate we live in. So choosing to have children and become parents, and everything that goes along with that, is a hugely big deal. To see so many beautiful, awesome, intelligent, talented people making that choice just makes me happy and gives me hope. In conclusion: YAY.

leftover drunk

I don't know how many of you actually read my So You Think You Can Dance recaps. But tonight's landed on my birthday. So instead of recapping the show, I'm going to just watch it with the leftover drunk from my birthday dinner tonight, which I shared with friends so awesome they're really extended family, seriously, LOVE MY FRIENDS, and just predict, oh, Kamron and Jaimie.

Happy birthday to me. I'm going to bed.

On to the results

Tonight! Tonight I am a little drunk and extremely tired, and have just come home from an event for Our Very Own, and, oh my god, I met Allison Janney! She's SO my favorite. I love her. Love love love and she was lovely and gracious and fabulous.

On to the results from my favorite summer obsession.

Anya & Danny in the bottom three. Not what I would have hoped for or predicted, but not super suprising.

Jaime & Hok in the bottom three. What I predicted, but not what I hoped for at all.

Lauren & Neil in the bottom three. As, quite frankly, it should be.

And, by the way? I told you, America has a mania for the Schwimmers, which is why Kameron is still safe.

In preparing for the solos, I'm preparing for Anya and Hok to go. The two I loved in the beginning, the guy I wanted in the top ten, and the woman I thought could win it all. NOW what.

Well, Anya's solo sucked, as usual. Hok's solo was brilliant, as usual. I'm really, really hoping it's Lauren & Neil, or Anya & Neil.

Of the girls, Anya is going home. Not at all what I predicted, for this evening or for the the competition as a whole, but still not terribly surprising.

Of the guys, Hok is going. Exactly what I predicted, but so, so disappointing. I know, this competition can't be won on personality alone. But if strength of character could have won this competition, Hok could have worked out a win. I love him, and I'm so sorry to see him go. It really, really, really should have been Kameron or Neil here. Seriously.

Overall, it's a week late, but my predictions for those leaving have come true. It's kind of a bummer, actually. At least I got to meet Allison Janney tonight.

all over the damn map

I am bloody exhausted so I'm going to try and make this quick.

Last week my bottom three predictions came true, but Cedric and Shauna were the ones to leave. I'm fine with that decision. I didn't think either of them were ever going to win, but they had a nice run and got to leave on a high note. Good for you two, moving on.

Tonight's dances were all over the damn map. Also, the judges were a little insufferable. What the hell was up with Mary's freaking OUTFIT, people? Oh, and with Wade talking like an enormous tool? Take yourself too seriously much? Good grief.

Here's the breakdown:
Sabra & Dominic, jive - Sabra continues to be darling, Dominic continues to bug me. That said, they pulled off a solid routine tonight. I say they're safe.

Jaimie & Hok, broadway - I disagreed with the judges a lot here, I thought this routine was lovely. I thought the movements from both were fluid and the tone was beautiful, and I thought the judges were a little hard on them. That said, other couples were better than they were, so I'm guessing they're in the bottom three.

Sara & Pasha, jazz - This was a weird, cool, sexy routine and I dug it. I'm always impressed with the way these two really inhabit their roles when they dance--it's like they become different people. I was completely impressed with the detail they pulled off here as well. I say they're safe.

Lauren & Neil, contemporary - The judges loved this one, but it didn't do it for me. The routine had its moments for sure, and I can tell they're both extremely proficient, technically. As an added bonus, the goggles prevented me from dealing with their incessant camera mugging, so they annoyed me a little less. But the parts where they had to dance in unison were sloppy. This could have been so much cooler, but I was disappointed. I suspect I'm in the minority where these two are concerned, but if there's any justice in the world, they'll land in the bottom three.

Anya & Danny, foxtrot - Much ado has been made about Danny's attitude, and the couple's struggle to connect to the audience, but the judges were falling over themselves to praise them for their routine tonight. They said all of these fancy things about what they achieved, but I'm going to break it down really simply for you. The dancing was superb, the routine was sensational, and the reason everyone's saying that they finally really loved them, in addition to all that? They SMILED. Danny smiled. Genuinely smiled. And, truly, it was awesome to see. I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess they're safe.

Lacey & Kameron, hip hop - I'm not a big fan of Dan Karaty routines. They aren't really hip hop in a true sense, and this one involved lots of prancing around on Lacey's part, which isn't entirely her fault. I would have liked to see them take on something a little more tough, but even with this soft routine, they were just okay. I've loved these two the whole season so far, but tonight they were meh. Now, I think fans of this show have a blind spot when it comes to the Schwimmers and just vote for them maniacally. So I could be wrong when I say this, but I think they're going to end up in the bottom three.

So, predictions:
1. Sabra & Dominic - safe
2. Jaimie & Hok - bottom 3
3. Sara & Pasha - safe
4. Lauren & Neil - bottom 3
5. Anya & Danny - safe
6. Lacey & Kameron - bottom 3

Truly, though, the voting this season has been erratic and surprising. If my bottom 3 predictions are right, however, then I'm going to guess that we're saying goodbye to... gosh, I'd love to say Lauren & Neil, but I'm thinking the judges will be thinking about who'll sell the most tickets when the top 10 go on tour, so I'm going to guess Jaimie & Kameron. Feel free, as always to tell me where I'm wrong.

cute little bugger

I have a new nephew! Mac's sister gave birth to Russell Dean on Friday, July 13th. He's a cute little bugger, don't you think?

peanut butter & mushroom sandwich

It's late, and I've had wine. Let's get right to it.

First: Cat Deeley's frocks this season overall have been better than last season's, but tonight's looks like some kind of sequined mermaid thing from the reject pile of the entire decade of the 1980's. OY.

Second: Guest judge is Adam Shankman, director and choreographer of Hairspray. Which, yay! But how much more fun would it be if they had the director of the original Hairspray, John Waters? I'm just saying.

Lacey & Kameron, hustle - Seriously, hustle gets its own dance genre? I mean, it does when the UNC Crew does it (holler!) but... what? Whatever, it's a gimicky name for a disco routine, and everyone knows that "disco" equates death on this show. As for the dancing, they were really tight as a couple, the performance was strong, but the overall routine was just kind of meh.

Shauna & Cedric, mambo - Honestly? Way better than I expected, and Alan agrees with me. Shauna is growing on me, and she was fabulous here, and Cedric really went after this style. When they came out of the partnering stuff and were dancing in unison? HOT. Hot. They weren't perfect, but they were hot.

Anya & Danny, contemporary - I love Tyce DiOrio. He just seems darling, and his routines are very fresh to me. He has a nice sense of the music he uses, which I appreciate. This routine is no different, and is my favorite contemporary routine of the season so far. The pair of dancers do a beautiful job again. But more and more, I find that they're almost too professional. They're cold. I don't connect with these individuals at all any more, and that will be problematic for them in the long run. Alan & Nigel argued about Danny a bit here, and I think they're both right--Danny needs to give viewers a reason beyond his technique to want to root for him, because right now it's missing.

Sara & Pasha, west coast swing - OMG how cute is Pasha? Benji Schwimmer is choreographing this number, which is... interesting. As is his... blond hair? Oh, dear. And, I was feeling kind of "Oh dear" all through the rehearsal footage and even when Fatboy Slim started up, but then suddenly? They became my new favorite couple. They were slick and fun and technically lovely, and the chemistry was there, and I did not see this coming, but yeah. Good, good stuff here.

Sabra & Dominic, hip hop - Dominic thinks Cat Deeley has a French accent, and dude? Why are you so lame? *sigh* BUT they got a Shane Sparks routine, whom I love love love. The routine is cute, and executed well. Everyone is usually all, "Ooh, Dominic, you're so amazing & growing so much!" But really, Sabra? Is the one growing on me on this show. She's been a slow burn, but I like her a lot lately.

Jaimie & Hok, waltz - Hok reveals in his interview that he plays the violin, so you know I love him even more now. Jaimie still bugs the crap out of me. And yet, when she dances? Lovely. I have a hard time buying Hok in these traditional styles, but I respect how much he throws himself into them as much as he does a hip hop or Wade Robson "jazz" routine. Sarah McLachlan's dreamy "Angel" really helps them as well, but ultimately it wasn't a super strong result from the pair.

Lauren & Neil, jazz - Ugh. I hate these two. I love Wade Robson. I love Wade Robson doing Roisin Murphy songs even more. WHAT TO DO?!? Well. The routine is totally rad, but these two made it seem twee. They mugged through some otherwise badass choreography, and it was basically what you would expect to see with two obnoxious, immature people doing brilliant choreography. It was like a peanut butter & mushroom sandwich. Love the peanut butter, hate the mushrooms. Love the routine, still don't love the couple.

Predictions this week are tough, but I'm going to go with:
1. Lacey & Kameron - safe
2. Shauna & Cedric - bottom 3
3. Anya & Danny - bottom 3
4. Sara & Pasha - safe
5. Sabra & Dominic - safe
6. Jaimie & Hok - bottom 3
7. Lauren & Neil - safe (I don't believe anyone's putting Wade in the bottom 3)
And if my bottom 3 couple predictions are right, then I think Anya & Hok, who were my two favorites at the onset of the season, could be the ones to leave. I know, crazy, but it could totally happen. We'll see.

I'm going to Santa Barbara tomorrow night so I may not get to blog the results & how right/wrong I was. So until I can blog again, I'll just say that the word safe has ceased to seem like a real, accurately spelled word to me. Safe. Safe safe safe. Safe. See?