Life, Crap, Etc.

Bilal and Lylla Khawar

Rolled cuffs continuing from last season (love them!) .. Emporio and Paul Smith also followed the trend, with the inner-cuffs often matching the collar .. looks great, esp. with Paul Smith’s signature stripes! .. really like the tuxedo jackets .. always classy .. never out of style .. the “torn jeans” seem to be making a come-back .. personally, I prefer the grunged, vintage sort of jeans .. as for the embroidery, have to say it’s something only D&G would do .. but, certainly, not for everyone to carry off .. pants/jeans with wider silhouettes making a come-back .. thank god, no more of the “skinny” jeans! .. pllllease! .. pleated pants/jeans and tuxedo pants look great! ..

over-sized metallic knitwear shirts .. with the “chanel-ish” border thing happening  .. I WANT!!!

more bags, please!!!

yes, men wear bags! .. how else do you carry your stuff around? .. the college backpack or the odd messenger or laptop bags just doesn’t cut it!

“laptop bags”, no matter how nice, sturdy, etc .. NO! NO! NO! .. get a sleeve for your notebook and a REAL bag ..

amazing detail .. only Stefano Gabbana!

prayer beeds .. always cool!

and, finally, the D&G clutch! ..

love the scarves!!!

the collection .. love it! ..

finally, clutches for men .. how the hell else do you carry all your crap if you’re going out at night?!?

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leather & studded denim!

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Talk about totally inspiring!  The entertainment world, and not to mention the web, has been totally abuzz by this most inspirational lady. I don’t think there’s really ever been so much hype about a contestant from one of the “American Idol” type of shows.  In this case, “Britian’s Got Talent”, featured Susan Boyle .. a 47 year-old charity worker, I believe, who totally blew the competition away with her stunning performance.  So much so that one of the judges said it was a “privilege” to watch her perform.  So, why all the hype?  As if this world isn’t superficial enough, unfortunately the entertainment industry is a hundred times worst.  The producer of “American Idol” (i.e. Simon what’s-his-name) makes it blunt enough by saying that they’re really looking for the next “marketable” pop sensation.  Not just a voice, but someone who’s also got the look and is able to live the lifestyle.

So, here we have a rather middle-aged, not particularly attractive lady walking up on stage announcing her aspiration to be someone like Elaine Paige ( .. of Evita fame).  We see the audience sort of roll their eyes, thinking they’re going to be subjected to yet another completely horrid performance by some old lady who wants to be someone.  The three judges squirm in their chairs and poise themselves for a quick dismissal.  The music starts and, of course, everyone’s totally blown away.  Susan gets a standing ovation from not only the audience, but also the judges.  Singing a song from Les Miserables, the woman just blew everyone away!  The poor thing, herself, was quite surprised at the reaction she got from the judges and the audience.

Immediately following the performance, the video and the story spread like wild-fire through the entertainment world and the web.  Every single news broadcaster picked up on the story, not just for a day; in fact it’s still being talked about.  Even I’m blogging about it.  The “twitter” world went crazy with how you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.  Everyone from the Huffington Post, to Larry King, NBC’s Brian Williams, CNN’s Anderson Cooper were talking about it.  And I was sitting there thinking .. gosh, has the entire world become so complaicent with the entertainment industry’s “standards” .. that it had to take the humility of this very talented 47 year-old to bring us back to reality?  More than the music and her voice, I was humbled by this woman’s incredible amount of humility.  She’s not going to get a publicist like the octa-mom.  She’s not going to get a “makeover” and be on Oprah.  (I believe she’s been offered several makeovers).  She’s going to go back to doing what she enjoys most, taking care of her ailing mother.  The woman really doesn’t care much for the “possibilities” that she could very well cash out on!  I think that should be the true story!

Susan’s performance has been viewed 47 million times on YouTube (till date), and has been receiving so many constant hits that YouTube’s had to turn off the video’s embedding feature.  (Since everyone on the planet wanted to get the video running on their web-site/blog).  If she wanted to get on the “social networking” bandwagon, she really would have a pre-built platform for her.  Her fans (now in the millions) would jump at the opportunity of adding her to their facebook, or twitter account, hanging on her every word. Isn’t it incredible!?

Just in case you missed Susan’s incredible rendition of I Dreamed a Dream, here’s your chance:

http://www.lifecrapetc.com/wp-content/videos/SusanBoyle.flv

“I do believe in that strongly, myself.  As long as you’re not hurting anybody or doing anything that is causing mischief or hurting anyone or anything awful, that whatever works to get through your life is fine.  All the nonsense about what one should be doing and shouldn’t be doing and what’s quote unquote appropriate according to the appropriate police – it’s nonsense.  It’s a tough scufle through life, a tragic situation.  Whatever gets you through – as long as doesn’t hurt anybody else – is fine.”

– Woody Allen explaining the title of his new film, “Whatever Works” in a pragmatic philosophy:  when it comes to our treacherous human hearts, namely that if you should find something or someone in your life that makes you happy, go for it – regardless if it might appear, at first glance, to be all wrong.

“Whatever Works” releases June 19th, in the U.S.  The film, shot entirely in New York, is written and directed by Woody Allen.  Starring Larry David, of “Sienfeld” and “Curb your Enthusiasm” fame, Evan Rachel Wood and the emmy award-winning actress Patricia Clarkson, the film is said to be a romantic comedy with eccentric characters and twists.  Woody Allen is, of course, known for his risqué screenplays and direction .. and his much talked about relationship with ex-girlfriend’s (i.e. Mia Farrow) adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn, whom he later married.  “Whatever Works” has been selected to open the Tribecha Film Festival on April 22nd.